Eagle Nest Lodge

Current Report
Flows should remain steady at 9,500 cfs through the week. Fishing has been good on the upper 13 miles. Water clarity is very good.  With the high flows, wading is pretty much out of the question. 

Hot Fly Patterns
Worm patterns are doing very well, in the wire variation as well as the San Juans. Use sizes 2 or 4 in red, orange, and two tones. Sow bugs have been working very well as a trailing fly. Use Firebead sowbugs or Steve’s sowbug in sizes 16 and 18. Some midge patterns will probably still be working as well, such as rootbeer or zebra midges in 16 and 18s. Don’t forget your split shot, you’ll need it. 2 or 3 BBs or a single 3/0 should suffice.

River Flows
9,500 cfs

One-Week Fishing Forecast
NOAA forecasts that temperatures will be going up into the mid 70s and lower 80s throughout the week with chances of rain possible.

Hot Fly Patterns
The worm patters will be making a come back. Wire worms and San Juans in reds, two tones and even pinks (sz 4-6). Midge patterns in cream, root beer and olive are picking up lots of fish, too. The usual Ray Charles (plain and soft hackle) in pink or gray (14-16), orange, tan, grey, or pink fire bead soft hackle sowbugs in (14 and 16) scuds in orange or pink (14-16). Egg patterns in Chartreuse or Orange may also still be working (6-8).

River Flows
9500 CFS

Water Temperature
44 degrees at 3 Mile 45 degrees at St. Xavier
 

“Our Wyoming Area Office has notified us today that they will be making additional increases in releases from Boysen Dam to control the reservoir’s rate of fill.  We will be stepping up our releases to the Bighorn River in a similar fashion so we can hold our current reservoir elevation and remain favorably poised to intercept the rule curve in early June. 

This means we will be increasing our releases to the Bighorn River to 3,000 cfs on Thursday, May 6 and then increasing to 3,250 cfs on Friday, May 7.  Further adjustments may be necessary this coming week. “

Flows to increase another 500cfs this week!

Current Report
Fishing is great! Both dry fly fishing and nymphing are good right now. A little slower on stripping streamers but not a bad bet if the wind is blowing hard.

Special Report
Fishing is excellent! The weather is constant

One-Week Fishing Forecast
The forecast for the next several days shows above normal temps – high 60’s to low 70’s with a small chance of precip.

Hot Fly Patterns
Midges patterns on top have really been working well the last week. Mostly Griffiths Gnat or midge Clusters sizes 14-18. Flashy Streamer patterns such as Bighorn Buggers, Pumpkin Buggers and Leech patterns in sizes 2-6. Also the usual Ray Charles (plain and soft hackle) in pink or gray (16-18), orange, tan, grey, or pink soft hackle sowbugs in (14 16 and 18) scuds in orange or pink (14-16). Egg patterns in Chartreuse or Orange (6-8).

River Flows
2,000 cfs

Water Temperature
42 degrees at 3 Mile 44 degrees at St. Xavier