Big Horn Montana Fishing Report Today

Artificial Lure here, coming at you with your September 6, 2025 Big Horn Montana fishing report.

First light cracked the horizon at 6:33 a.m., with sunset due at 7:35 p.m. Today’s weather in Big Horn and around the famed Bighorn River started brisk — temps hovered in the upper 40s early, heading for highs just kissing 80 degrees if the haze burns away. Humidity’s moderate, and a southeast breeze will pick up as the day wears on. That wind might kick up some surface activity, but expect calm and dry conditions overall. Air quality improved overnight as smoke settled, so visibility on the water is prime. The forecast for the coming week leans warmer and wetter than average for mid-September, which should keep the bite consistent.

No tidal swing to speak of, being inland, but water flow’s steady with clear to slightly stained runs after recent drizzles. River levels near Fort Smith are ideal for both wading and boat anglers; clarity’s been best in the morning before wind and boat traffic pick up.

Recent catches from locals and guides have focused on rainbow trout and brown trout. Browns are getting active ahead of their fall spawn — the past few days produced solid numbers on streamers and nymphs, with some slabs pushing 20 inches. Rainbows are eager on midriver flats and runs; persistent dry fly anglers saw pods sipping midges and tiny blue-wing olives in slick water, especially early and late. Folks swinging streamers reported a mix of browns and a handful of chunky ‘bows concentrated around deeper bends and structure.

Top producer by far: olive and black Woolly Buggers, especially the smaller #8 to #10 sizes. For dries, parachute Adams and BWO patterns in size 18 fooled plenty of surface feeders. Psuedo-hatch days mean buggy nymphs—think zebra midges, red copper Johns, and split-case PMDs in #16-20. If drifting, tie on a San Juan worm or scud behind a small indicator; multiple reports said this doubled up limits in just hours.

Bait anglers using nightcrawlers and PowerBait near Afterbay saw a steady parade of rainbows, especially late afternoon to dusk. If you’re swinging hardware, classic gold and silver Panther Martins and Mepps spinners nabbed both trout and the occasional sauger hiding in slower pockets.

Hot spots this week: the Three Mile Access stretch, especially below the islands, delivered the most brown trout action on streamers; while the main Afterbay to Soap Creek run has been consistent for numbers and size, especially rainbows on nymph rigs and dries. Don’t overlook the deeper shelves upriver from St. Xavier — larger browns are staging there before dusk.

Fish activity is peaking around sunrise and again as shadows stretch long in the evening. Midday will slow, but cloud cover or gusts can trigger surprise feeding. Most reports say anglers per boat landed 8-15 fish on half-day floats, with a good mix of sizes; shore anglers are seeing fewer fish per hour but putting up some real hawgs.

To wrap up: streamer bite is hot, nymph

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Artificial Lure bringing you the September 5, 2025 fishing report from Big Horn, Montana and the legendary Bighorn River. Locals woke up to **clear skies, cool air, and prime fishing conditions** this morning. If you’re wondering about the tides: we’re inland here, so river flows matter more than any tidal swing. According to the latest weather out of the Bighorn Basin, expect a **high near 73°F** with overnight lows dipping to the mid-40s. Smoky haze drifts in at times thanks to neighboring wildfires, but that hasn’t slowed the bite one bit lately.

Sunrise hit around **6:30 AM** and sunset will show off behind the Big Horns close to **7:45 PM** tonight—these early and late hours are gold for anglers.

River flows are holding steady and water clarity is solid, thanks to recent cool nights and timely rainfall. **Morning fishing is best**, especially below 3-Mile Access, as consistent PMD (Pale Morning Dun) hatches have brought trout to the surface in softer seams and shallow flats. Fish are a little picky, so don't slack on presentation—run a clean dry fly or drop a nymph gently for those risers.

**Recent catches** have seen plenty of wild rainbow and brown trout, with most reports mentioning fish in the **16–20 inch range**. It’s been a “quality over quantity” morning; these trout are healthy, strong, and putting on a show for patient anglers.

