Big Horn Montana Fishing Report Today

Good morning fellow anglers, this is Artificial Lure with a boots-on-the-bank fishing report for Big Horn, Montana on Thursday, November 6, 2025.

The Bighorn River is showing its best autumn attitude this week. Recent mornings have started out crisp, bellyaching in the low 30s, but by noon you can shed a layer as temps reach into the upper 40s, maybe low 50s. We're seeing classic Montana fall: chilly dawns, little wind early, and mostly clear skies with an occasional stray cloud. According to Fins and Feathers Bozeman, that midday warm-up has trout on the move, with increased activity from late morning into early afternoon—so don’t sleep in too long![Fins and Feathers Bozeman]

Sunrise today comes at around 7:02 AM, with sunset dropping over the horizon at roughly 4:44 PM, so you’ve got a stretch of fishable daylight that rewards both the early risers and the after-work crowd.

No tidal report is needed—Big Horn’s a river town—so what you’ll want to watch for is steady flows and clear water, which are prime right now thanks to a week of calm weather and minimal rain. Montana Outdoor notes that the river is in prime fall form with steady nymphing and improving streamer action. Expect hungry browns and rainbows eager for a bite, especially as the cold temps keep them looking to bulk up before winter.[Montana Outdoor]

As far as the catch: The river has been offering up healthy browns and rainbows mostly in the 14–18 inch class, with some bigger fish sniffing out the deeper runs and soft seams. Nymphs have been steady—try a size 16–18 Pheasant Tail or Zebra Midge under an indicator, and run your rig tight to the bottom. For those looking to get aggressive, streamer fishing has fired up; olive and black Woolly Buggers, Sparkle Minnows, and small Sculpins are moving fish, particularly in the slots and near brush piles.[Fins and Feathers Bozeman; Montana Outdoor]

If you’re after numbers, the Bighorn stretch near the Afterbay to 3-Mile is producing consistent strikes. Fishing has been, by local standards, “pretty dang good”; most boats are reporting 10–20 fish in a morning float, with an even split between rainbows and browns. Bank anglers are getting action too, especially tossing small nymphs or dead drifting worms in slower water. If bait’s your game, nightcrawlers on a drift can stir up the resident bottom-feeders when the water gets cold.

For fly traffic, Blue Wing Olive (BWO) hatches linger through mid-morning whenever cloud cover rolls in, so keep Griffith’s Gnat and BWO dries handy. Terrestrial action is mostly finished, but dropping a small stonefly or a scud as a trailer has been the ticket for picky trout in slower water.

Best baits this week:

- **Nymphs**: Zebra Midge, Pheasant Tail, Rainbow Warrior

- **Streamers**: Sparkle Minnow, olive Woolly Bugger, Sculpin patterns

- **Bait fishers**: Nightcrawlers and pink Powerbait for rainbows

Hotspots to try:

- The Afterbay launch area—short walk for waders, easy access for boats, lots of soft

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Artificial Lure here, reporting from Big Horn, Montana, with today’s fishing rundown for November 5, 2025.

The Big Horn River is showing off its true fall colors with **steady flows and crystal-clear water** that make sight fishing a real treat. According to Montana Outdoor, fish activity is solid — nymphing remains king, streamer action has picked up, and there’s still enough surface bite to keep the dry fly folks happy. We haven’t seen the crowds since October faded, leaving plenty of river to yourself. Most anglers I talked to this week are still landing good numbers of **rainbow and brown trout**, both in the prime 14–18-inch range, with the occasional bigger brown mixing things up — especially near the gravel bars and slower tailouts.

The weather this morning is a bit cooler, hovering in the mid 60s, with clouds and a few rounds of light rain moving through in the early hours, as the National Weather Service reports for Northern Big Horn. Winds are out of the northwest at 10–20 mph, so plan for a little extra current and some tricky casting along the open banks. That said, a calm patch is expected by this afternoon, making the post-lunch hours your best bet for topwater or streamer action.

