Fishing Reports Feeds From Bigskyflyfishers.com http://bigskyflyfishers.com/ Fishing Reports Feeds From Bigskyflyfishers.com en-us Thu, 28 Mar 2024 14:31:57 GMT http://www.bigskyflyfishers.com/fishing-reports/rss UCMS <![CDATA[Bighorn River - February 8th, 2016]]> http://bigskyflyfishers.com/fishing-reports#6786 Recorded:  Mostly sunny60 ° F Fishing: Great

 Just a quick note to get folks up to speed on the fishing.  I'very been getting out once a week for the past three weeks, and had some pretty steady streamer fishing.   My black and purple was easily my best bug on Monday.

On one occasion, we were even able to do a little midge dry fly fishing!  Nymphing (with  a worm and a midge pupae) is steady, as always, but could improve on the warmer, calmer (buggier) days.

Flows are in the normal 2,500 cfs range for this time of year, and probably won't be changing much any time soon.   Water temp is around 40, so the fish can still hold in multiple water types (not just the slow water).

The weather's great so get out there!

Tight Lines, 
Jeremy 


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Mon, 8 Feb 2016 00:00:00 GMT http://bigskyflyfishers.com/fishing-reports#6786
<![CDATA[Bighorn River - May 30th, 2015]]> http://bigskyflyfishers.com/fishing-reports#6679 Recorded:  Mostly sunny43 ° F Fishing: Good

 Hello fishermen, and fisherwomen!

First of all, I regret that it's been so long since my last report,  it's been a great Spring that came early and resulted in more bookings than I've ever had by this time of year. Thanks to all of those that have helped support us!  (Like I've always said, if you're blogging,  you're not on the river!)

We've now turned the corner into transitioning toward summer fishing on the Bighorn.  The water should warm up a little as the flows increase (we've gone from 2,200 cfs to 6,000 since Tuesday)  I expect that the Spring baetis hatch is over, and the worm "hatch" is coming next.  This flush should give us a much needed cleansing of the silt, and will help wash out some of the spring algae that lingers, making for an easier late summer and fall!

In the mean time, high water puts fish on the banks, and ready to eat my streamer, so I'm excited about that!

I'll be up on the Missouri abiut the middle of the month, and will keep you posted about that, as well.

Tight Lines! 
Jeremy



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Sat, 30 May 2015 00:00:00 GMT http://bigskyflyfishers.com/fishing-reports#6679
<![CDATA[Bighorn River - February 9th, 2015]]> http://bigskyflyfishers.com/fishing-reports#6562 Recorded:  Sunny60 ° F Fishing: Excellent

 Last Friday was my second guide trip of the year, as it's been unseasonably nice for February in Montana.  Thanks, Brian! 

Nymphing is very good.  We stuck with something pink, and something gray because the bugs pumped out of fish were predominantly big (#12-14) sowbugs.  I was surprised at the number of fish we caught, but the average size was not as big as it can be.

We were also lucky enough to find one pod of fish rising on midges in the afternoon.   They were eager, and had obviously not been pressured.  Nice!

The water clarity has really improved, but that meant the streamer bite was slow.   We still caught some fish to fill in the "trifecta".

The flow is still 2,800 cfs, and will stay there until we get a better feel for what the snow pack will be.

Tight Lines!
Jeremy





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Mon, 9 Feb 2015 00:00:00 GMT http://bigskyflyfishers.com/fishing-reports#6562
<![CDATA[Yellowstone above Livingston - January 16th, 2014]]> http://bigskyflyfishers.com/fishing-reports#6074 Recorded:  Mostly sunny40 ° F Fishing: Great

 Another quick tying update...

I'll be tying at Stillwater Anglers in Columbus at noon on Saturday, and would like to thank Chris Fleck for the opportunity to take a road trip. C'mon out if you can!

On a separate note Kit Seaton has taken over for Bob Bates (R.I.P.) with the "Fly of the Month" segment for FFF.  I'm honored to have been both Bob's last fly of the month, and Kit's first.  Bob's style of photography was to take stills, while Kit is developing a style using video.  Thanks again for the opportunity, I enjoyed the experience!

