Continued from Waters We Fish

Bighorn River

The rainbows and browns average 14-17 inches, but there are huge numbers of fish in the 17-19 inch class, and the larger fish top out at 21-23 inches.

Justin Elkins with 23" Bighorn rainbow

Heavy midge hatches produce some excellent early season dry fly fishing, even in February and March. The weather on the 'Horn is usually milder than the Livingston area and good fishing opportunities exist there year 'round. The early season (through May) is excellent fishing on the Bighorn. June can be good if the water levels don't go up too high. Once the river gets over 8000 cfs, wading becomes a risky proposition. The boat fishing with nymphs can be dynamite though, even in high water.

July brings the start of the red hot fishing, with hatches of Yellow Sallies and PMDs. In August, the caddis hatches get rolling and clouds of caddis in the evenings bring up all of the big fish.

Fly designer John Barr on the lower Bighorn

In late August and September, the Trico hatches are heavy, and a bonus for those anglers that get out on the stream at daybreak. The fall months on the 'Horn can be good or bad, depending on the water conditions. Since this is a tailwater fishery, fed by Yellowtail Reservoir, much depends on the flow levels throughout the season. Low water years always provide the best conditions, especially in the fall. The caddis and Trico fishing in September and October can be simply awesome if the river is in good shape. In a high water year, however, the river can be nearly unfishable at this time due to floating moss and murky water coming out of the big lake.