Fishing Reports

Had a great streamer fishing trip with Jamie and Jean in late October.  We floated the lower Bighorn for several days, commited to throwing streamers, and had too much success to change. 

River conditions are set up very well for good fishing.  At that time, the river was still in the process of cleaning itself, but by now the river is sparkling.  Can't wait to get back out there and experience the numbers of fish that can be caught on the Bighorn, that's pretty hard to match anywhere else.

I'll keep everyone up to date on the snowpack, and fish count as the numbers come available.

Tight Lines!

Jeremy

Sorry about the lack of fishing reports.  Busy is good, though, right?

Let's get to it.  The flow is steadily dropping, and is reported to be at 5,400 cfs right now.  The plan is to drop to 5,000 cfs on Monday.  The river looks good, and the water is cooling down some with the drop in flow.

Hopper time!  There sure a lot of hoppers out there, but we've needed the grass away from the river to dry up, as well as harvest to come to completion to get the kind of days that everyone dreams of.  If you're lucky, you'll have a hot day with a brisk cross-wind, and you'll see those little buggers all over the water.

On a different note, I've been streamer fishing a lot in the mornings, and it's been fun the watch the hoppers on the bank panic every time the streamer splashes close enough to the edge.  Streamer fishing has been very good early, but not quite what it was in July.

Haven't nymphed all that much in the last few weeks, but when I have, I've been fishing a sowbug and a small light mayfly behind it (something that'll look like a pseudo nymph).

Hope that gets you up to date!

Tight Lines,
Jeremy

I was back on the Bighorn yesterday, and had a lot of fun fishing with Brian.  I keep telling him we're going to struggle some day to catch the numbers we caught this Spring, but that river's always got my back.

We floated from 3 mile to Mallard's Landing (19 miles) because the flow is at 14,000 cfs.  Bighorn Lake is now full with 18,000 cfs coming in, so it's hard to imagine that the flow won't be forced higher, but it's a wait and see game.  They still have the emergency flood pool to fill.

Nymphing was good early with a gray Ray Charles, and a Fire Bead Soft Hackle.  When fishing slowed down, we switched to the double worm.  We fished chennille patterns of bright colors, and were pretty successful until we threw some streamers.

Streamer fishing was surprisingly good, and is something I'm planning to do more of next time I'm out.  I've been fishing Rainbow frey patterns, and have been happy with the results.

Catching a fair number of small fish, but mixing in some nice fish on nymphs, but you always seem to hook one fish a day that just kicks your butt. 

I'll keep you updated on the flow as we learn more.

Tight Lines,
Jeremy

The sun is shining!  It's been a wet, cold Spring, but I can't help but feel like we've turned the corner into less of a soaker, and more of  a melter.

There is going to be lots of water all summer, as the Bureau of Rec stated that we have enough water to average 12,000 cfs on the Bighorn until July 31st.  Of course, we'll have a spike before that, then hopefully the water will begin to come down in the middle of July sometime. 

As of today, the flow should go up to 13,300 cfs and may climb higher (depending on how the snow pack comes off).

This high water is something to be aware of as only experienced rowers should be taking on the responsibility of handling the big water.

That said, the big water will quickly cleanse the river of the siltation that's occurred as a result of the Spring rains, and will clear things up soon.

Expect that the dry fly fishing is over until the water comes back down, but nymphing will continue to be very productive.  Expect that the "worm hatch" will take over the diet of the fish, replacing the midge and baetis portion, but sowbugs will remain an important part.

Don't forget about streamer fishing.  As the slack water (rearing habitat for young fish) disappears, you'll have predatory fish taking advantage of the fact that fish will be compressed into limited holding water until the water temp gets into the mid-50's.

Well, that's an overview of high water...be safe out there!

Tight Lines,
Jeremy

Oh, where to begin.  The Spring rains just won't stop, and the good folks at the Bureau of Rec have been busy adjusting the flows, trying not to wash out the I-90 bridge at Hardin.  Flows had gone from 8,000 cfs down to 3,500 (back up to 4,500 then back down to 3,500, again).  It was just communicated to me that the flows are on their way back up again, as it should reach 5,000 cfs by tomorrow morning.

Rotton Grass Creek had been over the road near St. Xavier, but has receeded to the point where the bridge is now passable.  It's only open to single lane traffic for now, though.

Fishing, for those who can get there has been excellent with good baetis hatches, and excellent streamer fishing!

It's going to be one heck of a high water year, as the lake has filled 13 feet since last Friday.  This water situation is something that I've never seen before, so let's hope the snow comes off slowly. 

Crazy times, but the fish don't care.  Good luck getting here, but the reward is waiting!

Tight Lines,
Jeremy

O.K., I've been working a lot, and haven't thought about posting a report in a little while, so I'll catch you up.

It's been running at 6,500 cfs for a couple of weeks, but I just got word that they're dropping it back down to 6,000 as they Bureau feels like they're approaching their stated goal of 25 ft. of room in the lake pre-runoff.  If we get a warm snap, of course this could be adjusted, but for now we're in better shape for handling the snow melt than in recent memory.

The downside:

Our usually reliable Spring Baetis hatch has been delayed, but on the days when a small spurt comes, it always seems to be windy anyway.

The upside:

Nymphing has been very good, and the river is thankfully fairly moss free.  It's pretty user friendly with all of the young fish, and clean drifts.  Streamer fishing has been fun, but just O.K.

As of the last few days, the Baetis have arrived, and (weather permitting) you should get some fish up in the little bit of slack water that's there.

Soap Creek has been flowing, keeping everyone on the upper river, but this little break (for the fish on the lower) is usually pretty good for the long haul of the season.

Boat traffic is high, but it always is in May.  Plenty of fish for everyone!

Tight Lines,
Jeremy