Big Horn Montana Fishing Report Today

Good morning from Big Horn, Montana—this is Artificial Lure with your September 26th, 2025, local angling report. Folks, fall is settling in around the valley and the cottonwoods are starting to turn, putting a golden glow on the riverbanks. Sunrise hit at 7:06 a.m. this morning, and you can expect the sun to duck behind the bluffs around 7:06 p.m., giving us about twelve hours of prime light for the chase.

Weather’s keeping things cool and comfortable—expect a daytime high around 63°F and a low near 40, with only light winds and no rain forecasted. Water clarity is good, and flows on the Bighorn are running steady after a dry spell.

Now, let’s talk fishing. According to Fins & Feathers and what I’m seeing from locals on the water, the Bighorn River is fishing fair to good right now. Surface hatches are getting a little sporadic this late into September, so most of the action has shifted subsurface. The nymph bite is your bread and butter, especially during the late morning as things start to warm[1]. Fish are holding tight to seams and deeper runs.

Brown and rainbow trout continue to dominate the catch. Drifts below Afterbay have turned up plenty of healthy rainbows in the 14-18” range, with a few browns nudging past 20 if you know where to look. The flats have been quieter, but you’ll spot risers working the softer water near Three Mile—mostly smaller trout but eager ones.

On the bug front, zebra midges, black and olive scuds, and sowbugs in #16–18 sizes have been steady producers. Folks running a two-fly nymph rig—think sowbug up front and a midge dropper—are finding the most consistent action. Add a little split shot for the deeper runs. For those who can’t resist a dry fly, keep an eye out for lingering tricos midmorning, usually between 9:30 and 11:00 a.m., but hatches are pretty thin.

Streamer action is picking up as the water cools. Olive and black articulated streamers, sculpin patterns, and smaller leech imitations stripped slowly through deeper pools are starting to bring out the bigger browns hunting for a fall meal. Hit the first light or late evening for your best shot with meat.

If you’re packing bait, which is legal in some upper reaches but not in the prime catch-and-release areas, nightcrawlers and salmon eggs have produced the odd chunky trout near access points.

Hot spots for today:

- Head just below Afterbay for classic nymph fishing in deeper riffles—anglers here have reported pods of rainbows and the occasional big brown moving through midday.

- For wading access and sneaky dry fly potential, try the seams and soft edges near Three Mile.

- Those floating from Bighorn to Mallards Rest will find productive water all along the gravel bars—don’t overlook slower side channels for solitary browns on streamers.

No tide report for these river systems, but water levels remain cooperative for both drift boats and wading. Remember, most of the fish caught here this week have been healthy rainbows and a few impressive brown

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Good morning anglers, this is Artificial Lure coming to you with the Big Horn, Montana, fishing report for September 24th, 2025—a fine early fall day shaping up on the river!

Today’s weather is the kind of cool and crisp we’ve come to expect as autumn settles into the Bighorn Valley. Early risers woke up to temperatures in the upper 40s. Forecasts from Cowboy State Daily say we’ll see highs nudging just past 68 degrees, with clear skies and a light breeze out of the northwest. You’ll want a jacket for the boat ride at dawn, but layers are coming off by the afternoon. Sunrise painted the canyon walls at 6:57 AM this morning, and anglers can expect enough light to cast until around 7:03 PM, when the sun slips behind the ridges.

Now, while we’re a long cast from the coast and don’t deal with tides out here, water flow on the Bighorn is a big deal. Consistent dam releases have kept the river in prime shape—steady flows, just a touch above the seasonal average, and visibility’s holding up even after last week’s brief storm. According to local guides, the river’s running clear; water temps hover just below 60°F, which is right in that sweet spot for trout feeding activity.

Fishing’s been hot the past week, with the best action concentrated during the mid-morning and then again late afternoon as water temps climb. Reports from Bighorn Canyon to the Afterbay Dam show strong numbers of brown and rainbow trout—most fish in the 14 to 20-inch range, but a few heavy browns in the upper 20s have been pulled from deeper pools.

The fly selection is classic fall. Folks wading the side channels have done well swinging small olive and black woolly buggers and stripping leeches near structure. The grasshopper bite is hanging on but fading—fish are still taking tan or yellow hoppers cast tight to the banks midday. Subsurface, nymphing with sowbugs and midge patterns under an indicator remains steady; pink soft hackles have been a sleeper hit all week, especially near the Three Mile stretch.

