Hatch Chart/Fly Patterns

Bighorn River Hatch Chart/Bighorn River Fly Patterns

Scud - Freshwater Shrimp	Scuds are fresh water shrimp and are plentiful in the Bighorn. Scud patterns in grey, pink, orange are effective. Fishing Information and Fly Patterns
Sowbug - Crustacean	The Aquatic Sowbug has seven pairs of legs and crawls around on the bottom and on plants, eating the vegetation. They are a very important source of food for Bighorn trout and sowbug patterns (Soft Hackle Sowbugs, Ray Charles) are often effective. Fishing Information and Fly Patterns
Aquatic Worm	Aquatic Worms are very abundant in tailwater fisheries, especially the Bighorn. Effective Year Round Fishing Information and Fly Patterns
Small Trout	Baitfish – Bighorn trout eat other Bighorn trout, especially the big ones. Effective Year Round Fishing Information and Fly Patterns
Adult Midge	Midges are plentiful on the Bighorn and in the winter and early spring are the predominant hatch. Black is the predominant color, but Bighorn midges can also be olive, cream, red, and root beer. Hatch: Year Round Best: February – April Hatch Information and Fly Patterns
BWO Adult	Blue Winged Olives – Bwo’s are the most significant Mayfly hatch on the Bighorn River. April and May are the primetime for baetis hatches and again in the fall. Spring Hatch: April – June Fall: September – November Hatch Information and Fly Patterns
Pale Morning Dun	The Pale Morning Dun hatch declined a lot during the low water years, but is bouncing back. When the water temperature is right typically in the low 50′s, PMD’s will hatch as far up as the 3-mile access. The lower river with it’s warmer water temperatures has a much more consistent hatch. Hatch: June - August Hatch Information and Best Bighorn Flies
Trico Spinner Nick Pionessa Photo	Tricos at one time were probably the most famous hatch on the Bighorn. This hatch has re-emerged in the past few years and has become much more reliable. Hatch: August – September Fishing Information and Fly Patterns
Black Caddis	Black Caddis are the dominant Caddis species on the Bighorn and one of the most consistent hatches year in and year out. Hatch: July – September Tan Caddis are the most consistent on the lower river. Fishing the larva, pupa and adult imitations can all be effective. Hatch: May – July Hatch Information and Fly Patterns
Sally Adult	The Yellow Sally hatch is the only stonefly hatch we fish on the Bighorn. This hatch mad a huge resurgence on the Bighorn in 2010. Hatch: June – July Hatch Information and Fly Patterns
Flying Ant	Flying Ants & Beetles – At the height of the summer season trout start looking to the surface for terrestrials blowing into the water. The trout can get very keyed into these big morsels at the right times. Fishing Information and Fly Patterns
Hopper	Fishing with Grasshoppers is one of the most exciting ways to fish the Bighorn. At times you can see them blowing off the banks and into the river. Hatch: July – August Fishing Information and Fly Patterns