Big Horn Montana Fishing Report Today

Bighorn River Report: Nymphing Gold Below Yellowtail Dam This Week

Name’s Artificial Lure, checking in with your Big Horn country fishing report out here around Fort Smith and the Bighorn River. No tides to worry about in this neck of the woods, just river flow and weather. First light’s been creeping in right around 5:20 a.m., with sunset close to 9:10 p.m. Those low‑light windows have been the sweet spot, especially the first two hours after sunrise and the last two before dark. Weather around Big Horn today is cool to start, low 50s at daybreak, pushing into the upper 70s by mid‑afternoon with light south to southwest breeze and only a slight chance of a stray shower. Mostly clear skies, so expect bright mid‑day sun and clear water—perfect for technical presentations. The Bighorn below Yellowtail Dam is running clear and cold. Flows this time of year are usually moderate and steady out of the dam, and fish are settled into classic seams, shelves, and inside bends. Reports from local guides on the river this past week say rainbows in the 14–18 inch range are common, with plenty of browns mixed in, some browns topping the 20‑inch mark. Anglers drifting from Afterbay down to 3‑Mile have been putting good numbers in the net when they stick to the subsurface game. Nymphing is still king. Think small and subtle: size 16–20 sowbugs and scuds in tan or gray, midges in black and red, and tiny Baetis patterns. Trail those behind a slightly larger sowbug, run them deep with just enough weight to tick bottom, and watch your indicator like a hawk. A two‑fly rig has been accounting for most of the hookups. On the flats and softer inside seams, fish are sliding up to feed, so a lighter rig and a long leader can make all the difference. Dry‑fly action is spotty but can turn on when the breeze lays down. Look for midges and small mayflies in the slower side channels and back‑eddies late morning and again toward evening. When noses start poking up, tie on a size 18–20 parachute BWO or Griffith’s gnat and go to 5X or 6X. It’s not a numbers game up top yet, but you can pick off some nice heads if you’re patient. Streamer folks are still finding a few bruisers, especially early and late. Small to medium streamers in olive, black, or tan—think buggers and sculpin patterns—worked on a slow swing along the banks and ledges have been moving bigger browns. Keep it low and slow; the water’s clear enough that an erratic retrieve can spook more fish than it hooks. If you’re a hardware or bait angler on nearby lakes and reservoirs off the river, small silver or gold spoons, inline spinners in rainbow trout or brown trout patterns, and soft‑plastic grubs have been solid on trout and the occasional walleye. Nightcrawlers on a slip rig or under a float at dawn and dusk are tough to beat for folks soaking bait. Hot spots to keep in mind: the classic stretch from the Afterbay put‑in down through the main runs below the dam is fishing well, especially the deeper shelves just off the main current. Farther down, the water around the Bighorn Access near 3‑Mile has been quietly producing, with good seams and side channels holding pods of fish that see a little less pressure if you’re willing to walk. 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

Bighorn River Report: Mid-50s to Low-60s Water, Strong Fish Activity, Sow Bugs Working

This is Artificial Lure with your Big Horn country fishing report out of the Bighorn River near Fort Smith, Montana. We don’t worry about tides out here – it’s all river current, and the Bureau of Reclamation’s flows out of Yellowtail are what matter. Flows have been running on the moderate side, clear and very wade‑friendly below the dam, with a bit more color as you get down toward Bighorn Access. Water temps are sitting in that sweet mid‑50s to low‑60s range, which has the trout plenty active most of the day. Weather today in the valley is classic early‑summer Bighorn: cool morning in the 50s, topping out in the upper 70s to low 80s, light south to southwest breeze, mostly sunny with a few high clouds rolling through in the afternoon. Sunrise is about 5:20 a.m. with sunset just after 9 p.m., so you’ve got a big, long window to work with. Expect the best bite from first light through late morning, then again the last two hours before dark when the wind lays down and bugs get going. Fish activity has been strong. Anglers have been reporting steady numbers of wild browns in the 14–18 inch class with a good mix of rainbows, and the occasional 20‑plus inch fish showing up in deeper runs. Boats working from Afterbay down to Three Mile have been putting decent numbers in the net, and wade anglers are doing well around the classic side channels and gravel bars. Bug‑wise, think subsurface first. Sow bugs and scuds are still the bread and butter here. A size 16–18 gray or tan sow bug under an indicator with just enough split shot to tick bottom has been the day‑saver pattern. Trail that with a small midge or baetis nymph in size 18–20. On warmer afternoons, look for PMD and baetis mayflies; if you see noses, a size 16–18 pale mayfly dry or a small parachute pattern will get eaten if your drift is clean. Best lures and bait for spin anglers: small gold or silver Panther Martins, Mepps in size 0–2, and 1/8‑ounce marabou jigs in olive, black, or brown. Cast upstream at a 45 and let them swing through the buckets. If you’re fishing bait where it’s allowed, drift nightcrawlers or leeches just off the bottom; keep your weight light so you’re bouncing, not dragging. Two hot spots to focus on: • The Afterbay to “slick” stretch just below the dam – cold, clear water, plenty of seams and shelves, great for nymphing and light streamers early and late. • The side channels and islands around Three Mile Access – perfect walking water, lots of structure, and pods of rising fish when the evening mayflies show. Streamer fans should keep it subtle: small olive or black buggers, thin-profile sculpin patterns, and sparsely dressed articulated flies in natural tones. Work them on a slow strip, especially along the drop‑offs and soft edges. The river is in fine shape, the crowds aren’t too heavy yet, and the fish are looking up. Rig light, mend often, and don’t overlook those skinny riffles – there are more fish in a foot of water than most folks think. 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

