Episode Details
Back to Episodes
Big Horn Fishing Report Fall 2025 - Trout Action, Lure Recs, and Top Spots in Montana
Published 5 months, 2 weeks ago
Description
Artificial Lure here reporting live on Thursday, November 13, 2025, sharing the latest angling scoop from in and around Big Horn, Montana.
The day kicked off crisp and clear—sunrise was right around 7:05 a.m., with that first golden light promising good visibility for morning casts. Local weather patterns matched the region, with sunny skies, highs pushing 65°F, and a light breeze from the west. According to Don Day’s Wyoming Weather Forecast, winds were up to 22 mph in the afternoon, but overall, it’s prime fall trout weather—no hazardous conditions expected according to the Southeast Big Horn County Weather and Climate Synopsis. Sunset tonight should hit at about 4:45 p.m., so plan your outings to get the most from midday warmth.
No tidal influence here, as we’re strictly river country. River flows have dropped — the Bighorn River below Thermopolis is running at about 631 cfs. Dropping flows mean fish are shifting deep, hugging ledges and soft seams. North Fork Anglers notes fish are on the move from shallow riffles to the deeper runs as water cools, so target deeper pockets for the best action.
Late fall fly fishing is in full swing as Montana Outdoor reports, with big brown trout actively chasing streamers. Locally, both browns and rainbows have been taken in good numbers in recent days, especially by those working the seam lines with patience. Most successful anglers are reporting a mix of 16–22" browns and rainbows, with a few chunky 'bows still holding in the runs.
Live and artificial bait recommendations? Worm patterns are gold right now. North Fork Anglers highlights “poxyback sow, yum-yum sow, Herford’s magic, and various worms,” alongside scuds, thin mints, midges, and perdigons. Streamers like Sculpzilla and Rusty Trombone are pulling aggressive hits, especially early morning and late afternoon when the browns get predatory. If you’re working nymphs, go with firebead sow bugs or purple and pink lucent perdigons below an indicator—fish a dropper rig with something buggy up top (think small Chubby Chernobyl or a para Adams).
On spin tackle, stick with natural colored soft plastics and small crankbaits. Nightcrawler pieces drifted on a small hook and split shot are still effective for multi-species action. For the fly crowd, focus on midges, BWO emergers, and sow bugs in the slower water. As the day warms, expect a brief uptick in surface activity—watch for the subtle rise forms near undercut banks and riffle tails.
For hotspots, here are my top picks:
- The section just downstream of the Afterbay—deep runs and slow seams just inside the bend often hold big browns.
- By the Soap Creek confluence—look for migrating rainbows staging for winter.
- The stretch near Fort Smith boat launch—current breaks and drop-offs here had good fish activity over the past few days.
Midriver islands in this part of Montana’s Bighorn are loaded with holding water; let your rig swing below the riffle lips for best results.
Recent catch logs show steady numbers—expect a dozen solid trout per outing if you’re persistent, with some days producing more. Best windows are between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Trout are responding well to slower presentations and small offerings as water temps cool.
Thanks for tuning in to today’s fishing report—from the weather, fish behavior, lure recommendations to the hottest spots around Big Horn. Remember to subscribe to keep these updates coming straight from the water to your radio.
This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.
Great deals on fishing gear https://amzn.to/44gt1Pn
This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI
The day kicked off crisp and clear—sunrise was right around 7:05 a.m., with that first golden light promising good visibility for morning casts. Local weather patterns matched the region, with sunny skies, highs pushing 65°F, and a light breeze from the west. According to Don Day’s Wyoming Weather Forecast, winds were up to 22 mph in the afternoon, but overall, it’s prime fall trout weather—no hazardous conditions expected according to the Southeast Big Horn County Weather and Climate Synopsis. Sunset tonight should hit at about 4:45 p.m., so plan your outings to get the most from midday warmth.
No tidal influence here, as we’re strictly river country. River flows have dropped — the Bighorn River below Thermopolis is running at about 631 cfs. Dropping flows mean fish are shifting deep, hugging ledges and soft seams. North Fork Anglers notes fish are on the move from shallow riffles to the deeper runs as water cools, so target deeper pockets for the best action.
Late fall fly fishing is in full swing as Montana Outdoor reports, with big brown trout actively chasing streamers. Locally, both browns and rainbows have been taken in good numbers in recent days, especially by those working the seam lines with patience. Most successful anglers are reporting a mix of 16–22" browns and rainbows, with a few chunky 'bows still holding in the runs.
Live and artificial bait recommendations? Worm patterns are gold right now. North Fork Anglers highlights “poxyback sow, yum-yum sow, Herford’s magic, and various worms,” alongside scuds, thin mints, midges, and perdigons. Streamers like Sculpzilla and Rusty Trombone are pulling aggressive hits, especially early morning and late afternoon when the browns get predatory. If you’re working nymphs, go with firebead sow bugs or purple and pink lucent perdigons below an indicator—fish a dropper rig with something buggy up top (think small Chubby Chernobyl or a para Adams).
On spin tackle, stick with natural colored soft plastics and small crankbaits. Nightcrawler pieces drifted on a small hook and split shot are still effective for multi-species action. For the fly crowd, focus on midges, BWO emergers, and sow bugs in the slower water. As the day warms, expect a brief uptick in surface activity—watch for the subtle rise forms near undercut banks and riffle tails.
For hotspots, here are my top picks:
- The section just downstream of the Afterbay—deep runs and slow seams just inside the bend often hold big browns.
- By the Soap Creek confluence—look for migrating rainbows staging for winter.
- The stretch near Fort Smith boat launch—current breaks and drop-offs here had good fish activity over the past few days.
Midriver islands in this part of Montana’s Bighorn are loaded with holding water; let your rig swing below the riffle lips for best results.
Recent catch logs show steady numbers—expect a dozen solid trout per outing if you’re persistent, with some days producing more. Best windows are between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Trout are responding well to slower presentations and small offerings as water temps cool.
Thanks for tuning in to today’s fishing report—from the weather, fish behavior, lure recommendations to the hottest spots around Big Horn. Remember to subscribe to keep these updates coming straight from the water to your radio.
This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.
Great deals on fishing gear https://amzn.to/44gt1Pn
This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI