Bighorn River Fishing Forecast Heading Into Fall 2024 Season

As of September 30, 2024, the Bighorn River in Montana is offering some challenging yet rewarding fishing conditions. Here’s what you need to know for a successful day on the water. ### Weather and Time The weather is expected to be crisp with cooler mornings and pleasant days, typical of the fall season. Sunrise is at around 7:15 AM, and sunset will be at about 6:45 PM. This time of year, the early morning wake-ups are less critical, but getting on the water by late morning can still be beneficial. ### River Conditions The Bighorn River is currently flowing at about 2,500 cubic feet per second, with water temperatures around 59 degrees. Aquatic grass is present in some areas, so look for clean lanes to cast your line. The river's clarity is generally good, but some sections may be affected by recent storms. ### Fish Activity Fish activity has been variable, with mornings being tougher but improving in the afternoons. Nymph fishing has slowed down a bit, but it's still productive. Surface action is spotty, with occasional tricos and some caddis activity in the evenings. Streamer fishing has been mediocre, but it's starting to pick up as brown trout become more aggressive and territorial in preparation for the fall spawn. ### Catches Yesterday, anglers caught fish primarily on nymphs such as San Juan Worms, sowbugs, Perdigons, and tan caddis pupa. A few fish were also caught on streamers, particularly the Articulated Goldy and Dirty Hippie patterns. ### Best Lures and Bait For nymphing, use patterns like the Squirmy Worm (blood red or burgundy), Tailwater Sowbug, Carpet Bug Sowbug, Nightmare Perdigon, and Frenchie (gold bead, orange color). For dry flies, try Trico Spinners, Parachute Adams, and Henryville Caddis. Streamers such as the Articulated Goldy, Dirty Hippie, and White Zonker are also effective. ### Hot Spots One of the hot spots is around the clean lanes where aquatic grass is not choking off the runs. The area between the Three Mile Access site and the St. Xavier is also worth exploring, as the Bighorn River Alliance has been restoring side channels in this region. In summary, the Bighorn River is in a transitional phase with fall hatches and changing fish behavior. Be patient, especially in the mornings, and adjust your tactics to the improving afternoon conditions. With the right lures and a bit of stealth, you can have a successful day on this beautiful Montana river. This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.