Big Horn Montana Fishing Report Today

Morning anglers, Artificial Lure here with your up-to-the-minute fishing report for Big Horn, Montana and surrounding waters, Friday, August 8th, 2025.

Starting with the weather: today we've got mostly sunny skies, high temps topping out near 80°F, and a northwest wind around 9 to 15 mph, gusting as high as 21. Expect isolated showers or a rogue thunderstorm after 9 AM. If you're out early, it's a cool, clear start—sunrise was right about 5:59 AM and you can expect the sun to dip just after 8:30 PM. No tides to worry about this far inland, just pure river and lake action according to the National Weather Service and local forecasts.

On the Bighorn River, cooler evenings have perked up the bite. Grass is still clogging the edges, so it pays to get a pinpoint drift. Fish activity is strong in the early morning and again as the sun softens toward evening. Folks are pulling in rainbows and browns, with more reports of decent-sized trout lately. North Fork Anglers notes you shouldn't expect huge numbers, but there's a real chance for a trophy if you put in the time.

Best lures lately: stick with North Fork Specials and classic patterns like Prince Nymphs, Pheasant Tails, Optic Nerve, and Orange Lucent for subsurface work. Golden stonefly nymphs and Caddis or PMD dries are catching fish during afternoon hatches. For streamer junkies, Sculpzilla is a winner, especially when the light dims or the sky clouds over. If you see grass thick in your favorite spot, try a dry-dropper combo with a stonefly nymph below and a micro chubby or stimulator up top—fish those seams and any deeper runs where oxygen and food stack up.

Moving up to some of the local lakes like Beartooth, Luce, and Hogan, the story’s similar: cool mornings and dusky evenings are primetime, mid-day heat sends fish deep or into the weeds. Terrestrial topwater action is steady—think ants, beetles, and hoppers. Suspended chironomids and balanced leeches are drawing strikes just off the bottom. Callibaetis nymphs and dries are producing well when there's a hatch. Small attractor dries and slow-stripped streamers like Woolly Buggers or Slump Busters are good bets when things get slow.

Hot spots to target today:

- Afterbay Access and downriver toward Three Mile on the Bighorn—consistent flows, cooler water, and some nice runs stacking up fish.

- Otter Creek and Bighorn Access—lower pressure, tons of weed mats for cover, and a chance to toss terrestrials right up against the banks.

Recent catch reports show rainbows averaging 15-18 inches with a few pushing over 20. Browns are there too, mostly on nymphs and the odd streamer. Numbers are moderate, but many anglers are landing quality over quantity this week.

Best bait and presentation: if you're not fly fishing, try drifting nightcrawlers or leeches under a slip bobber near current breaks or eddy seams in the river. In the lakes, a small jig tipped with worm or PowerBait fished deep in the morning is effective on holdover trout.

Don’t forge

This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.

This is Artificial Lure coming to you with your Big Horn Montana fishing report for Wednesday, August 6, 2025. If you’re anywhere near Fort Smith or drifting down near Hardin, you’re in for some classic late-summer action on the Bighorn and surrounding waters.

Let’s start with the conditions. The river’s running cool and clear, with no recent flood warnings, and the weather is picture perfect for anglers: tonight, mostly clear skies, temps in the mid-50s, and a gentle east wind around 10 mph—ideal for both evening wading and early morning starts. Tomorrow brings highs in the upper 70s, partly cloudy skies, and those lovely southwest breezes that keep the bugs and the fish lively. Sunrise was at 5:55 this morning and sunset will be right around 8:34 tonight, giving you plenty of light to chase that last big brown.

Speaking of browns, as posted just today by the folks at Big Horn Valley Ranch, August heralds the uptick in brown trout aggression. “Big browns are getting more aggressive, bugs are thriving”—so if you’re a streamer fan, this is your window. Anglers have been pulling in healthy browns up to the 20-inch mark, especially early and late when the light is low and water’s cool. Rainbows are in the mix as well, especially in the upper three miles below Afterbay Dam, where the population is healthy and fish are running 14 to 18 inches. Reports from local guides over recent days point to several fish per rod, with browns outnumbering bows two to one in the evenings.

On the bug front—PMDs and Black Caddis are thick in the air, with a touch of Trico mayflies downriver on calmer mornings. The best action is coming on dry flies, PMD sparkle duns in size 16-18, and classic Black Caddis patterns in the 18-20 range. During the heat of day when the surface slows, switch to nymphs—Ray Charles (tan or pink), sow bugs, and small split-case PMDs have been top producers. If the water gets riffled or cloudy with wind, slap on a streamer and don’t be shy—olive or white sculpins, especially weighted, have been moving the biggest fish recently. The streamer bite is picking up, particularly around heavier structure and drop-offs.

