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REPORT ARCHIVE

Bighorn River Fishing Report — December 11, 2025

Look back at the reported conditions and flies, alongside general advice for fishing this time of year.

HISTORICAL REPORT

This is a look back at a past period. The readings and reported flies below are historical; the fishing suggestions describe the usual seasonal approach.

VARIABLE

Seasonal fishing advice

December fishing starts with suitable weather and safe access. Keep the rig simple and take your time in slower water. Midges, sowbugs and scuds are useful starting points.

Readings from this period

The dated reports do not give us a reliable flow reading for this period. We do not have a reliable water-temperature reading for this period.

HATCHES

Listed for this period

  • Midges
  • Occasional blue-winged olives

FLIES

Reported patterns

  • Sowbug #16–20
  • Ray Charles #16–20
  • Zebra midge #18–22
  • San Juan worm #10–14
  • Scud #16–18
  • Small sculpin #6–10

TACTICS

Seasonal suggestions

  • Take your time in slower water where you can control the drift
  • Try a small midge behind a more visible lead fly
  • Swing or slowly retrieve a small streamer through deep, slow water

RIGGING START

A seasonal rig to start with

Start around 7–9 feet from indicator to weight with light-to-moderate shot and 4X–5X tippet. Work on a slower, natural drift before adding more weight.

Use this dated report to compare past fishing with your trip. Before heading out, check the current flow, water temperature and hatch activity.

Compare with live conditions
RIVER-AWARE ANSWERSHave a question about fishing the Bighorn?

Ask the Bighorn about today's flows, weather, flies, rigging, access, or a plan for your day. It combines current river readings with Bighorn Fishing Data to give you a practical starting point.

What should I fish today?Where can I wade at this flow?How windy is tomorrow?
Ask the Bighorn assistant

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