H O M E W A T E R S
public access point called Two Leggins
FISH
upstream from Hardin, Montana.
In July the Bighorn was still only 50° MONTANA’S
Fahrenheit, when normally it would have
been approaching 60°. The lush hatches of FINEST
aquatic insects for which the limestone- Photo courtesy of Barry and Cathy Beck
canyon-fertilized Bighorn is famous have
been slowed by several weeks all season
long. That’s good news for fly fishers looking
for some wonderful dry-fly fishing in
September and October. The Bighorn
should be nothing short of spectacular. Pale
Morning Dun mayflies (Emphemerella infre-
quens), usually peaking in August, should
continue emerging strongly throughout
September and into October. Making their
usual autumnal appearance will be or the exceptional fly-fishing
Tricorythodes (tiny whitewinged black)
mayflies that blanket the backwaters in
F
experience of a lifetime—look no
further than Montana’s Bighorn
River. Sporting more than 5,000 trout
glistening groups each morning, followed per mile, the Bighorn is considered one
later in the day by an all-black caddisfly
of the finest tailwater fisheries in the
(Brachycentrus americanus) that brings
world. Whether your heart is set on
stalking a giant rainbow quietly sip-
Bighorn trout back to their midstream feeding
ping tricos in one of our backwaters or
lanes for an evening redux.
have your sights set on a monster
“Weather dictates everything,” said Duane
brown trout cruising the banks for a
misguided hopper, Bighorn Fly &
Schreiner of Bighorn Fly & Tackle Shop. “If
Tackle Shop can help. We have the
the day is going to be warm, the hatch is most knowledgeable and professional
going to happen earlier than if it’s going to
guides on the Bighorn. Come, let us
be cold.” Schreiner said that a lot of the
help you realize your fishing fantasy.
guys make an effort to get on the water
Three complete fly shops located along
between 4 and 5 a.m. to set up camp, to be
the Bighorn River corridor—Billings,
Hardin and Fort Smith. All shops are
ready and waiting for the Trico emergence fully stocked from the latest in gear to
between 6 and 7 a.m., followed by a terrific
the largest selection of flies in south-
spinnerfall from 8 to 10.
eastern Montana.
“If conditions are right, which they usually
Professional guide service for the
are in the morning, it’s pretty fun because
Bighorn, Yellowstone and Stillwater
rivers. All trips include fly-fishing
the fish are like piranhas,” Schreiner said. instruction, transportation to and from
“They go into a feeding frenzy. Tricos are
the river, a hearty shore lunch, and
small so they have to feed on a lot of them
non-alcoholic beverages.
to get any protein. So they sip constantly.”
Newly remodeled motel lodging for a
comfortable and relaxing stay. Larger
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TIE THIS FLY BEFORE YOU GO
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units also available for five to six people.
Drift boat rentals—for those searching
D
for more solitude on the river.
ARK T RICO S PINNER
Equipment rentals—rod, reels, breath-
JOHN BETTS
able waders and boots. Featuring the
latest in technical gear from Simms,
HOOK: TMC 101, sizes 18-22
Orvis, Winston and Ross.
THREAD: Gray 6/0
WING: White Z-Lon
TAIL: Light-dun tailing fibers
1-406-666-2253
ABDOMEN:Light-olive goose or turkey biot
THORAX: Black Superfine dubbing
Visit our Web site—
www.bighornfly.com
E-mail us—
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bighornfly@mcn.net
A UTUMN 2001 75
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