What usually hatches
- Blue-winged olives
- Midges
- Early caddis in some years
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MONTH-BY-MONTH GUIDE
April fishing on the Bighorn.
Cloudy, calm days often bring good blue-winged-olive fishing.
Before your trip, compare this seasonal advice with the latest flow and water temperature.
SEASONAL GUIDE
What to expect in April
April often offers good blue-winged-olive fishing, along with nymphing and improving streamer opportunities. Cloudy, calm weather can bring some of the more consistent dry-fly fishing of spring.
Releases may change as reservoir inflow and storage change. Look at the last three days of flow readings as well as the latest number.
How to fish it
- Before the hatch, nymph where riffles deepen into runs
- Try emergers once fish are rising steadily
- On cloudy days, work streamers along banks and channel edges
How to rig
Start with roughly 7–10 feet from indicator to weight. Add enough shot to reach the fish while keeping the flies drifting naturally.
STARTING FLY BOX
Carry these patterns.
Sizes are starting points. Match the insects and water in front of you.
CDC Baetis #18–20Juju Baetis #18–20Pheasant tail #18–20Sowbug #16–18Ray Charles #16–18Parachute Adams #18–20Sparkle minnow #6–10
PACKING LIST
What to bring
- Rain shell
- Baetis dries and emergers
- Two nymph weights
- Streamer line or polyleader
- Warm backup layer
KEEP IN MIND
Before you head out
A release plan can change with runoff and reservoir operations. Check the latest readings before you go.
April can feel like winter and spring in the same day. Plan around the weather, wind and changing flows.
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