Spin anglers drifting from boat have scored brown trout on Panther Martins in gold and black. Don’t overlook a simple copper spoon; it’s landed several of the week’s biggest rainbows. Natural baits like nightcrawlers or a well-placed salmon egg also remain a top pick when trout get finicky. According to local outfitters, it’s been a couple years since they’ve seen so many healthy, hard-fighting fish in these waters.

For bait setups, copper spring baskets filled with a mixture of salmon eggs and nightcrawlers have fooled a handful of nice trout lately, especially in deeper slow-moving pockets where the heavy fish lie low.

Let’s talk hot spots. The Afterbay to Three Mile stretch continues to be the river’s bread and butter—nice riffles, undercut banks, and deep holes are giving up solid numbers. If you’re searching for a shot at a real trophy, drift your nymphs through the fast runs at Bighorn Access or quietly walk the gravel bars further upriver near Soap Creek. Both have b

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Artificial Lure here with your September 20 fishing report for Big Horn, Montana and the mighty Bighorn River. Sunrise crept in at 6:49 AM today, with sunset set for 7:12 PM. Weather’s classic early fall: a cool 43° this morning with mostly sunny skies, a gentle breeze around 6 mph, and highs expected near 75°. Air’s brisk early but warms fast―waders recommended at dawn, t-shirt by midday.

Now, for tidal info: Montana’s landlocked, so no true tides here, but water levels remain steady thanks to the Yellowtail Dam. The flows are stable near 2,500 CFS, keeping the trout happy and bug life abundant. Water clarity is excellent after last week’s slight rain; expect fine sight fishing conditions.

Fish activity is buzzing. Reports from local guides this week confirm excellent dry fly action, especially mid-morning as the water warms. The hopper bite peaked last week but is still going strong, with trout slamming tan and yellow patterns along grassy banks. BWO and trico mayfly hatches are rolling out in the afternoons, drawing pods of rising rainbows and browns. Streamer fishing is heating up as trout get aggressive, prepping for fall.

Folks fishing below Afterbay have landed good numbers―plenty of wild rainbows in the 16-18" bracket and browns stretching 17-21", with some true slabs pushing 22". Several boats reported double-digit numbers landed per angler the past three days, mostly on dries and small nymphs.

Best lures and bait right now:

- For **fly anglers**: Tan and gold hoppers, olive or black woolly buggers, pheasant tails, zebra midges, and micro tricos.

- For those chucking gear: Small silver spoons, Panther Martins with yellow/black dots, and Rapala minnows in natural colors.

- If bait fishing (where legal), floating nightcrawlers and waxworms on light line will tempt trout in deeper runs.

Hot Spots:

- **Three Mile Access**: Solid morning nymphing just off the rock ledge; hoppers later near grassy undercuts.

- **Afterbay to 13 Mile stretch**: Find good streamer bites and consistent risers in soft seams.

- **Bighorn Canyon’s tailwater**: Cooler water temps made for active fish. Try the deeper bends after lunch.

Word of caution: Bears have been spotted closer to the river valleys lately, according to local news―be bear aware and always pack out your food and trash.

Late afternoon, hopper-dropper rigs paired with stealthy wading are getting takes in skinny water. Streamer junkies are finding browns moving for olive buggers just before sunset. For sheer numbers, boaters drifting mid-river channels are reporting the best action.

That’s all for today, folks. Big Horn’s fishing is about as good as it gets in September―don’t miss it. If you’re new here, Three Mile and Afterbay are real gems, and the canyon section has trophy potential.

Thanks for tuning in, and don’t forget to subscribe for more local fishing updates. This has been a Quiet Please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.

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Good morning, anglers—Artificial Lure here with today’s fishing report for Big Horn, Montana and surrounding waters, Friday, September 19, 2025.

Sunrise hit the Big Horn Canyon at 6:43 AM and we’ll see sunset around 7:10 PM tonight. Weather’s starting off cool and crisp—early fall in the air. Look for partly cloudy skies and a high near 72°F. Winds will stay gentle at 3-7 mph, so it’s prime time for a morning float or afternoon bank sit.

Big Horn Lake and the river have been lively. Water conditions are moderate, flows steady, and clarity is decent after a few calm days. Tidal influence isn’t a factor here—Big Horn is all reservoir and river, no coastal tide to fuss over. Expect the bite to really pick up after sunrise and taper off mid-afternoon.

