Big Horn Early June: Prime Feeding Temps and Consistent Action on Montana's Tailwater

This is Artificial Lure with your Big Horn country fishing report out of the Fort Smith and Bighorn, Montana area. We’re sitting under a classic early‑June pattern: cool at first light in the upper 40s to low 50s, climbing into the low to mid‑70s this afternoon, with a light southwest breeze that will stiffen a bit after lunch. Skies are mostly clear to partly cloudy, with just enough cloud cover drifting through to keep mid‑day fish from getting too spooky. Sunrise came in right around a quarter after five, with sunset roughly a little after nine this evening, so you’ve got a long window to work the river. No tides to worry about here on the Bighorn, but flows and clarity are the name of the game. The tailwater is running cool and steady out of Yellowtail, with that classic green‑tea tint that makes trout guides grin. Water temps are hanging in the 40s early and slipping into the low 50s by afternoon—prime feeding temps. Fish activity has been solid the last few days. Mornings have seen good nymph and streamer action, with the bite picking up again in the last two hours of light. Mid‑day slows a touch, but fish are still being taken if you get your drift right and go a size smaller. Reports from local guides and shops in Fort Smith have browns and rainbows in the 14–18 inch range showing up consistently, with enough fish over 20 inches to keep folks honest. Anglers floating the Afterbay to 3‑Mile and down through Bighorn Access have been putting a dozen or more fish in the net on better days, with a mix leaning slightly toward rainbows right now, but plenty of thick‑shouldered browns when you get your flies down along the structure. Nymphing is still the main producer. Think small and natural: size 16–20 sowbugs, scuds, and baetis nymphs under a light indicator with just enough split shot to tick bottom. Zebra midges, thread midges, and tiny PTs are all getting eaten. If you’re running spin gear, a small split‑shot rig with a beadhead sowbug and a bit of worm will flat‑out work. Streamer fans should lean into the morning and evening low‑light. Thin-profile patterns in olives, browns, and natural baitfish tones are the ticket. Keep them on the smaller side—size 6–8—stripped slow with the occasional pause. Conventional anglers are doing well on 1/8‑ to 1/4‑ounce marabou or hair jigs in olive or black, as well as smaller silver or gold spoons swung across current seams. Dry‑fly wise, keep an eye out for midges and a few lingering blue‑wing olives, especially on overcast patches. A size 18–20 midge cluster or parachute BWO will pick off risers in softer seams and back eddies. It’s not a blanket hatch, but patient anglers are getting some solid heads. For bait, if regulations where you’re fishing allow, nightcrawlers, small pieces of worm, and salmon eggs drifted naturally are producing, especially for bank anglers below the Afterbay. Check the current regs before you dunk bait—this river has some special rules. A couple of hot spots to circle today: • The classic stretch from the Afterbay down to 3‑Mile: great for floaters, plenty of productive shelves, weed edges, and drop‑offs. Work the inside bends and any soft water below riffles. • The water around Bighorn Access: excellent wade opportunities, consistent runs, and some sneaky side channels. Nymph the deeper slots during the day, then switch to streamers or dries during the evening rise. If the wind picks up, shorten your leader a bit, add a touch more weight, and fish tighter to structure. This isn’t the day to get cute—good drifts, right depth, and simple patterns will out‑fish fancy every time. That’s your Big Horn Montana fishing rundown from Artificial Lure. Thanks for tuning in, and don’t forget to subscribe for more on‑the‑water updates. This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai. Great deals on fishing gear https://amzn.to/44gt1Pn