Yellowstone River, Montana Fishing Report Today

Good morning anglers, this is Artificial Lure with your September 24th, 2025 Yellowstone River report, coming at you just after sunrise in Park County, Montana.

First, let’s talk conditions. The river’s running at 1580 CFS near Livingston, with water temps ranging 61 to 67 degrees according to Yellowstone Angler’s most recent update. That’s surprisingly fishy for late September, especially after this summer’s heat, and worth noting: all hoot owl restrictions are off. That means you can fish throughout the day, but please remember, up in Yellowstone National Park proper, afternoon and evening fishing closures remain in effect due to warm water and low flows to protect the trout. If you’re inside park boundaries, wrap up by noon.

Today, we’ve got a little more haze and maybe a hint of wildfire smoke hanging around, filtering that morning sun, which came up at 7:11 AM and will drop behind the Absarokas at 7:17 PM tonight. Winds should stay light and variable till midday, with just a bit of a southeast push. Expect highs hovering in the low 70s and humidity sticking around 40 percent—just enough to keep the bugs popping.

Onto the fishing itself: Hoppers are still king on the Yellowstone right now. Peach and pink variations in sizes 8 to 14 have been turning trout—cutts, bows, and some browns—in the valley sections and above Yankee Jim. Mix those up with your favorite floating ant patterns, or pair a small single hopper with a tungsten nymph dropper for more depth through midday. Elk Hair and Butch Caddis in #14-16, or a Missing Link Caddis, have been working especially well during those softer late morning and dusk hatches.

Nymphers are doing plenty of damage on bead head Princes, Euro nymphs, and especially the Blow Torch Black in #12-18. As for streamers, try Coffee Sparkle Minnows, Black Leadeye buggers, and the trusty Sex Dungeon in black or olive from #4-6, especially on overcast afternoons or when the wind kicks up a little chop.

Recent creel reports coming in to the shops show steady numbers—anglers pulling in solid rainbows and the occasional Yellowstone cutthroat, averaging 14 to 18 inches with a few bruisers over 20 coming from deeper pools below Emigrant and Carter's Bridge. No real reports of whitefish running heavy this week, but they’re out there if you scale down to smaller rubber legs or midge patterns.

Hot spots this week? The stretch around Mallard’s Rest remains a favorite, especially mornings and again late with ant patterns. If you want a bit less traffic, head upstream above Yankee Jim or try the pocket water below Grey Bear access—these are holding nice resident trout hungry on terrestrials.

As always, be respectful of fellow anglers and our wild river. This is the time for lighter tippets, careful releases, and keeping fish in the water as much as possible, with temps creeping toward the upper range.

That’s it for your Yellowstone River rundown! Thank you for tuning in to Artificial Lure’s fishing report. Don’t forge

This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.

Artificial Lure here with the Yellowstone River fishing report for Sunday, September 21, 2025. If you’re tuning in from Livingston down through Paradise Valley, let’s get you dialed in for a late-season session you won’t forget.

Weather’s the first thing anglers are talking about today. According to the National Weather Service, sunrise rolled in at 7:09 AM and sunset’s set for 7:22 PM. You got about twelve hours to work with. Don Day’s local forecast calls for partly cloudy skies this morning, turning mostly cloudy as some rain showers and possible thunderstorms chase the valley by mid-afternoon. Highs will sneak up into the low 60s, while the breeze out of the southwest is steady at about 10 to 15 mph. All in, expect some afternoon chop on the water and don’t forget the rain jacket—once we hit the late day, the weather could shift on a dime.

Tidal influence isn’t a factor here—the Yellowstone’s a freestone river, flowing wild year-round. Water temps are drifting lower with the cold nights, making prime trout conditions according to the latest Spreaker fishing report. Visibility’s solid, and the river’s running clear through the Paradise Valley stretch—that’s got the browns and rainbows moving.