Bait soakers: the Bighorn is fly-only in the prime stretches, but up in a few of the lakes like Bighorn Lake itself, nightcrawlers and cut bait (legal spots only, check those regs) are tempting some solid walleye and catfish in the evenings. Word is, a few 5-pounders were pulled out of Horseshoe Bend just this past weekend.

Two hot spots to check: Afterbay access down to Three Mile is seeing the best brown trout activity, especially on caddis just before dark. For more elbow room and a shot at some big rainbows, swing by Bighorn Access or drift through “13 Mile”—lots of water, plenty of deep runs, and fish on the feed.

Please keep boat safety in mind—there was a recent accident near Mallards Access, and river currents are always stronger than they look. If you’re wading, shuffle and watch those seams.

That wraps the bite for toda

This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.

Artificial Lure here with your up-to-the-minute fishing report for Big Horn, Montana, June 22, 2025.

Sunrise kicked off at 5:23 AM and sunset’s coming at 9:10 PM, giving you a full Montana day on the water. No tides to worry about here—inland fishing at its finest—but water flows are a big deal. River flows have recently stabilized around 3,500 CFS and the water is running clear, with a temp hovering right around 49°F, perfect for trout activity. There’s still a bit of grass and drifting debris below the Three Mile stretch, but most of the river is in prime shape for both wading and drifting.

Weather today looks typical for late June in the Bighorn valley—mid-60s to mid-70s, light winds, and cloudy breaks. These slightly cooler, breezy days have been keeping the bite strong through most of the system.

The fish are hungry. Nymphing has been producing the best numbers all week, with anglers reporting exceptional subsurface action. Your top flies are Black Micro Mayflies, Pearl/Olive Jiggy Perdigons, Black Zebra Midges, and Tailwater Sowbugs. Carpet Bugs, Cotton Candies, and UV Scuds are also in heavy rotation, and don’t sleep on red bead worm patterns or classic green weenies—these have been a meal ticket with the current water clarity.

Streamer junkies, there’s action for you too. Sparkle Minnows, Skiddish Smolts, and black Peanut Envy patterns have been moving chunky browns and rainbows out of those deeper holes and runs. Fish those streamers slow and deep for the best results—especially once the afternoon breeze kicks up.

Dry fly action is close: With water temps ticking upward, Baetis (Blue-Winged Olive) hatches are due any day, and the Pale Morning Dun (PMD) hatch is right around the corner. Have some size 16–18 PMD and caddis dries ready for when you see trout starting to rise in the riffles and flats.

Recent catches are classic Bighorn—rainbow and brown trout, averaging a solid 16 inches with plenty of fish pushing the 20-inch mark, especially in the deeper, cooler water. The lower pressure this season has the fish extra opportunistic, and folks floating and wading both report consistent hook-ups.

My hot spots for today:

- The stretch just below Afterbay Dam for clear water and concentrated fish.

- The “Three Mile” access, targeting the deeper shelves and midriver buckets, especially for those streamer takes.

A final reminder, the rainbow spawn is winding down—do your part and steer clear of active redds in the gravel flats to protect next year’s fishery.

Thanks for tuning in to this Bighorn fishing update with Artificial Lure. Don’t forget to subscribe for your next local report. This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.

This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.

Artificial Lure here with your Big Horn, Montana, fishing report for June 21, 2025.

Sunrise greeted us at 5:28 AM and you’ll have plenty of daylight, as sunset isn’t until 9:05 PM tonight. The weather’s holding steady: expect temperatures in the upper 60s to low 70s, with a mix of sun and clouds and a classic Montana breeze—nothing out of the ordinary for late June. With no tides to report on the river, you’ll want to focus on how the flows and water clarity are shaping the bite.

According to recent local guides and river data, the Bighorn River is running clear and a shade below normal at around 3,510 CFS. Afternoon water temps are holding near 49 degrees, which is just about perfect for active trout. There’s still a little grass and some drifting debris in spots, mostly below Three Mile, but overall the river is in excellent shape for both waders and those fishing from drift boats.

The fishing has been “downright epic” these past couple of weeks, and it’s only getting better as summer insect hatches ramp up. Dry fly action is picking up, especially around midday, with blue-winged olive and pale morning dun hatches starting to come off strong. If you spot a hatch, swap to a PMD pattern in sizes 14-18 and get ready for some fun on top. There are also caddis popping here and there, so keep an elk hair caddis handy just in case.

