Today's Read
The Bighorn River at 1840 cfs under overcast skies creates stable tailwater feeding lanes. With scuds and sowbugs present and Baetis showing seasonal potential, subsurface presentations will dominate trout activity.
Fort Smith, Montana
Bighorn River Fishing Report
Maintain a drag-free drift bouncing along gravel seams and tailout edges where trout feed reliably in steady tailwater flows.
Forecast timing & sources
- Forecast generated
- Sep 14, 2026, 7:00 AM MDT
- Valid until
- Sep 15, 2026, 7:00 AM MDT
- Source updated
- Sep 14, 2026, 7:00 AM MDT
- Flow observation
- Observed Sep 14, 2026, 6:15 AM MDT
- Water temperature observation
- Observed Sep 14, 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.
Bugs & Best Matches
What's active
Fish this
Scuds, size 14-18, Morning (6:00 AM–10:00 AM)
Olive Scud, size 14-18, dry; Tan Ray Charles, size 14-18, dry; Sparkle Scud, size 14-18, dry
Sowbugs, size 16-20, Morning (6:00 AM–10:00 AM)
Cottage Cheese Sowbug, size 16-20, dry; Tailwater Sowbug, size 16-20, dry; Grey Soft Hackle, size 16-20, dry
Baetis, size 16-20, Morning (6:00 AM–10:00 AM)
Pheasant Tail Nymph, size 16-20, dry; RS2, size 16-20, dry; Baetis Sparkle Dun, size 16-20, dry
Midges, size 18-22, Variable
No matching fly supplied
Caddis, size 14-18, Variable
No matching fly supplied
What Is Driving The Feed
- Scuds, size 14-18, Morning (6:00 AM–10:00 AM)
- Sowbugs, size 16-20, Morning (6:00 AM–10:00 AM)
- Baetis, size 16-20, Morning (6:00 AM–10:00 AM)
- Midges, size 18-22, Variable
- Caddis, size 14-18, Variable
Current Conditions
Flow1,840 cfs and steady
Water TempUnavailable
WeatherOvercast
Rating8/10 · Good
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