Bighorn in September

[mediaven]

Current plan is for the week on the Bighorn in Montana in early September.

Thought we'd do a day drifting with a guide and then wade the rest of the week.

Anyone have experience on this river at this time? Suggestions on guides and camping near the river would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

[Bigfishbryan]

We stayed at a campground called Cottonwoods or Cottonwoods something. They had some decent little cabins with a/c, which was nice in July. There are some lodges nearby in Ft Smith, but the prices are pretty outrageous. Fort Smith and Crow Agency are the only towns anywhere nearby the Bighorn. I don't really know about September, but from what I understand the Bighorn is pretty much a year round midge fishery. We caught fish on RS2's, griffiths gnats, and a fly called a Ray Charles. It is a pink scud type pattern. It's been several years since we fished out there. Sorry I couldn't help you more. Try to get in some of the sloughs and side channels also. It seemed like our catch rates went up when we fished some of the less pressured areas.

[mediaven]

We'll be tent camping. Does that open up any more options?

Thanks for the fly info!

[Bigfishbryan]

They had tent camping at that Cottonwoods place also. I believe it is about 3 or 4 miles below the afterbay dam. It isn't right on the river. It is on and irrigation ditch that branches off the main river, but it is only maybe a mile from the river. Your best bet is to stop at one of the fly shops in Ft Smith and ask where Cottonwoods campground is. I don't know of any other campgrounds that are that close.

[mediaven]

... I appreciate it! Anyone else have experience on the Bighorn?

[JD Squire]

We are going out July 25th, fishing the big horn 3 days then off to Yellowstone I will give you a report when I get back.

[Milton]

This is more than you asked, but I couldn't stop myself.

The first thing you need to know is that you can’t buy alcohol on the Crow Reservation, which includes Ft. Smith, so if you want it, take it with you or buy it in Billings.

Wish I were going. Wait a minute! I am! I’m flying out Sept. 3 and fishing for three days. We’ll be staying at the Kingfisher Lodge, which is near Cottonwood Camp. This will be the first time I’ve been in September, so I can’t tell you first-hand about the fishing then. One of the links below says to expect tricos and mahoganies. I expect they’ll still be hitting hoppers, and there are always scuds and sowbugs, and as Bigfishbryan says, midges.


Here’s a link for Cottonwood camp.

http://custer.visitmt.com/categories/moreinfo.asp?SiteID=16&IDRRecordID=1933

There’s a grocery store in Ft. Smith, so don’t worry about having to take all your supplies with you. There’s also Polly’s Place, when you don’t feel like cooking.



Next is Bob Krumm’s website. Bob has been guiding on the Bighorn for many years, and no one knows the river better than he does. I have to say that he can be a bit of a curmudgeon, and I know one or two people who don’t care to fish with him, but personally, I get along with him great, and would be happy to fish with him any time. His lunches are outstanding, too. :)

http://www.bluequillflycompany.com/


Bob’s son, Clint Krumm, is a great guy and a great guide. 307-655-2541, riverready@fiberpipe.com. I happen to know that he’s booked Sept. 4-6, though. ;) This time of year he’ll be on the river just about every day, but I’m sure he’d answer an e-mail.


Here are a couple of fly shops in Ft. Smith:

http://www.bighorntroutshop.com/home.html

http://www.bighornangler.com/

They can set you up with guides, and would be happy to talk to you about September hatches, etc. They also have rental drift boats, if you want to go that route. I don’t know whether they rent pontoons. They also have rooms, if you want a roof over your head part of the time you’re there. We used to stay at the Bighorn Angler, and it was quite economical.


http://waterdata.usgs.gov/mt/nwis/uv?06287000

Water levels are still on the low side due to the multi-year drought, but that just makes for more accessible water on the days that you’re wading on your own. The single best area for wading access is probably Three Mile, where the river splits into channels and islands, and which happens to be near Cottonwood Camp. You can also go down both sides of the river from Afterbay, the uppermost access. There’s also Bighorn Access, or Thirteen Mile, which is considered the end of the upper river, which gets the most fishing pressure. But I’d also try Mallard’s Landing and Two Leggins, on the lower river, where there are still plenty of trout, and much less pressure.

Wear a funny hat so I’ll recognize you. I’ll be the guy in the green vest and tan waders.


-Milton

[mediaven]

Milton, thanks alot for the great info.

I'll have a green vest and tan waders too, so just look for someone who looks like you!

Hope you have a great trip -- and be sure to put the hawgs back where you found them.

Tight lines!