Bighorn Basics:

1
Bighorn Basics

• A Primer for the First-Time Angler On the Worlds
  1 Trout Stream!

2
Sections

• Seasonal considerations

3
Sections

• Seasonal considerations
• General patterns

4
Sections

• Seasonal considerations
• General patterns
• Tackle recommendations

5
Sections

• Seasonal considerations
• General patterns
• Tackle recommendations
• Angling recommendations

6
Seasonal Considerations
7
Seasonal Considerations

• The Bighorn is a 365 day, dawn-to-dusk fishery
  because it is a tailwater

8
Seasonal Considerations

• The Bighorn is a 365 day, dawn-to-dusk fishery
  because it is a tailwater
• While there are hatches subject to certain
  seasons, there is a rudimentary forage base to
  consider in year-round fly selection

9
Seasonal Considerations

• Weather is sometimes, and sometimes not, a factor
  in angling tactics (tailwater factor)

10
Seasonal Considerations

• Weather is sometimes, and sometimes not, a factor
  in angling tactics (tailwater factor)
• Plan on WIND!

11
Seasonal Considerations

• Weather is sometimes, and sometimes not, a factor
  in angling tactics (tailwater factor)
• Plan on WIND!
• Always take adequate clothing for warmth in
  spring and fall- no matter the forecast!

12
Seasonal Considerations

• Weather is sometimes, and sometimes not, a factor
  in angling tactics (tailwater factor)
• Plan on WIND!
• Always take adequate clothing for warmth in
  spring and fall- no matter the forecast!
• Summer and fall are important terrestrial insect
  seasons- despite the tailwater factor

13
General Patterns
14
General Patterns Understanding the Bighorns
forage base
15
General Patterns Understanding the Bighorns
forage base

• Existing forage base merits seasonal attention
  and study (e.g., mayflies, stoneflies, caddis and
  terrestrials)

16
General Patterns Understanding the Bighorns
forage base

• Existing forage base merits seasonal attention
  and study (e.g., mayflies, stoneflies, caddis and
  terrestrials)
• Year round forage always in-play

17
General Patterns Understanding the Bighorns
forage base

• Existing forage base merits seasonal attention
  and study (e.g., mayflies, stoneflies, caddis and
  terrestrials)
• Year round forage always in-play
• Amphipods (scuds and sowbugs)

18
General Patterns Understanding the Bighorns
forage base

• Existing forage base merits seasonal attention
  and study (e.g., mayflies, stoneflies, caddis and
  terrestrials)
• Year round forage always in-play
• Amphipods (scuds and sowbugs)
• Diptera (midges)

19
General Patterns Understanding the Bighorns
forage base

• Existing forage base merits seasonal attention
  and study (e.g., mayflies, stoneflies, caddis and
  terrestrials)
• Year round forage always in-play
• Amphipods (scuds and sowbugs)
• Diptera (midges)
• Mayflies

20
General Patterns Understanding the Bighorns
forage base

• Existing forage base merits seasonal attention
  and study (e.g., mayflies, stoneflies, caddis and
  terrestrials)
• Year round forage always in-play
• Amphipods (scuds and sowbugs)
• Diptera (midges)
• Mayflies
• Annelids (aquatic worms and leeches)

21
General Patterns Understanding the Bighorns
forage base

• Existing forage base merits seasonal attention
  and study (e.g., mayflies, stoneflies, caddis and
  terrestrials)
• Year round forage always in-play
• Amphipods (scuds and sowbugs)
• Diptera (midges)
• Mayflies
• Annelids (aquatic worms and leeches)
• Minnows

22
Amphipods
23
Amphipods

• Scuds and sowbugs

24
Amphipods

• Scuds and sowbugs
• Live among the bottom- detritus, rocks, weeds and
  algae

25
Amphipods

• Scuds and sowbugs
• Live among the bottom- detritus, rocks, weeds and
  algae
• Fish imitations deep!

