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Yellowstone River Fishing Report: Managing Runoff, Targeting Trout in Changing Conditions
Good morning, this is Artificial Lure with your Yellowstone River fishing report for May 26, 2025.
We are deep into runoff season here in Paradise Valley, and the Yellowstone River’s flows have been bouncing around after the recent rains. Over the past week we’ve seen flows spike as high as 18,000 cfs but thanks to a cool spell, flows have now dropped to just over 8,000 cfs with about 18 to 24 inches of visibility. That means there are still windows of opportunity for anglers willing to watch the gauges and time their trip right. If you see the graph taking a steep drop, that’s your green light—just be careful, as the river is still pushing a lot of water and debris downstream and wading is challenging in places. Always scout for new hazards before you set out[3][1].
Expect weather to be cloudy in the morning with some pockets of afternoon sun and breezy conditions. Sunrise is at 5:45 am, sunset around 8:45 pm—plenty of daylight to find fishy water. No tides to worry about, just managing the spring flows. The river clarity can change quickly, so keep checking, but today it’s fishable on select stretches[1][3].
Fish have remained active in the clear water periods. Browns and rainbows have made up most of the catch, with a few cutthroat showing around Livingston clear into Yankee Jim Canyon. Most fish have been in the 12 to 18 inch range, but some bigger browns have been landed near deeper runs and boulders. There’s been no major hatch to speak of—nymphing and streamer fishing continues to be the name of the game[1][2].
Best lures and flies for today are dark-colored rubber legs, leeches, sculpin patterns, and small streamers like olive or black buggers. If the sky brightens, switch to lighter or flashier patterns. Dead drifting a streamer or slow-stripping leeches around tailouts and gravel bars has paid off. Nymphing with scuds, sowbugs, or baetis and midge nymphs under an indicator is also producing fish if you find a slower shelf or seam. Dry fly action is limited but if you’re on the spring creeks nearby, you’ll see midges in the morning and decent baetis in the afternoon and evening[2][5].
For hot spots, I’d focus on the stretch from Livingston to Emigrant, especially near Carter’s Bridge, or try the boulder-strewn runs above Yankee Jim Canyon. In higher water, fish push closer to the banks—target slower seams right off the current and near drop-offs[1][3].
To sum up, fish the dropping flows while they last, use dark nymphs or streamers, and work the softer water near the banks. Watch your footing, keep an eye out for rising water, and enjoy what’s shaping up to be some prime late spring fishing on the Yellowstone. Good luck and tight lines out there.
We are deep into runoff season here in Paradise Valley, and the Yellowstone River’s flows have been bouncing around after the recent rains. Over the past week we’ve seen flows spike as high as 18,000 cfs but thanks to a cool spell, flows have now dropped to just over 8,000 cfs with about 18 to 24 inches of visibility. That means there are still windows of opportunity for anglers willing to watch the gauges and time their trip right. If you see the graph taking a steep drop, that’s your green light—just be careful, as the river is still pushing a lot of water and debris downstream and wading is challenging in places. Always scout for new hazards before you set out[3][1].
Expect weather to be cloudy in the morning with some pockets of afternoon sun and breezy conditions. Sunrise is at 5:45 am, sunset around 8:45 pm—plenty of daylight to find fishy water. No tides to worry about, just managing the spring flows. The river clarity can change quickly, so keep checking, but today it’s fishable on select stretches[1][3].
Fish have remained active in the clear water periods. Browns and rainbows have made up most of the catch, with a few cutthroat showing around Livingston clear into Yankee Jim Canyon. Most fish have been in the 12 to 18 inch range, but some bigger browns have been landed near deeper runs and boulders. There’s been no major hatch to speak of—nymphing and streamer fishing continues to be the name of the game[1][2].
Best lures and flies for today are dark-colored rubber legs, leeches, sculpin patterns, and small streamers like olive or black buggers. If the sky brightens, switch to lighter or flashier patterns. Dead drifting a streamer or slow-stripping leeches around tailouts and gravel bars has paid off. Nymphing with scuds, sowbugs, or baetis and midge nymphs under an indicator is also producing fish if you find a slower shelf or seam. Dry fly action is limited but if you’re on the spring creeks nearby, you’ll see midges in the morning and decent baetis in the afternoon and evening[2][5].
For hot spots, I’d focus on the stretch from Livingston to Emigrant, especially near Carter’s Bridge, or try the boulder-strewn runs above Yankee Jim Canyon. In higher water, fish push closer to the banks—target slower seams right off the current and near drop-offs[1][3].
To sum up, fish the dropping flows while they last, use dark nymphs or streamers, and work the softer water near the banks. Watch your footing, keep an eye out for rising water, and enjoy what’s shaping up to be some prime late spring fishing on the Yellowstone. Good luck and tight lines out there.
