Bighorn River Fishing Report
Date: 01/05/2026
Posted by: Toby SwankCurrent Conditions
The Bighorn River has continues to fish well. Conditions have stayed stable, with open water and good access throughout the river. Wind has been the biggest variable day to day, and the most comfortable fishing has lined up from late morning into the afternoon.
Subsurface setups have been doing almost all the work. Scuds and sowbugs have been the foundation, with zebra midges and small mayfly-style nymphs working well as the second fly. A 9-foot fluorocarbon leader of 4X has been a solid choice for most situations. Making sure flies are getting down to where fish are holding has mattered more than changing patterns.
Fish have been holding in deeper water with consistent current. Spending time fishing those sections carefully has paid off more than trying to cover a lot of water. Shallow areas haven’t offered much lately.
Streamer fishing is still an option if you want to mix things up, but it hasn’t been necessary to have a good day. Smaller leech and sculpin-style patterns have moved a few fish during the warmest part of the day. A shorter leader of 5–6 feet of heavier fluorocarbon helps keep things manageable.
Dry-fly fishing has been limited. Midges are present, but surface activity has been brief and inconsistent.
Overall, the Bighorn River continues to be a reliable winter fishery. Plan on a later start, expect wind, and focus on fishing deeper water for the most consistent results.
Additional Resources:
- Bighorn River Fly Fishing In Winter
- Bozeman Fly Fishing In Winter
Stream Flows
Flows
Recommended Flies
Tailwater Sowbug
Sparkle Minnow
Skiddish Smolt
Gray Gonga
Black Lite Brite Perdigon
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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