**Sunrise** hit at 6:22 AM and **sunset** will be at 8:01 PM, giving anglers a full window to take advantage of the noon warmth that usually sparks a little uptick in trout feeding[11]. With the days getting shorter and the water cooling down, that midday bite becomes sweeter — keep an eye out for blue-winged olive hatches, which are a signal for hungry fish and a must for your fly box right now.

Hot lures and baits for the Bighorn this week are:

- **Nymph rigs**: Small Pheasant Tails, Zebra Midges, and orange scuds have all been producing.

- **Streamers**: Olive or black Woolly Buggers, Sculpzillas, and the classic Sparkle Minnow are working, particularly during overcast spells.

- For bait fishing (where allowed in certain sections), **nightcrawlers and PowerBait** are landing plenty of rainbows and a few cutthroat.

No tidal report today — the Bighorn doesn’t have tides, but river flows are stable and the big wind yesterday flushed some food down from the upper sections, putting fish on the feed.

Lake anglers are still finding **smallmouth bass and the occasional northern pike** moving shallow as the water cools, especially in the back bays and around submerged structure. Pike are still quick on flashy spoons and paddletails, while smallies are hitting crankbaits and jigs fished slow and low. Swimbaits and chatterbaits are worth a shot if you’re after something bigger near the weed lines.

**Hot spots this week**:

- The stretch between the Afterbay and 3 Mile — ideal for streamer and nymph anglers, especially in the afternoon warmth.

- The side channels around Bighorn Access — lower pressure, plenty of holding water, and a real chance at a big brown swinging a streamer.

Word from longtime guides: afternoons are fishing best, especially from 12 to

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This is Artificial Lure with your Tuesday, November 4th, 2025, fishing report for Big Horn, Montana, and the surrounding river country.

We woke to a crisp 49°F at sunrise and skies mostly clear over the canyon, with just a touch of southeast breeze rolling in at 5 to 10 mph. Expect a gorgeous fall day—highs reaching the mid 70s under mostly sunny skies, with just a chance of afternoon clouds. Sunset will drop fast tonight, so plan your evening bite around 5:03 PM. No tide swings to track here; river conditions are the name of the game.

River flows on the Bighorn are dropping, and the big trout are leaving shallow riffles for deeper runs. The water’s running clear, and fish activity is solid with the recent cool nights lining them up for the nymph and streamer bite. Anglers this past week have pulled in healthy numbers of rainbow and brown trout, typically in the 14"–20" range. Folks have also reported cutbows and the odd whitefish, mostly on nymph rigs and flashy streamers. Montana Outdoor describes the fall fishing as “prime”—steady flows, clear water, and plenty of fish eager to eat.

Best setups are nymphs under an indicator with worms, sow bugs, perdigons, Zirdles, Yuk Bugs, and midges working all day. North Fork Anglers recommends giving firebead sows and Montana Mouthwash a whirl. On the streamer side, Sculpzilla, Thin Mint, and Rusty Trombone have turned up some knuckle-buster browns, especially in the lower canyon and beneath cloudy afternoons. If you’re hoping for dry-fly action, keep an eye out for Blue Wing Olives and midges in the slackwater—there’s still a few sipping on top in the late morning.

If you’re bringing bait, go with the classic—nightcrawlers and powerbait should do well on the slower sections if you’re after quantity more than quality. For the fly folks, flash and buggy profiles are your ticket. Spin-casters take note: spoons and small jigs are producing, especially in deeper pools and tailouts.

Hot spots worth hitting right now:

- **Afterbay to Soap Creek:** Deep runs just below the Afterbay Dam always hold good numbers in the fall, and the streamer game has been hot.

- **Three Mile Access:** The riffle-drop pools beneath the access are holding migrating fish; work the nymphs through the pocket water.

- **Bighorn Canyon Wild Bend:** The bend near Wild Bend is a sleeper for bigger browns when tossing heavy streamers on a cloudy afternoon.

