Filed under: Fishing Report
Water flow: 2,487cfs
Visibility: 50 inches
Water temperature at mid-day: 48 Degrees F
Water condition: Clear
Best time of day to fish: 8:00am till dark (about 4:30)
Best stretch: Afterbay to Bighorn is the best stretch right now.
Best access point: 1st – After Bay 2nd – 3 mile 3rd – Bighorn
Fly fishing hatches in order of importance:
Small baetis
A few midges
“Must-have” fly fishing patterns in descending order of importance:
| Fly Name: | Fly Color: | Fly Size(s): |
| Sparkle Dun Dry Fly | olive and gray | 20 |
| Cdc Comparadun Dry Fly | Tan | 20 |
| San Juan Worm | Red or red and tan | 8-10 |
| Mottos Minnow Streamer | White | 8 |
| Bluewing Olive | Olive | 18-20 |
| Adams | Grey | 20 |
| Yellow sulpher dun | Yellow | 20 |
| Soft Hackle Ray Charles | Pink | 16-18 |
| Soft Hackle Ray Charles | grey |
Fish species: Wild Rainbow & Brown Trout
Fishing season: Year Round (Prime: April 1 – October 31)
Nearest airport: Billings Logan International Airport (BIL)
Recommended fly fishing leader: 9 Foot Leader
Recommended fly fishing tippet: 5X Tippet Size
Best fly fishing rod: 9′ 5 Weight Fly Rod
Best floating fly line: Trout WF
This week it’s going to get into Mid to Upper 40′s, with little to no wind. The fishing should really start picking up with the longer and warmer days. With a slight overcast should produced some Batis hatchs and the water is still about 48 so it feels warm. The dry fly fishing is ok on warmer days with slight overcast. Baetis are starting to be heavier every day now. Mid day temps are expected to be in the mid to upper 40′s. Water temps are near perfect at 48.
Filed under: Fishing Report
Colder temps! This week it’s going to get into low to mid 30′s but should be good as the water is still about 48 so it feels warm. Even with cooler weather, the dry fly fishing is hanging in there. Baetis are starting to be heavier every day now. Streamers are effective as the browns are starting to get their spawn personality going. Mid day temps are expected to be in the mid 30′s. Water temps are near perfect at 48.
The flows are at 2,749cfs. Streamer fishing is starting to be the preference for the angles this week. Casting toward the bank and stripping it back 20 feet or so. Out in the deeper pools can be exciting letting your streamer sink near the bottom before starting to strip. A light sink tip line is ideal for this style of fishing. There are some blue winged olives starting to appear and the fish are on them through out the day. River Flows —- 2,850cfs
Filed under: Fishing Report
Water flow: 2,749cfs
Visibility: 50 inches
Water temperature at mid-day: 48 Degrees F
Water condition: Clear
Best time of day to fish: 8:00am till dark (about 4:30)
Best stretch: Afterbay to Bighorn is the best stretch right now.
Best access point: 1st – After Bay 2nd – 3 mile 3rd – Bighorn
Fly fishing hatches in order of importance:
Small baetis
A few midges
“Must-have” fly fishing patterns in descending order of importance:
| Fly Name: | Fly Color: | Fly Size(s): |
| Cmo Caddis | black, tan | 16-18 |
| Cdc Comparadun Dry Fly | Tan | 20 |
| San Juan Worm | Red or red and tan | 8-10 |
| Blue Wing Olive Parachute | Bluewing Olive | 18-20 |
| Bluewing Olive | Olive | 18-20 |
| Adams | Grey | 20 |
| Yellow sulpher dun | Yellow | 20 |
| Soft Hackle Ray Charles | Pink | 16-18 |
| Soft Hackle Ray Charles | grey |
Fish species: Wild Rainbow & Brown Trout
Fishing season: Year Round (Prime: April 1 – October 31)
Nearest airport: Billings Logan International Airport (BIL)
Recommended fly fishing leader: 9 Foot Leader
Recommended fly fishing tippet: 5X Tippet Size
Best fly fishing rod: 9′ 5 Weight Fly Rod
Best floating fly line: Trout WF
Filed under: Fishing Report
WARM!!! This week it’s going to get into the 40′s so it should be perfect. . The water is still about 50 so it feels warm. The Browns are just finishing their spawn. They are coming off their beds looking for food so they are hungry and fishing is great! Even with cooler weather, the dry fly fishing is hanging in there. Baetis are starting to be heavier every day now. Streamers are effective as the browns are starting to get their spawn personality going. Mid day temps are expected to be in the mid 20′s. Water temps are near perfect at 50.
