Big Horn River's Fall Fishing Bounty: Trout Galore, Diverse Hatches, and Ideal Conditions

As of October 13, 2024, the Big Horn River in Montana is offering some excellent fishing opportunities, despite the transitional fall season. ### Conditions and Weather The river is flowing at about 2500 cubic feet per second, with clear water and a temperature of around 59 degrees Fahrenheit. The weather has been cool, especially at night, which has helped in breaking up the aquatic grass that was choking some of the runs. Expect partly cloudy skies with a high in the mid-50s and a low in the mid-30s. ### Sunrise and Sunset Sunrise is at about 7:30 AM, and sunset is around 6:30 PM, providing ample daylight for a full day of fishing. ### Fish Activity Fish activity has been good, particularly in the afternoons. Brown trout are becoming more aggressive and territorial as they prepare for the spawn, making this a great time to catch some of the year’s biggest fish. Rainbow trout are also active, especially in the upper sections of the river. ### Types and Amounts of Fish Anglers have been catching a mix of brown and rainbow trout. The trout population is healthy, with fish averaging around 16 inches in length. While the dry fly bite has slowed down, subsurface fishing has been stellar, with many big, healthy fish being caught. ### Best Lures and Bait For nymph fishing, San Juan Worms in wine or blood red, Tailwater Sowbugs, and Perdigons have been the primary producers. Streamer fishing is picking up, with patterns like Jig Thin Mints, Pete’s Buggers, and Goldies working well. For dry fly fishing, although spotty, Tricos, Black Caddis, and Tan Caddis pupae are still worth trying. ### Hot Spots One of the best sections to fish is from the dam to the Bighorn Access, a distance of about thirteen miles, which contains the highest population of trout. The upper three miles have consistent hatch activity, especially around 11:00 AM until dark. Additionally, the islands and channels in this section provide a diverse habitat for trout, making it ideal for both wading and floating. Overall, the Big Horn River is in great shape for fall fishing, with plenty of opportunities to catch both brown and rainbow trout using a variety of techniques and flies. Just be sure to keep your flies clean due to the breaking aquatic grass. This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.