Big Horn Bonanza: Trout Galore on Montana's Mighty Bighorn River

Artificial Lure here with your September 20 fishing report for Big Horn, Montana and the mighty Bighorn River. Sunrise crept in at 6:49 AM today, with sunset set for 7:12 PM. Weather’s classic early fall: a cool 43° this morning with mostly sunny skies, a gentle breeze around 6 mph, and highs expected near 75°. Air’s brisk early but warms fast―waders recommended at dawn, t-shirt by midday. Now, for tidal info: Montana’s landlocked, so no true tides here, but water levels remain steady thanks to the Yellowtail Dam. The flows are stable near 2,500 CFS, keeping the trout happy and bug life abundant. Water clarity is excellent after last week’s slight rain; expect fine sight fishing conditions. Fish activity is buzzing. Reports from local guides this week confirm excellent dry fly action, especially mid-morning as the water warms. The hopper bite peaked last week but is still going strong, with trout slamming tan and yellow patterns along grassy banks. BWO and trico mayfly hatches are rolling out in the afternoons, drawing pods of rising rainbows and browns. Streamer fishing is heating up as trout get aggressive, prepping for fall. Folks fishing below Afterbay have landed good numbers―plenty of wild rainbows in the 16-18" bracket and browns stretching 17-21", with some true slabs pushing 22". Several boats reported double-digit numbers landed per angler the past three days, mostly on dries and small nymphs. Best lures and bait right now: - For **fly anglers**: Tan and gold hoppers, olive or black woolly buggers, pheasant tails, zebra midges, and micro tricos. - For those chucking gear: Small silver spoons, Panther Martins with yellow/black dots, and Rapala minnows in natural colors. - If bait fishing (where legal), floating nightcrawlers and waxworms on light line will tempt trout in deeper runs. Hot Spots: - **Three Mile Access**: Solid morning nymphing just off the rock ledge; hoppers later near grassy undercuts. - **Afterbay to 13 Mile stretch**: Find good streamer bites and consistent risers in soft seams. - **Bighorn Canyon’s tailwater**: Cooler water temps made for active fish. Try the deeper bends after lunch. Word of caution: Bears have been spotted closer to the river valleys lately, according to local news―be bear aware and always pack out your food and trash. Late afternoon, hopper-dropper rigs paired with stealthy wading are getting takes in skinny water. Streamer junkies are finding browns moving for olive buggers just before sunset. For sheer numbers, boaters drifting mid-river channels are reporting the best action. That’s all for today, folks. Big Horn’s fishing is about as good as it gets in September―don’t miss it. If you’re new here, Three Mile and Afterbay are real gems, and the canyon section has trophy potential. Thanks for tuning in, and don’t forget to subscribe for more local fishing updates. This has been a Quiet Please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai. Great deals on fishing gear https://amzn.to/ This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.