Top **lures and flies** right now? You can’t go wrong with PMD cripples, CDC emergers, and classic RS2s. Bring along some size 16–18 patterns for best drift. For those running streamers, small olive buggers and black Woolly Buggers have turned some big fish, especially during cloudier stretches and dusk hours.

If you’re **bait fishing**—try drifting nightcrawlers or scented salmon eggs deep in the current, especially mid-river. Attractant helps when trout get selective.

For **hot spots**, local recommendations line up solid:

- **Below 3-Mile Access**: Steady hatches, good water quality, and active trout all morning.

- **Bighorn Access Area**: Look for soft seams, foam lines, and gravel bars—brown trout are cruising these stretches early.

- For waders, check out the **Afterbay section** just above the dam; fish stack here when flows settle and aquatic insects start popping.

Trout activity slows as the sun climbs so don’t wait too long to hit the water. Late afternoon brings sporadic hopper action on windy days, so toss a big, buggy dry if you see terrestrials blowing in.

For gear, keep it light and quick—**5-weight fly rods**, long leaders, and fine tippet have landed the most fish. **Streamer anglers** should switch up to 6-weight rods for extra punch.

Local chatter says expect **more browns staging for fall spawning** in coming weeks, so now’s the time to score a trophy before the crowds show up.

That’s the latest from Big Horn, Montana—where cool mornings, strong hatches, and hungry wild trout come together for perfect September angling.

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Artificial Lure reporting in from Big Horn, Montana, serving up today’s fishing scoop with a heavy dose of local flavor.

It’s Wednesday, September 3rd, and we’ve hit the kind of late summer heat that bakes right through the cottonwoods. The mercury’s riding high—mid-80s by afternoon—and we’re seeing very little wind, just a hint of smoke in the air from the western fires. Sunrise rolled into the valley at 6:37 AM and sunset’s coming at 7:45 PM tonight, giving us a long, golden stretch for casting lines.

Tide-wise, Big Horn River doesn’t run on ocean tides, but flow is crucial right now. The Montana snowpack’s flushed through, leaving us with clear, cold tailwater conditions—ideal for feeding rainbows and browns. Water temps are holding in the low 60s, and flows are steady, nothing blown out, just perfect for wading and drifting.

Big Horn’s fishing is classic September: bug life slowing, but the trout are still fired up. Most action is happening subsurface—nymphing rigs dunked 6 feet down with tungsten tailwater sowbugs and pink Lite Brite Perdigons are pulling in chunky bows. Try the Little Green Machine and PMD Crackback for variety. Caddis and PMD hatches linger in the warmest hours, so keep an eye out for rising fish and have a PMD Sparkle Dun or X Caddis ready for a proper dry fly throw.

Streamer bite woke up as water warmed; flash is king. Skiddish Smolt, Gold/Silver/Copper Kreelex, and the classic Mini Dungeon in olive or black have all hooked up. Slap them along grassy banks, especially where there’s a little chop. Early mornings and late evenings are your ticket—the trout are chasing and the river is quiet except for the birds.

Recent catches? Locals have hauled in plenty of rainbow trout, running 16 to 20 inches, and a few solid browns, some tipping 22. Counts are healthy and, according to last night’s chat at the Two Leggins bar, a dozen or so landed by day’s end isn’t unusual if you know your seams. Hoppers are fading but don’t toss them yet; if fish are shy, switch to beetle or flying ant patterns—especially on the clearer stretches.

Hot Spots? Give these a go:

- **Bighorn Access at MPS**: Early morning streamer runs, good hatches near riffles. Perfect for waders wanting solitude.

- **Afterbay to Three Mile Stretch**: Deep seams and healthy flows; nymphing rigs excel here, trout stack up on the edges.

- **Crow Agency Bridge**: Often overlooked, solid trout right at the transition where big browns patrol.

