Boots-on-the-Bank: Big Horn Trout Crushers, Midges, and Streamers for Late Fall

This is Artificial Lure with your boots-on-the-bank fishing report for Big Horn, Montana, Friday, November 7, 2025. The Big Horn greeted anglers this morning with a brisk, classic November vibe. Sunrise hit at 7:02 a.m. and you can expect sunset at 4:51 p.m., so daylight’s short and best capitalize on those prime hours. Weatherwise, Don Day’s forecast calls for increasing clouds, a chance of rain and snow after 11 a.m., highs near 57, and winds from 10 to 16 mph, picking up to 20 to 24 mph overnight. A low of 29 tonight means keep an eye on wind chill if you’re out past dusk. Conditions are crisp, with the kind of variable barometer trout seem to love this time of year. Now, tides aren’t a factor inland—with the Big Horn’s flow managed by Yellowtail Dam, water levels stay fairly steady, though late fall can see minor drawdowns. The current is ideal for strong runs and holding structure, so look for fish in seams, tailouts, and behind mid-river boulders. The real story this week is a classic fall bite. According to the latest from Boots on the Bank, anglers are pulling in strong numbers of rainbow and brown trout, many in the 15- to 18-inch range, with a couple of browns pushing over the 20-inch mark. Those post-spawn fish are hungry, aggressive, and concentrated in deeper holes and faster water. Reports from the Afterbay down to Bighorn Access say most are landing double digits if you key into the right depth and drift. Bug activity is tapering off with the cold, but midges are still hatching mid-morning. Nymphing is king—think small size 18-20 zebra midges and cream or black patterns. Scuds and sowbugs in the size 14–16 range are working throughout the river. Woolly buggers—especially olive, black, or white—get smacked on the swing in deeper runs. If you like to strip, try a JJ Special or a black leech—fish are smacking streamers with a slow retrieve, particularly in the cloudy water below side channels. Spin anglers, the bite’s hot on smaller Rapalas in silver-black or gold, and marabou jigs drifted under floats. The live bait crowd is finding that nightcrawlers work well for mixed bags near Three Mile, but please remember the special regs and pack out every bit of trash. Two hot spots: First, the Afterbay section, especially at first light—weed beds there still hold fish looking to bulk up. Second, the stretch between Soap Creek and the Bighorn Access—multiple anglers this week reported steady action midday, with browns hugging the inside turns and rainbows just outside the riffle seams. Fishing pressure is moderate. You’ll likely have space to work your drifts, but don’t crowd—there’s plenty of river to cover. Stay safe out there, keep your waders dry, and handle those wild trout with care. Thanks for tuning into today’s Big Horn report. Be sure to subscribe so you never miss a bite. This has been a Quiet Please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai. Great deals on fishing gear https://amzn.to/44gt1Pn This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.