Bighorn River Fishing Report: Rainbows Spawning, Nymphs Thriving, Crowds Bustling

Howdy, folks! Artificial Lure here with your Sunday, May 25th fishing report for the Bighorn River area. The Bighorn is absolutely hopping this Memorial Day weekend! Water temps are holding in the mid-40s, which has the trout hanging in mid-paced shelves and deeper runs. We've seen some of the busiest river traffic ever these past few weeks, so pack your patience along with your tackle box. The rainbow spawn is in full swing right now, so please show some respect to these magnificent fish. Stay off those visible redds and give spawning pairs plenty of space. Those rainbows are ensuring we'll have great fishing for years to come. For subsurface action, which has been exceptional lately, you'll want to focus on nymphing. Bring your UV Yum Yums, Carpet Bugs, Tailwater Sows, Silver Bullets, Zebra Midges (especially black ones in size 18), and Quills. The Tung Teaser in size 18 has been particularly hot in the morning hours. Don't forget your scuds - Two-Tone and Orange varieties have been producing well as "up flies." We're seeing encouraging Baetis (Blue-Winged Olive) hatches, particularly during overcast afternoons, but the trout remain stubbornly focused on feeding below the surface. If you're determined for some dry fly action, hang around till late afternoon with Sipper Midges and CDC Midges in size 20, plus some Baetis patterns like the Cripple Thor. For the streamer enthusiasts, this cloudy weather should make for prime conditions. Sparkle Minnows, Skiddish Smolts, and black Peanut Envy patterns have been connecting anglers with some larger fish. The resident trout are in great shape, with plenty of 18+ inchers being caught regularly. The size and numbers have been impressive! Hot spots? Try the sections below Afterbay Dam before the crowds hit. For a bit more elbow room, the stretches around Three Mile Access can be productive. Just remember the river's been extraordinarily busy, so get there early or be prepared to share water. Watch out for Soap Creek (about 10 miles down from the dam) as spring rain can make the river off-color there. Local tip: With all the Memorial Day traffic, the boat ramps have been seeing some tense moments. Launch efficiently and be courteous - we're all here to enjoy the same resource. The shop's open 7am to 6pm daily for flies and advice. Tight lines and wet nets, folks! This is Artificial Lure signing off until next time. This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.