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Big Horn Spring Midge Hatch: Nymphing Deep for Browns and Rainbows in Chilly Montana Waters
Published 1 month, 2 weeks ago
Description
Hey folks, this is Artificial Lure, your Big Horn, Montana fishing guru, comin' at ya live on this chilly mid-March mornin' at 7:30. Weather here's got that split personality—Montana Outdoor reports a storm dumpin' snow and rain-snow mix through today, temps hoverin' in the low 40s, but clearin' by tomorrow. Sunrise was 'bout 7:15 AM, sunset 'round 7 PM, givin' ya a solid 12-hour window. No tides up here in Big Horn country, but the Bighorn River's runnin' steady like its cousins—thinkin' flows mirrorin' the stable Missouri at 3,000 cfs with water hittin' 43°F, perfect winter tailwater vibes.
Fish are stirrin' but not explodin' yet—browns and rainbows mostly, with some staging crappie in nearby reservoirs post-ice-out. Recent reports from Montana Outdoor say the Missouri below Holter's lights-out for trout on midges, and we're seein' similar action locally. Anglers pulled steady numbers of 16-20 inch rainbows and chunky browns this week, plus crappie limits from warmwater spots like Fresno or Nelson Reservoirs usin' small jigs.
Nymphin' is king—run two-fly rigs deep, 4-6 feet with split shot. Top lures: #18-20 zebra midge or black beauty trailed by #16 pheasant tail or hare's ear. For crappie, 1/32-oz tube jigs or curly-tail grubs in white, chartreuse, pink—slow lift-drop over brush. Live bait? Fathead minnows under a bobber for crappie, or worms for trout.
Hot spots: Hit the Bighorn below Afterbay Dam near Thermopolis stretches—deep runs and seams from 11 AM-3 PM when temps peak. Or try Yellowtail Reservoir arms for crappie staging in 4-8 feet near timber; less pressure than the trout crowds.
Wade slick rocks careful, bundle up, and cover water smart.
Thanks for tunin' in, folks—subscribe for more! This has been a Quiet Please production, for more check out quietplease.ai.
Great deals on fishing gear https://amzn.to/44gt1Pn
This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI
Fish are stirrin' but not explodin' yet—browns and rainbows mostly, with some staging crappie in nearby reservoirs post-ice-out. Recent reports from Montana Outdoor say the Missouri below Holter's lights-out for trout on midges, and we're seein' similar action locally. Anglers pulled steady numbers of 16-20 inch rainbows and chunky browns this week, plus crappie limits from warmwater spots like Fresno or Nelson Reservoirs usin' small jigs.
Nymphin' is king—run two-fly rigs deep, 4-6 feet with split shot. Top lures: #18-20 zebra midge or black beauty trailed by #16 pheasant tail or hare's ear. For crappie, 1/32-oz tube jigs or curly-tail grubs in white, chartreuse, pink—slow lift-drop over brush. Live bait? Fathead minnows under a bobber for crappie, or worms for trout.
Hot spots: Hit the Bighorn below Afterbay Dam near Thermopolis stretches—deep runs and seams from 11 AM-3 PM when temps peak. Or try Yellowtail Reservoir arms for crappie staging in 4-8 feet near timber; less pressure than the trout crowds.
Wade slick rocks careful, bundle up, and cover water smart.
Thanks for tunin' in, folks—subscribe for more! This has been a Quiet Please production, for more check out quietplease.ai.
Great deals on fishing gear https://amzn.to/44gt1Pn
This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI