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Bighorn Montana Fishing Report: Clouds, Hatches, and Hefty Trout - May 23, 2025
Published 11 months, 1 week ago
Description
Howdy folks, this is Artificial Lure with your Big Horn Montana fishing report for May 23, 2025. We're lookin' at another fine spring day out on the water with temps expected to climb into the high 60s by afternoon. Got a bit of cloud cover moving in later, which might just trigger some of those hatches we've been waiting on.
Sun came up about 5:25 this morning and we'll have light till around 8:45 tonight, giving you plenty of time to get your line wet. Winds are staying reasonable today, maybe 5-10 mph, nothing to worry about.
The Bighorn River is running clear with ideal flows for both wading and floating. Water's sitting in the upper 40s to low 50s now, and let me tell you, them trout are hungry! No tides to worry about here in Big Sky Country, just good old river fishing.
The fishing has been flat-out excellent this past week. Rainbows and browns in the 16-20 inch range are common, with several anglers connecting with some real bruisers pushing 22 inches. Just yesterday, had a fella in the shop who landed a 24-inch brown on a streamer down by Three Mile Access.
Nymphing is still your bread and butter right now. Tailwater Sowbugs in sizes 14 and 16 have been working like a charm, along with #18 Wonder Nymphs and Flashback Quill Nymphs. If you're setting up a double-nymph rig, try a Two-Tone Scud or Orange Scud as your top fly.
Now, for you dry fly enthusiasts – patience is still the name of the game, but we're seeing more action in the late afternoons. Some decent BWO hatches are happening when conditions are right. Pack some #20 Sipper Midges and CDC Midges, along with Baetis patterns like the Cripple Thor.
Streamer fishing has really picked up with this cloudy weather. If you're chasing bigger fish, tie on a Sparkle Minnow, Skiddish Smolt, or a black Peanut Envy. Remember to let 'em sink deep and retrieve slow.
For hot spots, the stretch below Afterbay Dam down to Bighorn Access has been consistent, but a bit crowded. For a little more elbow room, try the water around Two Leggins Access or head down toward St. Xavier. The mouth of Soap Creek has been productive, but watch for discoloration after rain.
Remember to mind those rainbow redds – we want them fish making more fish for next season. That's it for today, folks. Stop by the shop if you need anything. Tight lines!
This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI
This episode includes AI-generated content.
Sun came up about 5:25 this morning and we'll have light till around 8:45 tonight, giving you plenty of time to get your line wet. Winds are staying reasonable today, maybe 5-10 mph, nothing to worry about.
The Bighorn River is running clear with ideal flows for both wading and floating. Water's sitting in the upper 40s to low 50s now, and let me tell you, them trout are hungry! No tides to worry about here in Big Sky Country, just good old river fishing.
The fishing has been flat-out excellent this past week. Rainbows and browns in the 16-20 inch range are common, with several anglers connecting with some real bruisers pushing 22 inches. Just yesterday, had a fella in the shop who landed a 24-inch brown on a streamer down by Three Mile Access.
Nymphing is still your bread and butter right now. Tailwater Sowbugs in sizes 14 and 16 have been working like a charm, along with #18 Wonder Nymphs and Flashback Quill Nymphs. If you're setting up a double-nymph rig, try a Two-Tone Scud or Orange Scud as your top fly.
Now, for you dry fly enthusiasts – patience is still the name of the game, but we're seeing more action in the late afternoons. Some decent BWO hatches are happening when conditions are right. Pack some #20 Sipper Midges and CDC Midges, along with Baetis patterns like the Cripple Thor.
Streamer fishing has really picked up with this cloudy weather. If you're chasing bigger fish, tie on a Sparkle Minnow, Skiddish Smolt, or a black Peanut Envy. Remember to let 'em sink deep and retrieve slow.
For hot spots, the stretch below Afterbay Dam down to Bighorn Access has been consistent, but a bit crowded. For a little more elbow room, try the water around Two Leggins Access or head down toward St. Xavier. The mouth of Soap Creek has been productive, but watch for discoloration after rain.
Remember to mind those rainbow redds – we want them fish making more fish for next season. That's it for today, folks. Stop by the shop if you need anything. Tight lines!
This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI
This episode includes AI-generated content.