Bighorn River Fishing Report
Date: 06/19/2026
Posted by: Toby SwankCurrent Conditions
The Bighorn River is settling into a good early summer pattern and has been fishing well.
PMDs are becoming more important every day, and there are enough fish looking up now that anglers should be paying attention anytime they see bugs on the water. The dry fly fishing isn't necessarily an all-day event, but there have been some good opportunities throughout the afternoons.
Most of the consistency is still coming from nymphing. Sowbugs, scuds, zebra midges, PMD nymphs, and small pheasant tail patterns have all been producing fish. Long drifts and clean presentations continue to matter more than constantly changing flies.
When fish start rising, PMD cripples, emergers, and parachute-style patterns have been good choices. The fish can get selective at times, but there are enough risers around that it's worth carrying a dry fly rod.
Streamer fishing remains secondary to the nymph and dry fly fishing, although a few fish are still being moved on smaller olive and natural-colored patterns during lower light periods.
The Bighorn feels like it's right where it should be for mid-June. PMDs are becoming a bigger deal every day, fish are feeding throughout the water column, and anglers have plenty of options once they get on the river.
Additional Resources:
- Bozeman Fly Fishing Guide To June
Stream Flows
Flows
Recommended Flies
Black Zebra Midge
Tailwater Sowbug
Black Lite Brite Perdigon
Tungsten Tailwater Sowbug
Skiddish Smolt
Sparkle Minnow
Gray Gonga
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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