Bighorn River, October 7, 2006. Air temp 39 degrees at launch, water temp 52 degrees, 1,750cfs. Rain, overcast, mostly calm. Left Billings at 5:30am with friends T.O., his boat, and the Toolman. In the water shortly before 8am, and ran in to BlackOtter and his 'toon at Three Mile. Half dozen boats were launching early. Picked up a few fish before reaching the Snag Hole, and stopped there briefly, before continuing. Picked up some nice fish along the way on soft hackles and LBFs. We eventually stopped at the Corrals, where we'd spend the next three or four hours. Initially, the fish were taking the soft hackle and LBF, but when that quit, T.O. started nailing 'em on an olive wonder-style psuedo nymph. I switched to a gray scud and a pseudo and began picking up fish again. T.O. fired up the grill and grilled some fantastic burgers for a shore lunch (along with Tabasco pickles and Coronas), and it was back to fishing. The nymph kept working and a phenomenal midge hatch began. The surface became alive with noses, and soon we were sight fishing to risers, who continued to take the pseudos. Lots and very, very heavy fish in this section. T.O. landed the largest of the day, and although it was only 18 inches or so, it was a very, very heavy fish. We spotted BlackOtter below us, but he couldn't hear our shouts. We finally left the Corrals, and continued to pick up fish, mostly in the slower shallower water along the banks. We stopped at Three Rivers below the rapids, and fished the mouth of the small side channel. I changed my dropper to a Hare's Ear and went three for three, all nice large browns. The Hare's Ear seemed to be the ticket the rest of the float, although I did pick up some fish on a grey ice scud. As dark was approaching, we made one last stop in a favorite spot, where T.O. hooked in to a large, hard-fighting bow. As the fish continued to take line, T.O. realized the call from Mother Nature has to be answered. He was standing with his back to tall shrubs, perched on a slippery ledge that didn't allow much movement, hanging on to a trophy 'bow for dear life. The good news is he had his chest waders fitted as waist highs, so like a trooper, he whips out his wax worm in one hand while hanging on to his rod with the other. It was a true Kodak moment, but I had left the camera in the boat. And as fate would have it, after the deed was done and a new foam line put in to play, the big rainbow broke off. It was great fun. Superb fishing day, made even better by a fantastic shore lunch. A special thanks to T.O. who rowed all day, and who has a real talent for guiding and should consider the profession. And thanks to the Toolman, for pointing out a few of his favorite spots, and for assist with the North Dakota double-double.