Tight Lines,
Jeremy



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Thu, 16 Jan 2014 00:00:00 GMT http://bigskyflyfishers.com/fishing-reports#6074
<![CDATA[Bighorn River - January 6th, 2014]]> http://bigskyflyfishers.com/fishing-reports#6068 Recorded:  Frigid8 ° F Fishing: Good

 Just a quick update on a couple of things...

1) WAY too early to predict final snowpack numbers for the season, but the Bighorn Range is currently at 140% of normal for this time of year (in terms of snow water equivalent), and Bighorn lake is currently 94% of full pool.

What does this mean?  It could easily be a high water year.

2) Just wanted to announce that I'll be tying at the Great Rockies Sport Show at 4:30 on Friday.  

Hope to see you there!

Tights Lines,
Jeremy



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Mon, 6 Jan 2014 00:00:00 GMT http://bigskyflyfishers.com/fishing-reports#6068
<![CDATA[Bighorn River - November 11th, 2013]]> http://bigskyflyfishers.com/fishing-reports#6037 Recorded:  Frigid0 ° F Fishing: Excellent

Fly Fishing Event-

Streamerfest 2013

This Saturday (November 16, 2013) I'll be tying at East Rosebud Fly and Tackle, from 12-4 P.M.  I'll be one of several local tiers demonstating a streamer pattern that we'll enter into a contest for the public to vote on as their favorite.  Hope to see anyone there that's able to! 

Tight Lines,
Jeremy



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Mon, 11 Nov 2013 00:00:00 GMT http://bigskyflyfishers.com/fishing-reports#6037
<![CDATA[Bighorn River - November 11th, 2013]]> http://bigskyflyfishers.com/fishing-reports#6036 Recorded:  Sunny45 ° F Fishing: Great

Catching up on current conditions on the Bighorn.  Spent 3 days streamer fishing recently.  We weren't lucky enough to get any cloud cover, but we were committed.  The fishing confirmed everything I already do to account for the sun angle, and how I alter my approach as a result. 

Here are my biggest takeaways from the trip:

1)  In the mornings, the big flashy flies worked well.  Many of our biggest fish were Rainbows on a heavy rainbow colored streamer that we fished on the first day, and a smaller/flashier version on the next two days.

2)  Once the sun reaches it's mid-morning point, the flashier flies get plenty of follows, but far fewer commitments.  I do use the "bright day, bright lure" logic, and tend to fish gray or white a little more often in the sun.  That's not to say the streamers are full of glitter and flash, because they're not.  They are simply a closer representation to what bait fish will look like from underneath (the angle where most of your strikes will come from).

3)  Fish Leaches.  In the sunshine, undoubtedly your morning streamer bite will taper off, but time and time again, trailing a leach behind your best fly will get you back in the action.  I carry small, skinny leaches from maroon to brown to black.  It can really be an eye opener of how many fish were following your streamer that could not be seen.

Thanks goes out to Jamie and Jean for another great trip!

Tight Lines,
Jeremy



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Mon, 11 Nov 2013 00:00:00 GMT http://bigskyflyfishers.com/fishing-reports#6036
<![CDATA[Missouri River - November 11th, 2013]]> http://bigskyflyfishers.com/fishing-reports#6035 Recorded:  Windy and Rain55 ° F Fishing: Great

Just wanted to update the fishing report from my last trip up to the Missouri.  Although we felt 2 days of hard wind, and marginal streamer fishing in the canyon, the last day on the upper made it all worth while.  Most of our fish were caught on nymphs, we ended up fishing a very light/short rig to the banks.  Nymphing doesn't have to be blind fishing, we targeted rising fish that may or may not have eaten our dry flies in the rain, and had a very good day in terms of numbers and size.

Most of the rising fish were eating midges and Pseudos, so the fish were technical, but very fun on the surface.  Even though we didn't catch a huge number of fish on streamers, we were able to put some nice Browns in the net, as well.

