Copyright 2009 James Marsh
Fly Fishing The Bighorn River Montana
The Bighorn River was considered the best tailwater
trout fishing destination in the United States for several
years. Two or three years of drought conditions hurt the
fish population a few years ago but even then, the
Bighorn River had more trout per mile than most any
other stream in the nation. Since then it has rebounded
very well and the fishing is again top notch. Fly fishing
the Big Horn River is again about as good as it gets.
There are several miles of river below the Yellowtail Dam
that provides a few thousand trout per mile. The stream
is wide averaging forty to sixty yards and there are
about forty-five miles of water that provides good fishing.
It flows through the Bighorn Canyon National
Recreational Area for twenty miles and then the Crow
Indian Reservation for another twenty-eight miles.
Eighty-seven miles from the dam, it enters the
Yellowstone River.
One great feature of the river are the islands. They
break up the stream into different types of water and
provide many places for the trout to reproduce, live and
feed. Both its brown and rainbow trout average around
sixteen inches.
The river can be floated all the way from the dam to Ft.
Smith. There are numerous put in and take out points
along the river. Unless the water is high, it can also be
waded at many locations.
Season:
You can fish for trout on the Bighorn throughout the
year.
Winter:
Fly fishing the Bighorn River is good throughout the
winter but you must select the better days. The weather
varies tremendously from extreme cold to mild conditions
and the water below the dam stays at a constant
temperature.
Spring:
Spring time can be a good time to fish depending on the
weather. There are some hatches that provide dry fly
action.
Summer:
The summer months are the busiest months for anglers
on the Bighorn. The cool water below the dam for the
first several miles provides great fishing during the
hottest days. Late summer has several hatches and is
probably the best time to fish the Bighorn.
Fall:
During the fall there are large hatches of Trico mayflies
and the fishing is usually very good.
Fly Fishing Guide to the Bighorn River in Montana
The methods, techniques and tactics used for fly fishing
the Bighorn River are diverse and varied. They range
from fishing heavy streamers to tiny dry flies. The
strategies change with the seasons, water levels and
hatches. It also depends on whether you fish the river
from a drift boat or wade.
(Click Here to Continue)
The Bighorn River was considered the best tailwater
trout fishing destination in the United States for several
years. Two or three years of drought conditions hurt the
fish population a few years ago but even then, the
Bighorn River had more trout per mile than most any
other stream in the nation. Since then it has rebounded
very well and the fishing is again top notch. Fly fishing
the Big Horn River is again about as good as it gets.
There are several miles of river below the Yellowtail Dam
that provides a few thousand trout per mile. The stream
is wide averaging forty to sixty yards and there are
about forty-five miles of water that provides good fishing.
It flows through the Bighorn Canyon National
Recreational Area for twenty miles and then the Crow
Indian Reservation for another twenty-eight miles.
Eighty-seven miles from the dam, it enters the
Yellowstone River.
One great feature of the river are the islands. They
break up the stream into different types of water and
provide many places for the trout to reproduce, live and
feed. Both its brown and rainbow trout average around
sixteen inches.
The river can be floated all the way from the dam to Ft.
Smith. There are numerous put in and take out points
along the river. Unless the water is high, it can also be
waded at many locations.
Season:
You can fish for trout on the Bighorn throughout the
year.
Winter:
Fly fishing the Bighorn River is good throughout the
winter but you must select the better days. The weather
varies tremendously from extreme cold to mild conditions
and the water below the dam stays at a constant
temperature.
Spring:
Spring time can be a good time to fish depending on the
weather. There are some hatches that provide dry fly
action.
Summer:
The summer months are the busiest months for anglers
on the Bighorn. The cool water below the dam for the
first several miles provides great fishing during the
hottest days. Late summer has several hatches and is
probably the best time to fish the Bighorn.
Fall:
During the fall there are large hatches of Trico mayflies
and the fishing is usually very good.
Fly Fishing Guide to the Bighorn River in Montana
The methods, techniques and tactics used for fly fishing
the Bighorn River are diverse and varied. They range
from fishing heavy streamers to tiny dry flies. The
strategies change with the seasons, water levels and
hatches. It also depends on whether you fish the river
from a drift boat or wade.
(Click Here to Continue)
| Type of Stream Tailwater Species Brown Trout Rainbow Trout (Wild) Size Large Location South Central Montana Nearest Towns Fort Smith, Montana Hardin, Montana Season Year-round Access: Fair-Good Special Regulations Two areas - one above the cable below the dam and one above Non-Resident License State of Montana Weather National Weather Service Link Hatch Chart Coming Soon Fly Fishing Guide Hatches and Flies Fly Fishing Gear Stream Flow Data: Real Time USGS Data |
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Bighorn River
Montana
Montana
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Photo Courtesy of David Knapp Photography
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| Options For Selecting Flies: 1. Email us with the dates you will be fishing this stream and we will send you a list of our fly suggestions. Please allow up to 24 hours for a response. 2. Call us 800-594-4726 and we will help you decide which flies you need. 3. Call or email us with a budget for flies and we will select them and get them to you in time for your trip. Shipping is free in the U. S. Orders over $50 are shipped Priority Mail. |