Bighorn River Heating Up: Nymphs and Dry Flies Producing in Fort Smith Country

This is Artificial Lure, checking in with your Big Horn country fishing report for the Bighorn River around Fort Smith and the Big Horn, Montana area. No tides to worry about here in the high plains, just river flow and weather. The Bighorn below Yellowtail is running clear and cold, with steady releases keeping levels wadeable but deep along the main buckets. Overnight temps dipped into the 40s, climbing into the 70s this afternoon with light wind and a mix of sun and a few high clouds. Sunrise came early over the canyon rim and sunset will slide in late, giving you a long, fishable day with good light on both ends. Water temps are sitting in that sweet trout window, and the fish have been active most of the day, not just at dawn and dusk. Guides in Fort Smith report solid numbers of rainbows in the 14–18 inch class and plenty of browns mixed in, with the occasional fish pushing over 20 inches when you hit the deeper structure and softer seams. Nymphing is still king. Best producers have been small mayfly and midge patterns under an indicator: think size 16–20 pheasant tails, two-bit hookers, quill-style baetis, and tiny zebra midges. A plain ol’ sowbug or scud in gray or tan continues to pick up fish, especially tight to the bottom near the weed beds. Run your lead fly deep, with enough weight to tick occasionally. For those who like to throw hardware, small gold and copper spinners, 1/8 oz marabou jigs in olive or black, and slim crankbaits in brown trout or rainbow patterns have moved some hefty fish out of the ledges and drop-offs. Light fluorocarbon leaders help in the clear water. Dry-fly action is picking up in the afternoons. Look for small baetis and midges, and be ready with CDC emergers and parachute patterns in the 18–20 range. When the wind lays down and the surface slicks out, you can find pods of fish gently sipping in the softer side channels. If you’re bait fishing on nearby stillwaters or legal sections, nightcrawlers and leeches under a slip bobber are turning up trout and the odd walleye, especially in the evenings. On the river itself, stick to artificials where regulations require it and always double-check current rules. Couple of hot spots to circle on your mental map: • The classic stretch from Afterbay down through 3-Mile: inside bends, drop-offs, and side channels are loaded with fish right now. • The water around 13-Mile and down into the lower canyon: slightly less pressure, bigger structure, and a better shot at those heavy browns swinging streamers at first and last light. Streamer fans should hit those lower runs at low light with olive or black articulated patterns, sculpin imitations, and slender baitfish in natural tones. Short, punchy strips along the shelf edges are triggering some mean takes. That’s the word from the river. 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