Bighorn River Fishing Report: Ideal Temps, Hungry Trout, and Top Fly Patterns

For those planning to hit the Bighorn River in Montana today, here’s what you need to know: First off, there are no tides to worry about on the Bighorn River, as it's a freshwater river and not influenced by ocean tides. Weather-wise, it's been quite chilly, but that's typical for this time of year. The water temperature is around 44 degrees, which is ideal for some great winter fishing. Sunrise today is around 7:45 AM, and sunset will be at about 4:45 PM, giving you a good window to get out on the water. Fish activity has been strong, especially with the cooler water temps. Brown trout are nearing the end of their spawning season, but you can still catch some big rainbows and the occasional brown. Nymph fishing has been good, with scuds, sowbugs, and S.J. Worms being the primary producers. Streamer fishing is also solid, particularly in the deeper slots where fish are piled up. The "Goldie" streamer, an articulated white and gold pattern, has been working well, along with other streamers like the Thin Mint Wooley Bugger and the Rusty Trombone[1][4]. For nymphs, try using Orange Scud, Tailwater Sowbug, Carpet Bug Sowbug, and Squirmy Worms in blood red or burgundy. If you're looking to dry fly fish, midges are the way to go, especially the Sipper Midge in size 20[1]. Hot spots include the deeper water areas where you can use a sinking line to target those big rainbows and browns. The upper sections of the river have some grass growth, but everything below remains relatively clean and fishable. Areas around the Afterbay and downstream are clearing up and offer good fishing conditions[1][4]. River flows are currently at 2,000 cfs, which is manageable for both wading and floating. Overall, it's a great time to be on the Bighorn River, with plenty of healthy fish and good fishing conditions despite the cooler weather. Just make sure to keep your bugs clean due to the grass breaking off with the cooler nights. This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.