26
Amphipods

• Scud and sowbug imitations
• Ray Charles Scud

27
Amphipods

• Scud and sowbug imitations
• Ray Charles Scud
• Tan, orange, olive, white, gray and pink

28
Amphipods

• Scud and sowbug imitations
• Ray Charles Scud
• Tan, orange, olive, white, gray and pink
• Easy to tie

29
Amphipods

• Scud and sowbug imitations
• Ray Charles Scud
• Tan, orange, olive, white, gray and pink
• Easy to tie
• Versatile, as scuds or sows

30
Amphipods

• Scud and sowbug imitations
• Ray Charles Scud
• Tan, orange, olive, white, gray and pink
• Easy to tie
• Versatile, as scuds or sows
• Bounce along bottom

31
Diptera
32
Diptera

• Midge
• Larvae

33
Diptera

• Midge
• Larvae
• Pupae

34
Diptera

• Midge
• Larvae
• Pupae
• Adults- as singles and/or hatching cluster

35
Diptera

• Midge imitations
• For larvae

36
Diptera

• Midge imitations
• For larvae (16-24)
• Thread Midge

37
Diptera

• Midge imitations
• For larvae (16-24)
• Thread Midge
• Brassie

38
Diptera

• Midge imitations
• For larvae (16-24)
• Thread Midge
• Brassie
• Zebra Midge

39
Diptera

• Midge imitations
• For larvae (16-24)
• Thread Midge
• Brassie
• Zebra Midge
• Fish deep to mid-depths
• All are simple to tie and equally effective

40
Diptera

• Midge imitations
• For pupae

41
Diptera

• Midge imitations
• For pupae (16-24)
• Kauffman Pupa

42
Diptera

• Midge imitations
• For pupae (16-24)
• Kauffman Pupa
• Palomino

43
Diptera

• Midge imitations
• For pupae (16-24)
• Kauffman Pupa
• Palomino
• Fish bottom to top of
• H2O column
• Again, simple tying nothing really fancy
  required for success

44
Diptera

• Midge imitations
• For adults
• Single adult-
• Adams (16-22)

45
Diptera

• Midge imitations
• For adults
• Single adult-
• Adams (16-22)
• Adult cluster-
• Griffiths Gnat (12-20)

46
Diptera

• Midge imitations
• For adults
• Single adult-
• Adams (16-22)
• Adult cluster-
• Griffiths Gnat (12-20)
• Fancy-shmancy need not apply!

47
Mayflies
48
Mayflies

• Nymphs

49
Mayflies

• Nymphs
• Emergers

50
Mayflies

• Nymphs
• Emergers
• Adults

51
Mayflies

• Our focus will be on baetis (Blue-Winged Olive)
  as they are most prominent

52
Mayflies

• Our focus will be on baetis (Blue-Winged Olive)
  as they are most prominent
• Nymphs (16-20)

53
Mayflies

• Our focus will be on baetis (Blue-Winged Olive)
  as they are most prominent
• Nymphs (16-20)
• Pheasant Tail

54
Mayflies

• Our focus will be on baetis (Blue-Winged Olive)
  as they are most prominent
• Nymphs (16-20)
• Pheasant Tail
• Hares Ear

55
Mayflies

• Our focus will be on baetis (Blue-Winged Olive)
  as they are most prominent
• Nymphs (16-20)
• Pheasant Tail
• Hares Ear
• Fish throughout
• H2O column

56
Mayflies

• Hatching baetis important!

57
Mayflies

• Hatching baetis important!
• Emerger patterns (16-22)

58
Mayflies

• Hatching baetis important!
• Emerger patterns (16-22)
• RS2

59
Mayflies

• Hatching baetis important!
• Emerger patterns (16-22)
• RS2
• Ice Dub Emerger

60
Mayflies

• Adults (Duns)

61
Mayflies

• Adults (Duns)
• Patterns (16-22)

62
Mayflies

• Adults (Duns)
• Patterns (16-22)
• Elk Hair Comparadun

63
Mayflies

• Adults (Duns)
• Patterns (16-22)
• Elk Hair Comparadun
• CDC Comparadun

64
Mayflies

• Adults (Duns)
• Patterns (16-22)
• Elk Hair Comparadun
• CDC Comparadun
• Olive Adams

65
Annelids
66
Annelids

• Aquatic worms and leeches

67
Annelids

• The K.I.S.S. Annelid imitation

68
Annelids

• The K.I.S.S. Annelid imitation
• The San Juan Worm covers both
• worms and
• leeches!

