Bighorn River Fly Fishing Trips

Fly fishing the Bighorn River is the classic Montana tailwater fly fishing experience. In many ways, the Bighorn River in Montana is trout fantasy land and not much needs to be said about it that already hasn’t. The fish per mile counts are high, hatches are thick, average trout size is solid, and the fishing is as consistent as it gets. The river flows out of the Afterbay below Yellowtail reservoir and through the Crow Indian Reservation. The first 13 miles of this river from the afterbay down to the Bighorn fishing access is possibly the most famous stretch of trout fishing water in the west.

Our Montana fly fishing guides know the Bighorn River and its subtleties well. We offer drift boat float trips and generally wade fish throughout the day. The Bighorn River caters to seasoned and beginner anglers alike. Our guided fly fishing trips on the Bighorn River require a minimum 2 day trip and bookings in advance. The river is remote in the sense it is a long drive from anywhere. Lodging is available in Fort Smith, Montana and is the home base for Bighorn fly fishing.

Fly Fishing the Bighorn River

The ever cold, always clear, and nutrient rich waters of the Bighorn River are the perfect habitat for trout. Trout per mile numbers are some of the highest in the state. The aquatic life in this river in both density and diversity is unrivaled. The never-ending stream of sowbugs, scuds, annelids, caddisflies, mayflies, midges, and a host of other aquatic insects mean the countless rainbow and brown trout are always well fed.65

Dry fly fishing to pods of rising fish is without a doubt the main attraction, but nymphing and streamer fly fishing all come with a day’s fly fishing on the Bighorn River. The big hatches of BWOs start in April followed by caddis, PMDs, tricos, and terrestrials through the summer. By October the BWO hatches fire off again and the streamer fly fishing can be excellent as well. Occasional spillovers of emerald shiners from the Afterbay often create some of the best streamer fly fishing conditions to be found anywhere.

What the Bighorn River lacks in length it more than makes up for in quality and character. The upper river truly is a trout fisherman’s paradise and the classic Montana tailwater fly fishing experience. It is all any trout angler really needs.