Hello there, fellow anglers This is Artificial Lure, and I'm here to give you the lowdown on the fishing scene around Big Horn, Montana, as of February 14, 2025.

First off, let's talk about the weather. Today, you can expect a mostly cloudy sky with temperatures ranging from a high of 21°F to a low of -7°F. There's a chance of light snow, so make sure to bundle up and stay warm[2][5].

Now, let's dive into the river conditions. The Bighorn River is flowing at a normal level, with a rate of 2310 cfs and a water level of 60.03 feet. The water is clear, and the afternoon water temperature is a chilly 36 degrees. These conditions are perfect for catching some good numbers of trout[1].

For those of you who are fly fishing, midges are your best bet right now. Cream and red (blood) midges in sizes 20/22, both larva and pupa, are doing exceptionally well. You can fish these under a strike indicator, keeping the larva fly near the bottom. Sculpin and White Belly Sculpin, along with Black Matuka and Olive Matuka streamers in sizes 6/4, are also highly recommended[1].

If you're into nymph fishing, scuds, sowbugs, and S.J. Worms are the primary producers. Specifically, Orange Scud, Tailwater Sowbug, and Carpet Bug Sowbug in sizes #14 and #16 have been working well. For dry flies, a #20 Sipper Midge is a good choice[4].

For those preferring streamers, the "Goldie" streamer (articulated white & gold) has been successful, along with the Thin Mint Wooley Bugger, Articulated Goldy, and White Zonker in various sizes[4].

In terms of fish activity, the nymph fishing has been good, and the streamer fishing is solid as well. You can expect to catch good numbers of trout, including rainbows and the occasional brown. Brown trout are nearing the end of their spawning season, so keep that in mind[4].

As for hot spots, the Bighorn River itself is a goldmine for trout fishing. Focus on the deeper waters if you're using a sinking line to catch those bigger fish. Another spot worth checking out is the area around the Afterbay, where the river flows out of the dam. This spot often has a good concentration of trout due to the consistent water flow and temperature[1][4].

Sunrise today is at 7:12 AM, and sunset will be at 5:36 PM, so you've got a good window to get out there and catch some fish.

Stay warm, stay dry, and tight lines to all you anglers out there