Date: July 19, 2018
Flows: 6500 CFS
Water Temp: 61 F
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 there are several hatches throughout the day, we’ve got the bugs you need. Still doing boat rentals, shuttles, and fixing up camp. Good times here at Cottonwood. Lots of familiar faces around camp. Quite a few groups doing their annual voyage to the ‘Horn.
Dries: Trico’s in the morning, some sallies/PMD mix in the afternoon, black caddis in the evening. We hate to use the word epic, but that’s exactly what fishing is right now. We’ve been running hoppers with decent success as well. What more could you want? Top flies include CDC tricos, Black Angel, Snowshoe Sally, and Donkey Kong Hopper. Get here and GET SOME!
Nymphs: Lower flows mean less split shot and less leader. A lot more user friendly set ups than what we’ve been running. Fish are in the riffles with clean gravel. Fast and heavy water is the ticket. Sow bugs, caddis pupa, and more sow bugs. About 7 feet of leader, one 3/0 split shot starting to transition to 4x tippet. Fish the skinny water
Streamers: Tandem rigs are the typical set up. Floating or sinking line, your choice. Early mornings, late evenings are your best bet. A yellow and brown skully bugger followed by a small white leech has produced for us. They’ll also eat the big stuff, sex dungeons, and articulated bugs. Toss some meat, see what happens.
From Cottonwood Camp, this is “Oar Rights” until next time.
Posted in Fishing Reports
Recent Fishing Reports
Keep up to date with what they're biting and when they're biting it!
Attention all Anglers! Cottonwood Camp fishing on the Bighorn River is officially open April 15th!
Attention all Anglers! This year, Cottonwood Camp is thrilled to announce that we will be open for business from April 15th for the entire season, offering anglers an unforgettable experience in the heart of Montana on the mighty Bighorn River. Get after it–those rainbow and brown trout are calling!
Warning! MONTANA TRAVEL ADVISORY
A NEW FLY-FISHING DESTINATION IS RISING ON THE BIG HORN RIVER! MANY OF YOU HAVE COME YEAR AFTER YEAR AND WE APPRECIATE YOUR BUSSINESS! WE ARE UPGRADING THE AREA TO IMPROVE YOUR OVERALL ENJOYMENT. I PERSONALLY WOULD LIKE TO ADD TO YOUR TRIP, maybe discussing a fly pattern, how to fish it maybe where in…
Late May Fishing Report 2021
Flows have dropped to 2000 CFS but the fish don’t seem to mind. It’s that time of year again for the rainbow spawn! So please be mindful of the spawn and stay off the reds. Try avoiding the clear patches of gravel and let these fish reproduce. Dry fly fishing is starting to make its…
