BILLINGS AND THE BIG OPEN - Montana and Wyoming - page 69

Anglers flock to the Bighorn River for abundant big trout.
The area's original fly shop and outfitter, Bighorn Angler (577 Parksdale Ct., Fort
Smith, 406/666-2233, www.bighornangler.com ) offers complete outfitting services with
everything from simple but nice motel rooms ($75-100) and river cabins ($400) to experi-
enced guides, boat rentals, and quality tackle. Stop in for the best advice on where the fish
are biting and what they're eating.
Established by Congress in 1966 after the completion of the Yellowtail Dam, the
Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area (north entrance via Hwy. 313, Fort Smith,
headquarters 406/666-2414, visitor information 307/548-5406, www.nps.gov/bica , $5 per
vehicle, $30 annual vehicle pass) includes 71 miles of Bighorn Lake in a spectacular
55-mile canyon. Fishing can be done from shore or in a boat either in the river or on
Bighorn Lake—home to brown, rainbow, and lake trout as well as walleye, smallmouth
bass, channel catfish, and even ling and shovelnose sturgeon. The recreation area itself
straddles the Montana-Wyoming border and offers excellent boating, fishing, bird and wild-
life watching, swimming, and picnicking. There are 27 miles of hiking on 13 separate trails.
Hiking guides and other information are available at the Yellowtail Dam Visitor Center