Fishing Calendar





The Bighorn Angler
Fly fishing and Hunting Lodge

PO Box 7578
Fort Smith, MT 59035

(406)666-2233 (Lodge)



























March
Average air temperature, 53 deg, Average water temperature, 38 deg -- Water temperature is cold, but fish become active.  Excellent time for dry fly fishing using midge clusters and singles.  Nymph fishing, too is hot with small midge pupae and larvae imitations.
April
Average air temperature, 56 deg, Average water temperature, 40 deg -- Midge hatches in full swing, Baetis begin appearing toward end of the month.
May
Average air temperature, 65 deg, Average water temperature, 42 deg -- Baetis hatch reaches its peak as the rainy season sets in.  Midge hatches continue.
June
Average air temperature, 77 deg, Average water temperature, 48 deg -- Baetis and midge hatches taper off as does the fishing pressure.
July
Average air temperature, 89 deg, Average water temperature, 52 deg -- Hot weather starts.  Hatches of black caddis start mid to late in July.
August
Average air temperature, 95 deg, Average water temperature, 56 deg -- Black caddis reach their peaks.  Fish are on the gobble.
September
Average air temperature, 75 deg, Average water temperature, 60 deg -- Black caddis going strong.  Autumn Baetis appear.  Fish are in top shape!
October
Average air temperature, 64 deg, Average water temperature, 55 deg -- Baetis hatch on cloudy days.  Streamer fishing becomes increasingly better as the browns prepare to spawn.
November
Average air temperature, 51 deg, Average water temperature, 45 deg -- Baetis still present.  Indian summer.  Browns start spawning.  Streamers are very successful.