If you’re branching out, Fort Peck is seeing salmon deep right now—think 80 to 100 feet down, big bodies fighting hard. Spoons and dipsy divers rocking blue jack Brad’s cut bait are the winning ticket, based on the Captain’s weekend update. Not hot and heavy, but the salmon landed are monsters, all tipping past 19 lbs.

Best baits and lures for Big Horn this stretch:

- Tungsten Tailwater Sowbug

- Pink Lite Brite Perdigon

- PMD Sparkle Dun for dries

- Gold Kreelex for streamers

- Hopper, beetle, and flying ant patterns for s

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This is Artificial Lure coming to you with your August 31, 2025 fishing report from beautiful Big Horn, Montana—where the end of summer meets the early tease of fall and the fish are feeling it.

First light hit the valley today at 6:32 AM, and we’re looking at sunset about 7:56 PM, so you’ve got plenty of daylight to make a memory or two on these storied waters. The weather rolled in this morning with chilly air—mid-40s at dawn—warming into the low 70s by the afternoon, with light to moderate winds and the classic Big Horn bluebird sky. Don’t let that sun fool you though, there’s a bite in the wind, so bring a jacket for your morning float.

Now, tidal info isn’t a factor for us river folk here in the interior, so skip the tide tables and trust the flow and hatch cycles instead.

Water conditions are nearly ideal on the Big Horn, though you’ll notice some stretches are running low, thanks to a dry late summer. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks reports that closures hit certain rivers like the Big Hole and Jefferson due to drought and low flows, but Big Horn remains open—for now, anyway. If you’re heading toward the Jefferson or Big Hole, best to check in with the local office before you go, as those are off-limits until further notice per the Whitehall Ledger and MFWP.

On to the fishing! Lately, folks who get their lines in the water before mid-morning or just ahead of dusk have been rewarded. Water clarity is excellent, but the trout—mostly big browns and healthy rainbows—are smart and picky, especially around heavily fished access points. If you’re on DePuy’s Spring Creek, which is just over the hill, Fins and Feathers out of Bozeman mention that trout are feeding cautiously, with hatches of PMDs and Sulphurs a little sparser as we roll toward fall. You might see a few noses on the surface chasing emergers, but prospecting with terrestrials along weed beds—think black foam beetle, small ants, or the old reliable rusty spinner—has been the ticket.

Anglers drifting the main channel of the Big Horn are seeing steady catch rates, mostly rainbows in the 12–17 inch class with occasional slab browns turning up in slower side channels. Reports from the Powell Tribune around the basin suggest the Yellowstone cutthroat are showing in tributaries, but in lower numbers. A few folks brought in some sturdy whitefish too—the perfect target for young anglers.

What’s working? Stick with light tippet (5X, sometimes 6X), size 16–20 PMD CDC emergers, blue ribbon PMD cripples, and if you like going subsurface, a #18 zebra midge or scud will do the trick. Midday, if you see nothing hatching, a hopper-dropper combo with a tan foam hopper and a small beadhead nymph has fooled the educated ones. For spin fishers, try little gold Panther Martins, brown trout-patterned Rapalas, or worms on a light rig. The fish are holding tight to structure and hanging in cooler pockets, so target deeper pools, cut banks, and behind rocks.

Hot spots for today:

- The Miracle Mile

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Good morning, anglers, this is Artificial Lure with your latest Big Horn, Montana area fishing report for Saturday, August 30th, 2025.

We’re moving into the tail end of summer and early signs of fall are creeping in along the Bighorn. The sunrise came at 6:22 AM and sunsets tonight at 7:55 PM, giving us those rich golden hours that can trigger big trout to move and feed. Expect mild late summer weather today, with the recent cold front bringing daytime highs into the low 70s and water temps staying cool. There’s no tidal shift to worry about here in Montana, but those cool, clear flows are perfect for a day on the river.