Fish activity has been excellent during the afternoons. Montana Outdoor’s September 18th report says the mid-to-late day window is producing the best bite as the water warms. Hopper action is still hot! Those big terrestrials are getting hammered by rainbows and cutthroats along grassy banks and undercuts. Mornings and evenings are slower; when the water’s coolest, you’ll want some patience or get creative with patterns.

Recent catches are showing off plenty of healthy fish. Anglers have been reporting solid numbers of rainbow trout in the 14-18 inch range, with the occasional cutthroat and some brown trout mixed in. Paradise Valley spring creeks like DePuy’s and Armstrong’s are giving up a few 20-inchers to persistent anglers. Streamers are enticing a few aggressive browns pre-spawn, particularly on cloudy afternoons—Montana Outdoor says dark streamers like olive or black Woolly Buggers have landed the most browns.

Best lures and bait for today? I’d tie on a hopper dropper rig with a size 10 Morrish Hopper and trail it with a small beadhead Copper John or Lightning Bug. If clouds roll thick or that afternoon shower hits, switch to small streamers or dead-drifted stonefly nymphs. Yellow, tan, and pink hoppers are consistent. If the bite gets picky, drop down to a size 16-18 parachute Adams or purple haze. Don’t forget a few olive sculpins if you want to tempt those bigger browns sulking in the deeper runs.

Hot spots you should check out today:

- Just below Mallard’s Rest: Deep buckets and grassy banks, lots of hopper eats and streamer chases.

- Carbella Access: Shallow riffles meeting deep seams, perfect for working terrestrials and nymph rigs.

- Livingston town stretch: Rainbows still abundant; clear water means sight fishing is excellent.

Wildlif

This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.

Artificial Lure here, and today’s September 20th Yellowstone River fishing report is shaping up nicely for all you Montana anglers. It’s just after sunrise—first light hit about 7:06 AM, and sunset tonight will fall around 7:26 PM. The river is running clear, chill, and at a favorable flow around 1580 cubic feet per second, with water temps fluctuating between 61 and 67 degrees according to the latest report from Yellowstone Angler and Montana Angler.

Weather-wise, the morning started *mostly sunny*, a crisp, bluebird Montana day expected to warm into the upper 60s with barely a whisper of wind until late afternoon. By nightfall, temps will slip into the high 30s. With no tidal influence this far inland, river levels are most affected by snowmelt and recent weather—not tides—so focus on water temp and flow.

Fishing action has been steady, with anglers finding success early before midday heat pushes trout to deeper, faster flows. Streamers and nymphs are pulling some nice specimens, but the star of the show right now is **hopper fishing**. Peach and pink hoppers, in size 8-14, have been particularly hot, especially with a smaller tungsten nymph or floating ant underneath. Valley and above Yankee Jim Canyon are seeing great action on floating ants and beetle patterns as well. Over the past week, several beautiful rainbows and cutthroat have been caught—best numbers coming from riffles and fast banks, so skip the frog water and fish where it moves.

Top flies reported lately:

- **Morrish Hopper** #6-14

- **Thunderthighs Hopper** #8-14

- **Sweetgrass Hopper** #8-10

- **Grand Hopper** #8-12

- **Elk Hair Caddis** #14-18

- **Rubber Legs** (black and coffee) #4-6

- **Pat’s Rubberlegs**

- **Bead Head Prince** #8-10

- **Little Spankers** #14-18

- **Coffee Sparkle Minnow** #4-6

- **Lawson’s Sculpin** #2-4

For bait, live nightcrawlers and stonefly nymphs are reliable, but most folks stick to flies and lures this time of year to match feeding patterns. Anglers using spinning gear have found success with small spinners and minnow-baits in deeper runs and undercut banks.

As for fish, you can expect **rainbow trout**, **cutthroat trout**, and **mountain whitefish** in good numbers. The river produced some hefty bows in the Valley stretch, and several clean cutthroat have come out of the lower river and park stretches. Mountain whitefish are active in deep eddies.

