FISHING REPORTS

mid-july

Mid July Fishing Report

Flows are down. A buffet of dry flies are here. After two consecutive springs of high flows, the river looks a little different. Shelves are cut different; fish are sitting in some different water. We’ve got some darn good guides here at Cottonwood that can show you all the secrets. Fish can be picky when…

mid-summer-report

Early Summer Fishing Report

Happy Independence Day! Things are starting to shape up in the valley. Flows are steadily decreasing and more wade spots are becoming available daily. Flows are dropping sooner than we thought, but we’re not complaining. Inflows are around 9,600 CFS, outflows are expected to continue dropping. Black Caddis are starting to show up and fish…

late-may

Bighorn River Fishing Report Late May 2018

Flows have dropped to 6,000 CFS. This is to help control flows on the Yellowstone River, which is currently dealing with flooding. Despite changing water levels, fishing has been unaffected. Fish are moving into the quicker moving shelf water. Rainbows are in full spawn, please be mindful of these fish and let them do their…

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Bighorn River Fishing Report Early May 2018

It is shaping up to be a great spring here on the Bighorn. Both water clarity and temperatures are right where they should be, giving us opportunity to fish dries, nymphs, and streamers. As of late we have seen both BWO’s and midges, as well as some tan caddis in the early mornings and evenings.…

sept-2017-

Bighorn River Fishing Report Late September 2017

Fishing continues to be solid on the Bighorn despite abnormally high flows for this time of year. The story continues to be Tricos in the early mornings and Black Caddis in the evenings. Fish are looking up at terrestrials occasionally throughout the day as well.  Though we’ve had temperatures in the mid 90’s, Nymphing and…

september-17

Bighorn River Fishing Report July 2017

Dry fly fishing is here! We have seen the arrival of both tricos and black caddis.  If you are a morning person, it definitely pays to get on the water early and await the trico hatch. Typically the thick of the trico hatch begins at sunrise and ends around 9 a.m. If you’d rather sleep…

june-2017-fishing-report

Bighorn River Fishing Report June 2017

It seems as though the peak of runoff season is behind us! Flows have come down from 14,000 to 9,000 making the fishing, especially wading, a bit more manageable. Nymphing has still been the top producer, and it still takes a couple of 3/o’s with a long leader to make it effective. The dry fly fishing…

Layer 11

Bighorn River Fishing Report Late May 2017

With high flows and limited wade fishing, guide trips are a great option. Nymphing has been the top fish producer in the high flows. Long leaders and plenty of weight are needed in this big water. Big sowbugs with either a Skinny Nelson or a midge pattern have been solid. Running a worm pattern has been…

Layer 11

Bighorn River Fishing Report May 2017

Nymphs Firebead Sowbugs   #14-16 Eddie Vedder Rays #16-18 SH Sowbugs Pink #18-20 San Juan Worm Brown/Wine #8-12 Skinny Nelson #18-20 JuJu Baetis #18 Streamers Polar Minnow White #4-6 Aztec Streamer #6 Sex Dungeon White and Olive #2 Olive Bugger #6-8 Dries Smoke Jumpers #18-20 The Student #16-20 With the higher flows, nymphing has still been…