Recent catches show the transition to fall is on. Walleye numbers have climbed, with most folks reporting decent action along the main lake points. Sizes are respectable—fat 16-20 inchers common. Don’t overlook the smallmouth bass; the lower canyon has seen solid numbers, especially below Ok-A-Beh marina. Anglers throwing crankbaits, tubes, and nightcrawlers have found fish hugging rocky outcrops.

Catfish continue their steady march, with a few channel cats up over 8 pounds pulled near the river backwaters. While trout are winding down after the summer frenzy, fly fishers are still plucking healthy rainbows and a few browns—best early or late, especially with attractor nymphs and olive streamers through cooler slots.

Bait: Nightcrawlers and leeches remain the “Montana gold” for walleye. For bass, soft plastic craws and shad-patterned swimbaits are hot. Catfish are biting best on cut bait and chicken liver as usual.

Best lures right now are:

- Shad Rap and Firetiger crankbaits for walleye on drop-offs and gravel bars

- Black/blue or natural tubes for smallmouth around boulders

- Chartreuse spinnerbaits for late-day bass strikes

- Size 12 olive woolly buggers and prince nymphs for trout if you’re in fly mode

Hot Spots to hit:

- **Devil’s Canyon launch area**: Good structure for both smallmouth and walleye, with an easy put-in and lots of shoreline options.

- **Ok-A-Beh Marina east shoreline**: Solid reports of walleye and bass, especially in the afternoon as sun angles down.

- For river action, take the walk-in down to Bighorn River below the dam—flows are fishable and trout are still active.

Wildlife is busy—just yesterday, a local rancher mentioned to Cowboy State Daily seeing a young grizzly foraging near the river. Be bear aware, especially with all the fall activity. If you’re hitting remote banks, pack your spray and pay attention to what’s moving in the willows.

Angler tips:

- Early fall weather can fool you—layer up, but keep that sunblock handy.

- Practice catch and release where possible; Big Horn’s fishery is a true resource.

- Watch for floating debris after recent wind—hazards pop up after every storm.

Thanks for tuning in to today’s Big Horn Montana fishing report. Don’t forget to

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Good morning from Big Horn, Montana—this is Artificial Lure with your September 17th fishing report brought to you by the banks of the mighty Bighorn River. Fall’s rolled into the valley: cool mornings in the low 50s, highs expected near 73, and a light dusting of fog on the water at sunrise, which hit at 6:51 a.m. tonight’s sunset’s lined up for 7:23 p.m.

Let’s talk river first—flows are steady after last week’s rains pushed just enough water to liven things up, but streams themselves are still running low. According to the September 14th Bighorn River update on Montana Outdoor Radio Show, nymphs are the ticket right now; those set on dry flies are working hard for every take. The big browns and rainbows are feeding deep, with patterns like San Juan Worms, Zebra Midges, and Pheasant Tails getting solid action. Fish are still biting, but you’ll want to get your fly down and move slow. Anglers floating from Afterbay to 3 Mile have been reporting between 12 and 20 fish per rod—mostly healthy rainbows but a fair mix of browns, averaging 14-17 inches, with a few slabs over 20 in the net.

Spin anglers have found success on smaller Rapalas and soft plastics, especially those with a hint of orange or gold. The bite is best early and slowing by late morning, so don’t sleep in—get rods in by first light.

If you fancy hunting warmwater fish, local reservoirs like Yellowtail and Bighorn Lake are producing steady smallmouth with the usual tubes and Ned rigs, and perch are hitting well off the weed edges. Pike activity is just starting to ramp up as waters cool, especially near drop-offs and submerged timber. Pablo Reservoir’s also noted for perch if you’re looking to fill a bucket. Nightcrawlers or three-inch paddletails in white or chartreuse are local favorites.

For the fly guys chasing something different, the upper creeks are still holding brookies and the odd cutthroat, though you’ll have to hike for them as levels are low. Smaller hoppers and bead-head nymphs are your best bet in skinny water.

Lake Mary Ronan is turning on for perch, and Kokanee salmon are starting to show signs of spawn—try casting Cowbell rigs, Wedding Rings, or a little glow hook below a dodger in 30–40 feet of water.

As for tidal activity: no coastal tides here, so you can set your watch by the river flows.

Hot spots this week? The Afterbay stretch continues to be a crowd-pleaser for numbers, but the faster riffles just above the 3 Mile Access are turning up the biggest fish. If you want more solitude, make the run up to Bighorn Lake’s southern bays for smallmouth and the occasional walleye.

For bait, stick with the classics: nightcrawlers, leeches, and for artificial, lean into black or olive streamers, or a gold Panther Martin spinner if you’re casting hardware.