Two hot spots worth noting:

- *Above Yankee Jim Canyon*: Consistent dry fly and hopper action, especially in mornings.

- *Valley Section*: Riffles loaded with feeding trout, best for prospecting with hoppers and ants.

Remember, with water temps approaching stress levels for trout later in the afternoon, fish responsibly—land fish quickly, limit handling, and avoid playing them to exhaustion. Closures remain in some Yellowstone Park stretches to protect native trout from warming water and low flows. If you’re on open water, fish early for best results.

That’s the rundown for Yellowstone River this

This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.

Artificial Lure here with your Friday morning fishing report for the Yellowstone River and surrounding water in Montana, September 19, 2025.

Daybreak came right on time at 7:09 a.m., with sunset expected at 7:28 p.m. The weather’s on the mild side: we’re starting off cool this morning, but temps are forecasted to hit the low 70s by midafternoon, with a light haze lingering from distant wildfires. Winds are light out of the southwest, which means manageable casting and a comfortable day on the water.

Water flows at Livingston are holding around 1,580 CFS, and river temps are cycling from 61 to 67 degrees through the day, per Yellowstone Angler. Conditions have been steady, favoring both wade and float anglers, but the haze is making those subtle hopper colors stand out even more. Tidal considerations in this part of Montana are a non-issue—focus your energy on reading the riffles and seams, and you’ll do just fine.

Onto the fish: it’s prime time for Yellowstone cutthroat, rainbow, and brown trout. The past week’s action has been hot—nice valley bows, clean cutts, and some healthy browns being landed. There’s been a solid mix of fish sizes, most falling in the 12-18 inch class, though a few wild specimens have topped the 20-inch mark, especially down in Paradise Valley. Both floaters and bank anglers are reporting steady hookups.

For fly selection, it’s a hopper bonanza. Pro anglers and local guides are swearing by peach and pink patterns—Morrish Hopper, Thunderthighs, Sweetgrass, and Grand Hopper in sizes 8 to 14. Drift those right up on the grassy banks, and don’t be shy about switching to floating ant patterns, especially above Yankee Jim Canyon or in the Valley proper. If the bite slows down on top, pair your hopper with a Tungsten Bead Bugger or Bead Head Prince nymph as a dropper.

Terrestrials are dominating, but when trout turn selective, reach for Caddis—Elk Hair or Butch Caddis in 14 to 16—or try a slick little Euro nymph like a Duracell Bomb or Blow Torch. Streamer anglers have been moving bigger fish on Coffee Sparkle Minnows, Black Sex Dungeons, and Lawson’s Sculpin, especially in deeper runs mid-river.

No live bait needed here—flies are king, and artificials are the staple. Spin anglers itching to cover ground should stick to small black or olive marabou jigs and gold-bladed spinners, keeping to current seams and structure.

The river’s definitely busier as we near the weekend, so give everyone a little space and be polite as you move between runs. For the inside scoop, the Valley stretch from Carter’s Bridge through Mallard’s Rest is firing, particularly at first light and the last hour before dusk. Yankee Jim Canyon is another hotspot—challenge yourself with some pocket water if you’re up for it.

A heads up: with temps still moderate, there’s no mandatory river closure in the afternoons—but keep an eye on your fish handling, especially with cutthroats, and limit air exposure for the sake of river health.

Thanks for tuning in

This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.

Artificial Lure here, bringing you the Yellowstone River fishing report for September 17, 2025—straight from the gravel bars, side channels, and cottonwood bends that make the Yellowstone one of Montana’s crown jewels for anglers.

It’s a crisp one this morning with overnight lows in the low 40s, but we’re looking at a bluebird, classic fall day. Expect highs to flirt with the low 70s by afternoon, under clear Montana skies and light northwest breezes. Sunrise hit at 6:58 a.m. and we’re looking at sunset at 7:34 p.m. No tides to track on this river—the Yellowstone runs wild and free, undammed for 692 miles.

