Fishing Locations

 On June 1st the river will be fully open to both resident and non-resident anglers. The Bighorn is down to 1950 cfs with perfect water clarity. Midday is the best dry fly action. There are good numbers of Baetis and Midges bringing them to the surface. Make sure you are making good casts or you will probably put the fish down. Midge and Baetis cripple patterns have been the hot bug as of late. When the fish arent coming to the surface nymphing is your best producer. The nymph bite has been slow these past couple weeks, but should start picking up if we get some nicer weather. Your standard tailwater bugs are working well such as scuds, sow bugs, small mayflies, midges and worms under the indicator. Keep in mind, all of the campgrounds are still closed. We will keep you posted, but we don't anticipate that changing any time soon. If you are into streamer fishing, anything smaller has been catching numbers of fish. Some bigger fish have been coming to hand on larger flies as well, but it is definitely a commitment game. 

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Fly Pattern Suggestions

Dries| Griffiths Gnat: 18-20-22, Purple Haze: 18-20, Matt's Midge: 20-22, Midge Cluster: 16-18-20, Blue Winged Olive 18-20

Nymphs| Mega prince 12-6; Rubber Legs 12-6; San Juan Worm (assorted colors and sizes) Hot Bead Ray Charles Tan & Pink: 16-18 Spring Creek Scuds Pink & Orange: 16-18 Wilcox's Green Machine PT & Chart: 16-18 Black PT: 16-18 Batwing Emerger BWO: 16-18 Hunchback Crystal Pearl: 16-18 Copper Bead Mayfly: 16-18 Curtis Thunder Creek UV Emerger Rust: 16-18 Tailwater Tiny Rust: 16-18

Streamers| Woolly Bugger Black: 6-8, JJ Specials 4-8, Silvey's Sculpin, Natural, White, Black: 2 Sex Dungeon Yellow, Black, White: 2 Flash Fry Minnow White/Gray:4 Bennet's Lunch Money Shad: 2 Galloups Flat Liner Gray/White: 2 Baby Gonga Tan/Yellow: 6 Llama's in Olive/white

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More USGS Water Data