Thanks to Scott and Jesse for another great fall trip, and one that I look forward to every year.

Tight Lines,
Jeremy



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Mon, 11 Nov 2013 00:00:00 GMT http://bigskyflyfishers.com/fishing-reports#6035
<![CDATA[Bighorn River - August 19th, 2013]]> http://bigskyflyfishers.com/fishing-reports#5891 Recorded:  Sunny89 ° F Fishing: Great

 Might as well update the Bighorn fishing, as well.  Flow is 1,900 but water temp is very cold for this time of year (let's say 48 as an average), but the warmer weather is finally catching up.  Upper 13 is getting PMD's in the afternoon, with some Yellow Sallies, and tan caddis mixed in.  Black Caddis are showing up, as well.  

Personally, I've been nymphing in the morning (worm and something pink), then looking to dry fly fish.  Most of the time a Yellow Sally will do the trick, but those fish will get picky at times.  The river's busy, as it's defitnitely one of the best places to be with many of the other rivers warming up at their low levels.

Tight Lines,
Jeremy 





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Mon, 19 Aug 2013 00:00:00 GMT http://bigskyflyfishers.com/fishing-reports#5891
<![CDATA[Missouri River - August 19th, 2013]]> http://bigskyflyfishers.com/fishing-reports#5890 Recorded:  Sunny80 ° F Fishing: Great

Late to the party, but had a wonderful trip in late June with Tracey and Dave.  Please refer to their picture in the photo gallery of a great double, with the Wolf Creek Bridge in the background.  PMD fishing was very good, and a good time was had by all.  River was low, and has since warmed up, and fishing has slowed down, but at the time, it was pretty fantastic.  Thanks, guys!


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Mon, 19 Aug 2013 00:00:00 GMT http://bigskyflyfishers.com/fishing-reports#5890
<![CDATA[Bighorn River - May 2nd, 2013]]> http://bigskyflyfishers.com/fishing-reports#4775 Recorded:  Mostly sunny60 ° F Fishing: Great

 What a nice thing it is to finally report that we had a fishing day (yesterday) that wasn't constantly windy.  Sure it was windy in the morning, but the nymphing was pretty good, and when the Baetis came off in the afternoon it seemed like every fish in the river was up.  It was the kind of day that you wait all winter for.

Nymphing has involved sowbugs and midges in the mornings, with the Baetis nymphs becoming active in the middle of the day.  I've pumped some worms out of fish, which is a good sign for their growth.

Streamer fishing has been spotty, but I have had more success lately on the the cloudy days.  It's hard to beat a good black bugger.

The flow is still pretty low (1,750 cfs), and the water temp is hovering just above or below 40.  It has been mossy, so that's just going to be a factor until we get some sort of a bump in flow.  I don't yet have any insight as to what's going to happen there, but I'll keep you posted.

Tight Lines,
Jeremy



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Thu, 2 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT http://bigskyflyfishers.com/fishing-reports#4775
<![CDATA[Bighorn River - February 14th, 2013]]> http://bigskyflyfishers.com/fishing-reports#4561 Recorded:  Icy, rain or snow25 ° F Fishing: Good

This is a report!

It looks like they're holding the flow steady at 1,833 cfs (cubic feet per second).  Nymphing (which had been red hot all winter) is finally slowing down as the water cools just a bit more, and the post-spawn blues take over.  

Streamer fishing has remained good, and some midges are starting to pop.  Keep an eye out for good dry fly fishing starting to pick up in the next month.

Fish numbers are bound to be a little lower this year, as the river level remains low, but this isn't necessarily bad news for those who enjoy sight fishing, and wouldn't mind seeing the average fish size increase a little.

I'll keep you posted as things develop, but there's never a bad time to get out there.

Tight Lines!
Jeremy 


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Thu, 14 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT http://bigskyflyfishers.com/fishing-reports#4561
<![CDATA[Bighorn River - February 14th, 2013]]> http://bigskyflyfishers.com/fishing-reports#4560 Recorded:  Icy, rain or snow25 ° F Fishing: Good

 Not a report, but a quick update.  Thanks to everyone who came out to East Rosebud Fly and Tackle for my fly tying demo last weekend.   Good crowd, and a good time.

