Bighorn River Fishing Report: Nymphs, Streamers, and Spawning Browns

For those planning to hit the Bighorn River in Montana today, here’s what you can expect: First off, there’s no tidal report to worry about since the Bighorn River is a freshwater destination. As of December 28, the weather is expected to be cold, with a chance of heavy snow later in the week, but for now, it's relatively calm and clear. Sunrise is at around 7:50 AM, and sunset will be at about 4:30 PM, giving you a good window to get out on the water. The fish activity has been decent, especially with the improving water clarity and the clearing of aquatic grass. Nymph fishing has been fair to good, and you can catch some big fish using streamers, although the numbers might not be high. Brown trout are currently spawning, so be sure to avoid their redds. For nymphs, scuds, sowbugs, and San Juan Worms are working well. If you're looking to try streamers, the "Goldie" articulated white and gold streamer, Sparkle Minnows, Skiddish Smolts, and Geisha Girls have been successful. For those who prefer nymphing, Black Micro Mayfly, Pearl/Olive Jiggy Perdigon, Black Zebra Midge, or Tailwater Sowbug are good choices. The river flows are at about 2,200 cfs, and the water temperature is around 48 degrees. There are a few Baetis hatches, but they are not very frequent. Hot spots include the deeper, slower-moving water areas. Try fishing the sinking line in the deeper holes, especially where the water is moving at a walking pace. The areas around the bends and drop-offs have been holding fish. Remember to set your indicator around 5 feet and add some split shot to get your flies down quickly. With the cold weather, focus on the afternoon when water temperatures are at their peak for better fishing conditions. Stay warm and enjoy your time on the Bighorn River This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.