Bighorn River 3-26-09

*Current Report*

Good Dry Fly Fishing and Great Nymph Fishing

*View of the Aquarium* - from my office
Memorial Day Weekend lots of boats going to the river and lake.  Very busy on the river. Monday will be the worst with 20 boats from a school in Billings all going down the same time.

*Best Techniques*

Dry fly fishing has been more consistant with the stable flows this past week. Sunday we had fish on BWO dries from noon til 7:30, whether or not the bugs were present! Midges have still been off and on all day. The best news this week has been great sight nymphing for Big Fish! Sunny days with fewer rising fish have the best potential. Look carefully in softer riffle water and edges of heavier flow from ankle to waist deep. Use enough weight to get down quickly and cast 6 to 10 feet above the fish. Watch the fish (not the indicator) for a swiping motion or a wink of white when he opens his mouth as your fly passes. Fish have finally spread out and can be found in all types of water. Use enough weight to touch bottom occasionally.  Any unexplained movement might be a strike. From 7:30 pm till Dark (9:15) Midges may attract pods of feeding fish.

*One-Week Fishing Forecast*

The forecast is for warmer days with slight chance of rain Sunday and Monday.  Still some overcast each day which should be good for the hatches. Wind is forecasted to be light all week. Dry fly fishing improving and Nymphing is very good.

*River Sections*
0 to 3 mile Access - Good Dry Fly Fishing - Great Nymphing

3 to Bighorn Access � Good Dry Fly activity, great nymphing, best bet for streamers. Soap Creek affecting            the water clarity where it enters the river the farther you go down to 13 mile (Bighorn Access) the more it is affected. With the high temperatures the 5 creeks that enter the Bighorn will start to decrease clarity.

Bighorn Access to Mallards Landing � Water clarity good to great some days fair to good nymphing, good streamer and some dry fly.

*Hatch Info*
Peak hatch times 12pm to 7pm for BWO�s and 7:30pm till dark for midges. BWO patterns still effective over some midging fish.

*Hot Fly Patterns*
Olive Comparadun size 20, Griffiths Gnat size 20-22, Black Midge 22-24,

Black and red Midges in both wrapped and bead head size 18-20. Brassies
Red In 18-20. Black Quills in 18-20, Ray Charles in orange, pink, gray or
tan (16-18), Soft Hackle Sowbugs in tan, gray, or pink (14 16 and 18)
Scuds in brown (16-18), Baetis Wonder Nymph in 18-20, Red Midge Larva in 16-20, Black Zebra Midge in 18-20, Pheasant Tail in 18-20, Worm wax or wire wrap in red, orange, and 2 tone in

*River Flows*

Current Flow Below Afterbay is 4,085 CFS

*Water Temperature*
41 degrees at the after bay 42 degrees at 3 mile.

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