Flows are holding steady and clear, just a little lower than average for mid-September thanks to a long, dry summer, but that means more gravel and better walk-wade access. Water temps overnight dropped into the upper 50s, and with these clear nights and warm afternoons, expect the fishing to really pick up late morning through midafternoon as things warm on the surface.

Trout are definitely shifting into their fall pattern. Recent catches, reported by Montana Outdoor, include solid numbers of Yellowstone cutthroat, rainbows, and browns—especially in the Paradise Valley stretch from Emigrant down to Big Timber. the trout are moving up into the riffles and tailouts, taking advantage of September’s juicy hatches. Don’t be surprised to find pods of rising fish sipping in the slicks, especially with the tricos still lingering on sunny mornings, and blue-wing olives popping off in the afternoons.

Best bets today: Start the morning with a size 20 trico spinner or spent-wing pattern if you see noses poking up, but don’t be afraid to switch to a parachute Adams or BWO emerger around lunchtime. If the surface bite fades, nymphing is money right now—try a beadhead pheasant tail or smaller Frenchie dropped below a chubby Chernobyl. Late summer grasshoppers are still hanging tough along the banks, so a tan or olive hopper with a smaller dropper (think lightning bug or Prince) has been pulling up chunky browns from undercut banks.

Streamer junkies should take note: as water temps gradually cool, some of the biggest browns get aggressive—swinging an olive or black sculpin pattern early or late in the day has produced some true slabs in the Livingston stretch and below. Just give the runs a rest between casts; those fish are getting wary, but they will move for a well-placed bugger.

From the latest Montana reports, the main action is in classic haunts:

- The “Grey Bear Reach” just east of Livingston is turning out plenty of 14–18” cutthroat and bows holding below riffle corners.

- Downriver, the Yankee Jim Canyon stretch has been hotter for browns, especially in the boulder runs and deeper tailouts.

Word to the wise: If you’re targeting whitefish, small nymphs like zebra midges or red copper johns fished deep will put you into the numbers game, especially as colder water pushes the whites into bigger schools.

Given recent news, remember to be mindful:

This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.

This is Artificial Lure coming to you with the Yellowstone River fishing report for Saturday, September 13th, 2025.

Sunrise hit the water at 6:56 AM this morning, and we’re looking at sunset around 7:34 PM. No tidal movement here on the Yellowstone—she’s a free-flowing river, but flows are holding steady and the river is running clear, which is just what we want for some classic September fishing in Montana.

The weather is turning a little more autumn-like as we head deeper into September. Expect daytime highs in the mid-60s, dipping near the low 40s at night, with partly cloudy skies and a light breeze out of the west. We might see a little rain pushing in later this weekend, which could color up some of the side channels, so keep an eye out if you’re fishing the Soda Butte or Lamar tributaries.

Fishing has been good on the Caldera stretch of the Yellowstone—this time of year, the trout that remain are big and have earned their stripes, so come with your A-game. Early mornings are best for technical dry fly fishing, targeting trout sipping rusty spinner patterns in sizes #12-18. As the sun gets up and things warm, you’ll see some fish rising for mayfly emergers, especially olives in #16-18, and don't overlook midges if the clouds hang around.

Terrestrials are still a solid bet on those sunnier afternoons—small ants and hoppers drifted tight to grassy, undercut banks are pulling some nice browns and cutthroat. The fish are definitely wise, so long leaders and perfect drifts will get you takes. For nymphing, a #16-18 beadhead pheasant tail or hare's ear under a small indicator is still working, especially in deeper runs below riffles.

According to Big Sky Angler, streamer action is heating up as a few more migratory fish start to move—tossing small articulated streamers or classic olive Woolly Buggers early morning or late evening can turn up a surprise brown or two. Fish these through the seams and along any drop-offs, especially as the river sees less pressure now that fall is here.