Word from Zimmer Tackle is Mack Days are getting hotter—the big fish are on the move, so don’t be afraid to go deep or try something wild for trigger bites.

Don’t forget to watch for wildlife, and as always, pac

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Artificial Lure here, coming to you with your Big Horn, Montana fishing report for Sunday, September 14, 2025. The river’s breathing a steady September rhythm—cool nights, light jacket mornings, and a water clarity that should have any angler itching to tie knots.

Let’s start with the day’s vital stats: Weather today is classic early fall—expect temperatures climbing from the upper 40s at sunrise to the mid-70s by late afternoon. Skies are mostly clear, winds out of the northwest at 5-10 mph, and humidity stays low. Sunrise hit at 6:41 AM and you’ll get lines wet until sunset at 7:17 PM. With minimal cloud cover, you’ll want to bring the shades but keep an eye out for those sudden gusts—Bighorn breezes can push your fly just off target if you’re not ready.

There’s no tidal movement this far upriver—just the natural flow. The Bighorn’s running slightly below average but holding cold, and flows have been steady out of Yellowtail Dam, keeping trout active from the Afterbay downstream.

Now let’s talk fish: Trout remain king around here, with both rainbow and brown trout eager for a meal in these cooling waters. Local guides and regulars are reporting solid numbers—many nets filling with respectable 14-18” rainbows and a fair share of browns. At least one 21-inch brown was hooked near Bighorn Access this week, and pods of rising fish have been popping all along the slicks and riffles. Expect some fishing pressure, but the bite holds strong, especially in the early morning hours and the last hour before dusk.

Best baits? Think small—size 18-20 midge patterns, black Zebra Midges, and red or brown Scuds beneath an indicator have been catching most of the rainbows especially on the upper stretches. Hopper-dropper rigs are still productive, even this late in the season. Drop a small, flashy nymph like a Lightning Bug or the ever-faithful Ray Charles beneath a Chubby Chernobyl or a tan Morrish Hopper and you’ll find yourself in business, particularly along grassy banks and overhanging brush. If you’re looking to tempt those browns, streamer junkies are doing well swinging olive and black Woolly Buggers after first light or during the evening.

If bait’s your game, nightcrawlers and waxworms fished slowly near bottom have landed a handful of chunky rainbows closer to the Three Mile and Afterbay camp access points, but remember—artificial only stretches mean double-checking regs before you toss anything organic.

Hot spots worth a cast or twenty:

- The Afterbay to Three Mile run—those riffles and tailouts are holding nice fish, especially early.

- Bighorn Access point—good numbers of actively feeding trout and a shot at larger browns as the day cools.

- Don’t overlook the Wyoming/Montana state line stretch—word is locals have been pulling aggressive rainbows on bright streamers just as the sun drops.

Pressure is lightest mid-week, but with hunting seasons kicking in, the river’s wide open for those looking to get away from crowds. Wildlife activity is p

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This is Artificial Lure with your September 13th, 2025 fishing report for Big Horn, Montana and nearby waters.

First light crept over the Bighorn River at 6:43 AM this morning; expect sunset at 7:34 PM, giving anglers plenty of daylight for both early rises and easy twilight fishing. Weather-wise, we woke to cool air around 48°F, brisk but pleasant, trending up to the low 70s by late afternoon. Intermittent clouds drifted in from the northwest, making for ideal fish activity windows: not too hot, and just enough overcast for those big browns to leave their lairs.

No need to check for tides here in the heart of Montana—this is classic western trout country, with the long Bighorn riffle-and-pool stretches beneath spacious autumn skies. Water levels are steady and clear, courtesy of well-managed outflows from Yellowtail Dam. As of this week, visibility has been excellent, sitting at around 4-5 feet which means fish can see your presentation but won’t get easily spooked.

The bite has been consistent. Locals and guides report strong action on rainbows averaging 15-18", plenty in the slot, with good numbers of browns showing, some sneaking north of 20". Late summer hatches are tapering but still productive; Tricos and black caddis continue to trickle off mid-morning, while PMDs have lingered longer than usual—match the hatch! Reports from the Bighorn Trout Shop and a few reliable river rats drifting down from Afterbay confirmed a couple of chunky cutthroat came to net this week as well.

