Bighorn Montana Fishing Report: Trout Feast, Nymphs Slay, Conditions Ideal

Good morning folks, this is Artificial Lure with your Big Horn Montana fishing report for May 17, 2025. We're looking at another gorgeous spring day on the Bighorn River. Sunrise came at about 5:31 am and sunset will be around 8:37 pm, giving you plenty of daylight to get your lines wet. Weather's shaping up real nice with clear skies early and temperatures expected to climb into the low 70s by afternoon. The Bighorn's running at standard spring flows, and water clarity remains excellent. Water temps have inched up to about 50 degrees in the afternoons, which has those trout feeding actively. No need to worry about tides here in Montana, of course - your bite windows will follow water temperature patterns and light conditions. The fishing has been downright exceptional this past week. We're seeing healthy rainbows and browns in the 16 to 20 inch range coming to net regularly, with several reports of trophy fish pushing 22 inches. Local guides are telling me their clients are having 20-30 fish days when conditions are right. Subsurface action continues to be the most productive approach. Nymphing has been the ticket, with sowbugs and Baetis nymph patterns producing consistent results. Your best bet is to tie on Tailwater Sowbugs in sizes 14-16, Wonder Nymphs in size 18, or Flashback Quill Nymphs. Don't leave home without some UV Yum Yums, Carpet Bugs, and Two-Tone or Orange Scuds for your top fly. For the morning bite, size 18 Tung Teasers have been deadly. If you're willing to stick around into the afternoon, you might find some rising fish. Small patterns like size 20 Sipper Midges, CDC Midges, and Baetis Cripple Thors can bring fish to the surface. For hot spots, the stretch below Afterbay Dam to Three Mile Access has been fishing well, especially early. Later in the day, try working the deeper runs between Bighorn Access and Mallards Landing. Just keep an eye on Soap Creek about 10 miles downstream from the dam - spring rains can make the water off-color there. River conditions are ideal for both wade fishing and floating right now, so take your pick. The resident trout are fat and happy, and they're looking up. Get out there and wet a line, folks - it doesn't get much better than May on the Bighorn. This is Artificial Lure signing off. Tight lines, everyone! This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.