Nymphing remains the go-to method for numbers. Productive patterns are black Micro Mayflies, pearl/olive Jiggy Perdigons, black Zebra Midges, and Tailwater Sowbugs. Don’t overlook scuds and worms—any color is getting a bite right now, especially in riffly water. For those swinging streamers, Sparkle Minnows, Skiddish Smolts, and black Peanut Envy patterns are drawing out those big browns and rainbows in deeper slots. Slow retrieves are getting the job done.

Spin anglers are enjoying success too—classic brown and gold Panther Martin spinners remain a top pick, and if that’s not working, try a gold or silver spoon, or a rainbow-colored Rapala. The river is stacked with brown trout, rainbow trout, and the occasional cutthroat and whitefish—there’s no shortage of action if you dial in your presentation.

As for hot spots, hit the stretch below Afterbay Dam down to Three Mile for consistent action, especially in the deeper runs and tailouts. For a quieter experience, try the section near Bighorn Access—still plenty of cooperative fish, just with fewer crowds.

Catch rates have been strong all week, with locals reporting a steady parade of browns in the 16–20 inch range and a surprising number of rainbows in the mix. Conditions are prime, the bugs are hatching, and the trout are looking up.

Thanks for tuning in to your Big Horn fishing update with Artificial Lure. Don’t forget to subscribe for more river reports and tips. This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.

This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.

Good morning from Big Horn, Montana—this is Artificial Lure with your Saturday, June 21st fishing report.

It’s prime time on the Bighorn River, and the bite has been steady as we roll into the heart of June. Sunrise was at 5:25 a.m. with sunset coming up just after 9:10 p.m., giving you plenty of daylight to fish hard. Weather’s settling into that classic late-spring groove, with highs pushing toward 77°F and lows near 50°F. We’ve had a few patches of rain this week, but overall the skies are cooperative—just cloudy enough to keep those big fish feeding a little longer through the day, perfect for dry fly fanatics. No tides to speak of out here, but river flows have finally stabilized at 3,000 cfs after bouncing around earlier in the month, according to Bighorn Angler's recent updates.

Water clarity is very good this week, though there’s still some drifting moss below 3 Mile, so it pays to keep an eye on your hooks. The river’s a touch touchy, but when the fish settle into their new holding water, the action really picks up. Nymphing remains the best bet overall, with the subsurface game simply exceptional right now. The hot nymphs have been UV Yum Yums, Carpet Bugs, Tailwater Sows, Silver Bullets, Zebras, and Quills. Run these deep through the slow buckets and edges—especially where you see trout stacked behind midstream structure. PMD nymphs and scuds are also pulling steady numbers.

If you’re itching for some surface action, we’re starting to see more PMDs and caddis popping, with the odd blue-winged olive hatch midday. Keep a PMD Comparadun or a Purple Craze dry fly handy for rising fish. Stonefly patterns like a Chubby Chernobyl in yellow, tan, or even purple are still drawing aggressive eats along grassy banks and undercuts, especially early and late in the day.

Streamer anglers have been rewarded lately—Sparkle Minnows, Skiddish Smolts, and black Peanut Envys are accounting for some slabby browns and rainbows, particularly in the riffles and deeper tails. Let those streamers sink and strip them in slow for your best shot at a trophy.

Recent catches: anglers are reporting healthy numbers of rainbows in the 16–18-inch range and plenty of browns running up to 22 inches, with the best fish coming from the deeper bends and below the Afterbay down to Bighorn Access. The spawn for rainbows is winding down, so please give any visible redds a wide berth.

Hot spots for today: the Three Mile to Bighorn Access stretch is fishing the strongest, particularly around the “Slides” and “Slick,” while the Afterbay to Soap Creek run continues to be a reliable producer for both numbers and size.

For bait, tailwater scuds and sowbugs are hard to beat right now, but if you prefer lures, try a minnow-imitating crankbait or a Panther Martin with a gold blade in the runs.

Thanks for tuning in to the local scoop—don’t forget to subscribe to stay up-to-date on all things Bighorn fishing. This has been a Quiet Please production, for more check out quietple

This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.

Good morning from Big Horn, Montana—this is Artificial Lure with your Saturday, June 21st fishing report.

