General Information
The Bighorn River is a classic tailwater river, emerging from the depths of Bighorn Lake in Eastern Montana. The Yellowtail Dam has created a fertile river, displaying unique spring creek characteristics that allow rainbow and brown trout to thrive almost year-round. There is somewhere around 5,000 fish per mile in the Bighorn, with the highest population counts near the Afterbay Dam. Trout in the river average around 15 inches, with many fish pushing the 20-inch range.  Bighorn river trout fight as hard as any on the planet, due to highly consistent water temperatures year-round.

Below Afterbay Dam, the fishing remains productive for about 30 river miles. From here, the Bighorn is broken into three distinct sections: Afterbay to 3 Mile, 3 Mile to Bighorn Access, and Bighorn Access to Mallard’s Landing. Each section contains variances in water temperature, fish per mile, aquatic life, hatches, and fish behavior. These characteristics create unique fishing conditions in which the angler may experience a wide array of terrific fishing throughout the year. Throughout the river’s length, rainbows and brown trout thrive on a steady diet of sowbugs, scuds, worms, and midges year-round which accounts for the large average size of the fish in the river.

Boats and Equipment Required
Float fishing on the Bighorn River is accomplished with comfortable, Western-style drift boats. Remember that rods, reels, flies, tackle, waders, and boots are all included in your package if you do not have or bring your own. The Bighorn Angler also carries all the necessary equipment for purchase if you’d like.