Fall Fishing on the Bighorn: Nymphs, Dries, and Trophy Trout in Montana

As of November 10, 2024, the Big Horn River in Montana is offering some promising fishing conditions despite the cooler fall weather. Here’s what you need to know for a successful day on the water. ### Weather and Water Conditions The weather is expected to be partly cloudy with temperatures in the mid-50s to low 60s, making it a comfortable day for fishing. Water temperatures are around 47 to 56 degrees, which has moved the trout into the slower, deeper runs. ### Sunrise and Sunset Sunrise is at approximately 7:15 AM, and sunset is around 4:30 PM, giving you a good window to catch both the morning and afternoon bites. ### Fish Activity Fish activity is primarily subsurface, with trout actively feeding on nymphs in the deeper runs and holes. Nymph fishing has been the mainstay, with San Juan Worms, scuds, sowbugs, and Perdigons being the top producers. There is still some surface action, particularly with midges, midge clusters, and occasional Blue-Winged Olives (BWOs) on overcast days or warm evenings. ### Types and Amounts of Fish The Big Horn River is home to healthy populations of wild rainbow and brown trout. Yesterday, anglers reported catching a mix of both species, with browns being more active due to the spawning season. ### Best Lures and Bait For nymphing, use tandem rigs with about 12 inches of 4X or 5X tippet to both the lead and dropper flies. Recommended patterns include: - San Juan Worms (blood red or burgundy) - Orange Scud (#14, #16) - Tailwater Sowbug (#14, #16) - Perdigons (#16 Nightmare Perdigon, #16 Frenchie) - Ray Charles (#14, #16) For dry flies, try: - CDC Baetis (#22) - BWOs (#16-20) Streamer fishing, though mediocre, can still produce results with patterns like: - Articulated Goldy (#4) - Dirty Hippie (#4, cream) - White Zonker (#4, #6) - Thin Mint Wooley Bugger (#6) ### Hot Spots Focus on the clean lanes where aquatic grass is not choking off the runs. The top 13 miles of the Big Horn River have been seeing a lot of rising fish. Additionally, the deeper runs and holes, especially around the Gallatin Canyon waters, are reliable spots for nymph fishing. ### Additional Tips Be mindful of brown trout spawning areas and avoid fishing near redds or through skinny water. Use low, clear water tactics with smaller tippet sizes to get a better drift. Enjoy your day on the Big Horn River, and remember to stay comfortable and prepared for the cooler fall weather. This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.