Despite the low flows, access is good—just keep an eye out for exposed debris if you’re wading or floating the Bighorn. Weather looks stable for the next few days, but grab an extra layer if fishing late; lows tonight will dip toward 50°F, and the weekend could bring a quick shot of rain and colder temps. No snow in the forecast, but fall’s grip is tightening—perfect conditions for aggressive fish.

There’s been no recent word of lake trout or walleye in these upper sections, but downstream reservoirs are still turning out rainbows and the occasional fat perch. For those drifting ne

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This is Artificial Lure with your November 3rd fishing report for Big Horn, Montana. It’s a bluebird morning out here – sunrise hit at 7:58 AM and we’ll lose that last cast around 6:07 PM. Daylight’s short and the cool weather’s here to stay, but if you layered up and made it to the river, you’re in for a treat. According to Montana Outdoor, fall fishing on the Bighorn River is in prime shape: steady flows, crystal clear water, and trout that flat-out refuse to let go of that autumn appetite.

Weather’s classic Big Horn November: low 40s at dawn, topping out near 56 degrees by late afternoon, wind out of the west around 10-15 mph, and a slight chance of light rain mid-morning, but nothing that should send you home early. The barometer’s steady – fish are on a reliable bite, especially late morning through the afternoon. No tidal swings to worry about here, just steady river flow – perfect for presenting those flies slow and deep.

Fish activity’s been hot since Halloween. The nymph bite is king with blue-winged olive (BWO) patterns producing steady action. Rig up scuds (orange and tan) or a sowbug dropper below a small indicator – fish are holding deep and slow, especially in those classic Big Horn runs and tailouts. Rainbow and brown trout are both active – most fish coming to hand have been solid 14-18 inchers, with a few pushing past 20 inches for lucky anglers working streamers or larger nymphs. Recent reports from locals say streamer junkies are scoring well with olive sculpin patterns and small black leeches, especially when worked right along the slower banks and undercut edges in the afternoons.

Surface activity is subtle but present. If you’re a dry-fly diehard, watch for BWO hatches mid-afternoon, particularly on overcast days. Trout are sipping but can be picky—size down to 18 or 20, and drift carefully through slower water.

Best baits right now? Stick with nymphs—BWO nymphs, scuds, sowbugs, and the occasional midge if you see heavy hatch activity. If tossing hardware, small silver and gold spinners or spoons are pulling in some aggressive browns along the deeper runs. Folks after numbers should dead drift those nymphs, but if you want that one big grab, swing a smaller articulated streamer right along the ledges after noon.

Hotspots for the week:

- The Afterbay section below the Yellowtail Dam: fish are podded up and eager in the first few miles, especially where side channels rejoin the main flow.

- Second spot: the “Wheat Field” runs downstream, just above the Bighorn access site—less pressure, more willing trout, especially behind midstream boulders and weed beds.

Overall, the Bighorn’s giving up numbers and some real quality. If you’re heading out on foot, focus on slower seams and inside corners; drift boaters can cover all the right water, but low flows mean you’ll want to move slow and fish every shelf thoroughly.

Thanks for tuning in to your Big Horn fishing report – don’t forget to subscribe for more river intel. This ha

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Fishing community, this is Artificial Lure with the angler’s update for November 2nd, 2025, reporting from Big Horn, Montana, and the iconic Bighorn River.

We woke to a crisp 29°F under overcast skies as daylight crept over the Pryor Mountains, with sunrise pegged at 7:00 AM and sunset wrapping it up at 5:51 PM. Montana is bracing for a wintry day: weather advisories are in effect, and forecasters warn of a wet snowstorm dropping up to four inches in the region. Winds are expected to gust up to 35 mph at times, adding a real bite to the chill. Bundle up and mind those snow squalls, especially along the riverbanks and open roads. Water flows on the Bighorn below Yellowtail Dam are moderately strong for November, with most Montana rivers averaging about 72 percent of their normal levels according to SnoFlo’s statewide streamflow report. That means the Bighorn should be running stable with a slight bump, perfect for targeting those deep, slow pools and inside bends.

