VOL. 14 · NO. 25 June 18, 2026 · Bozeman, MT LIVE · 6 RIVERS TRACKED · TOURNAMENTS THIS WEEK
THE WIRE
FISHINGExperience Montana’s Free Fishing Days This Father’s DayJun 17 FISHINGMastering Fly Selection: The Rock Method for Trout FishingJun 17 HUNTINGCan Arkansas Hunters Really Prepare for a Montana Spring Bear Hunt? Deadhaul…Jun 17 CONSERVATIONBeavers Rewilded 12,000 Montana Wetland Acres Better Than Anyone ExpectedJun 17 HUNTINGWildlife Policy Battle: Sportsmen Defend Hunting TraditionsJun 17
Missoula Chevrolet — APRIL 2024

Bighorn River Fishing Report 10.1.25

The Bighorn River is fishing steady, with reliable nymphing, improving streamer action, and just enough surface activity to keep things interesting..

The following report is by Fins and Feathers and scores a 2/5 for fishing:

Current Conditions

The Bighorn River is fishing steady right now. Most of the action is subsurface with hatches fading, but conditions are good enough to keep anglers into fish throughout the day.

Bretz RV Below Post

Nymphing has been the most consistent. Sowbugs, scuds, and wire worms up top followed by small perdigons, prince nymphs, or zebra midges have been a reliable setup. Working these through pocket water and slower runs has kept rods bent.

Streamer fishing is improving. With weeds thinning out, browns are showing more interest, especially during low-light windows. Dark sculpin patterns, sparkle minnows, and streamers with a little flash are moving fish both in deeper water and along structure.

Dry fly fishing has slowed, but there are still a few midges and small mayflies around. The banks can also be worth prospecting with ants or beetles on calm afternoons, though rises are far from steady.

Overall, the Bighorn is a good choice right now. Nymph rigs remain the most reliable, streamers are starting to produce bigger fish, and the occasional dry or terrestrial is still worth a try when conditions line up.

Bretz RV Below Post

Stream Flows

Bighorn River Fishing Report Streamflow

Flows

Recommended Flies

				  Gonga Double Gray

Gray Gonga

				  Black Lite Brite Perdigon nymph

Black Lite Brite Perdigon

				  Crack back pmd

PMD Crackback

				  Zebra Midge Black Copper

Black Zebra Midge

				  Scud BL Kaufmann G Bd Org

Orange Scud

				  A Montana must have when fly fishing the PMD hatch in Bozeman, Montana.

PMD Jigster

				  Tailwater Sowbug Rainbow

Tailwater Sowbug

				  Skiddish Smolt Hickman Natural

Skiddish Smolt


Bretz RV Below Post