Target Dates: June 21 – 28, 2026
Data sourced courtesy of the folks over at Fly Fish Food.
If you’ve been waiting for the Bighorn to settle into its summer groove, your patience just paid off. The river is essentially putting on a clinic right now. Flows have dialed in at a beautiful 1,520 CFS (gauge height: 59.43 ft), meaning the trout have stopped wandering and are stacked neatly in their predictable feeding lanes.
Water temps are hovering in that 50–55°F sweet spot. Translation: the fish are happy, active, and looking up.
Timing Your Day
With some afternoon rain showers threatening and Northwest winds threatening to kick up to 12–18 mph later in the day, timing your session is everything.
- 8:00 AM – 11:00 AM | The Warm-Up: Start your morning in the riffles and tailouts. Run midge and BWO setups deep before the main event begins.
- 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM | The Main Event: This is your peak Pale Morning Dun (PMD) window. Keep your eyes glued to the water for rising fish. If you love a dry-fly bite, get it done right here before the afternoon weather tries to ruin the party.
- 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM | The Dinner Bell: As afternoon storms pass through, target the banks. Look for evening caddis activity and throw dries or emergers.
The Hatch Match Matrix
| Insect | Size | Activity | Prime Time |
| Pale Morning Dun (PMD) | #16–20 | 🔥 Heavy | 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM |
| Blue-Winged Olive (Baetis) | #20–22 | 📈 Moderate | 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM |
| Caddis | #16–20 | 📈 Moderate | 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM |
| Terrestrials (Ants) | #14–16 | 📉 Light | 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM |
| Midge | #20–24 | 📉 Light | 7:00 AM – 10:00 AM |
What’s Working (The Hot Box)
- Nymphs & Jigs: Tungsten Split Case PMD (#14-20), Stealth Link Mercer (#20), Juju Baetis (#22), Egan’s Thread Frenchie Jig (#12), Blowtorch (#20-28), Perdigons (#18-32), and Black Zebra Midges (#20).
- Dries & Terrestrials: Corn-fed Caddis Tan (#20), Parachute BWO (#22), and the Bionic Ant 2.0 (#16).
💡 Guide’s Notes from the Bench
The Money Lane: At 1,520 CFS, focus entirely on the seams where fast water meets slow water. Adjust your indicator so your bugs are ticking the bottom at about 2 to 4 feet.
- If you’re wading: Stick to the gravel flats right below the dam access—they are incredibly productive right now.
- If you’re floating: The first 10 miles are holding the most consistent action.
- Weather Warning: Keep an eye on the sky post-storm. While the clarity is currently crystal clear, a heavy downpour can change the game, so check the water color if a storm rolls through.
Good luck out there, keep your loops tight, and don’t forget the rain jacket!
