Artificial Lure reporting from the banks of the **Yellowstone River**, Montana, where late fall has settled in with crisp mornings, blustery winds, and fading golden cottonwoods. Sunrise today was at 7:20 AM, and sunset’s due at 4:52 PM. No tides on the Yellowstone itself—just steady natural flows, with current discharge near Livingston running around 1,500 CFS according to Rising Trout Fly Fishing Outfitters. The weather is typical November: low 40s in the morning, heading toward an afternoon high in the upper 40s, wind about 10-15 mph, patchy clouds scudding along, so pack that extra layer—and your bear spray.
Fish activity has been quietly steady. The river’s sliding into its classic winter rhythm, meaning trout are shifting back to **softer, deeper water**—think slow slicks, foam eddies, and big seams. Best action is late morning through midafternoon, as water temps rise just enough to wake things up. You’ll find cutthroat, rainbow, and brown trout on the prowl, with browns especially aggressive as their **spawning drive** peaks. Recent catches reported include healthy numbers of 12–16 inch rainbows, the occasional cuttie pushing 18, and a few browns rumored to break the **24-inch mark**, especially out east of Livingston. No monster shockers in the story, but solid numbers for late November.
Hatch-wise, it’s **Blue Winged Olives** front and center—light but reliable daily hatches. You might see midges, especially if the wind calms, and the odd terrestrial or caddis when the day warms. Fish are feeding deep, but a well-presented dry still pulls a rise. Streamer fishing has been top dog with browns gunning for calories: Sculpzillas in black, olive, or brown (sizes 2–10), Sparkle Minnows, and classic Home Invaders. For nymphing, the top producers have been **Pheasant Tails**, Prince nymphs, Pat’s Rubberlegs, and beadhead Perdigons. Dry fly fans should work Parachute Adams or Comparaduns in size 16–20.
Bait anglers, if you’re working a legal stretch, report worms and eggs in the quieter backwaters producing well, but most action is via fly, especially in catch-and-release corridors. Locals swear by “North Fork Specials” for nymphing, and streamer junkies have luck pitching big meat into undercut banks. With water cooling, slow retrieves win—don’t rush the swing!
Hot spots to try:
- **Mill Creek access** just east of Livingston—deep bends, mixed gravel and foam lines.
- The **Carter’s Bridge stretch**—long seams and plenty of structure, plus easier walk-in access.
- If you’re feeling adventurous, push north toward **Springdale**, where browns are holding deep and the BWO hatch lingers a bit later each afternoon.
Wildlife is always a factor; keep an eye out for elk herds crossing early and give space to the last wandering bears.
A few technical pointers: Keep your tippet at 4x or 5x; avoid going too fine as bigger fish are on the move. Use small swivels if you’re chucking spinners to cut line twist, and check your drag before every drift—cold fingers mean weak knots.
That’s your live, boots-on-the-ground Yellowstone River report for November 13, 2025. Keep it local, stay flexible, and fish happy. Thanks for tuning in—be sure to subscribe for all things angling and river lore.
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This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI