Bighorn River Fishing Report
Date: 04/13/2026
Posted by: Toby SwankCurrent Conditions
The Bighorn River is fishing well. Flows are consistent and the river is fishing how it should for this time of year. Fish are set up in the slower runs, flats, and along the edges of the main current. You’ll find steady action if you stay on that water and fish it thoroughly instead of moving too much.
Nymphing has been the most consistent approach. Sow bugs and scuds paired with zebra midges or small baetis nymphs have been producing. Pink, gray, and black have all been good. Keep your rig light but make sure it’s getting down. If you’re not touching bottom occasionally, add a little weight.
Dry fly fishing has been a factor most days. Midges are the main player, with fish feeding in pods through late morning into the afternoon. There are also some BWOs around, especially on cloudier days. Long leaders and good drifts matter here.
Streamer fishing has been slower overall, but you can still move fish with smaller patterns if you stay patient and fish them slow.
The Bighorn is in a good place right now. Stay on the flats, fish clean, and take your time.
Additional Resources:
- Fly Fishing Bozeman In April
Stream Flows
Flows
Recommended Flies
Black Lite Brite Perdigon
Tailwater Sowbug
Sparkle Minnow
Skiddish Smolt
Gray Gonga
Black Zebra Midge
Orange Scud
Tungsten Tailwater Sowbug
Bighorn River Fly Fishing
The Bighorn River, emerging from the base of Afterbay Dam near Fort Smith, Montana, is one of the state’s premier tailwater fisheries. Fed by cold, consistent flows from Yellowtail Dam, the river offers exceptional fly fishing opportunities across the first 35 miles—especially between the Afterbay and Bighorn Fishing Access Sites.
The most popular stretch is the 10-mile float from 3-Mile to Bighorn Access. Here, anglers find productive seams, riffles, and side channels that are ideal for both floating and wade fishing. Dry fly action peaks during PMD and BWO hatches, while nymphing remains effective year-round.
Crowds are common from spring through early fall, particularly in the first three miles below the dam and at the 3-Mile fishing access site. This easily wadeable section includes legendary runs like the Breakfast Hole and Hot-Dog Run, where trout stack up in knee-deep gravel-bottomed riffles.
Further downstream, fishing pressure decreases and trout numbers taper off, but float anglers willing to explore these more remote stretches will find reprieve from the crowds.. Late summer and fall can be tricky due to aquatic vegetation and irrigation returns.
Whether you're casting dries, drifting nymphs, or stripping streamers, the Bighorn delivers consistent action for wild brown and rainbow trout—making it a must-visit for serious fly anglers in Montana.
Additional Bighorn River Fly Fishing Resources
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