69
Annelids

• The K.I.S.S. Annelid imitation
• The San Juan Worm covers both
• worms and
• leeches!
• Vary colors

70
Annelids

• The K.I.S.S. Annelid imitation
• The San Juan Worm covers both
• worms and
• leeches!
• Vary colors
• Bottom bouncers!

71

• WANT PROOF THAT THIS WORM
• THING IS NOT A HOAX?

72

• Well here you go!

73
Minnows
74
Minnows

• The Bighorn is rife with baitfish!

75
Minnows

• The Bighorn is rife with baitfish!
• Shiners

76
Minnows

• The Bighorn is rife with baitfish!
• Shiners
• Bullheads

77
Minnows

• The Bighorn is rife with baitfish!
• Shiners
• Bullheads
• Fatheads

78
Minnows

• The Bighorn is rife with baitfish!
• Shiners
• Bullheads
• Fatheads
• Chubs

79
Minnows

• The Bighorn is rife with baitfish!
• Shiners
• Bullheads
• Fatheads
• Chubs
• Dace

80
Minnows

• The Bighorn is rife with baitfish!
• Shiners
• Bullheads
• Fatheads
• Chubs
• Dace
• Suckers

81
Minnows

• Minnow imitations (sizes 6-10)
• Mickey Finn

82
Minnows

• Minnow imitations (sizes 6-10)
• Mickey Finn
• Muddler Minnow

83
Minnows

• Minnow imitations (sizes 6-10)
• Mickey Finn
• Muddler Minnow
• Blacknose Dace

84
Minnows

• Minnow imitations (sizes 6-10)
• Mickey Finn
• Muddler Minnow
• Blacknose Dace
• Woolly Bugger

85
Minnows

• Minnow imitations (sizes 6-10)
• Mickey Finn
• Muddler Minnow
• Blacknose Dace
• Woolly Bugger
• Zonker

86
Tackle Recommendations
87
Tackle Recommendations

• Rods and Reels

88
Tackle Recommendations

• Rods and Reels
• Lines

89
Tackle Recommendations

• Rods and Reels
• Lines
• Leaders

90
Tackle Recommendations

• Rods and Reels
• Lines
• Leaders
• Tippets

91
Tackle Recommendations

• Rods and Reels
• Lines
• Leaders
• Tippets
• Weight

92
Rods and Reels

• 8.5-9, 4-7 weight rods (action your choice)

93
Rods and Reels

• 8.5-9, 4-7 weight rods (action your choice)
• Leave the shorties at home!

94
Rods and Reels

• 8.5-9, 4-7 weight rods (action your choice)
• Leave the shorties at home!
• Rod length line AND fish control

95
Rods and Reels

• 8.5-9, 4-7 weight rods (action your choice)
• Leave the shorties at home
• Rod length line AND fish control
• Reels (ounces to match actual rod weight)

96
Rods and Reels

• 8.5-9, 4-7 weight rods (action your choice)
• Leave the shorties at home
• Rod length line AND fish control
• Reels (ounces to match actual rod weight)
• Loaded with WF-F or sink-tip line and 150 yards
  o backing

97
Rods and Reels

• 8.5-9, 4-7 weight rods (action your choice)
• Leave the shorties at home
• Rod length line AND fish control
• Reels (ounces to match actual rod weight)
• Loaded with WF-F or sink-tip line and 150 yards
  o backing
• Good disc drag system- youre gonna need it!