No tides to report for these inland rivers, but moon phase is waning gibbous, which often encourages afternoon activity, especially for browns with the spawn underway.

Yesterday and into the early hours, guides and walk-in regulars reported solid numbers of rainbow trout in the 15–18 inch class, with browns caught pushing 20 inches, especially near the “Afterbay” and “3 Mile Access” stretches. Best productivity came early and again late afternoon, as the sun struggled to break through those thick November clouds.

Hot lures and baits this week have leaned classic:

- For spin fishermen, small silver and gold spoons like the Panther Martin or Mepps did the trick, as did soft plastic minnows in white or pearl.

- Fly anglers landed most fish on nymph rigs: sowbugs, pink and orange scuds, and Ray Charles in size 16, trailed by smaller midge pupae.

- Streamers—especially black or olive Woolly Buggers and sculpin imitations—moved the truly heavy browns, especially close to dusk.

- For those bait fishing, fresh nightcrawlers on the bottom or a single salmon egg below a split shot saw some quality takes where regs allow.

Hot spots this week? Don’t miss the classic “Afterbay to 3 Mile” float, targeting seams and tailouts. Wading anglers have done best in the soft water below the dam and at “Bighorn Access,” focusing on slower currents outside the main channel. If you’re hunting a trophy, the area near Soap Creek’s confluence is notorious late fall territory.

Fish are hanging a little deeper with the cold and extra flow, so get your presentations down and don’t be afraid to dredge. Expect trout to hit soft—watch that line for gentle takes.

Word is, the big browns are still active on the spawn, so remember to respect their redds and practice good river stewardship. Montana’s unpredictable November elements are in full swing, so dress for ice in your rod guides and keep an eye out for quick changes in both weather and water.

That wraps it for today’s Bighorn report—thank you all for tuning in

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Artificial Lure here with your Big Horn, Montana fishing report for November 1st, 2025.

Sunrise showed at 6:22 AM and you’ll catch the last light around 8:01 PM—plenty of time to work the water. Weather this morning is crisp and clear after that brief rain spell yesterday. We’re seeing a high expected near 66, partly sunny, with a light westerly breeze at 6 to 10 mph. It’s jacket weather at dawn but warms up by midday, and with low humidity around 23% out of Hardin, the air feels mighty fine. No tidal swings up here, since the Big Horn isn’t tidal, but water flows are steady and clear, setting perfect conditions for trout and walleye action.

Fishing’s been solid with the fall bite picking up. Water temps have cooled, boosting oxygen and keeping those fish active, especially the rainbows. The latest stretch brought in good reports out of Bighorn Lake and the upper river near Fort Smith. Most are seeing steady numbers of rainbow trout in the 14 to 18-inch class, some fat browns biting deep, and a few walleye for the folks working slow jigs by the dam. Anglers using nymph rigs—think bead head pheasant tails and copper johns—are reporting strong numbers, especially in the late morning as the sun peeks over the rim. Afternoon bite’s best for tossing small streamers like olive woolly buggers or the trusty muddler minnow. Bait folks are picking up fish with nightcrawlers and cut-bait strips, though local wisdom says throw a bright spoon in fire tiger or perch, especially at first light.

According to local guides, it’s also a good window for topwater dries. Blue-winged olives and midges are still hatching through midday, so don’t overlook a size 18 sparkle dun or Griffith’s gnat for some surface action. If you want to target bigger browns, swing a streamer low and slow along the undercut banks near Soap Creek. Stripers are rare, but an occasional smallmouth has made its way in where the river warms up by the recreation area.

Hot spots today:

- Just below Afterbay Dam—both wade and drift boat anglers are hooking up with ‘bows and browns. Small jigs tipped with plastic or a touch of bait are working, especially near slack water seams.

