"Bighorn River Fishing Report: October Conditions, Steady Action, and Tips for Trophy Browns"

Artificial Lure here with your Sunday morning fishing report for Big Horn, Montana, October 5th, 2025. As the autumn air sets in, anglers on the Bighorn River woke up to classic October conditions: cool, cloudy, with a brisk breeze out of the north. Temps today are topping out in the low 40s, and yes, we’re officially under a winter weather advisory. The Pryor/Northern Bighorn Mountains are calling for snow accumulation above 8000 feet, up to a foot in places, so if you’re venturing off the flats and into the hills, keep your wits about you—roads into higher elevations like Burgess Junction could get dicey, so plan accordingly according to the National Weather Service. Sunrise was at 7:15 this morning with sunset due at 6:47 tonight—plenty of daylight but make sure you’re off the water before that evening chill sets in. Tidal information isn’t relevant for this stretch (the Bighorn is tailwater all the way), so focus on river flows and water clarity. On the Bighorn itself, fishing remains steady and there’s a sense of calm reliability here even as the weather turns. Montana Outdoor reports nymphing is still the bread and butter for numbers, with improving streamer action as the big browns get more aggressive ahead of the spawn. There’s surface activity early and late—blue-winged olives are starting to pop, especially on these overcast days, offering a bonus dry-fly window for those with a delicate touch. Recent catches are solid: rainbows to 18 inches and browns running a bit bigger, especially down in the Afterbay stretch. Most boats are putting double digits in the net, with nymphers showing the best numbers. The best producing bugs this weekend? Zebra midges in #18-20, Ray Charles in tan or pink, and sowbugs drifting under an indicator. For those who crave the thump, larger articulated streamers like Sex Dungeons and Peanut Envys in olive, black, or natural have enticed a few trophy browns off the shelf drops and along deeper runs. When it gets cloudy and a bit windy like this, don’t be shy with your retrieve—give those streamers a good swim. If you’re fishing dries, CDC Baetis emergers in #18, and even a few trico spinners are working mid-morning. Spin anglers: drifting nightcrawlers or small minnows along the slow seams puts you in the hunt for both trout and the occasional walleye. With water temps dropping, fish are feeding up before the true cold hits, and bait is outperforming artificials on the deeper, slower bends. Hot spots to try today: - Just below Afterbay Dam for numbers and reliable action, especially nymphing. - Three Mile Access to Bighorn Access—look for deeper buckets on inside bends, or work the seams with heavy streamers. - Don’t overlook the Thermopolis stretch after the recent bridge work wrapped up—fish seem less pressured and there’s always a good shot at mixed bag action there. Snow and rain showers are sticking with us through tomorrow morning, but for those who brave the cold, October is one of the top mo This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.