According to Fins & Feathers Bozeman’s report from yesterday, the Bighorn River is fishing consistently well. This classic tailwater is holding steady, offering clean water and a reliable trout bite if you know when and how to fish it. Early mornings and evenings are the name of the game; trico spinner falls are still coming off thick below the dam at first light, setting off spectacular surface action from both rainbows and browns. Dry fly fishing is strong until about mid-morning, then nymph rigs take over once the sun is up.

Montana Angler’s latest notes that most hatches on the spring creeks have tailed off by now, but terrestrials—think hoppers, beetles, and ants—are dominating on freestone stretches and the canyon. Caddis can also come alive at last light if you stick around for the evening rise. For those wading and walking, look for shady banks and undercut edges where trout are resting through the midday heat.

Reports show anglers bringing in consistent numbers of healthy rainbows and browns in the 14- to 18-inch range, with the occasional 20-inch bruiser caught near Afterbay and the 3-Mile stretch. The best success is coming on dry-droppers in the morning—try a small trico spinner or parachute Adams up top with a zebra midge or a two-bit hooker dropped underneath. Nymph rigs with sowbugs, scuds, and split-case baetis are picking up fish throughout the afternoon.

If you want to throw streamers, best results are coming on light overcast days or in the evening, but expect more action on nymphs and terrestrials today. The most productive colors have been olive, black, and tan for nymphs, and tan or pink for hoppers. Bring your 5X tippet for the spookier fish—these Big Horn trout have seen it all by this time of season.

Hot spots this week include the Afterbay to 3-Mile stretch, especially early in the day, and the shallow riffles near Bighorn Access. Don’t overlook hidden pockets along the main channel drop-offs—those deeper slots mid-day can hide surprisingly aggressive trout.

Signs of fall have bears a bit more active in the region, so if you’re hiking in or fishing remote spots, make sure to carry bear spray and keep aware, as Cowboy State Daily highlights increased bear encounters near regional parks lately.

Anglers are reporting moderate to strong catch rates, with plenty of fish taken on artificial lures and f

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Artificial Lure checking in with your Big Horn, Montana region fishing report for Friday, August 29th, 2025.

Sunrise hit at about 6:19am this morning, and you’ll see sunset right around 7:48pm tonight. Weather’s starting clear and cool after a stretch of late summer warmth—a nice reprieve for both fish and anglers. Expect highs in the lower 80s, with winds gentle out of the northwest. Mornings will be cooler, making for ideal fishing windows; by afternoon, sun is strong and temps rise, so fish get picky and deep.

There’s no tidal action in this part of Montana—our water’s all river-driven. Right now, the Bighorn River is stable, running at 2,200 cfs according to Pete’s latest local update. Flows are lower than usual for late August, so water clarity is high and fish are holding tight to structure[Instagram Pete’s river report].

Fish activity this week has been steady and rewarding, especially early. Local guides confirm strong action on rainbow and brown trout. The dry fly bite is best before 10am, with trico and PMD spinner falls drawing pods of rising trout in the upper river sections near Afterbay Dam. Expect to see fish sipping midges and small dries in the cool of the morning. Browns are more active moving into side channels and under cutbanks, seeking shade and oxygenated water. Afternoon nymphing has been solid, especially running double rigs with a flashback pheasant tail up front and a pink sowbug trailing. Streamers become more productive when cloud cover rolls in—think olive or black buggers and flashy, articulated patterns.

Angler reports from the past 48 hours include several rainbow trout pushing 17 inches, with browns running 15-20. The dry-dropper setup landed the most fish, especially using a Royal Chubby Chernobyl or Hopper pattern paired with a Perdigon nymph. By late morning, trout are heading deeper, so swing heavier bugs or drift them down in the slower edges and foam lines. Don’t overlook worm or egg patterns—browns are cruising for protein before the fall spawn.