- The Dryhead area on Bighorn Lake—offering deeper pools and solid structure for late-season walleye and the biggest trout of the season. Early risers have a definite edge.

A heads-up from Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks: white-tailed deer populations have had some die-off from hemorrhagic diseases in certain counties—not a major impact here along the Bighorn, but it’s keeping predator activity up near the water’s edge. Watch for more skittish fish and use longer leaders for a stealthier approach.

Storm WildEye Curl Tail in fire tiger, as well as classic Panther Martin spinners, are selling well at the marina shops, and word is those have produced some impressive midday strikes. For fly anglers, stick with nymphing in the riffles through the morning. As things warm up, match the hatch on the flats, and don’t neglect thos

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Artificial Lure here with your Thursday, October 30th, 2025 fishing report for the Bighorn River and surrounding waters near Big Horn, Montana. Autumn’s got its grip on the valley – crisp air, cool water, and fiery cottonwoods along the banks. If you’re out early, grab a thermos: sunrise hit at 7:42 a.m., with sunset set for 6:07 p.m. Today’s weather is typical fall: chilly mornings in the upper 30s, a high in the mid-50s later, light west winds, and a shot at light showers by afternoon. Don Day’s Cowboy State Daily says the Bighorn Mountains saw snow Sunday night, so dress warm and watch for changing conditions.

No tidal swings here, but water flows on the Bighorn River remain steady and clear—a prime fall setup. According to Montana Outdoor, the Bighorn is in “prime fall form,” with reliable nymphing, solid streamer action, and just enough surface activity to keep even hardcore fly folks entertained. Recent catches have skewed heavy towards rainbow and brown trout, with plenty of fish in the 14-20 inch class and a handful of wild browns pushing past 22 inches in the past week. Local reporting out of Headhunters Fly Shop confirms that autumn browns are hungry and aggressive, taking big streamers in the deeper runs, especially during overcast stretches.

Best lures this week:

- For fly anglers, black or olive streamers (think Woolly Buggers and Mini Dungeons) have been on fire early and late.

- Nymphers should run size 16-20 Zebra Midges, and smaller Pheasant Tails under an indicator in riffles and tailouts.

- Conventional tackle: spoons and small crankbaits in natural tones are solid bets for rainbows. Jig heads tipped with nightcrawlers or soft-plastic paddletails are picking up walleye and the occasional channel cat in slower water.

Live bait secrets: Nightcrawlers fished deep and powerbait on sliding sinker rigs remain unbeatable for shore folks working the main channel near Fort Smith and in the tailwater below Yellowtail Dam.

Recent fish counts: Over the past week, anglers are averaging 10-20 trout per outing, with pods of bigger browns moving up to spawn. Walleye are slower but worth a shot if you work deeper ledges and drop-offs with vertical presentations. Pike have been spotted shallow, cruising weed beds near the lake mouths—try a silver spoon if you’re after a mixed-bag adventure.

Hot spots today:

- “Miracle Mile” stretch just below the Afterbay is fishing best at first light for browns.

- The gravel bars upstream of Soap Creek are prime territory for rainbows on nymphs by late morning.

- Don’t ignore the confluence near Two Leggins because it always holds a surprise ‘rogue’ brown or late walleye before noon.

Advice: The afternoon bite has been strongest, especially on streamer swings as the water warms and browns start their pre-spawn ambush. Take advantage of those short, cloudy bursts—they’re flipping the switch for aggressive takes.

That’s your local fix straight from the heart of Big Horn. Thanks for tuning in—don’t forget

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Good morning, anglers—Artificial Lure reporting from Big Horn, Montana with today’s fall fishing scoop for Wednesday, October 29th, 2025. Crisp, clear, and chilly is the name of the game.