Filed under: Fishing Report
Water flow: 2,825cfs
Visibility: 50 inches
Water temperature at mid-day: 50 Degrees F
Water condition: Clear
Best time of day to fish: 8:00am till dark (about 4:30)
Best stretch: Afterbay to Bighorn is the best stretch right now.
Best access point: 1st – After Bay 2nd – 3 mile 3rd – Bighorn
Fly fishing hatches in order of importance:
Small baetis
A few midges
“Must-have” fly fishing patterns in descending order of importance:
| Fly Name: | Fly Color: | Fly Size(s): |
| Cmo Caddis | black, tan | 16-18 |
| Cdc Comparadun Dry Fly | Tan | 20 |
| San Juan Worm | Red or red and tan | 8-10 |
| Blue Wing Olive Parachute | Bluewing Olive | 18-20 |
| Bluewing Olive | Olive | 18-20 |
| Adams | Grey | 20 |
| Yellow sulpher dun | Yellow | 20 |
| Soft Hackle Ray Charles | Pink | 16-18 |
| Soft Hackle Ray Charles | grey |
Fish species: Wild Rainbow & Brown Trout
Fishing season: Year Round (Prime: April 1 – October 31)
Nearest airport: Billings Logan International Airport (BIL)
Recommended fly fishing leader: 9 Foot Leader
Recommended fly fishing tippet: 5X Tippet Size
Best fly fishing rod: 9′ 5 Weight Fly Rod
Best floating fly line: Trout WF
Filed under: Fishing Report
Bighorn River Fishing Report – 12/30/09.
Water flow: 2,825cfs
Visibility: 50 inches
Water temperature at mid-day: 50 Degrees F
Water condition: Clear
Best time of day to fish: 8:00am till dark (about 4:30)
Best stretch: Afterbay to Bighorn is the best stretch right now.
Best access point: 1st – After Bay 2nd – 3 mile 3rd – Bighorn
Fly fishing hatches in order of importance:
Small baetis
A few midges
“Must-have” fly fishing patterns in descending order of importance:
| Fly Name: | Fly Color: | Fly Size(s): |
| Cmo Caddis | black, tan | 16-18 |
| Cdc Comparadun Dry Fly | Tan | 20 |
| San Juan Worm | Red or red and tan | 8-10 |
| Blue Wing Olive Parachute | Bluewing Olive | 18-20 |
| Bluewing Olive | Olive | 18-20 |
| Adams | Grey | 20 |
| Yellow sulpher dun | Yellow | 20 |
| Soft Hackle Ray Charles | Pink | 16-18 |
| Soft Hackle Ray Charles | grey |
Fish species: Wild Rainbow & Brown Trout
Fishing season: Year Round (Prime: April 1 – October 31)
Nearest airport: Billings Logan International Airport (BIL)
Recommended fly fishing leader: 9 Foot Leader
Recommended fly fishing tippet: 5X Tippet Size
Best fly fishing rod: 9′ 5 Weight Fly Rod
Best floating fly line: Trout WF
7 day outlook
This week it’s cold but it looks like it’s going to get into the 40′s by the end of the week so it should be perfect. When fishing in this cold of weather you have to dunk your rod every few minutes to “de-ice” your guides. The water is still about 55 so it feels warm. The Browns are in full fall spawn now. They are being very aggressive and are jousting for there right to procreate. Streamers invite a fight for any brown that is in this courtship stage. Even with cooler weather, the dry-fly fishing is hanging in there. Baetis are starting to be heavier every day now. Streamers are effective as the browns are starting to get their spawn personality going. Mid day temps are expected to be in the mid 20′s. Water temps are near perfect at 50.Tips of the Week.
The flows are at 2,825cfs. Streamer fishing is starting to be the preference for the angles this week. Casting toward the bank and stripping it back 20 feet or so. Out in the deeper pools can be exciting letting your streamer sink near the bottom before starting to strip. A light sink tip line is ideal for this style of fishing. There are some blue winged olives starting to appear and the fish are on them through out the day. A cast and blast trip is always exciting and right now the ducks and geese use this river as a main flyway for their southern migration. Hunt in the morning over decoys on the river, then mid-day fish and finally, catch the evening hunt. Makes for a very full and exciting day. The bottom tributaries are starting to clear up so the lower river is getting better. River Flows —- 2,850cfs
Fly Fishing Techniquest and Tips
Stripping streamers is best done from the middle of the stream and casting toward the banks and seams. Either wading on bars or from the boat this is the choice of most anglers right now. Dry fly fishing is best done from down stream from the fish, presenting the fly as a dead drift. Nymph fishing below indicators with 9′-3X leaders, 1 BB and a B shot seem to be the right weight. Orvis’ Helios Rod with it’s strong backbone, is really handling these bigger fish very well. I prefer the Helios 6 weight. (ZG Helios 906-4 Tip 9.5)
Filed under: Fishing Report
Water flow: 2,825cfs
Visibility: 50 inches
Water temperature at mid-day: 50 Degrees F
Water condition: Clear
Best time of day to fish: 6:00am till dark
Best stretch: Afterbay to Bighorn is the best stretch right now.
