Bighorn River Fishing Report
Date: 09/28/2026
Posted by: Toby SwankCurrent Conditions
The Bighorn River is fishing well, and the afternoon has been the part of the day to pay attention to. Black caddis are still around, with pseudos and a few other small mayflies mixed in.
Start the morning underneath with sowbugs, scuds, or a zebra midge. Around midday, Frenchies, pheasant tails, and other small mayfly nymphs have been getting more attention as the bugs become active. If fish start rising, small black caddis and baetis dries are worth tying on.
Streamer fishing has been decent and should get more interesting as the water continues to cool. Rusty trombones, thin mints, and smaller buggers are good choices right now. There is still some grass in the river, so expect to clean the fly from time to time.
Additional Resources:
Stream Flows
View stream flow graph on USGS
Recommended Flies
Peacock Elk Hair Caddis
Tan Morrish Hopper
Purple Chubby Chernobyl
Black Lite Brite Perdigon
Tungsten Tailwater Sowbug
Tailwater Sowbug
Skiddish Smolt
Orange Scud
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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