Montana ·
Bighorn River Fly Fishing Report - June 7, 2026
BIGHORN RIVER
ReportJUN 8 — 15, 2026
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Flow
1540CFS
Bighorn R bl Yellowtail Afterbay Dam nr St. Xavier
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Water Temp
—
Updated 2026-06-07
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Weather
44–77°F
Partly Cloudy
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Clarity
Clear
Check post-storm
The Bighorn is running a fishable 1,540 cfs at gauge height 59.45 ft below Yellowtail Afterbay Dam, offering excellent wade and float access with clear, cold tailwater conditions. PMDs are beginning to show at midday, caddis are building toward their June peak, and subsurface sowbug/scud nymphing remains the most consistent all-day producer.
What's Working — Hot Flies
Tungsten Tailwater Sowbug - Rainbow #10
#10
Blowtorch - Hare's Ear #12
#12
Egan's Thread Frenchie Jig - Olive #12
#12
Pheasant Tail Tungsten #20
#20
Roza's Pink Pheasant Tail - Barbless #16
#16
Stealth Link Mercer - PMD #20
#20
Egan's Silver Bullet - Baetis #14
#14
Black Zebra Midge (TBH) #20
#20
Top Secret Baetis #16
#16
Parachute - Blue Wing Olive #22
#22
Egan's CDC Rainbow Warrior #22
#22
Corn-fed Caddis (CDC) Tan #20
#20
Hatch Chart
| Insect | Size | Activity | Prime Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Midges (Chironomidae) | #20–24 | Strong | Dawn through mid-morning; pupae active all day sub-surface |
| Blue-Winged Olive (Baetis) | #18–22 | Strong | 10 AM – 3 PM, especially on overcast or cloudy afternoons |
| Sowbugs & Scuds | #14–18 | Strong — year-round staple | All day sub-surface; most productive in slower runs and seams |
| Pale Morning Dun (PMD) | #16–20 | Spotty to building — early season emergence | Midday 11 AM – 2 PM on sunny days; riffles and flats |
| Caddis (Tan & Black) | #18–20 | Emerging — building toward late-June peak | Afternoon; black caddis most active near dusk |
Best Time Window
- Early morning (6–9 AM): Midge pupa fishing in slow pools and tailouts — Black Zebra Midge and CDC Rainbow Warrior in the film
- Midday (10 AM – 2 PM): PMD emergence in riffles and flats — transition from nymphs to dries when you see the first risers; Monday's sun makes this the prime window of the week
- Late afternoon to dusk (4–7 PM): Caddis and BWO activity builds — watch for splashy riseforms in fast riffles indicating caddis; Tuesday's storm clouds may trigger an exceptional BWO hatch
Guide's Tip
From the benchWith flows at a very fishable 1,540 cfs, both wade and float anglers have excellent access — target the slower runs and seams with a heavy sowbug or Blowtorch lead fly and a small PMD or Baetis trailer set 4–5 feet under an indicator. Monday's sunny skies and 75°F high are ideal for triggering a midday PMD emergence in the riffles, so have your dry fly box ready by 11 AM. Tuesday brings a 30% chance of afternoon thunderstorms — cloudy, unsettled conditions often fire the best BWO hatches of the week, so don't leave the water early. Fish early mornings with midge pupae in the slow pools, transition to PMD and Baetis nymphs through midday, and watch for splashy caddis rises in the lower riffles as the evening light fades.
Main Species
Brown Trout
Rainbow Trout
Mountain Whitefish