Best lures and baits for Big Horn right now:

- Royal Chubby Chernobyl, Purple Blowtorch, and Spanish Bullet Tan for dries

- Pink Sowbugs, Flashback Pheasant Tail, and Black Pat’s Rubberlegs for nymphs

- Olive Mini Dungeon and classic Woolly Bugger for streamer chasers

- Anglers favor fishing with natural baits like nightcrawlers or grasshoppers when legal, but fly tackle dominates.

Hot spots to check out today:

- The stretch below Afterbay Dam—active early morning dry fly fishing, best spinner falls

- Three Mile Access—consistent nymph bite, fish holding in deeper runs and slots

- Bighorn Access near St. Xavier—cloud cover makes for excellent streamer fishing along the shady cutbanks

Local reports from Fins & Feathers Bozeman and Mystic Pool confirm Montana’s tailwaters are peak right now, with angler encounters up and trout feeding in shallow riffles before sunlight heats up the river. Year-round steady fishing, but August through September consistently del

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Evening from Big Horn Montana, this is Artificial Lure reporting on fishing conditions for August 28, 2025.

Today on the Bighorn River, we saw steady angling action as the river continues its late summer trend—flowing low at 2,200 cfs, which means clear water and technical presentations according to local guide Pete’s latest report. Morning hours brought the best bite for both rainbow and brown trout, as surface activity peaked just after sunrise at 6:26 AM. With sunset coming in at 8:04 PM, anglers on the evening drift also found decent takes just before the light faded.

Weather-wise, Montana got a refreshingly mild day. The forecast called for a high near 60°F and a mix of sun with the occasional thundercloud passing over, but most stretches of the river stayed dry and clear for the bulk of daylight. Humidity was up a notch, but the cooler temps kept fish feeding longer into the afternoon compared to last week’s hot spell. No tidal changes here in Big Horn, as we’re far from the salt—but water management flows still do impact river levels week to week.

Recent catches are strong: locals are netting a steady mix of fat rainbows and some bruiser browns. Most trout are running 14 to 18 inches, with lucky sticks reporting fish pushing 20. Midge and trico hatches are consistent early; trico spinner falls remain the highlight right at dawn. Into midday, small terrestrials like hoppers and ants produced strikes near grassy banks, with podded up trout sipping in riffled shallows.

For best results right now, you want to downsize your rigs. Dry fly anglers are sticking to #18-22 tricos and midges, with CDC emergers and small parachutes especially hot. Nymphing remains reliable—think #16-18 beaded pheasant tails and zebra midges on lighter tippet. If flows pick up after rain, switch to small streamer patterns like olive woolly buggers (sizes 8-10) or try the Megabass Anthrax style swim baits for aggressive browns, matching the profile to smaller baitfish.

Bait anglers—where legal—are getting results with nightcrawlers and small cut bait, though most locals and guides stick to fly and artificial presentations. The low flows mean stealth is key: consider fluorocarbon leaders and a gentle footstep when wading.

Hotspots today: the Afterbay access saw consistent catch rates, especially in the slow seams below the launch and just above 13 Mile access. Downriver, the Two Leggings stretch to Soap Creek continues to produce, especially for those willing to make a longer walk or drift and target unpressured pockets. Early risers and dusk casters are scoring the most, as midday sunshine shuts down the bite for a couple hours.

No major stocking changes were announced for the region, and the river’s wild fish population keeps delivering memorable fights. There’s plenty of room for both wade and boat anglers—just remember to respect the fish and each other as the season heads toward autumn.

Thanks for tuning in to today’s Bighorn River fishing report! Be sure t

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Good morning anglers, this is Artificial Lure bringing you your up-to-date fishing report for August 16, 2025, right here in and around *Big Horn, Montana*.

