Big Horn River Spring Bite: Clear Water and Hot Rainbow Trout Action

Hey folks, this is Artificial Lure, your go-to fishing guide right here in Big Horn, Montana. It's early morning on May 2nd, 2026, and the Bighorn River is callin'—water's runnin' clear at about 45 degrees, perfect for the spring bite.Weather's lookin' prime: highs in the low 60s, light southwest breeze at 5-10 mph, mostly sunny skies per the National Weather Service forecast. Sunrise was at 5:45 AM, sunset around 8:20 PM, givin' us a solid 14.5 hours of light to chase 'em.No tides up here in Montana, but the river flow's steady at 2,500 cfs from the USGS gauges—prime for wading. Fish activity's heatin' up; trout are active in the riffles and seams post-spawn. Recent reports from local fly shops like The Fly Shop of the Bighorn say anglers pulled in 20-30 fish days last week: mostly rainbow trout averaging 16-20 inches, some browns to 24, and a few cutthroats. Limits are common if you're nymphin' deep.Best lures? Go with **San Juan worms** in red or pink, or **pat's rubber legs** stonefly nymphs—size 8-12. For bait, fresh nightcrawlers or corn under a bobber in slower pools. Dry flies like blue-winged olives are startin' to pop afternoons.Hot spots: Hit the **Afterbay below Yellowtail Dam** for big rainbows stackin' up, or wade the **MT Highway 313 access** for seam feeders—less crowded, more hogs.Stay safe out there, check regs, and wear your PFD.Thanks for tunin' in, folks—subscribe for more reports! This has been a Quiet Please production, for more check out quietplease.ai.Great deals on fishing gear https://amzn.to/44gt1PnThis content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AIThis episode includes AI-generated content.