Well our guide school finished up Friday night and most of the class left Saturday morning for a little fishing before they left Fort Smith. Everybody was very happy and increased their skills and knowledge tremendously. Hopefully you will be able to come to our next session in March of 2012.

Spring is still delayed in coming. We have had a few Spring like days, but not that many.

This past Friday was the first day I fished that I could take my jacket off.

Water is still pretty cold...38-39 degrees depending on the weather. The flow is up to 3000 cfs, maybe the Bureau of Reclamation is going to do the right thing this year. They are raising the flow to make some room for run off for the first time in several years.

The fishing

This past week it was mostly nymphing. All I used was a size 18 Ray Charles in gray or tan and a black midge pupae as the trailing fly. If we presented it correctly (mended well) the trout ate.

This is why I continually harp on good mending. In the immortal words of Bob Turner " no mend, no fish."

The other patterns that will work are natural sow bug size 16-18, pink and orange scuds, size 16-18, baetis nymph size 18-20, and streamers will work especially on overcast days. Use black, blue, brown and yellow, ginger, and white and gray.

There are some midges hatching during the afternoon and on cloudy days they can come off all day. You've got to hunt to find spots where you will find a pod of fish. If it gets very windy, it usually blows them off the water. Baetis do appear at times, but I still think the water is too cold. They should hatch more consistently when the water does warm up a few more degrees.

We hope you will come and see us and fish the fabulous Bighorn this season.

Email or call us to check availability.

Our best wishes,

Ellyn and Michael

www.flyfishingthebighorn.com

406-666-2550