Adapting on the Bighorn

Folks continue to row at a breakneck pace to secure their spots on prime Bighorn fish territory, the fish are there, and the bugs still hatch. But lower water flows in recent years have changed spawning habits, at least according to Steve Hilbers, longtime guide and co-owner of the Bighorn Trout shop. Ed Dentry gives an update on what it’s like to fish Montana’s Bighorn, a classic tailwater with its own set of modern challenges. “You wouldn’t want squatters beating you to your fishing spot. It happens on the Bighorn, a world-class trout river with at least 40 resident fishing guides and an international constituency.”