Montana Fishing Reports ยท Bighorn Region
Below Yellowtail Dam at Fort Smith, the Bighorn is one of the great tailwaters in the West, with thousands of browns and rainbows per mile and steady flows all year.
Looking for the latest Bighorn River report? This page is updated by the AvidMax fly shop team with live flows, current conditions, hatches and the flies working now on the Bighorn River โ Fort Smith.
Current flows
Wind forecast
Bighorn River fishing report
Updated November 7, 2026.
The gauge below the Afterbay Dam reads around 1,600 cfs, clear and steady.
Sow bugs, scuds and small midges are the staples. BWOs come off on cloudy afternoons, and streamers work on dark days.
Load your fly box
Before you head to Fort Smith, bring: Kaufmann', s Scud #14-16, Zebra Midge #18-20, JuJu Baetis #18-20, San Juan Worm #12, Parachute Adams #18-20, Woolly Bugger #6-8, RS2 Emerger #18-22, Pheasant Tail Nymph #16-20, Black Beauty #20-24, Egg #14-16.
Flies working right now
The flies above that we have in stock right now.
Bighorn River details
| Access | Afterbay, Three Mile and Bighorn access sites. The river runs through the Crow Reservation, so stay inside the high-water mark. |
|---|---|
| Elevation | About 3,100 ft |
| Nearest town | Fort Smith, Montana |
| Best season | Year-round |
| Fish | Brown and rainbow trout |
| Regulations | The river crosses the Crow Reservation. Stay below the high-water mark. Check Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks regulations for the current rules. A Montana fishing license is required for anglers 12 and older. |
| Leaders and tippet | 9 ft leaders, 5X tippet |
| Camping | Afterbay campground and Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area |
| Kids | Partly. Easy access at the Afterbay. |
| Good to know | Fort Smith is remote. Book lodging ahead. |
Fishing by season
Winter
Midges and steady flows.
Spring
BWOs and worms.
Summer
PMDs, caddis and tricos.
Fall
BWOs and streamers.
How to get there
From Billings, take I-90 east to Hardin, then State Highway 313 south to Fort Smith.