For today, nymphing remains king. Top patterns: a size 16-18 Ray Charles in tan or gray, black Zebra Midges, and wire worm or San Juan Worm as lead. Dry fly diehards are finding subtle sippers in slick water—have your Trico spinners (size 20-22), and black or olive CDC caddis ready if clouds roll in. Anglers chucking streamers like olive or black Buggers and small articulated patterns found browns pushing out of deeper slots right before dusk, especially near gravel drop-offs.

Bait fishing is rare in these stretches but if you slip into the reservoirs, a nightcrawler or leech under a slip float can tempt those less pressured walleye and the occasional hungry perch. Just mind area regulations—catch and release for a lot of the prime river run.

Hot spots today:

- Three Mile Access: Top pick for both wade and float anglers. It’s been loaded with feeding trout holding tight to the seams; drop anchor near the bottom of riffles, and don’t overlook the shallows after 3 PM.

- Afterbay to 13 Mile: That five mile drift has been producing all week—target the tailouts early, then switch to bankside structure as the sun gets higher.

For folks heading out, with archery season underway and more hunters in camo dotting the landscape, keep your blaze orange handy at shore and respect private boundaries. Take a detour to the Yellowtail Dam Visitor Center if the fishing slows—water levels and flow info are posted daily.

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Big Horn, Montana anglers, this is Artificial Lure coming to you with your Friday, September 12th, 2025 fishing report—and it is shaping up to be another stellar early fall day out on the legendary Bighorn River.

Let’s start with today’s conditions. The skies are mostly clear this morning, with a touch of haze from the lingering wildfire smoke spotted upriver near the Rosebud County area earlier this week according to local news updates. The high is expected to top out in the mid-70s with just a light westerly breeze—perfect for wetting a line without wrestling wind. Sunrise was at 6:41 AM and you’ve got daylight stretching until 7:29 PM, so there’s plenty of time to target the feeding windows.

No tidal swings here, but water flows are steady, running a touch above the late-summer average. Guides along the Bighorn have noted the river holding steady with crisp, clear water—ideal for sight fishing those bigger browns and rainbows. No alerts on closures or hazards from the National Park Service, so access is as good as it gets for wading or floating.

Now, let’s talk fish. The action’s been hot all week, with fly anglers reporting exceptional numbers. The Bighorn is still delivering classic late-summer fishing. According to local guide chatter and this week’s fishing boards, rainbows are stacked in the riffles and the browns are starting to get a little feisty as the nights cool off. The consistent report has most folks hitting double digits per rod by mid-afternoon—expect good numbers of healthy 14-19 inch rainbows and a few hefty browns cruising the undercuts.

On the fly front, terrestrials are still the order of the day. Grasshopper imitations in light tan and olive have been the ticket, especially mid-morning into early afternoon when the sun is high. Ants and beetles are landing some wary fish tight to the banks. For nymphers, a two-fly rig with a sowbug or tan scud trailed by a zebra midge has been deadly in the deeper tailouts—most productive from late morning through dusk. A few caddis are still fluttering, so don’t be afraid to throw a size 16-18 Elk Hair Caddis if you see surface activity near sunset.

Spin anglers, don’t feel left out. Panther Martin spinners in gold and black or small Rapalas imitating juvenile trout have been drawing aggressive takes in the runs and along drop-offs.

As for bait, you’ll do best going artificial by regulation, but if you’re fishing the ponds and backwaters (check regs for each spot!), try nightcrawlers or single salmon eggs for a chance at those sneaky cutthroat and a mixed bag of panfish.

Now, for the hot spots:

- The Afterbay section continues to fish exceptionally well, especially around the 3 Mile Access—plenty of accessible gravel bars and classic deep runs.

- Don’t overlook the stretch below Bighorn Access—word has it some slabs are holding tight to structure midday.

- In town, don’t sleep on the backwaters and sloughs near Ok-A-Beh Marina for a bonus bite—especially if you’re looking to avoi

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Artificial Lure here with your September 10, 2025, fishing report for Big Horn, Montana. We’re heading into prime fall fishing with cool dawns and steady water. The **Bighorn River** is performing well as we ease into September. Local guides and anglers have reported solid action, especially in the morning when both **trout and anglers** are most active. Stay ready to see early risers making the best catches before sun climbs too high—yesterday’s sunrise was at 6:39 a.m., and today should be similar, with sunset rolling in around 7:38 p.m.

Weather’s cooperative: expect **cooler mornings** in the mid-40s at dawn, climbing gently into the upper 60s by midday, no rain in the forecast, and variable clouds keeping things comfortable for a full session. With stable conditions like these, water temps are sitting right where fish like ‘em—making trout eager to chase and bite.

