The Big Horn River near Fort Smith, MT, is some of the best fly fishing in the state. The tailwater provides an extremely healthy trout population that offers Montana anglers opportunities throughout the year and is a prime option during spring, as temperatures here are typically much milder versus the Bozeman area. 

The forecast is looking great for some springtime fishing on the Big Horn. Overcast with mid to low 50s for the next week and some rain mixed in here and there. Fishing has been fair with flows around 6,000 CFS, this is a bit high and has brought some floating debris which poses a bit of a challenge but isn't too bad especially above 3 mile. Nymphing deep with Scuds, Sowbugs, Midge Larvae, and Aquatic worms continues to be the program.  Floating or wading between Afterbay FAS and Bighorn FAS is the best water right now and fish are holding in large seams off into the slower water and in deep pools. Once you figure out what the wild trout here are focused on during their feeding, high numbers can be caught in these localized areas.

Fly fishing with streamers has been hit or miss, mainly depending on the conditions. Some anglers are finding success with white or two-tone flies like a Barley Legal. Our Bozeman fly fishing guides have found that using a sinking tip line and making medium-length strips has been best. 

Dry fly fishing has slowed a bit with a slight bump in flows and drop in water temperatures but this should get good again this week as thick hatches of Midges and BWOs should continue to take effect. If you see some trout rising to the surface, a Midge Cluster #18-16 / Parachute Adams #18-16 paired with a good cast typically fools them. 

Make sure you stop by some of the fly shops in Fort Smith, MT like the Bighorn Angler and the Bighorn Trout Shop to get the latest information and conditions regarding the river.