For recent catches, anglers are reporting healthy numbers of browns and cutthroat in the 14 to 18 inch range, with a few bigger fish landed by those willing to walk further from the main access points. The action isn’t always fast, but the quality puts this time of year near the top for Yellowstone regulars.

Hot spots today: Look for action at Carbella access just north of Gardiner, and steady reports are coming in from the Paradise Valley stretches around Mallard’s Rest. If you’re hunting that perfect dry fly eat, try the slower side channels just below Yankee Jim Canyon—these are holding good numbers of fish and getting less pressure.

Local shops recommend a 5-weight rod, nine-foot leader, and a fly box stocked with rusty spinners, olive and gray mayfly patterns, foam ants, and tan or pink hoppers. For the nymphers, pheasant tails and zebra midges will keep you in the game. For bait anglers on the lower stretches outside of park boundaries, nightcrawlers ar

This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.

This is Artificial Lure, your local fishing and angling expert, bringing you today's Yellowstone River report for September 12, 2025.

Sunrise hit at 6:56am this morning, and we’ll see sunset around 7:39pm—so a solid window for those early and late sessions, which is exactly when the fishing’s firing right now. Weather in the region today’s got that classic September swing: mostly sunny for the morning, but don’t be surprised if you encounter scattered afternoon showers and isolated thunderstorms. Highs are in the lower 60s, with a gentle breeze that might build a bit toward the afternoon. Overnight lows drop into the upper 30s. According to the National Weather Service and local KBZK, we’re looking at fair but unpredictable conditions—keep an eye on the western sky for those pop-up storms.

Tides don’t directly affect us this far inland, so river flows and temps are what matter. The Yellowstone is running low, but water temps are comfortable—cold enough for the trout to move and keep feeding well into the day. Mornings are still king, as cooler nights help stretch out that prime window, but expect the fish to push hard into faster, more oxygenated water as afternoon warmth sets in.

Fish activity this week has been good for those willing to put in the legwork. Montana Angler reports that hoppers are leading the dry fly action—big #8-12 Heneberry and Thunder Thighs Hoppers on fast banks and riffles are the ticket. If the trout won’t commit, try downsizing to beetles or flying ants. We’re still seeing morning tricos and some evening caddis, while a few drakes have shown up in the National Park section. On overcast days, don’t be shy about running streamers through deeper pools and shaded runs—that early or late low light really gets those browns moving after big meals.

Anglers putting in miles have been rewarded with solid wild trout catches—browns, rainbows, and the odd large cutthroat, especially nearer Gardiner and above Livingston. Summer saw exceptional numbers of quality fish, and while things are slowing a bit, persistence pays off: check out recent Montana Angler guide photos for proof of hefty browns landed all summer. Recent catches are averaging 12–18 inches, with some standout fish over 20 coming to big bugs or streamers.

Best lures and flies for today:

- **Dry flies:** Heneberry Hopper #8-12, Thunder Thighs Hopper #8-12, beetle and flying ant patterns.

- **Nymphs:** Pat’s Rubberlegs #8-12, Mega Prince #10-12, FKA Prince #12-16, small bead head caddis imitations.

- **Streamers:** Sculpin patterns or flashy streamers during low light or just after storms.

If you want bait—and you’re on a section where it’s allowed—earthworms drifted behind rocks in turbulent riffles will move fish, especially after a little rain colors up the water. But honestly, this time of year, terrestrials on the surface are tough to beat.

For hotspots, target:

- The stretch between Emigrant and Pine Creek: classic riffle and bank fishing, with access and room

This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.

Artificial Lure here with your Yellowstone River fishing report for Wednesday, September 10, 2025.

River access is wide open again—the park lifted all temperature-related fishing restrictions just days ago. Recent rains and a cool snap have dropped water temperatures back into safe territory for native trout. That means the Madison, Firehole, and Gibbon Rivers, plus all their tributaries, are fair game without restriction. Yellowstone Lake and other lakes remain open from sunrise to sunset, in line with 2025 regulations according to news from Yellowstone National Park.