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By Quiet. PleaseGood morning, this is Artificial Lure with your Yellowstone River fishing report for May 26, 2025.
We are deep into runoff season here in Paradise Valley, and the Yellowstone River’s flows have been bouncing around after the recent rains. Over the past week we’ve seen flows spike as high as 18,000 cfs but thanks to a cool spell, flows have now dropped to just over 8,000 cfs with about 18 to 24 inches of visibility. That means there are still windows of opportunity for anglers willing to watch the gauges and time their trip right. If you see the graph taking a steep drop, that’s your green light—just be careful, as the river is still pushing a lot of water and debris downstream and wading is challenging in places. Always scout for new hazards before you set out[3][1].
Expect weather to be cloudy in the morning with some pockets of afternoon sun and breezy conditions. Sunrise is at 5:45 am, sunset around 8:45 pm—plenty of daylight to find fishy water. No tides to worry about, just managing the spring flows. The river clarity can change quickly, so keep checking, but today it’s fishable on select stretches[1][3].
Fish have remained active in the clear water periods. Browns and rainbows have made up most of the catch, with a few cutthroat showing around Livingston clear into Yankee Jim Canyon. Most fish have been in the 12 to 18 inch range, but some bigger browns have been landed near deeper runs and boulders. There’s been no major hatch to speak of—nymphing and streamer fishing continues to be the name of the game[1][2].
Best lures and flies for today are dark-colored rubber legs, leeches, sculpin patterns, and small streamers like olive or black buggers. If the sky brightens, switch to lighter or flashier patterns. Dead drifting a streamer or slow-stripping leeches around tailouts and gravel bars has paid off. Nymphing with scuds, sowbugs, or baetis and midge nymphs under an indicator is also producing fish if you find a slower shelf or seam. Dry fly action is limited but if you’re on the spring creeks nearby, you’ll see midges in the morning and decent baetis in the afternoon and evening[2][5].
For hot spots, I’d focus on the stretch from Livingston to Emigrant, especially near Carter’s Bridge, or try the boulder-strewn runs above Yankee Jim Canyon. In higher water, fish push closer to the banks—target slower seams right off the current and near drop-offs[1][3].
To sum up, fish the dropping flows while they last, use dark nymphs or streamers, and work the softer water near the banks. Watch your footing, keep an eye out for rising water, and enjoy what’s shaping up to be some prime late spring fishing on the Yellowstone. Good luck and tight lines out there.
We are deep into runoff season here in Paradise Valley, and the Yellowstone River’s flows have been bouncing around after the recent rains. Over the past week we’ve seen flows spike as high as 18,000 cfs but thanks to a cool spell, flows have now dropped to just over 8,000 cfs with about 18 to 24 inches of visibility. That means there are still windows of opportunity for anglers willing to watch the gauges and time their trip right. If you see the graph taking a steep drop, that’s your green light—just be careful, as the river is still pushing a lot of water and debris downstream and wading is challenging in places. Always scout for new hazards before you set out[3][1].
Expect weather to be cloudy in the morning with some pockets of afternoon sun and breezy conditions. Sunrise is at 5:45 am, sunset around 8:45 pm—plenty of daylight to find fishy water. No tides to worry about, just managing the spring flows. The river clarity can change quickly, so keep checking, but today it’s fishable on select stretches[1][3].
Fish have remained active in the clear water periods. Browns and rainbows have made up most of the catch, with a few cutthroat showing around Livingston clear into Yankee Jim Canyon. Most fish have been in the 12 to 18 inch range, but some bigger browns have been landed near deeper runs and boulders. There’s been no major hatch to speak of—nymphing and streamer fishing continues to be the name of the game[1][2].
Best lures and flies for today are dark-colored rubber legs, leeches, sculpin patterns, and small streamers like olive or black buggers. If the sky brightens, switch to lighter or flashier patterns. Dead drifting a streamer or slow-stripping leeches around tailouts and gravel bars has paid off. Nymphing with scuds, sowbugs, or baetis and midge nymphs under an indicator is also producing fish if you find a slower shelf or seam. Dry fly action is limited but if you’re on the spring creeks nearby, you’ll see midges in the morning and decent baetis in the afternoon and evening[2][5].
For hot spots, I’d focus on the stretch from Livingston to Emigrant, especially near Carter’s Bridge, or try the boulder-strewn runs above Yankee Jim Canyon. In higher water, fish push closer to the banks—target slower seams right off the current and near drop-offs[1][3].
To sum up, fish the dropping flows while they last, use dark nymphs or streamers, and work the softer water near the banks. Watch your footing, keep an eye out for rising water, and enjoy what’s shaping up to be some prime late spring fishing on the Yellowstone. Good luck and tight lines out there.