How To Fish It
- Fish deep runs and tailouts where trout concentrate in stable tailwater flows.
- Use Double nymph rig under a strike indicator.
- Favor Heavy beadheads, natural coloration, and slim profiles.
Bugs & Best Matches
What's active
Fish this
Midges, size 18-22, Midday (10:00 AM–2:00 PM)
Zebra Midge, size 18-22, nymph; Disco Midge, size 18-22; Top Secret Midge, size 18-22
BWOs, size 16-20, Midday (10:00 AM–2:00 PM)
Pheasant Tail, size 16-20, nymph; BWO RS2, size 16-20; WD-40, size 16-20, nymph
Scuds, size 14-18, Midday (10:00 AM–2:00 PM)
Ray Charles, size 14-18; Tailwater Scud, size 14-18; Olive Scud, size 14-18
Caddis, size 14-18, Afternoon (2:00 PM–6:00 PM)
No matching fly supplied
Annelids, size 14-18, Morning (6:00 AM–10:00 AM)
No matching fly supplied
Current Conditions
Flow1,840 cfs and rising
Water TempUnavailable
WeatherClear Night
Rating7/10 · Good
Today's Feeding Pattern
Clear water and steady flows on the Bighorn require subtle subsurface presentations. Focus on standard tailwater nymphs and midges to match available drifting forage.
Forecast Location
Related Rivers
Read the conditions: USGS flow charts, trout water temperature, and the seasonal hatch reference.
About The Bighorn River
The Bighorn below Yellowtail Dam is one of the West's most productive tailwaters and a centerpiece of the Fort Smith fishery. Rich weed growth and stable cold water support dense trout populations and steady insect life for much of the year.
Brown and rainbow trout are the primary species. The river is best known for technical nymphing and selective dry-fly fishing when midges and BWOs are active.