98
Lines

• Skimping on quality can cost you- especially if
  you plan any winter angling

99
Lines

• Skimping on quality can cost you- especially if
  you plan any winter angling
• Ice in the guides can kill even a quality fly
  line so make sure and purchase one with a money
  back guarantee

100
Lines

• Skimping on quality can cost you- especially if
  you plan any winter angling
• Ice in the guides can kill even a quality fly
  line so make sure and purchase one with a money
  back guarantee
• 90-105 or 30 meter lines are best to wear out
  streaking trout

101
Lines

• Weight forward lines

102
Lines

• Weight forward lines
• Perfect for windy conditions

103
Lines

• Weight forward lines
• Perfect for windy conditions
• More versatile for casting an array of fly
  patterns from the HUGE to the small

104
Lines

• Weight forward lines
• Perfect for windy conditions
• More versatile for casting an array of fly
  patterns from the HUGE to the small
• Floating or sink-tip depending on flies

105
Lines

• Weight forward lines
• Perfect for windy conditions
• More versatile for casting an array of fly
  patterns from the HUGE to the small
• Floating or sink-tip depending on flies
• Backing 150 yards (minimum) of 20 lb.

106
Leaders

• 7.5-9 (without tippet)
• for wet or dry fly fishing

107
Leaders

• 7.5-9 (without tippet)
• for wet or dry fly fishing
• 3-6 (without tippet) for
• strategic nymphing
• technique

108
Leaders

• 7.5-9 (without tippet)
• for wet or dry fly fishing
• 3-6 (without tippet) for
• strategic nymphing
• technique
• Use 3X-7X, depending
• on flies sizes

109
Tippet

• Match to leader tip, of course

110
Tippet

• Match to leader tip, of course
• 3X-4X for streamers

111
Tippet

• Match to leader tip, of course
• 3X-4X for streamers
• 5X-7X for all other flies

112
Tippet

• Match to leader tip, of course
• 3X-4X for streamers
• 5X-7X for all other flies
• The finer tippet is crucial for small flies

113
Tippet

• Match to leader tip, of course
• 3X-4X for streamers
• 5X-7X for all other flies
• The finer tippet is crucial for small flies
• In order to thread tippet through the eye of
  flies sizes 16-24

114
Tippet

• Match to leader tip, of course
• 3X-4X for streamers
• 5X-7X for all other flies
• The finer tippet is crucial for small flies
• In order to thread tippet through the eye of
  flies sizes 16-24
• In order for nymphs to sink into the H2O column

115
Weight

• Weight is crucial to nymph fishing

116
Weight

• Weight is crucial to nymph fishing
• It gets nymphs into the fish zone

117
Weight

• Weight is crucial to nymph fishing
• It gets nymphs into the fish zone
• Where the weight is placed on the tippet or
  leader will vary with where the fish are- deep or
  mid-depth

118
Weight

• Weight is crucial to nymph fishing
• It gets nymphs into the fish zone
• Where the weight is placed on the tippet or
  leader will vary with where the fish are- deep or
  mid-depth
• Most times, a strike indicator should be used in
  conjunction with weight

119
Weight

• Weights come in a range of items from split shot
  to lead putty to lead strips to micro-swivels

120
Angling Recommendations
121
Techniques
122
Techniques

• Dry fly angling

123
Techniques

• Dry fly angling
• Long leaders and tippet (9-13 total)

124
Techniques

• Dry fly angling
• Long leaders and tippet (9-13 total)
• Less risk of spooking wary risers

125
Techniques

• Dry fly angling
• Long leaders and tippet (9-13 total)
• Less risk of spooking wary risers
• Use floatant when necessary (not on CDCs!)

126
Techniques

• Dry fly angling
• Dont overlook fishing tight to the bank (as
  merited in photo above)

127
Techniques

• Dry fly angling
• Dont overlook fishing tight to the bank (as
  merited in photo above)
• That goes year round- but especially during peak
  terrestrial insect activity!

