Wyoming Bighorn River (Thermopolis Wyoming)
Wedding of the Water downstream
Date and Time: January 1st, 2024
Weather Conditions: Weather Forecast
Water Conditions: Current Flows (997.9 CFS)
Hatches and Insects: The only hatches observed so far have been midges, which tend to be most active in the middle of the day as both air and water temperatures warm up. The frequency of midge activity is strongly dependent on the prevailing weather conditions. While midges dominate as the most active insects in the river, there is also a significant presence of sow bugs, annelids, and bait fish in the water.
Fish Activity: The fish have displayed remarkable activity in recent weeks, engaging in active feeding. Their primary targets seem to be midges and sow bugs, though leeches and worms have proven effective in enticing a few catches. With the spawning season concluded, the browns are now returning to slower waters outside the Wind River Canyon. Notably, there has been a significant increase in fish size, reflecting their heightened focus on feeding. The combination of reduced angling pressure and lower water flows has provided the fish with the freedom to feed more abundantly.
Flies: While the dry flies and streamers have not been very productive, I have listed a few flies that you can try if you are not interested in Nymphing.
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), Poison Tongue (16), Eboxy back sow (14-16), Myers Mini Leeches, San Juan Worms, Egg Patterns, tan soft hackle sow (18),
Streamers: Black Wooly Bugger (6-10), Thin Mint (6-10), Rusty Trombone, White Twisted Bugger
Catches and Success Rates: For those seeking a high catch count day, nymphing has proven to be the most productive method. While fish can also be caught on dries and streamers, these opportunities are somewhat limited. Our current setup involves using an 8-foot leader with a weighted indicator, which can be adjusted for micro changes depending on the run. The weight used ranges from 4 to AAA, with the specific size adjusted based on the river’s depth. This versatile approach has yielded successful results across varying river conditions.
Local Regulations and Updates: 2024 Fishing Regulations
Future Predictions: This trend is expected to persist through the end of February, although there should be a gradual improvement in dry fly and streamer action. With the recent increased activity among Browns and the onset of egg hatching, the focus of these fish will likely shift towards targeting small juvenile fish.
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