The weather’s coming in classic late October style: sunrise at 7:42 AM, sunset at 6:04 PM. This morning started in the mid-30s, with temps climbing just into the low 50s by afternoon. Winds are mild, maybe 6 to 10 mph, making for a glassy river after sun-up. We’re looking at mostly clear skies with the odd cloud drifting by—plenty of golden foliage lighting up the banks. No tidal swings to report this far inland, so all eyes on water flow and temperature.

Bighorn River conditions are absolutely prime for fall fishing. Water’s clear, steady at typical autumn flows. Recent showers have freshened things up without blowing it out, and trout are charged up for the season. According to Montana Outdoor, the river is “in prime fall form—steady flows, clear water, and plenty of fish eager to eat.” Browns are getting aggressive ahead of the spawn, with rainbows offering solid action throughout the day.

As for fish activity and recent catches: anglers are reporting banner days. Browns are spooky early, cruising shallow—but hit them with the right presentation and you’ll hook up. Rainbows are feeding tight to seams and riffles, particularly mid-morning through early afternoon. The nymph bite is steady, streamers are getting lunged at, and there’s even enough surface action to test your dries. Most days this week saw folks landing 10 to 20 fish apiece, with browns in the 14–20 inch range and rainbows running slightly smaller, but chunky. Hot spots include the famed Afterbay stretch (always good for mixed sizes and steady action) and the area below Three Mile. Don’t overlook those side channels—less pressure, more fish.

Best lures and bait: For fly anglers, stick to *nymphs*—red San Juan worms, tan scuds, and small Pheasant Tails are producing consistently. *Streamer folks*: black or olive Woolly Buggers, Sculpzillas, and the classic yellow Zonkers all entice a chase from aggressive browns. On slower days, try dead-drifting a leech or swinging a small white minnow imitation. If you’re spinning or tossing hardware, rainbow and gold spoons get slammed just as the sun hits the water. Shore anglers are landing healthy fish on nightcrawlers and Powerbait near the dam.

Don’t be afraid to experiment with split-shot rigs for precise depth control, especially with the cooling water. If the surface gets busy midday, switch over to small Blue Wing Olive dries or even a parachute Adams in size 18–20.

Other species: While trout are the headline grabbers, a few dedicated locals are still working the slower pools and backwaters for late-season walleye—especially around Duck Creek and the Silos area. Bites are slow but a well-placed jig tipped with crawler will pull up a gold flasher if you wait them out.

Hot spots this week:

- The Afterbay to Three Mile stretch is a perennial favo

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This is Artificial Lure back with your Big Horn Montana fishing report for October 28, 2025.

What a spectacular late-October stretch we’re having—folks are waking up to classic crisp mornings with that hint of steam rising off the river, and let me tell you, it’s got the trout moving. Sunrise this morning came right around 7:44 AM, and we’re expecting sunset at 6:10 PM, so anglers have a nice full day to work those pools and riffles.

Weather-wise, yesterday brought in the kind of high, clear skies that make the Bighorn Valley glow gold and rust, with a gentle breeze and temperatures easing up into the low 50s by afternoon. No rain on the radar, so the river’s holding steady—air temps at dawn in the mid-30s, so layer up and bring gloves for a chilly start. According to the latest from Snoflo, streamflow is running a bit low for the Bighorn at about 5,950 cubic feet per second—just 72% of normal, but still ample for floating or wading. Water clarity is great, with just a whisper of fall color coming in from the banks.

For those checking on tides, remember the Bighorn is a freestone-fed river system and not tidally influenced, so focus on river flow and temperature instead. Water temp’s holding nice and cool, just right for trout activity, especially in those prime morning and late afternoon slots.

Trout action has been hot this week. Recaps from the Bighorn Fly Shop are talking several big browns showing up, along with solid numbers of rainbows coming to net, especially in the stretches below Afterbay Dam and down toward the Bighorn Access. Guide boats reported most nets holding a dozen or more fish on solid half-day floats, with two or three browns over 20 inches landed every day since last weekend. One lucky angler drew cheers with a 23-inch slab of a brown just upriver from Soap Creek.