It's the time of year that I start to keep an eye on the snow pack numbers, and lake levels to start to form an idea of how the river levels may shape up for the year.  Please be aware that the next 2 months are probably the most significant of the year in making any determination, so I look at the numbers as simply a starting point.

These numbers are taken off of the Wyoming NRCS snotel site:
http://www.wrds.uwyo.edu/wrds/nrcs/snowprec/snowprec.html

In terms of snow water equivalent, the Bighorn Mountains are sitting at 94% of normal, and the Wind River's are at 88%.

The Yellowstone drainage is at 97% of normal, while the Madison/Gallatin is at 95% (all numbers as of 2/14/13).

Bighorn Lake is 87% full at present, and isn't likely to be caught off guard if a drought event happens.

I'll keep you updated, but as always feel free to give me a call with any questions!

(406)690-4752

Tight Lines!
Jeremy




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Thu, 14 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT http://bigskyflyfishers.com/fishing-reports#4560
<![CDATA[Bighorn River - January 26th, 2013]]> http://bigskyflyfishers.com/fishing-reports#4537 Recorded:  Mostly sunny40 ° F Fishing: Great

 *Important Note* The Billings airport will be closed to weekend flights between the 4th of July, and Labor Day, 2013.  People who need to to fly in or out of the area on the weekends are encouraged to think about extending stays, or possibly redirecting to Bozeman, MT, or Cody, WY.



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Sat, 26 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT http://bigskyflyfishers.com/fishing-reports#4537
<![CDATA[Bighorn River - August 8th, 2012]]> http://bigskyflyfishers.com/fishing-reports#3700 Recorded:  Mostly sunny95 ° F Fishing: Great

O.K., I'm not very good at keeping up on these, but please feel free to give me a call if you have a question.

I'm on the Bighorn until I'll hit the Missouri in late September/October, then back to the Bighorn.

I've been fishing the lower river a lot (as usual), and have been getting a little bit of trico fishing in the mornings.  Later in the day, it seems like I can get fish to eat a hopper drifting from hole to hole, then the PMD's come off.  That pretty much sums up my typical sunny day, but if we get a little bit of cloud cover, then the streamer rods come out.  It's been very good, with fish on the move.  There are lots of little trout out there, and lots of predator fish looking for them.

By all accounts, the upper river PMD hatch has been as good as anyone can remember.  All in all, some pretty good fishing to be had.

Hey David, hope the Yellowstone treated you well!

Tight Lines,
Jeremy



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Wed, 8 Aug 2012 00:00:00 GMT http://bigskyflyfishers.com/fishing-reports#3700
<![CDATA[Missouri River - June 24th, 2012]]> http://bigskyflyfishers.com/fishing-reports#3491 Recorded:  Sunny55 ° F Fishing: Great

Thanks to Dave and Tracey for another father's day trip on the Missouri.  Fishing was good from top to bottom, as we spread ourselves out over 30 miles of river below Holter.

We focused on nymphing, as it was so productive, and the bugs were so plentiful.  The PMD fishing was steady on the upper, and (if you're into technical dry fly fishing) good targets could always be found.  As you get further down stream, the more the trout diet tended toward Yellow Sally's, and Caddis (Tan and Black).   A large yellow mayfly pattern behind a worm was pretty hard to beat in most lower river situations.

Fish are strong (as always on the Missouri), and the water's clean.  Flows are at 7,000 and dropping.  Nice change!

Tight Lines,
Jeremy



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Sun, 24 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT http://bigskyflyfishers.com/fishing-reports#3491
<![CDATA[Bighorn River - June 24th, 2012]]> http://bigskyflyfishers.com/fishing-reports#3490 Recorded:  Sunny50 ° F Fishing: Great

Playing a little catch up on the Spring, as I've gotten way behind on fishing reports.  I can, obviously report that I've been very busy, and have enjoyed a full calendar in the early season.

