Bighorn River Fishing Forecast: Nymphing, Streamer, and Dry Fly Tactics for a Successful Fall Outing

As of November 16th, the Bighorn River in Montana is offering some challenging yet rewarding fishing conditions as we transition deeper into the fall season. ### River Conditions The river is currently flowing at about 2,250 cubic feet per second, which is relatively normal for this time of year. The water temperature has dropped to around 56 degrees, and the clarity is clear, although aquatic grass is choking off some of the runs, so it's crucial to look for the clean lanes. ### Weather Expect crisp mornings and pleasant days, typical of the fall season. The weather forecast indicates cooler temperatures with some cloud cover, which can enhance fish activity. Sunrise today is at around 7:30 AM, and sunset will be around 6:30 PM. ### Fish Activity Fish activity has been good, especially in the afternoons. Trout are moving into the slow, deep runs more than the riffles and fast runs. Nymph fishing has been the most consistent method, with San Juan Worms being the primary producers. You can also catch fish on scuds, sowbugs, and Perdigons. Surface action is spotty, but there are some Pale Olive Baetis and midges around. ### Best Lures and Bait For nymphing, use patterns like the Squirmy Worm (blood red or burgundy), Orange Scud, Tailwater Sowbug, Carpet Bug Sowbug, and Nightmare Perdigon. For dry flies, a CDC Baetis in size 22 can be effective on days with good weather. Streamer fishing, though mediocre, can still produce results with patterns like the Articulated Goldy, Dirty Hippie, White Zonker, and Thin Mint Wooley Bugger. ### Hot Spots Focus on the deep runs and holes, particularly in areas where the aquatic grass is not as dense. The upper 13 miles of the river have seen a lot of rising fish, making it a good area to target. Additionally, the Gallatin Canyon waters are a reliable spot for nymph-fishing the holes and deep runs. Overall, the Bighorn River remains a great destination for fall fishing, with the right tactics and knowledge, you can still have a very successful day on the water. This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.