Fort Smith, Montana

Bighorn River Fishing Report

Bighorn River | Fort Smith, Montana | Updated Oct 28, 2026, 7:00 AM MDT | Station: Bighorn River below Yellowtail Afterbay Dam near St. Xavier, MT

Keep your drifts natural and close to the riverbed where fish are holding in steady tailwater flows.

Forecast timing & sources
Forecast generated
Oct 28, 2026, 7:00 AM MDT
Valid until
Oct 29, 2026, 7:00 AM MDT
Source updated
Oct 28, 2026, 7:00 AM MDT
Flow observation
Observed Oct 28, 2026, 6:15 AM MDT
Water temperature observation
Observed Oct 28, 2026, 6:15 AM MDT

Buggin combines river and weather signals into a fishing forecast. A rating is model guidance, not a catch guarantee. Observation times can differ from forecast generation.

Configured gauge: Bighorn River at Bighorn, Montana · 06287000. The forecast point may differ from the gauge location.

Open in BugginFull Forecast

Today's Read

Clear water and stable tailwater flows favor steady subsurface feeding on small nymphs and scuds.

Bugs & Best Matches

What's active
Fish this
BWOs, size 16 to 18, Midday (10:00 AM–2:00 PM)
Pheasant Tail, size 16 to 18, nymph; Sparkle Dun, size 16 to 18, dry; RS2, size 16 to 18, emerger
Midges, size 18 to 22, Midday (10:00 AM–2:00 PM)
Zebra Midge, size 18 to 22, nymph; Juju Midge, size 18 to 22; Top Secret Midge, size 18 to 22
Scuds, size 16 to 18, Midday (10:00 AM–2:00 PM)
Ray Charles, size 16 to 18; Tailwater Scud, size 16 to 18; Olive Scud, size 16 to 18
Caddis, size 16 to 18, Afternoon (2:00 PM–6:00 PM)
No matching fly supplied
Terrestrials, size 14 to 16, Afternoon (2:00 PM–6:00 PM)
No matching fly supplied

What Is Driving The Feed

  • BWOs, size 16 to 18, Midday (10:00 AM–2:00 PM)
  • Midges, size 18 to 22, Midday (10:00 AM–2:00 PM)
  • Scuds, size 16 to 18, Midday (10:00 AM–2:00 PM)
  • Caddis, size 16 to 18, Afternoon (2:00 PM–6:00 PM)
  • Terrestrials, size 14 to 16, Afternoon (2:00 PM–6:00 PM)

Current Conditions

Flow1,790 cfs and steady
Water TempUnavailable
WeatherClear Night
Rating7/10 · Good