Fly Fishing Enthusiasts,
Our group traveled to St. Xavier, Montana to fish the iconic Big Horn River. The Big Horn is a tail water fishery from the Yellowtail Dam that maintains a year around temperature in the 40’s and 50’s. As in most tailwaters, there are huge quantities of aquatic insects including scuds, sowbugs, blue wing olives, pale morning duns, black caddis, yellow sallies (stoneflies) and midges. Additionally, there are various worms, hoppers, ants, crickets etc. to form a buffet line for the trout. Pumping a few fish found full stomachs of a diverse range of insects.
The river has evolved in recent years. Gone are the days of catching 30 – 40 trout per day in the 12″-16″ class to 2 – 8 trout per day of mostly larger size fish. Nobody complained about the catch.
The guides apologized for the slow fishing, but it was easy to understand with the larger (older and wiser) fish and the amount of real food making our flies less appetizing.
One spot we fished was called “the wall”. A line of large boulders created a beautiful eddy. When the light was right, we could see about 30 large trout holding in calm water and swimming up to sip an appetizing bug as it floated close. Over the 4 days of fishing, I think only 1 or 2 were caught, as they refused everything we tried.
The fish of the trip was Bill’s 24″ stud brown trout …. so, I owe him a steak dinner. I landed a 22″ rainbow that didn’t escape the net but did escape the camera. Most fishermen landed multiple 20″ trout over the trip.
The final day of the trip, we mainly fished hopper patterns (sometimes with a dropper). There weren’t a lot of strikes, but they were exciting.
Flies: Ray Charles (a blind man can catch fish on these) size 16 & 18, Hare’s ear size 14, pheasant tail, scud patterns and hopper patterns. Surprisingly, the San Juan worm was not as effective as usual.
Lodge: Royal Big Horn Lodge (owned by Sweetwater Travel) In the past, we have used Big Horn Angler as an outfitter. Both provide a fine experience.
Cost: $2900 includes 4 days of guided drift boat fishing, all meals, beer and wine.
Extras are license, tips, airfare, and transportation from Billings to St. Xavier (or Fort Smith).
Submitted by Al Roy