Bighorn River

OldDawg · 05-21-12, 04:53 PM

I am going to MT for a long weekend and will be in Billings in striking distance of the Bighorn River. I understand the snowpack is light this year and the streamflow is a wadeable 2,000 to 3,000 cfs. Where is wade access? What flies?

Do you recommend a particular flyshop in Billings or in Hardin?

Most rivers like the Yellowstone & Stillwater are blown out.

Can anyone recommend a location for warm water species in the area?

Thank you for your advice.

Grizzlyhackle · 05-27-12, 12:08 PM

OldDawg,
The Bighorn should be good. I like wade fishing around the Three Mile Access which is 3 miles below the Afterbay dam, easy wading, lots of side channels. I also like going to the dam and hiking down a ways on the west side of the river, bunch of nice side channels 1/2 mile to a mile down.
Try red and pink SJW and small #18 scuds, pink Ray Charles are especially effective (and easy to tie). Small Mayflies, midges, lightning bugs, etc.
There are some good flyshops in Ft Smith, near the dam. Have fun and let us know how you do.

the duck · 05-29-12, 10:15 AM

Just got back from a week on the Bighorn. If you haven't left yet, let me know. Have some suggestions for a guide.

CTA Mike · 06-11-12, 06:58 PM

If you have some experience, this is one place in the west where you can rent and row your own drift boat.

They will launch and p/u so you can get out ahead of the armada and fish until you are done. Pick up box lunch at Polllys all pretty easy. Not difficult river to row but the river can be crowded so you need to have some clue just to avoid getting in someones space.

05-27-12, 12:08 PM	#2
Grizzlyhackle Native Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Missoula Posts: 32	Bighorn OldDawg, The Bighorn should be good. I like wade fishing around the Three Mile Access which is 3 miles below the Afterbay dam, easy wading, lots of side channels. I also like going to the dam and hiking down a ways on the west side of the river, bunch of nice side channels 1/2 mile to a mile down. Try red and pink SJW and small #18 scuds, pink Ray Charles are especially effective (and easy to tie). Small Mayflies, midges, lightning bugs, etc. There are some good flyshops in Ft Smith, near the dam. Have fun and let us know how you do.

05-29-12, 10:15 AM	#3
the duck Native Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: jackson, ga. Posts: 61	Montana Just got back from a week on the Bighorn. If you haven't left yet, let me know. Have some suggestions for a guide.

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05-21-12, 04:53 PM	#1
OldDawg Native Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 773	Bighorn River I am going to MT for a long weekend and will be in Billings in striking distance of the Bighorn River. I understand the snowpack is light this year and the streamflow is a wadeable 2,000 to 3,000 cfs. Where is wade access? What flies? Do you recommend a particular flyshop in Billings or in Hardin? Most rivers like the Yellowstone & Stillwater are blown out. Can anyone recommend a location for warm water species in the area? Thank you for your advice.

06-11-12, 06:58 PM	#4
CTA Mike Native Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Alpharetta Posts: 124	If you have some experience, this is one place in the west where you can rent and row your own drift boat. They will launch and p/u so you can get out ahead of the armada and fish until you are done. Pick up box lunch at Polllys all pretty easy. Not difficult river to row but the river can be crowded so you need to have some clue just to avoid getting in someones space.