Bighorn River Fly Patterns
With the diverse range of insects found in the Bighorn River selecting the right fly pattern is key to angler’s success. Below is collection of the best Bighorn River fly patterns by hatch.
- Ants & Beetles
- Blue Winged Olives
- Caddis
- Dry Flies
- Grasshoppers
- midges
- Nymphs
- Pale Morning Duns
- Pseudos
- Scuds/ Sowbugs
- Streamers
- tricos
- Worms
- Yellow Sallies
Bighorn River Midge: Jujubee Midge
Developed by Charlie Craven of Charlie’s Fly Box in Denver, the Jujubee Midge is a must have for the Bighorn. It is a very durable and highly effective fly for midges. It can be tied in many color variations but effective midge combinations are black/white (zebra), olive/black and brown/black. It is a great crossover fly [...]
Rene Harrops Transistional Midge
Big Horn River Transistional Midge The Transistional Midge created by Rene Harrop is one of the most effective floating midge patterns ever created. As it’s name suggests this pattern is very effective at imitating a midge transitioning to an adult. I typically fish this fly behind a Parachute Adams or Griffith’s Gnat. This pattern is [...]
Belly Ache Minnow Streamer Pattern
What do I like about this pattern? Everything! The color combination, profile and movement in the water make this a very effective Bighorn River Streamer fly. I really like the big eye and red throat as well. I feel like they are triggers to the fish. The best part about this fly is the hook. [...]
CDC Black Caddis
The CDC Black Caddis I have found to be overall the most effective fly pattern for this hatch. It has a great silhouette on the water and floats well.
Bloom’s Parachute Flying Ant
Bighorn River Flying Ant Pattern Dave Bloom developed this pattern on Montana’s other famous tailwater river the Missouri. Ant hatches on the Bighorn River are highly overlooked throughout the summer. This fly does a great job of imitating the flying ant and is still highly visible to the angler. This fly is effective in sizes [...]
Harrop Fertile Caddis
The Harrop Fertile Caddis is a great fly when egg laying black caddis are on the water. I like to fish this behind a high floating Black Caddis dry that I essentially use as a strike indicator.
Deer Hair Emerger Pale Morning Dun
Bighorn River Pale Morning Dun Dry Fly I became familiar with the Deer Hair Emerger during my days spent fishing on the Delaware River in New York. I now tie it in a Pale Morning Dun version that has been quite effective throughout Montana. The back end of this fly hangs down in the film, [...]
Silverman’s Para Sally
This is one of my best producing Yellow Sally imitations each summer. It is very easy for fisherman to see and the fish love it. This pattern is distributed by Montana Fly Company.
Hot Wire Ray Charles
The hot wired Ray Charles is a Ray Charles with red wire ribbed thru the fly. I typically like this pattern in brighter colors such as the orange one displayed.
Wondernymph – Pale Morning Dun
The wondernymph created by longtime Bighorn River Guide Brad Downey is extremely effective at imitating emerging PMD nymphs.