Excellent Fishing on the Big Horn River in Montana

As of October 9, 2024, the Big Horn River in Montana is offering some excellent fishing opportunities. Here’s what you need to know for a successful day on the water. ### Stream Conditions The river is flowing at a normal rate of about 3080 cubic feet per second, with a clear water clarity and an afternoon water temperature of around 61 degrees Fahrenheit. ### Weather The weather is expected to be mild, with cooler nighttime temperatures and daytime highs in the mid-60s. This cooler weather has started to bring out the fall hatches, including Tricos, which are fairly thick in many areas. ### Sunrise and Sunset Sunrise is at around 7:30 AM, and sunset is expected at about 6:30 PM, giving you a full day to enjoy the river. ### Fish Activity Fish activity has been strong, particularly with subsurface fishing. Trout are actively feeding on midges, worms, and various nymphs. The dry fly bite is still present, especially during the Trico hatches that occur from about 11:00 AM until dark. ### Types and Amounts of Fish The Big Horn River is renowned for its healthy population of both brown and rainbow trout, averaging about 16 inches in length. Anglers have been catching good numbers of these trout, especially in the upper sections of the river from the dam to the Bighorn Access site. ### Best Lures and Bait For subsurface fishing, worms, Dorsey’s Scud, Carpet Bugs, and Tailwater sowbugs are working well. Streamer fishing is also picking up, with success using flies like Jig Thin Mints, Pete’s Buggers, and Goldies. For dry fly fishing, imitations of Tricos, PMDs, and Black Caddis are effective. ### Hot Spots One of the best areas to fish is the section from the Yellowtail Dam to the Bighorn Access site, which contains the highest population of trout. This section is about 13 miles long and offers a diverse habitat with channels, flats, and pools. Another good spot is below the Bighorn Access site, where you can still find a significant number of brown trout, although the rainbow trout population is lower in this area. Overall, the Big Horn River is in excellent condition for fishing, with a variety of techniques and flies that can be used to catch a good number of trout. Enjoy your day on the water This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.