Bighorn River Report: High 70s, Rising Temps, and Steady Subsurface Action

Name’s Artificial Lure, checking in with your Big Horn country fishing report out of south‑central Montana, centered around the Bighorn River near Fort Smith and up toward Hardin and Bighorn. No tides to worry about here—this is tailwater country below Yellowtail Dam—so flows and weather are what matter. Overnight we’ve had cool, clear conditions with river temps starting in the high 40s to low 50s and climbing into the mid‑50s by afternoon. Expect light morning winds, building to a steady breeze by midday, with highs in the low to mid‑70s. Skies are mostly clear to partly cloudy, and the barometer is fairly steady, which keeps trout behavior predictable. Sunrise is right around a quarter after five, with sunset close to nine o’clock in the evening, giving you a long, workable window. The most productive bites have been the first three hours after sunup and the last two before dark. Midday still produces, but you’ll work a little harder for each fish once the sun is high and the wind comes up. Reports from local guides and shop chatter in Fort Smith say fish activity has been solid. Waders and boat anglers are seeing good numbers of wild browns in the 14–18 inch class and rainbows in the 12–16 inch range, with the occasional 20‑inch plus fish reported each day. On better drifts, folks are talking 20–30 fish to the net per angler, with slower hands still picking off a dozen if they stay at it. Most of the action is in the classic Bighorn soft seams, edges of deeper runs, and just off the shelves. Subsurface has been king. Right now, the best producers are small nymphs: - For fly anglers, think size 16–20 sow bugs in tan or grey, radiation or soft hackle patterns, and skinny mayfly nymphs in olive or brown. - Zebra midge style patterns in black or red, size 18–20, have been money in the slower slots and tailouts. Spin anglers drifting from the dam down are doing well with: - Small marabou jigs in olive, black, or brown, 1/16 to 1/8 ounce. - Tiny crankbaits and minnow plugs in brown trout and rainbow patterns, worked slow and close to the bottom. If you’re bait fishing where it’s allowed, nightcrawlers drifted just off the bottom and small leeches have been steady producers, especially in the deeper runs and outside bends. Hatches: midges early and late, with mayflies and a few caddis showing mid‑day when the sun isn’t too bright. Dry‑fly action has been spotty but can be excellent when the river slicks off in the evening. A simple parachute pattern in sizes 16–18, matched roughly to whatever’s hovering over the water, will pick off risers in the flats and along the foam lines. Keep leaders long and tippet light—these fish see a lot of pressure. A couple of local hot spots to focus on: - Below Yellowtail Dam through the first several miles: classic Bighorn riffle‑run structure, cold and consistent tailwater flows, and heavy concentrations of trout. Work the drop‑offs and inside seams. - The stretch around Three Mile and down toward the Bighorn Access: softer banks, good shelves, and more room to spread out from the crowds. That mid‑river bucket water has been giving up some bigger browns in the evenings. Overall, if you get out early, stay flexible, and keep your bugs or hardware near the bottom with a natural drift, you’re going to stay busy. The river’s in good shape, the fish are happy, and it’s a fine time to be on the Bighorn. Thanks for tuning in, and don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss a 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

