July Fishing Report
July has been everything we hope for on the Bighorn River. Stable flows around 1,500 CFS have kept the river in excellent shape from Afterbay to Mallards, with cold, clear water and trout spread throughout the system. Despite the summer heat, fishing has remained consistently strong from first light until evening, with dry fly opportunities improving by the week.
A Memorable Month on the Water
Our guests have enjoyed one of the most memorable Julys in recent years. We’ve had multiple husband-and-wife teams, brothers, fathers and sons, and families traveling across Montana together, sharing time on the river. Watching those memories being made is every bit as rewarding as the fishing itself.
Fishing Report & Techniques
The quality of fish has been outstanding. Several trout over 23 inches have been landed this week alone, and while everyone loves watching a fish eat on the surface, don’t overlook the subsurface game. Scuds, sow bugs, PMD nymphs, and small midges continue to produce consistently, while evening PMD and caddis activity has fish looking up more each day. Streamers have also moved some exceptional fish during low-light periods and cloudy weather.
As always, our guides are happy to fish the way you want to fish. If your goal is technical dry-fly fishing, we’ll chase rising trout all day. If you’d rather bend the rod as often as possible, our nymph game continues to be extremely productive.
Booking Information & Looking Ahead
Summer is flying by, but the season is far from over. We are now booking our 2027 fishing season. If you’ve been thinking about making a trip to the Bighorn, now is the time to reserve your dates before the calendar fills. We also offer group discounts for parties of eight or more.
Join Us on the Bighorn
We look forward to seeing you on the river!
— The River Rock Outfitters Team