A little rainy, but great fishing.
Bighorn River Fishing Report
Current Report
Flows should remain steady at 9,500 cfs through the week. Fishing has been good on the upper 13 miles. Water clarity is very good. With the high flows, wading is pretty much out of the question.
Hot Fly Patterns
Worm patterns are doing very well, in the wire variation as well as the San Juans. Use sizes 2 or 4 in red, orange, and two tones. Sow bugs have been working very well as a trailing fly. Use Firebead sowbugs or Steve’s sowbug in sizes 16 and 18. Some midge patterns will probably still be working as well, such as rootbeer or zebra midges in 16 and 18s. Don’t forget your split shot, you’ll need it. 2 or 3 BBs or a single 3/0 should suffice.
River Flows
9,500 cfs
Outstanding Guide
John and Rebecca are wonderful hosts, the guide was outstanding, and I felt right at home at the lodge. Fishing was terrific. Sam was great in selecting the proper flies, took me to the most productive places on the river, coached me on bringing in the big rainbows. He was ourstanding. Ken W. Naples, FL
Most enjoyable fishing trip.
John and Rebecca run a great lodge. The combination of hospitality, scenery, quality guides and quality fishing made this one of the most enjoyable fishing trips I have been on. I would not change anything.
The meals were 5-star quality. Appetizers, Dinners, Breakfasts, Box lunches, were all delicious. Curtis H. Dallas, TX
Bighorn River Fishing Report
Flows have increased to 9500 CFS. However, fishing remains good. Nymphing will be the way to go, as top water fishing will be greatly diminshed. Think heavy rigs with aquatic worm patterns followed by midges and sowbugs.
One-Week Fishing Forecast
NOAA forecasts that temperatures will be going up into the mid 70s and lower 80s throughout the week with chances of rain possible.
Hot Fly Patterns
The worm patters will be making a come back. Wire worms and San Juans in reds, two tones and even pinks (sz 4-6). Midge patterns in cream, root beer and olive are picking up lots of fish, too. The usual Ray Charles (plain and soft hackle) in pink or gray (14-16), orange, tan, grey, or pink fire bead soft hackle sowbugs in (14 and 16) scuds in orange or pink (14-16). Egg patterns in Chartreuse or Orange may also still be working (6-8).
River Flows
9500 CFS
Water Temperature
44 degrees at 3 Mile 45 degrees at St. Xavier
Bighorn River Fishing Report
Fishing is excellent, and BWOs are everywhere! Both nymphing and dry fly fishing is producing lots of fish.
Special Report
The bump in river releases has really triggered some spectacular blue wing olive hatches the last several rainy days. Heads are up all over the river! The higher flows has also helped with the algae accumulation.
One-Week Fishing Forecast
Temperatures are finally expected to warm up. River releases will most likely continue to increase as runoff begins.
Hot Fly Patterns
Small BWO emergers and nymphs are working very well. Midge patterns in cream, root beer and olive are picking up lots of fish, too. The usual Ray Charles (plain and soft hackle) in pink or gray (16-18), orange, tan, grey, or pink soft hackle sowbugs in (14 16 and 18) scuds in orange or pink (14-16). Egg patterns in Chartreuse or Orange (6-8).
River Flows
5,000 cfs by Friday
Bighorn River Flows increase to 5,000 CFS
Flows increase to 5,000cfs for the weekend
As we were expecting, this just arrived from Reclamation:
“We will be increasing our river releases from the Yellowtail Afterbay Dam by an additional 500 cfs at 4:00 pm today and another 500 cfs at 8:00 am tomorrow morning. This will bring our total release to the
river to 5,000 cfs for the weekend. Why the change? The storms that finished up last night were a real difference maker for the basin. I have attached some snow water equivalent graphs which tell the story.
We need to make these adjustments now to control the reservoir rise at this time and be mindful with the warmer weather forecast for the weekend.”
Bighorn River Report – More great news!
“Our Wyoming Area Office has notified us today that they will be making additional increases in releases from Boysen Dam to control the reservoir’s rate of fill. We will be stepping up our releases to the Bighorn River in a similar fashion so we can hold our current reservoir elevation and remain favorably poised to intercept the rule curve in early June.
This means we will be increasing our releases to the Bighorn River to 3,000 cfs on Thursday, May 6 and then increasing to 3,250 cfs on Friday, May 7. Further adjustments may be necessary this coming week. “
This place is easily the Lodge of the Year!
Adam was patient, knowledgeable, fun, and easy going- a joy to be around on the river. The meals were AMAZING- some of the best meals I have EVER, EVER had. Salmon, lamb, beef tenderloin, pork, made to order breakfast- even the lunches on the river were excellent and well made.No recommendations- this place is easily Lodge of the Year! Lee S. Durham, NC