Today’s Bighorn Mountain and Buffalo Area Fishing Report
Mountain Streams:
(Including Clear Creek, Crazy Woman Creek, Rock Creek, Piney Creek and Tensleep Creek and their tributaries)
Bighorn mountain streams are clean and water levels are very good.
Fly Fishermen could try a variety of Attractor Dry flies, good bets would be Stimulators, Parachute Purple Haze, Royal Wulff, or Foamulators. An effective technique is a "hopper/dropper" rig, where you drop a small beadhead nymph below a larger foam dry fly.
Spin Fishermen could try small Panther Martin, Mepps, or Rooster Tail Spinners. Or fish with worms in slower, deeper runs.
(Including Clear Creek, Crazy Woman Creek, Rock Creek, Piney Creek and Tensleep Creek and their tributaries)
Bighorn mountain streams are clean and water levels are very good.
Fly Fishermen could try a variety of Attractor Dry flies, good bets would be Stimulators, Parachute Purple Haze, Royal Wulff, or Foamulators. An effective technique is a "hopper/dropper" rig, where you drop a small beadhead nymph below a larger foam dry fly.
Spin Fishermen could try small Panther Martin, Mepps, or Rooster Tail Spinners. Or fish with worms in slower, deeper runs.
Mountain Lakes:
(Including Tie Hack Reservoir, Meadowlark Lake, and Cloud Peak Wilderness Lakes)
All mountain Lakes are open and fishing is good, fish are taking small nymphs, good bets would be a Guides Choice Hares Ear or Pheasant Tail, also small traditional dry flies like Adams, Mosquito, or Renegade will also be effective at times. Smaller Ant and Beetle Patterns would also be worth a try.
Spin fishermen could try small gold or silver Panther Martin, Mepps, or Rooster Tail spinners or small Kastmasters or Jakes Lures. Also a Fly and Bubble Combo is also a good bet when the fish on the top.
Also worms or powerbait fished off the bottom will be effective.
(Including Tie Hack Reservoir, Meadowlark Lake, and Cloud Peak Wilderness Lakes)
All mountain Lakes are open and fishing is good, fish are taking small nymphs, good bets would be a Guides Choice Hares Ear or Pheasant Tail, also small traditional dry flies like Adams, Mosquito, or Renegade will also be effective at times. Smaller Ant and Beetle Patterns would also be worth a try.
Spin fishermen could try small gold or silver Panther Martin, Mepps, or Rooster Tail spinners or small Kastmasters or Jakes Lures. Also a Fly and Bubble Combo is also a good bet when the fish on the top.
Also worms or powerbait fished off the bottom will be effective.
Prarie Streams:
(Including Clear Creek, Crazy Woman Creek, Rock Creek and Piney Creek)
Lower elevation streams are clear and some have low and warm water conditions. There are good Caddis hatches nearly every evening, so small Elk Hair Caddis are the ticket at that time. Grasshopper patterns will be effective during the day.
A "hopper/dropper" rig can be very effective this time of year. Good Nymph patterns are Pheasant Tails, Hare's Ears, Prince Nymphs, and Pat's Rubber Legs. Also, try a flashy Wooly Bugger or Streamer in the evenings or when it is cloudy.
Helpful Tip: Remember light colors will be effective during bright sun conditions and dark colors when it is cloudy or low light.
Spin fishermen should try small Panther Martin or Mepps Spinners, or fish worms in the deep holes.
(Including Clear Creek, Crazy Woman Creek, Rock Creek and Piney Creek)
Lower elevation streams are clear and some have low and warm water conditions. There are good Caddis hatches nearly every evening, so small Elk Hair Caddis are the ticket at that time. Grasshopper patterns will be effective during the day.
A "hopper/dropper" rig can be very effective this time of year. Good Nymph patterns are Pheasant Tails, Hare's Ears, Prince Nymphs, and Pat's Rubber Legs. Also, try a flashy Wooly Bugger or Streamer in the evenings or when it is cloudy.
Helpful Tip: Remember light colors will be effective during bright sun conditions and dark colors when it is cloudy or low light.
Spin fishermen should try small Panther Martin or Mepps Spinners, or fish worms in the deep holes.
Lake Desmet:
Lake DeSmet is producing well at times.
Fly Fishermen should try Beadhead nymphs or small Wooly Buggers. Good bets would be Prince Nymphs, Damsel Nymphs, or Balanced Leeches.
Spin Fishermen should try Rainbow Powerbait fished off the bottom or try casting with a Jakes Lure.
Boat Fishermen should try trolling with Rapalas, Krocodile Spoons, or very slowly with worm harnesses. Try for Lake Trout trolling deep with downriggers pulling a flasher trailing a flatfish.
Lake DeSmet is producing well at times.
Fly Fishermen should try Beadhead nymphs or small Wooly Buggers. Good bets would be Prince Nymphs, Damsel Nymphs, or Balanced Leeches.
Spin Fishermen should try Rainbow Powerbait fished off the bottom or try casting with a Jakes Lure.
Boat Fishermen should try trolling with Rapalas, Krocodile Spoons, or very slowly with worm harnesses. Try for Lake Trout trolling deep with downriggers pulling a flasher trailing a flatfish.
Prairie Lakes and Ponds:
(Including Healy Reservoir, and Muddy Guard Reservoirs)
These reservoirs have warmer water and fishing is fair. Early morning hours, when the water is relatively cool will be the time for the best action.
At Muddy Guard try Streamers deep, or Damsel or Callibaetis Nymphs or Chironomids, or Ice Cream Cones.
At Healy, fish with worms on a Crappie Rig for Perch, Large Black Jigs, Popping Bugs for Bass, Large Silver Spinners or Spoons for the Tiger Muskies.
Fly Fishermen could try large Streamers with Perch colorations.
(Including Healy Reservoir, and Muddy Guard Reservoirs)
These reservoirs have warmer water and fishing is fair. Early morning hours, when the water is relatively cool will be the time for the best action.
At Muddy Guard try Streamers deep, or Damsel or Callibaetis Nymphs or Chironomids, or Ice Cream Cones.
At Healy, fish with worms on a Crappie Rig for Perch, Large Black Jigs, Popping Bugs for Bass, Large Silver Spinners or Spoons for the Tiger Muskies.
Fly Fishermen could try large Streamers with Perch colorations.
January thru Memorial Day
