The Bighorn is fishing well. Flows are just above 3,000 cfs this morning, which is a pretty good level for both floaters and wader fishermen. Due to the hot weather, there are a lot of weeds in the water this time of year. Be ready to deal with it.
Hoppers have been pretty hot all year, but they are starting to slow down. The fish have seen a lot of patterns this year, and are getting smart. You will still be able to pick up some dumb ones on the standard hopper patterns, but you better have something unique if you are after the bigger fish. Adding a little movement might elicit a strike.
Ants are also a pretty good choice. Often overlooked by anglers in the grips of “hopper fever”, fishing an ant pattern near brushy banks can be very productive. Be sure to have some in your box. Same goes for beetles. Black caddis are the other main dry fly attraction these days. Coming off mainly in the evenings, this hatch will give you good fishing.
Nymphing with ray charles, san juans, sowbugs, and the standard tailwater nymphs is an option when nothing is happening up top, but it is hard to fish subsurface this time of year.
Tags: River - Bighorn
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