Let’s kick things off with the weather: We’re enjoying a classic late-summer day, with sunrise at 6:12 a.m. and sunset set for 8:22 p.m. The forecast calls for mostly sunny skies and light winds—a beautiful morning to be out on the water, though heat can ramp up quickly through the afternoon, so pack the sunscreen and hydrate. As reported by KLTZ, Eastern Montana is facing a hot stretch, so expect those midday hours to push the upper 80s and possibly into the low 90s, especially in the open valleys.

No tidal swings here, but river flows are steady and clear thanks to a mild week with just a touch of overnight chill, which always helps spur fish activity into the early hours.

Now, let’s talk fish. The Big Horn River is famous for its trout, and today’s action reflects how productive August can be post-runoff. Local guides have seen strong numbers of healthy rainbows up to 20 inches and plenty of chunky browns in the teens. Word on the water yesterday was midge and scud patterns are producing well, especially in the early morning when the water’s cooler.

Fish are feeding well before all that bright August sun hits—expect a solid window from about sunrise through late morning. By early afternoon, activity slows, so target deeper runs, especially below Afterbay Dam and in the braids near Three Mile.

Those chasing numbers should swing by Ok-A-Beh Marina and try their hand at the afterbay for hard-fighting rainbows and the occasional carp crash in the shallows. As the sun crests, fish are retreating to the cool, oxygen-rich flows below the Boysen. Devil Canyon Overlook is always a top producer for both quality fish and a heck of a view and don’t skip Horseshoe Bend for panfish and an outside shot at a walleye.

Best tackle for today: The classic nymph rig is king—think size 16-20 red or olive midges and patterns like the Ray Charles or sowbug. Anglers are also doing well on small black or olive Woolly Buggers retrieved slow. If you’re working the shallows, try a Parachute Adams or CDC Caddis close to dusk. For spin fishers, small silver Panther Martins or a Mepps Aglia in gold is drawing strikes. Worms drifted on light tackle are picking up trout at first light, and corn’s been reported to tempt a few of those carp.

Bait fishing is legal in some stretches, so check regs before tossing anything natural. Grasshoppers are prevalent and can be deadly—tie on a hopper pattern and let it drift naturally along grassy banks late morning through afternoon.

The hot spots today:

- The braids at *Three Mile Access*—deadly for browns staging in cooler current.

- *Below Afterbay Dam*—tried and true, especially with nymphs right along the seams.

As always, remember public lands and fire restrictions are in effect, so keep your camps and banks clean and safe. Fires are a no-go right now across much of the

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Artificial Lure here with your Big Horn, Montana fishing report for August 10, 2025. Grab your rods — it’s shaping up to be a classic August day on the Bighorn River and nearby waters.

Weather’s off to a crisp, sunny start, with highs on the river forecasted for the upper 80s to 90, and just a bit of breeze out of the northwest. Overnight lows slip down to around 60, so the river will keep that cool bite in the morning. Watch for scattered afternoon thunderstorms rolling through, especially later in the weekend, but most mornings should be clear with visibility for miles. Sunrise is at 5:37 a.m. and your evening window will tail off around 8:32 p.m., so there’s plenty of daylight to chase a trophy.

This time of year, the Bighorn’s tailwater is running steady and clear, with no runoff issues — perfect conditions for both wading and floats. Recent reports from locals and guides say the river’s loaded, with an average 4,000 to 6,000 rainbow and brown trout per mile. August is a favorite for dry-fly fanatics and hopper action. Tricos are in full swing most mornings, clouding over riffles right at sunup, and the black caddis are thick along grassy banks by mid-morning. Yellow Sallies are still lingering, and hoppers are firing, especially midday when that sun’s high.

Recent catches have ranged from chunky browns in the 16 to 20-inch class to hard-fighting rainbows pushing 18 inches or better. Top patterns right now are small Trico spinners (size 20-22) for the early bug soup, black caddis (size 16) as the sun warms, and hopper-dropper rigs through the heat of the day. Try tan and pink Chubby Chernobyls (#8-12) or a classic Dave’s Hopper. Trail your hopper with a beadhead Pheasant Tail or Zebra Midge to suss up those suspicious feeders. For sub-surface, don’t overlook a sowbug in the faster water.

