Bighorn River Fishing Report
Date: 11/04/2026
Posted by: Toby SwankCurrent Conditions
The Bighorn River is still producing fish, although the annual lake turnover has made things more challenging. Water coming out of the dam has taken on a green, almost pea-soup color, and visibility is considerably reduced. Despite that, anglers are still finding good fishing, particularly with nymphs. Late morning through the afternoon is a good window to focus on.
Sowbugs and scuds should be at the top of the fly box right now. Smaller baetis nymphs, zebra midges, and perdigons are also worth fishing. A sowbug trailed by a smaller BWO nymph is a good setup for working the deeper runs. Keep flies close to the bottom, and don't be afraid to adjust indicator depth and weight until you're finding fish.
Streamer fishing has also been good, with smaller, natural-colored patterns getting attention. Thin Mints, woolly buggers, and smaller baitfish patterns are worth trying around deeper water. There are still some blue-winged olive hatches, particularly when the wind settles down, but reduced visibility has made dry fly fishing less consistent. Small BWO emergers and parachute patterns in sizes 18–20 are worth carrying.
Additional Resources:
- Fly Fishing Bozeman in November
Stream Flows
View stream flow graph on USGS
Recommended Flies
Black Lite Brite Perdigon
Tungsten Tailwater Sowbug
Tailwater Sowbug
Skiddish Smolt
Orange Scud
White Peanut Envy
Olive Mini Dungeon
Olive Double Gonga
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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