The Bighorn River is one of the most productive wild trout fisheries in North America, with the 13-mile stretch below Yellowtail Dam near Fort Smith holding an estimated 5,000 to 6,000 trout per mile. This legendary tailwater emerges from Bighorn Lake on the Crow Indian Reservation and offers year-round fishing for rainbow and brown trout averaging 15 inches, with many fish exceeding 20 inches. The consistent water temperatures from the dam create ideal conditions for prolific hatches of blue-winged olives, pale morning duns, tricos, and caddis that challenge even experienced dry fly anglers. The upper three miles below Afterbay Dam provide excellent wading on easy gravel substrate, while drift boat fishing opens up the productive water downstream. Summer brings the best conditions, with August hopper and trico fishing considered prime time on this bucket-list destination.