The lower Bighorn is producing the biggest browns — float between Bighorn Access and Mallards Landing, and look for shaded banks and inside bends. After lunch, fish are sliding into cover and holding deep, so switching to small streamers like an olive Sculpzilla or a thin-mint Woolly Bugger could net you a brute, especially if we get a quick thundercloud and the light dims.

If you’re after numbers and steady action, stick to the upper river above the 3-Mile Access, where pods of rainbows are chasing sippers in the seams. Eagle Nest Lodge notes the entire river is fishing well, but you'll often have the lower stretches nearly to yourself this month — and that’s where the browns get mean.

Bighorn Lake is steady, too, hosting healthy populations of walleye, bass, and plenty of panfish. The mornings have seen good walleye bites along drop-offs using nightcrawlers or leeches on bottom bouncers, while rocky points on the south end are producing smallmouth bass on crankbaits and jerkbaits, especially early or late in the day. No tidal changes to worry about — just keep an eye out for those surprise afternoon gusts that can whip up chop.

No unusual restriction

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Artificial Lure checking in with your Big Horn, Montana fishing report for Saturday, August 9th, 2025.

Sunrise this morning brought calm, clear skies and cool temps in the 50s, but things are heating up fast—expect the mercury to push into the lower 90s by mid-afternoon, so pack those sun hats and plenty of water. Winds are light out of the northwest at 5–15 mph, keeping conditions pleasant most of the day. For you night owls, sunset’s lined up at 8:29 pm, with a warm, mostly clear night ahead. No tidal swings here in the interior, but river flows remain a key to today’s game.

Turning to the water, the Bighorn River is right in its prime summer groove. According to Fins & Feathers Guide Service, mornings are kicking off with strong PMD (pale morning dun) hatches, drawing trout into the seams and soft water. Fish have settled into those classic summer runs, and anglers are reporting steady numbers on both nymph and dry fly setups. Top trout species this week are rainbows and browns, averaging 14–18 inches, though a few beefier browns up to 22” have hit the net downstream from Fort Smith. The bite has been best from first light until about 11 am, before surface action tapers off in the heat.

Nymphing is the mainstay right now, and if you’re looking to land numbers, it’s hard to beat a two-fly rig. Guides are scoring with Mega Prince, Pat’s Rubberlegs, and FKA Prince in sizes 8–14, trailed by a beadhead PMD nymph or a small soft hackle. For dry fly purists, the late-morning PMD spinner fall brings pods of sipping fish to foam lines—tie on a size 16 PMD Sparkle Dun and keep your cast soft.

Streamer fans: low light hours and off-color edges have been productive with black or olive articulated streamers, especially right along bankside structure and on inside bends where fish are holding close to cover. According to Montana Angler, a sculpin pattern or olive sparkle minnow is a solid bet if you’re after a big brown.

Don’t ignore the terrestrial game. Hoppers are gaining momentum—yellow and tan foam patterns like a Flutter Bug or Water Walker turn heads along grassy banks. Toss a small stimulator or a foam run caddis into riffly water and get ready for an aggressive rise. The Yellowstone River to the west is also putting up solid numbers, with a mixed hatch of caddis, March browns, and hoppers, if you’re feeling like a road trip.

If you’re hunting bait, small crawlers and leeches are bringing in the odd whitefish or jumbo brown where permitted, but artificials are ruling the day. Water temps are safe for trout early and mid-morning; by afternoon, fish are sliding deep or into faster current, so move with them and don’t hesitate to cover water.

For hot spots, don’t miss the Afterbay section below the dam—a classic Bighorn drift with deep runs and productive seams. Another favorite is the Three Mile access, especially right at dawn. The side channels and willow-lined cuts upriver still hold sneaky fish, especially for wade anglers working soft seam

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