Bighorn River Fishing Report
Date: 01/26/2026
Posted by: Toby SwankCurrent Conditions
The Bighorn River is fishing well right now and continues to be a reliable option this time of year. Most of the river is open and accessible, with only minor ice along the banks in spots. Wind has been the biggest factor affecting conditions, but when it’s manageable, fishing has been best from late morning into the afternoon.
Nymphing has been the most consistent way to catch fish. Scuds and sowbugs have been the main flies to build rigs around, followed by smaller patterns like zebra midges, baetis-style nymphs, and simple perdigons. A 9-foot fluorocarbon leader of 4X has been a good setup for keeping flies down and maintaining control in the heavier water.
Streamer fishing has been worth mixing in at times, especially during the afternoon. Mid-sized streamer patterns have moved some fish, though nymphing has produced more consistently overall. A shorter leader of 5–6 feet of heavier fluorocarbon helps keep streamer setups simple and manageable.
Dry fly activity has been limited. Midges are present, but surface activity has been brief and easy to miss. If you see fish rising, a small midge dry or emerger can work, but subsurface fishing has been the better option most days.
Overall, the Bighorn River is in good shape right now. Planning for a later start, keeping rigs simple, and adjusting around the wind has been the best approach.
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.
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