Morning anglers woke up to cool, misty conditions. Right now at Yellowstone Lake, it's 39°F with humidity pushing 95%, and a steady NW breeze. By midday, expect highs near 68°F. Cloud cover will break, but scattered rain showers and isolated thunderstorms may pop up in the afternoon—watch out for gusty winds and small hail in any afternoon squalls. Lows tonight settle near 40°F. Sunrise was at 6:54 a.m., and sunset will be at 7:42 p.m. The forecast points to partly cloudy skies tomorrow with more showers possible—classic fall mountain weather.

There’s no tidal report to share—Yellowstone River is a freshwater system, so tides don’t factor. What’s critical instead is stream flow, and recent precipitation has bolstered the flows just enough for better fish health and feeding.

Fish activity has picked up with the cooling water. Early risers found good trout movement along the banks just after sunrise. The main targets today are rainbow trout, cutthroat trout, brown trout, and whitefish. Most catches have been in the 12-18 inch range. Anglers at the popular Paradise Valley stretch reported solid morning action: four rainbows, a couple of cutthroat, and even a large whitefish were landed before the afternoon storm clouds rolled in. There are whispers of brown trout pushing up from deeper runs, getting feisty ahead of the spawn—these are the ones to watch.

For gear and tactics, stick with **nymphs** and **streamers** in the cooler hours. Standard patterns like the **Prince Nymph, Hare’s Ear, and Woolly Bugger** are top choices. If the cloud cover lingers and the hatch stalls, switch over to a bright streamer pattern. Midday, a size 16 **Blue Wing Olive** dry can sometimes tempt risers, especially in slower seams.

Best baits are still natural: dead-drifted worms and small baitfish imitations worked well this week. Spinners, like the gold Vibrax or Rooster Tail, have picked up some of the larger browns near riffle drops. Anglers using the KastKing Valiant Eagle reel paired with light braid noted smooth casting and solid power for handling rainbows in current.

A couple of **hot spots** stand out today:

- **Lower Paradise Valley**: Best for big browns hugging deep undercut banks.

- **Carter’s Bridge area**: Prime for cutthroat and rainbows, especially during and just after a shower.

- **Emigrant Fishing Access**: Always worth a few casts—high numbers of rainbow, plus good public acces

This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.

Good morning anglers, this is Artificial Lure with your Yellowstone River fishing report for Sunday, September 7th, 2025.

Sunrise rolled in at 6:48 AM today, with sunset set for 7:52 PM, giving us long daylight hours and those golden September edges for prime fishing. Weather’s treating us to sunny skies with a light haze from lingering smoke; highs will touch the lower 70s and winds are forecast around 10 mph, gusting a bit more in the afternoon. Water temps have been running 61 to 67°F lately, and as reported by Yellowstone Angler on September 6th, the river’s flows are holding up decently—sitting at about 3,720 cfs at Miles City, roughly 60% of normal, with a slight bump in flows the last week.

We don’t have tide swings here—being a free-flowing mountain river system—but river flow changes and overnight cooling are setting the pace. The late-summer slowdown from heat-stress is fading away. More trout—especially those rainbows and cutthroat—are chasing again by midday, thanks to cooler, longer nights. It’s transition season: hopper-dropper rigs are still going steady, but on overcast stretches, blue-winged olive hatches are picking up and fueling bonus dry-fly action. According to Montana Outdoor’s September 6th report, expect biting to improve a bit each day as these conditions lock in.

Folks have been pulling in respectable numbers of cutthroat and rainbows—nice Valley fish between 14 and 18 inches are landed daily. Plenty of reports of brown trout as well, especially in deeper runs and shaded undercuts. A few folks drifting further downstream are also seeing some chunky whitefish and the odd smallmouth.