It’s prime time on the Bighorn River, and the bite has been steady as we roll into the heart of June. Sunrise was at 5:25 a.m. with sunset coming up just after 9:10 p.m., giving you plenty of daylight to fish hard. Weather’s settling into that classic late-spring groove, with highs pushing toward 77°F and lows near 50°F. We’ve had a few patches of rain this week, but overall the skies are cooperative—just cloudy enough to keep those big fish feeding a little longer through the day, perfect for dry fly fanatics. No tides to speak of out here, but river flows have finally stabilized at 3,000 cfs after bouncing around earlier in the month, according to Bighorn Angler's recent updates.

Water clarity is very good this week, though there’s still some drifting moss below 3 Mile, so it pays to keep an eye on your hooks. The river’s a touch touchy, but when the fish settle into their new holding water, the action really picks up. Nymphing remains the best bet overall, with the subsurface game simply exceptional right now. The hot nymphs have been UV Yum Yums, Carpet Bugs, Tailwater Sows, Silver Bullets, Zebras, and Quills. Run these deep through the slow buckets and edges—especially where you see trout stacked behind midstream structure. PMD nymphs and scuds are also pulling steady numbers.

If you’re itching for some surface action, we’re starting to see more PMDs and caddis popping, with the odd blue-winged olive hatch midday. Keep a PMD Comparadun or a Purple Craze dry fly handy for rising fish. Stonefly patterns like a Chubby Chernobyl in yellow, tan, or even purple are still drawing aggressive eats along grassy banks and undercuts, especially early and late in the day.

Streamer anglers have been rewarded lately—Sparkle Minnows, Skiddish Smolts, and black Peanut Envys are accounting for some slabby browns and rainbows, particularly in the riffles and deeper tails. Let those streamers sink and strip them in slow for your best shot at a trophy.

Recent catches: anglers are reporting healthy numbers of rainbows in the 16–18-inch range and plenty of browns running up to 22 inches, with the best fish coming from the deeper bends and below the Afterbay down to Bighorn Access. The spawn for rainbows is winding down, so please give any visible redds a wide berth.

Hot spots for today: the Three Mile to Bighorn Access stretch is fishing the strongest, particularly around the “Slides” and “Slick,” while the Afterbay to Soap Creek run continues to be a reliable producer for both numbers and size.

For bait, tailwater scuds and sowbugs are hard to beat right now, but if you prefer lures, try a minnow-imitating crankbait or a Panther Martin with a gold blade in the runs.

Thanks for tuning in to the local scoop—don’t forget to subscribe to stay up-to-date on all things Bighorn fishing. This has been a Quiet Please production, for more check out quietple

This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.

Good morning from Big Horn, Montana—this is Artificial Lure with your Saturday, June 21st fishing report.

It’s prime time on the Bighorn River, and the bite has been steady as we roll into the heart of June. Sunrise was at 5:25 a.m. with sunset coming up just after 9:10 p.m., giving you plenty of daylight to fish hard. Weather’s settling into that classic late-spring groove, with highs pushing toward 77°F and lows near 50°F. We’ve had a few patches of rain this week, but overall the skies are cooperative—just cloudy enough to keep those big fish feeding a little longer through the day, perfect for dry fly fanatics. No tides to speak of out here, but river flows have finally stabilized at 3,000 cfs after bouncing around earlier in the month, according to Bighorn Angler's recent updates.

Water clarity is very good this week, though there’s still some drifting moss below 3 Mile, so it pays to keep an eye on your hooks. The river’s a touch touchy, but when the fish settle into their new holding water, the action really picks up. Nymphing remains the best bet overall, with the subsurface game simply exceptional right now. The hot nymphs have been UV Yum Yums, Carpet Bugs, Tailwater Sows, Silver Bullets, Zebras, and Quills. Run these deep through the slow buckets and edges—especially where you see trout stacked behind midstream structure. PMD nymphs and scuds are also pulling steady numbers.

If you’re itching for some surface action, we’re starting to see more PMDs and caddis popping, with the odd blue-winged olive hatch midday. Keep a PMD Comparadun or a Purple Craze dry fly handy for rising fish. Stonefly patterns like a Chubby Chernobyl in yellow, tan, or even purple are still drawing aggressive eats along grassy banks and undercuts, especially early and late in the day.

Streamer anglers have been rewarded lately—Sparkle Minnows, Skiddish Smolts, and black Peanut Envys are accounting for some slabby browns and rainbows, particularly in the riffles and deeper tails. Let those streamers sink and strip them in slow for your best shot at a trophy.

