The Bighorn Angler
Fly fishing and Hunting Lodge
PO Box 7578
Fort Smith, MT 59035
(406)666-2233 (Lodge)
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March
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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.
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April
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Average air temperature, 56 deg, Average water temperature, 40 deg -- Midge hatches in full swing, Baetis begin appearing toward end of the month.
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May
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Average air temperature, 65 deg, Average water temperature, 42 deg -- Baetis hatch reaches its peak as the rainy season sets in. Midge hatches continue.
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June
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Average air temperature, 77 deg, Average water temperature, 48 deg -- Baetis and midge hatches taper off as does the fishing pressure.
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July
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Average air temperature, 89 deg, Average water temperature, 52 deg -- Hot weather starts. Hatches of black caddis start mid to late in July.
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August
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Average air temperature, 95 deg, Average water temperature, 56 deg -- Black caddis reach their peaks. Fish are on the gobble.
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September
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Average air temperature, 75 deg, Average water temperature, 60 deg -- Black caddis going strong. Autumn Baetis appear. Fish are in top shape!
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October
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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.
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November
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Average air temperature, 51 deg, Average water temperature, 45 deg -- Baetis still present. Indian summer. Browns start spawning. Streamers are very successful.
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