Wyoming Bighorn River (Thermopolis Wyoming)
Date and Time: June 5th, 2025
Weather Conditions: Weather Forecast
Water Conditions: Current Flows
Hatches, Insects, Other dietary options for fish:
- Hatches: Baetis, Midges, Caddis
- Insects: Sowbugs, Leeches, Worms
- Other: Eggs, Minnow, Crawdads
Fish Activity:
The fish are highly active right now and feeding aggressively on larger food sources. Anglers are having success using dry flies, streamers, and nymphs. Larger patterns in particular are producing some impressive fish, making this an excellent time to go big and get rewarded.
Flies:
- Baetis: Brown Copper Ribbed Perdigones, Juju Baetis, RS2, WD-40, Flashback Pheasant tail, Mercury Baetis, Green UV Thunder, Chocolate UV Thunder, Bubble Back Baetis, Radiation Baetis
- Midges: Black Beauty, Mercury Midge, Zebra Midge, Manhattan Midge, Mayhem Midge, Blood Midges
- Sowbugs: Soft Hackle Hot Head, UV Sow, Carpet Bug, Gut Sack Sow Bugs, Walt’s Worm
- Caddis: Elk Hair, Goddard Caddis, Catastrophic Caddis, Graphic Caddis
- Other: San Juan Worm, WireWorms, Squirmy Worms, Pine Squirrel Leech, Black Wooly Bugger, Goldie, Rusty Trombone, Muddler Minnows, Clouser Crawdad, Tan Zirdles,
Catches and Success Rates:
Fishing has been hit or miss lately due to changing weather and water conditions. One of the main challenges right now is the presence of floating moss, which is making it tough for some anglers to keep their lines clean and achieve a solid drift. This seasonal moss is a normal part of fishing the Bighorn River and typically sticks around until mid-November. Despite the extra effort it takes to work around the moss, we’re still seeing some solid days on the water, with anglers landing 5–10 fish apiece. Patience and persistence are paying off.
Local Regulations and Updates: 2025 Current Fishing Regulations
General Fishing Tips: Fish have spread out and can be found in just about any fishy-looking water. We recommend focusing on nymphing in the deeper, classic runs where fish are likely holding. For sections with consistent current and structure, streamers are producing well, especially during low-light periods. Hopper-dropper setups are a great option for faster, shallower stretches where fish are looking up but still keying in on subsurface bugs. If possible, rig up a couple of different setups in advance so you can quickly adapt to changing water types throughout the day. Flexibility is key to staying into the fish.
Crowd and Access Information: The Bighorn River is buzzing with activity right now. With the warm weather, plenty of people are getting outside to enjoy the water — from kayakers and tubers to paddle boarders and fishing boats. We’re also seeing an uptick in travel traffic as more folks make their way to Yellowstone. Boat traffic has steadily increased over the past few years, and this season is shaping up to be the busiest we’ve seen in a while. If you’re looking to avoid the crowds, try mixing up your float times, exploring different stretches of river, or seeking out wade-friendly areas. A little creativity can go a long way toward finding solitude and better fishing.
Future Predictions: Looking ahead on the Bighorn, expect the river to stay busy as summer traffic continues, especially with more travelers heading toward Yellowstone. The floating moss will likely stick around through mid-November, so anglers should be prepared to manage it when setting drifts and cleaning lines. On the bright side, as water temps warm and flows settle, fish will begin to key in on terrestrials. We’re already seeing early signs of hopper interest, and the bite should only get better in the coming weeks. Stay patient, stay mobile, and don’t be afraid to throw some foam!
