Wedding to 8th Street Bridge
December 15th, 2023
Weather Conditions: Weather Forecast
Water Conditions: Current Flows
Hatches and Insects:The hatches on the Bighorn River in Wyoming during January are limited due to the cold winter conditions. However, midges are still active, providing opportunities for winter fly fishing. Midges are hardy insects that can tolerate colder temperatures, and they are known to hatch throughout the year. We also saw some Pseudo BWO Holding on in the afternoon when the weather warmed up and the sun was out.
Fish are actively feeding, primarily in deeper pockets of water. Earlier in the day, there were instances of fish rising to the surface. Additionally, we observed a brown trout actively pursuing something in the water, possibly a baitfish or crawdad.
Dry Flies: Griffith Gnat (20-22), Parachute Adams (20-22), Mother Shucker (20), Midge Emerger (20-22)
Nymphs: Black Beauty (18-20), Mercury Midge (18-22), Juju Midge (20-22), Worms, Egg Patterns, tan soft hackle sow (18),
Streamers: Black Wooly Bugger (6-10), Thin Mint (6-10), Rusty Trombone, White Twisted Bugger
Most of the fish are being caught on nymph set-ups in deeper pockets. We are catching mostly rainbows with the occasional brown or cutthroat. Fish size is about 17-19 inches consistently with some fish over 20. Fish have been eating aggressively for about a month and have started to add some weight back on from the heavy water this summer.
In general, I would advise nymphing if your goal is to get numbers, I am running about 8 feet weight to indicator. With some kind of worm/egg, sow bug, and midge. In Wyoming we can use three flies in the winter. The rivers are clear and relatively moss free so three flies is easier to use. The crowds are gone and the rivers are quiet, now is a good time to check out the river. I suspect this trend will hold clear through February.
Please contact us if you have questions:
307-349-9573
