Fishing Season: Winter

Bighorn River - WY

Fishing Outlook & Conditions

Water Temp:

60

Jeramie Prine's Tip of the Week

The Bighorn River is fishing well. The colder weather has the fish moving to different waters due to temperature change. It appears that the Brown Trout spawn is pretty much over, but we have noticed that winter spawning Rainbow Trout seem to be active. If you notice redds, please don't walk on them or target them for fishing. Nymphing and dry fly fishing (in right conditions) are working. Time to switch over to winter tailwater flies. To see the actual water flows, please visit: https://www.usbr.gov/gp-bin/arcweb_boyr.pl

Directions open in app

Map of Bighorn River

Water Flow Data

Tidal Conditions

Orvis-Endorsed guides nearby

Dunoir Fishing Adventures

5-Day Outlook as of 1/11/22

Temperatures will be in the 30's and 40's this week. Mornings are chilly so dress accordingly.

Techniques & Tips as of 1/11/22

Nymph rigs and dry fly fishing working in the right conditions. If nymphing, be sure you are getting down to the fish. For dry fly fishing, watch for baetis and midges and choose accordingly.

Local Species Available Winter

  • Fish Icon

    Trout

Jeramie Prine's Recommended Fly Patterns

"Must-have" fly fishing patterns in descending order of importance:

Name: Colors: Size(s):
Bead Head Hare's Ear Flashback N/A 16
Indicator Spinner - Trico N/A 16
Shaky Worm N/A 16
Rouse's J-Dub Sow Bug N/A 16
Schroeder's Parachute Hopper N/A
Schultzy's Red Eyes Leech N/A

Bead Head Hare's Ear Flashback

Fish love flies that have a bit of flash.

2.49

Item #803E

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Jeramie Prine's Recommended Gear

Description: About Bighorn River

The Bighorn River in Wyoming is an amazing fishery that can be fished year-round for big healthy Browns, Rainbows, and the occasional Cutthroat Trout. It definitely helps to fish this river from a drift boat as it is a large river, and there is limited and hard to reach public access. The Bighorn River boasts roughly 1100 trout per mile, and the scenery is not too bad either. The Bighorn River in Wyoming is similar to the stretch in Montana, but not nearly the amount of people the river sees up north. With that said, the Bighorn in Wyoming has been discovered and in the spring the river can get pretty busy. Winter can be a great time to fish the Bighorn with little to no crowds. In summer, anglers can count on moss but some great dry fly fishing. Fall can be a magical time on the river with cooler temps, less moss, and fish chasing streamers.

Nearest Airport:

Riverton Regional Airport

Hatches:

Midges, sow bugs, baetis, mud bugs, and annelids.

Best Time to Fish:

9:00-4:00

Best Stretch:

All of it!

Best Access:

Wedding of the Waters