Your best bets right now:

- **Lures and flies:**

- Peach and pink hoppers (Morrish, Thunderthighs, Grand Hopper, Sweetgrass) in sizes 8-14 are drawing surface strikes, especially in the Valley and just above Yankee Jim.

- Floating ants are a sleeper, and have been hot in the slicks.

- If you’re throwing nymphs, try beadhead Prince, various Euro nymphs (sizes 12-14), and Duracell Bomb Browns.

- Tungsten bead bugger legs and slick Willie streamers in black, coffee, or olive are turning up fish during cloud cover or when things get slow.

- Rubber Legs, black or coffee, are working—don’t be shy to drop one under a big hopper.

- **Bait:**

- Worms and nightcrawler chunks on deep pools where permitted. In areas of heavy pressure, especially near Livingston, stick to artificial flies and lures to match regulations.

Fishing pressure’s been strong, so show fellow anglers extra courtesy and give a wide berth. Remember, the Park Service still advises early or late sessions to avoid warmest water temps and protect wild trout.

A quick word on closures: Select Yellowstone Park tributaries remain shut down due to low flows and high water temps. Stay updated and check those notices—anglers tell me the Park stretch before Gardiner is open and fishing well, but above the confluence, follow posted guidances. Always land fish fast and rele

This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.

This is Artificial Lure with your September 6th, 2025 Yellowstone River fishing report out of Montana, coming at you straight from the banks and bends the locals know best.

We’re rolling into the first snap of that “secret season” feel—long cool nights, clear but noticeably lower water, and daytime highs in the low 70s according to the National Weather Service. Areas of wildfire haze are drifting in, so keep some eye drops handy and expect soft, filtered sunlight for most of your outing. Sunrise was right around 6:51 a.m., sunset will be 7:48 p.m., giving you a solid window to chase trout before any heat builds. There’s no tidal influence here; the Yellowstone is all flow and wild freestone character.

The river is sitting clear and cold, with flows around 1580 CFS and recent water temps ranging from 61-67°F, reported by Yellowstone Angler. This clarity has the fish a little spooky mid-day, but don’t let it put you off. The bite has been most dependable early—talkin’ dawn patrol if you want to get into those serious rises before trout start heading for faster riffles and oxygenated seams.

Right now, hopper season is finally popping. Pink, peach, and tan hoppers ranging size 8-14—like Morrish Hopper or Thunderthighs—are pulling up solid browns and rainbows from riffle corners and bankside pockets. If the trout refuse a big hopper, downsize to beetle patterns or floating ant imitations, especially above Yankee Jim Canyon or in the Valley. There are solid reports of fish still looking up for caddis before sunset, with Elk Hair and Butch Caddis in sizes 14-18 doing work.

Streamers and nymphs are solid bets while the hatches are quiet. Patterns like a Coffee Sparkle Minnow or a Black Leadeye (#4-6), trailed by a beadhead Prince or Lil’ Spanker (#12-18) have been sticking fish, especially tight to structure on the lower river. Nocturnal stones are lingering near dawn—Pat’s Rubberlegs in black or brown/coffee (#4-8) has produced on the swing or dead-drifted near depth changes. If you want numbers, stick to Euro nymphs in darker colors under a small indicator, focusing around the deeper riffles or any shaded log jams.

Fish caught this week include browns, rainbows, and some cutthroat in the upper stretches. The bite has been strongest on terrestrials and subsurface, with several photos showing clients with healthy, clean Valley rainbows and cutties. It’s busy out there, so remember to give other anglers some elbow room and practice a quick, gentle release, especially as temps just start to climb after noon.

Hot spots: north of Livingston around Mallard’s Rest is firing early on hoppers and ant patterns for rainbows and smaller browns. Yankee Jim Canyon is fishing well for those willing to hike a bit and swing streamers tight to the cliffs. For wading, look to the islands near Emigrant—the channels are lower, and trout are stacked in the choppy seams and tailouts as the day warms.

Final word: get out early, rig up with a pink or peach hopper and don

This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.