Best access point: 1st – After Bay 2nd – 3 mile 3rd – Bighorn
Fly fishing hatches in order of importance:
Small baetis are starting to appear
A few midges starting
“Must-have” fly fishing patterns in descending order of importance:
| Fly Name: | Fly Color: | Fly Size(s): |
| Cmo Caddis | black, tan | 16-18 |
| Cdc Comparadun Dry Fly | Tan | 20 |
| San Juan Worm | Red or red and tan | 8-10 |
| Blue Wing Olive Parachute | Bluewing Olive | 18-20 |
| Bluewing Olive | Olive | 18-20 |
| Adams | Grey | 20 |
| Yellow sulpher dun | Yellow | 20 |
| Soft Hackle Ray Charles | Pink | 16-18 |
| Soft Hackle Ray Charles | grey |
Fish species: Wild Rainbow & Brown Trout
Fishing season: Year Round (Prime: April 1 – October 31)
Nearest airport: Billings Logan International Airport (BIL)
Recommended fly fishing leader: 9 Foot Leader
Recommended fly fishing tippet: 5X Tippet Size
Best fly fishing rod: 9′ 5 Weight Fly Rod
Best floating fly line: Trout WF
Even with cooler weather, the dry fly fishing is hanging in there. Baetis are starting to be heavier every day now. Streamers are effective as the browns are starting to get their spawn personality going which will start some time next month. Mid day temps are expected to be in the mid 50′s. . Water temps are near perfect at 59.
The fish are moving into the more oxygenated heavy water now with the water temps being near perfect for browns and rainbows Sight fishing is great. Dry fly fishing is best done from down stream from the fish, presenting the fly as a dead drift. Nymph fishing below indicators with 9′-3X leaders (Orvis Superstrong # KM0714-61) 2 BB’s shot seem to be the right weight. Orvis’ Helios Rod with it’s strong backbone, is really handling extra weight and bigger fish very well. I prefer the Helios 6 weight. (ZG Helios 906-4 Tip 9.5)
Filed under: Fishing Report
The flows are at 2,850cfs. Streamer fishing is Starting to be the preference for the angles this week. Casting toward the bank and stripping it back 20 feet or so. Out in the deeper pools can be exciting leting your streamer sink near the bottom before starting to strip. A light sink tip line is ideal for this style of fishing. The bottom tributaries are starting to clear up so the lower river is getting better. River Flows —- 2,850cfs
Even with cooler weather, the Hopper fishing is still holding in there but will tapper off soon. However it will remain consistent as long as the weather holds, and seems to be the choice for most anglers. Mid day temps are expected to be in the mid 50′s. Hopper fishing is better on the the warmer sunnier days, with a little wind. Streamer fishing is starting to pickup as the browns are getting ready for the fall spawn. Water temps are near perfect at 59.
Filed under: Fishing Report
Water flow: 2,825cfs
Visibility: 60 inches
Water temperature at mid-day: 59 Degrees F
Water condition: Clear
Best time of day to fish: 6:00am till dark
Best stretch: Afterbay to Bighorn is the best stretch right now.
Best access point: 1st – After Bay 2nd – 3 mile 3rd – Bighorn
Fly fishing hatches in order of importance:
Small baetis are starting to appear
A few midges starting
“Must-have” fly fishing patterns in descending order of importance:
| Fly Name: | Fly Color: | Fly Size(s): |
| Cmo Caddis | black, tan | 16-18 |
| Cdc Comparadun Dry Fly | Tan | 20 |
| San Juan Worm | Red or red and tan | 8-10 |
| Blue Wing Olive Parachute | Bluewing Olive | 18-20 |
| Bluewing Olive | Olive | 18-20 |
| Foam Park Hopper | 10 | |
| Trico Bunny Dun | Black | 18-20 |
| Soft Hackle Ray Charles | Pink | 16-18 |
| Soft Hackle Ray Charles | grey | |
| Trico Spinner | Black and Green | 18-20 |
Fish species: Wild Rainbow & Brown Trout
Fishing season: Year Round (Prime: April 1 – September 31)
Nearest airport: Billings Logan International Airport (BIL)
Recommended fly fishing leader: 9 Foot Leader
Recommended fly fishing tippet: 5X Tippet Size
Best fly fishing rod: 9′ 5 Weight Fly Rod
Best floating fly line: Trout WF
