2026 Fishing Season Wrap-Up
Well, that’s a wrap! Our 2026 fishing season on the Bighorn River is officially over, and it was another great year. All of our guides have traded their fly rods for shotguns, and we’re now focused on duck hunting. We won’t be taking any more fishing trips until next spring.
We saw some exceptional trout this year, including 6-8 fish measuring over 24 inches. After 33 seasons guiding the Bighorn, I still get excited seeing fish like that come to the net.
Looking Ahead to 2027
Our 2027 calendar is filling quickly. July and August are already completely booked, but we still have availability s mattered throughout April, May, June, and September.
Whether it’s a father and son, a husband and wife, a few friends, or a corporate group of 12 to 16 or more, we enjoy putting together trips that fit our guests’ needs.
Here’s a look at what each part of the season offers.
Spring Fishing — Big Rainbows and Blue-Winged Olives
Personally, March is my favorite month of the year on the Bighorn. There are very few people around, and it’s a great opportunity to catch some really large rainbow trout as they feed heavily in preparation for spawning.
March and April can produce some of the biggest rainbows of the season.
By April and May, the Baetis, or blue-winged olive hatch, starts coming on. For dry-fly enthusiasts, this is a great time to find rising fish and target individual trout.
June is traditionally one of our better nymph-fishing months. With rainbow trout spawning, we often find large brown trout feeding downstream of the spawning areas. We will never walk on those spawning fishes beds to protect our resource.
Summer and Fall — Dry-Fly Fishing
July, August, and early September are traditionally our best dry-fly months.
While July and August are already booked for 2027, September still has availability and offers some excellent dry-fly opportunities.
This past season was a perfect example. We enjoyed outstanding dry-fly fishing well into October. Our fishing season generally ends at the start of the second split of duck season, which opens October 24.
Booking Your 2027 Fishing Trip
If you’re planning to fish with us in 2027, now is the time to make your reservations.
Just like our duck hunting program, much of our fishing calendar fills up during duck season. Over the next couple of months, we expect many of our remaining dates to be booked.
Many of our returning guests fish with the same guides year after year, and our top guides expect to have their calendars completely booked by January. That’s been the pattern for years.
Don’t wait until spring. Give us a call now so we can lock in your preferred dates and the guide you want.
Whether you’re looking for a trophy trout, a day of dry-fly fishing, or simply spending time on the river with friends and family, we’ll work hard to make it happen.
We take pride in providing a first-class experience at a reasonable price. As I’ve said for years, we’re “Orvis quality without the Orvis price.”
Thanks for Another Great Season!
To everyone who fished with us in 2026, thank you. We appreciate your business, your friendships, and the opportunity to spend another season together on the Bighorn.
We’re looking forward to another great year in 2027.
For now, it’s time to chase ducks.
We’ll see you in a drift boat again next spring!
— River Rock Outfitters