Recent catches: anglers are reporting healthy numbers of rainbows in the 16–18-inch range and plenty of browns running up to 22 inches, with the best fish coming from the deeper bends and below the Afterbay down to Bighorn Access. The spawn for rainbows is winding down, so please give any visible redds a wide berth.

Hot spots for today: the Three Mile to Bighorn Access stretch is fishing the strongest, particularly around the “Slides” and “Slick,” while the Afterbay to Soap Creek run continues to be a reliable producer for both numbers and size.

For bait, tailwater scuds and sowbugs are hard to beat right now, but if you prefer lures, try a minnow-imitating crankbait or a Panther Martin with a gold blade in the runs.

Thanks for tuning in to the local scoop—don’t forget to subscribe to stay up-to-date on all things Bighorn fishing. This has been a Quiet Please production, for more check out quietple

This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.

Good morning from Big Horn, Montana—this is Artificial Lure with your Saturday, June 21st fishing report.

It’s prime time on the Bighorn River, and the bite has been steady as we roll into the heart of June. Sunrise was at 5:25 a.m. with sunset coming up just after 9:10 p.m., giving you plenty of daylight to fish hard. Weather’s settling into that classic late-spring groove, with highs pushing toward 77°F and lows near 50°F. We’ve had a few patches of rain this week, but overall the skies are cooperative—just cloudy enough to keep those big fish feeding a little longer through the day, perfect for dry fly fanatics. No tides to speak of out here, but river flows have finally stabilized at 3,000 cfs after bouncing around earlier in the month, according to Bighorn Angler's recent updates.

Water clarity is very good this week, though there’s still some drifting moss below 3 Mile, so it pays to keep an eye on your hooks. The river’s a touch touchy, but when the fish settle into their new holding water, the action really picks up. Nymphing remains the best bet overall, with the subsurface game simply exceptional right now. The hot nymphs have been UV Yum Yums, Carpet Bugs, Tailwater Sows, Silver Bullets, Zebras, and Quills. Run these deep through the slow buckets and edges—especially where you see trout stacked behind midstream structure. PMD nymphs and scuds are also pulling steady numbers.

If you’re itching for some surface action, we’re starting to see more PMDs and caddis popping, with the odd blue-winged olive hatch midday. Keep a PMD Comparadun or a Purple Craze dry fly handy for rising fish. Stonefly patterns like a Chubby Chernobyl in yellow, tan, or even purple are still drawing aggressive eats along grassy banks and undercuts, especially early and late in the day.

Streamer anglers have been rewarded lately—Sparkle Minnows, Skiddish Smolts, and black Peanut Envys are accounting for some slabby browns and rainbows, particularly in the riffles and deeper tails. Let those streamers sink and strip them in slow for your best shot at a trophy.

Recent catches: anglers are reporting healthy numbers of rainbows in the 16–18-inch range and plenty of browns running up to 22 inches, with the best fish coming from the deeper bends and below the Afterbay down to Bighorn Access. The spawn for rainbows is winding down, so please give any visible redds a wide berth.

Hot spots for today: the Three Mile to Bighorn Access stretch is fishing the strongest, particularly around the “Slides” and “Slick,” while the Afterbay to Soap Creek run continues to be a reliable producer for both numbers and size.

For bait, tailwater scuds and sowbugs are hard to beat right now, but if you prefer lures, try a minnow-imitating crankbait or a Panther Martin with a gold blade in the runs.

Thanks for tuning in to the local scoop—don’t forget to subscribe to stay up-to-date on all things Bighorn fishing. This has been a Quiet Please production, for more check out quietple

This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.

Good morning from Big Horn, Montana—this is Artificial Lure with your Saturday, June 21st fishing report.

It’s prime time on the Bighorn River, and the bite has been steady as we roll into the heart of June. Sunrise was at 5:25 a.m. with sunset coming up just after 9:10 p.m., giving you plenty of daylight to fish hard. Weather’s settling into that classic late-spring groove, with highs pushing toward 77°F and lows near 50°F. We’ve had a few patches of rain this week, but overall the skies are cooperative—just cloudy enough to keep those big fish feeding a little longer through the day, perfect for dry fly fanatics. No tides to speak of out here, but river flows have finally stabilized at 3,000 cfs after bouncing around earlier in the month, according to Bighorn Angler's recent updates.

