Magic City Fly Fishers (TU Chapter 582)
The text of Senate Bill 375 (Crow Tribe Water Rights Settlement Act of 2009) mentioned in the previous post is now online. Of particular importance to FOBR is that it does contain the Streamflow and Lake Level Management plan.
Click here to view it.
Montana Senator Jon Tester, a friend of the Bighorn River, recently revived a $527 million bill that would finally settle the Crow Tribe's water rights claims. The bill is co-sponsored by another friend of the river, Senator Max Baucus.
The bill would resolve claims by the tribe that go back to a compact signed years ago between the tribe, the state of Montana and Dept of Interior and would entitle the Crow to 300,000 acre feet of water annually from Bighorn Lake and 500,000 acre feet from the Bighorn River. A similar bill was opposed last year by Wyoming lawmakers, but Senator Tester is confident differences can be worked out this year.
Friends of the Bighorn River hasn't seen the bill's text yet, but the original compact protected the Bighorn River fishery by dictating minimum flow requirements, and it is presumed the new bill contains that important criteria.
| River Releases | Lake Level |
| ... | ... |
Current Report
Fishing remains excellent despite more snow!
Special Report
Water is crystal clear the entire upper 30 miles, and fishing is very good to excellent.
One-Week Fishing Forecast
Moderate weather forecast for this week, although over night temperatures are in the low teens . Highs in the upper 30's. A bit more snow is expected this week. Check road conditions before heading out!
Hot Fly Patterns
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
2,775 cfs
Water Temperature
39 degrees at 3 Mile
41 degrees at St. Xavier