Montana doesn’t run by ocean tides, so river flows and water temp changes drive fish activity. Given recent weeks’ reports, anglers have bagged healthy numbers of **rainbow trout** and **brown trout** in the Bighorn. Fish size reports are strong, with many trout between 14 and 18 inches—plenty of beef for a wild Montana river, and occasional bigger ones for those working harder or floating to less-pressured stretches.

For gear and tactics, this week is about matching the hatch and working those cool hours. Anglers doing best are using **nymphs—especially sow bugs and scuds**—below indicators in shallower runs. The **black zebra midge**, **pale morning dun (PMD) emergers**, and small caddis patterns have also been hot tickets. Streamer fans should tie on olive or black **Woolly Buggers** and swing them deep before midday.

For bait anglers, **earthworms** and locally-sourced nightcrawlers have grabbed some chunky browns near eddies and undercut banks, especially after first light. If you're tossing hardware, go with smaller rainbow-colored spoons or gold spinners right around sunrise for best results.

Top spots for the day:

- **Bighorn Access at Afterbay Dam**: Consistent results for both fly and bait anglers, easy to spend a morning hunting the seams.

- **3 Mile Access**: Classic early fall spot, shaping up well in 2025 thanks to steady flows—look to the riffles and slower tailouts here, especially for larger brown trout.

- For those drifting, **farther downstream near Bighorn Fishing Access Site** gets less pressure and lately has given up some of the week’s best rainbows, especially on smaller scud patterns.

Fish counts have stayed high, with most locals reporting a dozen or more fish per outing when working the right windows—mostly **rainbows** but a handful of browns if you’re patient and keep switching up your flies. According to Fins & Feathers Guide Service, mid-June through mid-September is the peak, and we're catching the tail end of prime time right now.

Remember, the best results are still coming from starting early, dressing for the brisk morning, and shifting to d

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Big Horn Montana woke up crisp and clear this September Sunday, with overnight lows dropping into the high 40s and a light breeze drifting through by dawn. Sunrise hit at 6:38 a.m. with another golden shot expected at sunset, 7:39 this evening. We’re getting real hints of fall now, as the nights have cooled off and the days settle into comfortable, fish-chasing conditions. No tides to report this far from the coast, so river flows and reservoir levels are what matter most.

On the water, local anglers are reporting trout activity is on the upswing, especially during the middle of the day after things warm up just a touch. Montana Outdoor’s latest report from September 6th points out that the hopper-dropper combo is still drawing energetic strikes, but a change is in the air—blue-winged olive mayflies are starting to make appearances on cloudier afternoons. If you’re a fly angler, keep a box ready with #16-#18 blue-winged olive dries and parachute Adams, and don’t put away those foam hoppers just yet. For subsurface, a bead-head pheasant tail or a smaller copper John below the hopper is a steady producer.

If you’re aiming for walleye, Fort Peck continues strong according to the latest Montana Outdoor Radio Show recap, where deep-running slow-trolled crankbaits and crawler rigs are pulling strikes from the ledges and drop offs. Smallmouth bass are still hanging deeper too—try jigs tipped with soft plastics on the rock piles and points. Out at Canyon Ferry and Tongue River, perch and crappie mixed bags are showing up near weed lines and brush piles, responding well to small minnows, panfish jigs, and even a classic worm under a float for the kids.

In the Big Horn proper, drift boaters and shore anglers alike have picked up some healthy rainbows and browns this week, especially in the after-lunch window as the sun coaxes bugs off the water. Locals say streamers in olive and white—zonal buggers or sparkle minnows—are pulling bigger fish out of shadow pockets and cut banks, especially when fished slow first thing then a touch faster mid-day. For bait, the tried-and-true nightcrawler below a split shot is always a staple near the afterbay and in any of the deeper runs. Folks tossing lightweight spoons or little Rapalas are landing mid-size browns and occasional cutthroat.

If you’re looking for a hot spot, the Afterbay section just below the dam is a perennial favorite, especially on a cool, misty morning. The stretch downriver near Soap Creek confluence has had solid numbers of active trout as well, both from shore and by boat. For the adventurous, hiking into the lower canyon gives you a shot at wild fish in less pressured water, but watch for mud and loose rock after last night’s brief shower.

Fish stories from this past week include several rainbows pushing 18-19 inches, a surprise walleye caught north of the Bighorn ramp, and lots of action on chunky browns in the 15-16 inch range. Mountain lakes in the Absarokas to the west are also picking up,

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