The flow is just under 1,800 cfs, and looks to be staying right there.  The lake is a little under 5 feet short of full, but the inflows now match the outflows, so it looks like there's no freak storm coming to push the flows up for a little while.  The low flows have made nymphing difficult, as the free floating moss is a constant issue, but we seem to be turning the corner there, and things are starting to clear up.

Most folks have been sticking to the upper river for less moss, and have had a long baetis hatch that has dictated most of the fly selection, and timing of the bite.

We seem to be transitioning now into more PMD's coming off, and Yellow Sally's to follow.  I've also had some Mother's Day Caddis fishing on the lower, from time to time.  Look for these to become more relevent on the upper.

I've just gotten back from another successful trip up to the Missouri, and will be on the Bighorn for a while, so look for my Missouri River report next.

Tight Lines,
Jeremy



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Sun, 24 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT http://bigskyflyfishers.com/fishing-reports#3490
<![CDATA[Bighorn River - December 1st, 2009]]> http://bigskyflyfishers.com/fishing-reports#315 Recorded:  Windy45 ° F Fishing: Good

The river fished well at times, but not as predictable as it can be for this time of year.  I continue to pump worms, midges, and baetis out of the fish, but seem to see very limited rising due to the windy conditions.  I'm seeing plenty of clean gravel, and most fish are sticking to the areas surrounding the spawning activity, but I'm not catching as many fish on scuds and soft hackles as you'd expect. 

Streamer fishing was not as good as it has been, but still getting good action.

I'd rate the boat traffic as a 3




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Tue, 1 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://bigskyflyfishers.com/fishing-reports#315
<![CDATA[Bighorn River - January 8th, 2010]]> http://bigskyflyfishers.com/fishing-reports#329 Recorded:  Frigid20 ° F Fishing: Good

O.K., I'll admit it.  I haven't been out fishing myself, so this is a second handed report.  The river's looking clean, and very user friendly.  The Brown's spawn is coming to an end, and fish seem to be more into eating midges than scuds.  The water's cold enough so that you'll want to be out primarily in the middle of the day for the best fishing, then you're gonna get cold fast.  They're still chasing the streamer, so that can be a nice diversion in between nymphing the holes.

I'll give a first handed report as soon as I finish hunting geese, and replenishing my supply of tying feathers.



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Fri, 8 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://bigskyflyfishers.com/fishing-reports#329
<![CDATA[Bighorn River - March 1st, 2010]]> http://bigskyflyfishers.com/fishing-reports#378 Recorded:  Frigid40 ° F Fishing: Good

Yesterday was a long awaited day of fishing for me.  The river traffic was relatively low.  I floated the 3 mile-Bighorn stretch of the Bighorn River, and saw 5-7 other boats.  The water temp is cold, in the upper 30's.  I saw the expected bug life, midges (occassionally in clusters), and a handful of baetis duns in the afternoon.  I pumped some fish to find worms, sowbugs, and hundreds of tiny cream midges. 
The nymphing I would decribe as O.K.  We were able to catch some fish everywhere we tried, and on a wide variety of nymph patterns, but had to work fairly hard for them.  I streamer fished my behind off to move just a few fish.  The best part of the day for me was the midge fishing in the morning.  I was able to get on a pod of eager fish, while throwing a simple midge single dry fly with a tuft of CDC pointing upwards (what's called the "Smokejumper").  It's easy to see, and seamed to be all I needed to catch the risers I could approach.
We had a good time, and enjoyed some sunshine and a nice variety of successful fishing.
The river's low.  The flow is listed at 2,000 cfs, but looks even lower as the river bottom is so clean (no moss displacement).

Please note that the warm weather had caused some low level runoff, and muddy water existed below Mountain Pocket (below the Denver Club's cabin), and Soap Creek.  It looked like you'd want to avoid fishing the right side of the river all together downstream of Soap Creek.




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Mon, 1 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://bigskyflyfishers.com/fishing-reports#378