Early Summer Big Horn: Nymphs, Smallmouth, and Long Light Windows

Name’s Artificial Lure, checking in with your Big Horn country fishing report out of south‑central Montana, centered on the Bighorn River near Fort Smith and down toward Hardin. We’re sitting on a classic early‑summer pattern. Overnight lows dipped into the upper 40s, and daytime highs are set to climb into the mid to upper 70s with mostly clear skies, light winds in the 5–10 mph range, and just a small chance of an afternoon thunderstorm popping up over the breaks. Sunrise hit a little after 5 a.m., with sunset coming close to 9 p.m., so you’ve got a long window of low‑light feeding on both ends of the day. No tides to worry about this far inland, but flows and clarity are the key. On the upper Bighorn near Afterbay, flows are running moderate for June and the water’s cold and clear enough for strong trout activity. As you move downstream toward Bighorn and the Yellowstone confluence, the water warms, stained but fishable, and the warm‑water species turn on. Trout first: rainbows and browns have been active in the tailwater section from Afterbay down to about Bighorn Access. Anglers in the last few days have been reporting steady numbers of 12–16 inch rainbows with the occasional 18–20 inch brown mixed in. Most fish are coming off nymph rigs and smaller attractor patterns. Think subsurface: sow bug and scud imitations, small mayfly nymphs, and midges. A #16–18 beadhead under an indicator with a bit of split shot has been the ticket in the deeper runs. For spin anglers on the river and nearby ponds, small silver or copper spoons, 1/8‑ounce marabou jigs in olive or black, and small crankbaits in natural baitfish patterns are producing. Light line, 4–6 lb test, and a slow, steady retrieve is your best bet in the clearer water. Downstream where the Bighorn meets the Yellowstone, the warm‑water bite has been picking up. Folks have been bringing in decent numbers of smallmouth bass with a few pushing the 2–3 pound mark, along with channel catfish and the odd walleye. Soft‑plastic grubs and swimbaits in green pumpkin or shad colors, worked along current breaks and behind rock piles, have been drawing strikes from smallmouth. For cats, try classic cut bait or nightcrawlers on a slip sinker rig, set just off the main current seams. Best bait options right now: nightcrawlers, leeches, and minnows where legal. Nightcrawlers are doing double duty, catching everything from trout to cats. Leeches on a slow‑drift rig are deadly for bigger browns holding in the deeper slots. Couple of hot spots to circle on your map: First, the stretch from Afterbay Dam down to 3‑Mile Access. Drift the inside seams, and pay attention to softer water behind mid‑river structure; that’s where a lot of those nicer browns have been hanging. Second, the water around Bighorn Access down toward the mouth, especially in the evenings. As the sun gets low, baitfish push tight to shore and both smallmouth and walleye move up—perfect time to throw small crankbaits or swimbaits. Best times today are first light until mid‑morning and then again from about two hours before sunset until dark. Midday can still produce if you go deeper with nymphs or bait and target shaded banks and deeper holes. That’s the rundown from Big Horn country. 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

Bighorn River Early Summer: Nymphs and Emergers in the Sweet Spot

This is Artificial Lure checking in with your Big Horn, Montana fishing report. We’re sitting on a classic early–summer pattern on the Bighorn River below Yellowtail. No tides to worry about here – it’s all river flow and clarity. Flows this time of year are typically moderate out of the dam and the water stays cold and clear, which keeps trout active most of the day. Sunrise is right around a quarter to five, with sunset near 9:15 in the evening, giving you a long window to work with. The best bite has been from first light until about 10 a.m., then again from roughly 6 p.m. to dark when the light drops and bugs really get moving. Weather-wise, expect cool mornings in the 40s climbing into comfortable 70s by afternoon, with a light breeze most of the day. That stable, mild pattern keeps fish sliding into riffles and soft seams instead of hugging deep winter water. Recent reports from local guides and shops up in Fort Smith say rainbows in the 14–18 inch class and plenty of browns mixed in, with the occasional 20-incher showing up for anglers who stay persistent. Boats are seeing a few dozen hookups on good days; wade anglers working prime runs carefully are putting a solid handful of fish to the net. Fish activity has centered on nymphs and emergers. Standard tailwater fare is hot: small mayfly and sowbug patterns in natural tones, size 16–20, fished deep under an indicator with a bit of weight. Midday, trout are sliding into faster shelves and heads of pools, so don’t ignore knee–to–thigh–deep riffles. For those who like hardware, small inline spinners and tiny cranks in brown, gold, and rainbow trout patterns have been producing, especially in slightly off–color pockets after any brief rain. Work them across current breaks and along the outside bends. Best lures and baits right now: - For fly anglers: **sowbug and scud nymphs**, small **PMD and Baetis nymphs**, and **soft hackle emergers** swung through tailouts. - For spin anglers: **1/8 oz spinners**, small **Rapala–style minnows**, and compact **jigs with natural soft plastics**. - If you’re on still water nearby, small jigs tipped with nightcrawler pieces or plain worms under a slip bobber will take trout and the occasional walleye. A couple of hot spots to keep in mind: - The **3-Mile to 13-Mile stretch** below the dam, especially the well–defined riffles and long inside bends – great from a drift boat, but there’s wade access if you’re patient and careful. - The area just below **Afterbay** where cool dam water first settles – consistent structure, plenty of bug life, and good numbers of fish year–round. Focus on subtle presentations, light tippet, and adjust depth often. The folks finding the most fish right now are those changing flies and depths until they dial it in. Thanks for tuning in, and don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss a 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