128
Techniques

• Emerger angling

129
Techniques

• Emerger angling
• Long leaders

130
Techniques

• Emerger angling
• Long leaders
• Weighted or un-weighted

131
Techniques

• Emerger angling
• Long leaders
• Weighted or un-weighted
• Weighted when fish are on the bottom or mid-depth

132
Techniques

• Emerger angling
• Long leaders
• Weighted or un-weighted
• Weighted when fish are on the bottom or mid-depth
• Un-weighted when fish are taking emergers just
  beneath surface or on top

133
Techniques

• Nymph fishing
• Long, weighted leaders with a strike indicator
  for fishing mid-depths

134
Techniques

• Nymph fishing
• Long, un-weighted leaders without indicator for
  emerger fishing

135
Techniques

• Nymph fishing
• Most fishing with nymphs will be done deep

136
Techniques

• Nymph fishing
• Most fishing with nymphs will be done deep
• Long, weighted leaders with a strike indicator

137
Techniques

• Nymph fishing
• Most fishing with nymphs will be done deep
• Long, weighted leaders with a strike indicator
• Algae on fly is right!

138
Techniques

• Streamers

139
Techniques

• Streamers
• Quarter-Swing Method

140
Techniques

• Streamers
• Quarter-Swing Method
• Angled cast

141
Techniques

• Streamers
• Quarter-Swing Method
• Angled cast
• Let it swing

142
Techniques

• Streamers
• Quarter-Swing Method
• Angled cast
• Let it swing
• Sink-tip line
• is best or
• floating with
• adequate
• weight

143
Information Management
144
Angling Recommendations

• Study, study, study!

145
Angling Recommendations

• Study, study, study!
• Web sites

146
Angling Recommendations

• Study, study, study!
• Web sites
• Print literature-
• articles and books

147
Angling Recommendations

• Consider utilizing a reputable guide service for
  your first trip

148
Angling Recommendations

• Consider utilizing a reputable guide service for
  your first trip
• One day for fishing same
• stretch two or more days

149
Angling Recommendations

• Consider utilizing a reputable guide service for
  your first trip
• One day for fishing same
• stretch two or more days
• Two or more days for both
• upstream stretches (Afterbay
• to Three Mile access, Three
• Mile to Bighorn access)

150
Angling Recommendations

• For the Do-It-Yourselfers (like me), heres the
  only info you need to know

151
Angling Recommendations

• For the Do-It-Yourselfers (like me), heres the
  only info you need to know
• Directions to the Bighorn

152
Angling Recommendations

• For the Do-It-Yourselfers (like me), heres the
  only info you need to know
• Directions to the Bighorn
• Places to access the river

153
Angling Recommendations

• For the Do-It-Yourselfers (like me), heres the
  only info you need to know
• Directions to the Bighorn
• Places to access the river
• What patterns to bring

154
Angling Recommendations

• For the Do-It-Yourselfers (like me), heres the
  only info you need to know
• Directions to the Bighorn
• Places to access the river
• What patterns to bring
• Where to stay

155
Angling Recommendations

• Popular access points

156
Angling Recommendations

• Popular access points
• Afterbay (right in Fort Smith, MT)

157
Angling Recommendations

• Popular access points
• Afterbay (right in Fort Smith, MT)
• Three Mile (a.k.a. Lind Access)

158
Angling Recommendations

• Popular access points
• Afterbay (right in Fort Smith, MT)
• Three Mile (a.k.a. Lind Access)
• Bighorn

159
Angling Recommendations

• Popular access points
• Afterbay (right in Fort Smith, MT)
• Three Mile (a.k.a. Lind Access)
• Bighorn
• This constitutes the first 10 miles

160
Angling Recommendations

• If youve never gone but would like to

161
Angling Recommendations

• If youve never gone but would like to
• DONT BE INTIMIDATED!

162
Angling Recommendations

• If youve never gone but would like to
• DONT BE INTIMIDATED!
• Go on the cheap and
• split expenses with a
• friend or two or three
• or four or?

163
In Conclusion
164
In Conclusion-
Enjoy the Horn
165
In Conclusion-
and take a camera
166
In Conclusion-
youll be glad you did!