Midge, Baetis, and the odd late Trico are the main show—autumn blue-wing olives hatching most consistently from late morning into early afternoon. The best fly patterns have been size 18-20 olive Baetis parachutes, CDC emergers, and split-back nymphs. Black zebra midges, pink sowbugs, and ray Charles in tan or grey are crushing it below the surface. Most folks are having the best luck running double nymph rigs, especially through runs near Three Mile and below the dam. Streamer bite is also turning on as the clouds roll in and the breeze picks up. Toss olive or white sparkle minnows, JJ’s, or smaller sculpin patterns tight to the banks in the lower light—strip slow and hang on.

For spin anglers and bait fishers, small gold spoons and Panther Martins draw plenty of strikes in the deeper eddies. Gulp minnows or nightcrawlers fished just off the bottom have pulled in a few bonus walleye near the Bighorn bridge—nothing huge, but enough action to keep things interesting.

Hot spots to try today:

- That classic Afterbay to 3-Mile stretch, especially behind the islands and on the soft edges where browns are staging for the spawn.

- The quiet side channels below Big

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Fishing fans, it’s Artificial Lure reporting on a spectacular late-October morning here around Big Horn, Montana. The chill of fall is in the air, and today’s sunrise painted the valley at 7:43 AM, while sunset will slip below the horizon around 6:07 PM—plenty of prime fishing hours, especially with these crisp, calm conditions.

Weather this morning is downright autumnal: expect cool temps starting in the low 30s at dawn with a promise of sunshine by midday, highs pushing into the mid-50s. Dress in layers and stay nimble, since the Bighorn’s notorious for shifting breezes as afternoon clouds build. There’s no saltwater tide near here, but river flows are steady, clarity is up, and October water temps have dropped just enough to spark both trout and angler activity, according to the most recent Bighorn River Fishing Report from Montana Outdoor[Montana Outdoor].

Fish are fired up as the water cools—brown trout are getting into their pre-spawn mood and chasing streamers aggressively, especially in the deeper runs and riffles downstream from Afterbay. Rainbows are stacked up in the seams, feeding steadily. Nymphing remains reliable: locals are swinging firebead sowbugs, orange scuds, and a size 16–18 zebra midge under indicators around Three Mile and Bighorn Access. For streamer anglers, something flashy—think olive or white Sparkle Minnows and slim-profiled Peanut Envys—has turned good heads. Mid-morning and late afternoon have delivered the steadiest takes this week.

Reports from up and down the river say folks are bringing double-digit days, especially drifting the standard 2-fly rig. Numbers are strong, with most fish in the 14–18" slot, though a handful of thick browns over 20" have been pulled from deeper cuts and behind gravel bars. For fly-chuckers, two hot patterns stand out: the purple San Juan worm and thin mint buggers. Live bait isn’t permitted on most Bighorn stretches—be sure to check local regs—but for spin anglers, small silver Panther Martins and black/gold Rapalas are producing just below the dam. If you’re set on numbers, try the upper flats at dawn with micro-jigs.

If you’re bringing the family or hoping for dinner, rainbow trout are the most consistent keepers right now, with a smattering of brown trout showing up for those exploring the sloughs. Several anglers this week have netted smallmouth bass near the edges as the sun warms shallow water in the afternoons, and, rumor has it, a couple of chunky pike are lurking in the backwaters as weeds die back.

Top hotspots: the Afterbay-to-3-Mile section is stacked with active fish and less pressure than mid-river, while Bighorn Access to Soap Creek is lights out right now for browns on streamers. Don’t overlook the braided stretches around Mallard’s Rest in the morning, and if you want a little solitude, sneak off to the islands above Soap Creek to pick off risers on nymphs.

For gear, a 6-weight rod for streamers or a 4–5 weight for nymphs gets it done. Short 4x fluorocarbon is

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