Bighorn River Fishing Report: Stable Flows, Strong Nymph Bite Below Yellowtail Dam

This is Artificial Lure coming to you with your Bighorn River fishing report out of the Fort Smith, Montana neighborhood. We don’t worry about tides out here — the Bighorn’s a tailwater, not a tidal river — so flows and weather are what matter. Out of Yellowtail Dam, flows have been running on the stable side, cold and clear. That consistent water has the trout happy and feeding. Weather today around Fort Smith is starting cool in the morning, warming into a comfortable afternoon with light winds and only a slight chance of a stray shower. Skies are leaning partly cloudy, which is just about perfect for mid‑day bugs and keeping fish from getting too spooky. Sunrise comes early over the canyon walls and you’ll see the first usable light about a half hour before the official rise. Sunset lingers, giving a long evening window; figure on fishing good light from first gray until just after the sun drops behind the bluffs. Fish activity has been strong in the classic Bighorn fashion. The upper three miles below the dam are loaded with rainbows and browns feeding in the seams and soft edges. Nymphing has been the main producer with plenty of healthy fish in the 14–18 inch range and enough over 20 inches to keep things interesting. Anglers have been reporting solid numbers rather than just a couple of hero fish. For bugs, think small and technical. Midges early, then steady mayfly and sowbug action through the day. Best subsurface patterns have been: - Small sowbugs and scuds in gray and tan - Baetis-style nymphs in olive and brown, #16–20 - Black and red zebra midge patterns when the light is low On the artificial lure side, smaller streamers are getting chased, especially on overcast stretches. Thin-profile patterns in olive, black, or rusty brown, fished on a slow swing off the bank, have moved some heavier browns. Keep them slender and natural — this river doesn’t usually reward big, gaudy meat right now. If you’re fishing bait where it’s allowed on nearby stillwaters and side ponds, nightcrawlers and leeches under a float are your best bet. In the main Bighorn, stick to flies and artificial lures per regs and always double‑check before you rig up. A couple of local hot spots to keep in mind: - The Afterbay to 3‑Mile stretch: classic Bighorn water with dependable fish numbers, especially in the riffle drop‑offs and softer inside bends. - The run below 3‑Mile down toward Bighorn Access: slightly less pressure, great nymphing lanes, and some sneaky banks for streamer fans. Focus on depth and drift. Most fish are holding mid‑column to near the bottom, so a bit of extra weight and a long, clean leader will out‑fish fancy pattern choices nine times out of ten. That’s your Bighorn River roundup from Artificial Lure. Thanks for tuning in, and don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss the next report. This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai. Great deals on fishing gear https://amzn.to/44gt1Pn