Bighorn River Fly Fishing in September

Quick Facts About Bighorn River Fly Fishing in September

• September brings cooler weather and fewer anglers to the Bighorn River.
• Tricos are the main hatch early in the month, followed by blue-winged olives as fall moves in.
• Caddis are still around, especially on warmer afternoons.
• Early mornings are the best time to fish the trico spinner fall.
• Small flies, long leaders, and accurate casts make a big difference during dry fly fishing.
• Floating weeds are common in September and often need to be cleared from flies and leaders.
• Zebra midges, caddis pupae, and small perdigons are good nymphs to have in the fly box.
• Streamer fishing starts to improve as water temperatures cool later in the month.
• September is a good time to fish both dry flies and nymphs on the same day.
• Cool mornings and mild afternoons make September one of the most comfortable months to fish the Bighorn River.

Bighorn River Fly Fishing in September

Summer crowds start to diminish on the Bighorn River as the first signs of fall appear in the surrounding high country. Cloudy days and early morning starts are essential for the dry fly enthusiast.

Increasing growth of aquatic vegetation can be a headache for novice anglers, but also a rewarding experience for the technical dry fly angler. Small flies and accurate casts are the keys to success.

Floating grass continues to be a challenge well into late October.

September Hatches on the Bighorn River

Trico, BWO, and Pseudocleon mayfly hatches continue to bring rising trout to the surface with cool, cloudy days providing ideal conditions for the dry fly angler. Caddis activity continues on warm days with better angling success happening on pupa patterns fished below the surface.

Bozeman Fly Fishing Guide Pro Tip:

Nymph fishing with a tandem rig that includes a tan caddis pupa pattern followed by a small, black Zebra Midge can be incredibly effective in September. Black flies are rarely observed but are particularly active in the morning hours. These aquatic insects are often mistakenly identified as midges or Trico nymphs.

Bighorn River Fly Box in September

Bighorn River Fly Fishing Techniques in September

“The early bird gets the worm” when fly fishing the Trico hatch on the Bighorn River. Early morning sessions begin at sunrise with a brief intermission before the spinner fall. Trico spinners will last through mid-morning followed by the challenge of nymph fishing for the remainder of the day.

Short leaders of 3 to 5 feet in length should be fished in shallow riffles, along slow foam lines, in back eddies, and along the edges of matted grass islands. A heavy lead fly such with a sunken Trico spinner as the dropper nymph is an effective September setup.

Streamer fly fishing presents the challenge of keeping your flies clean of floating grass. Focus on the casting to the center of the river with a heavy sinking line to quickly cut through the grass floating near the surface.

Bighorn River Fly Fishing Trips in September

Fins and Feathers Guide Service has been outfitting Montana fly fishing trips on the Bighorn River for over two decades. Join our team of seasoned Montana fly fishing guides for a few days of exploring this legendary tailwater fishery in the fall.

Advanced reservations with a 3-day minimum at $725 per day for 1-2 anglers are required for our Bighorn River fishing trips. Consider combining these with a few days of fly fishing in Bozeman for a custom-tailored Montana fly fishing vacation.

Bighorn River fly fishing trips can be secured online, via e-mail, or by calling us at 1-406-468-5019.

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