Water clarity is very good this week, though there’s still some drifting moss below 3 Mile, so it pays to keep an eye on your hooks. The river’s a touch touchy, but when the fish settle into their new holding water, the action really picks up. Nymphing remains the best bet overall, with the subsurface game simply exceptional right now. The hot nymphs have been UV Yum Yums, Carpet Bugs, Tailwater Sows, Silver Bullets, Zebras, and Quills. Run these deep through the slow buckets and edges—especially where you see trout stacked behind midstream structure. PMD nymphs and scuds are also pulling steady numbers.

If you’re itching for some surface action, we’re starting to see more PMDs and caddis popping, with the odd blue-winged olive hatch midday. Keep a PMD Comparadun or a Purple Craze dry fly handy for rising fish. Stonefly patterns like a Chubby Chernobyl in yellow, tan, or even purple are still drawing aggressive eats along grassy banks and undercuts, especially early and late in the day.

Streamer anglers have been rewarded lately—Sparkle Minnows, Skiddish Smolts, and black Peanut Envys are accounting for some slabby browns and rainbows, particularly in the riffles and deeper tails. Let those streamers sink and strip them in slow for your best shot at a trophy.

Recent catches: anglers are reporting healthy numbers of rainbows in the 16–18-inch range and plenty of browns running up to 22 inches, with the best fish coming from the deeper bends and below the Afterbay down to Bighorn Access. The spawn for rainbows is winding down, so please give any visible redds a wide berth.

Hot spots for today: the Three Mile to Bighorn Access stretch is fishing the strongest, particularly around the “Slides” and “Slick,” while the Afterbay to Soap Creek run continues to be a reliable producer for both numbers and size.

For bait, tailwater scuds and sowbugs are hard to beat right now, but if you prefer lures, try a minnow-imitating crankbait or a Panther Martin with a gold blade in the runs.

Thanks for tuning in to the local scoop—don’t forget to subscribe to stay up-to-date on all things Bighorn fishing. This has been a Quiet Please production, for more check out quietple

This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.

Good morning from Big Horn, Montana—this is Artificial Lure with your Saturday, June 21st fishing report.

It’s prime time on the Bighorn River, and the bite has been steady as we roll into the heart of June. Sunrise was at 5:25 a.m. with sunset coming up just after 9:10 p.m., giving you plenty of daylight to fish hard. Weather’s settling into that classic late-spring groove, with highs pushing toward 77°F and lows near 50°F. We’ve had a few patches of rain this week, but overall the skies are cooperative—just cloudy enough to keep those big fish feeding a little longer through the day, perfect for dry fly fanatics. No tides to speak of out here, but river flows have finally stabilized at 3,000 cfs after bouncing around earlier in the month, according to Bighorn Angler's recent updates.

Water clarity is very good this week, though there’s still some drifting moss below 3 Mile, so it pays to keep an eye on your hooks. The river’s a touch touchy, but when the fish settle into their new holding water, the action really picks up. Nymphing remains the best bet overall, with the subsurface game simply exceptional right now. The hot nymphs have been UV Yum Yums, Carpet Bugs, Tailwater Sows, Silver Bullets, Zebras, and Quills. Run these deep through the slow buckets and edges—especially where you see trout stacked behind midstream structure. PMD nymphs and scuds are also pulling steady numbers.

If you’re itching for some surface action, we’re starting to see more PMDs and caddis popping, with the odd blue-winged olive hatch midday. Keep a PMD Comparadun or a Purple Craze dry fly handy for rising fish. Stonefly patterns like a Chubby Chernobyl in yellow, tan, or even purple are still drawing aggressive eats along grassy banks and undercuts, especially early and late in the day.

Streamer anglers have been rewarded lately—Sparkle Minnows, Skiddish Smolts, and black Peanut Envys are accounting for some slabby browns and rainbows, particularly in the riffles and deeper tails. Let those streamers sink and strip them in slow for your best shot at a trophy.

Recent catches: anglers are reporting healthy numbers of rainbows in the 16–18-inch range and plenty of browns running up to 22 inches, with the best fish coming from the deeper bends and below the Afterbay down to Bighorn Access. The spawn for rainbows is winding down, so please give any visible redds a wide berth.

Hot spots for today: the Three Mile to Bighorn Access stretch is fishing the strongest, particularly around the “Slides” and “Slick,” while the Afterbay to Soap Creek run continues to be a reliable producer for both numbers and size.

For bait, tailwater scuds and sowbugs are hard to beat right now, but if you prefer lures, try a minnow-imitating crankbait or a Panther Martin with a gold blade in the runs.

Thanks for tuning in to the local scoop—don’t forget to subscribe to stay up-to-date on all things Bighorn fishing. This has been a Quiet Please production, for more check out quietple

This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.