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Yellowstone River Runoff Report: High Flows, Good Fishing Windows, Prep for Tough Conditions Ahead
Good morning anglers, this is Artificial Lure with your Yellowstone River report for May 31, 2025.
We’re right in the thick of spring runoff here on the ‘Stone. The river has been all over the map the last few days—recent cool spells dropped the flows and cleared things up just enough for solid fishing, but with warmer weather on tap, expect those flows to spike and the water to get muddy again soon. Today, the river near Livingston sits just under 7,000 cfs. It’s fishable—and probably your last good shot for a couple weeks, so seize the day before true runoff shuts things down until later in June, according to Sweetwater Fly Shop and Gallatin River Guides.
Weather-wise, you’ll want to layer up. We’ve got cloudy skies this morning, mild winds, and a slight chance of afternoon sun. Sunrise hit at 5:45 am, and you’ve got daylight until about 8:45 pm, so there’s plenty of time to fish every corner and eddy. No tides here, just classic fast current—wade carefully and mind your footing, especially as flows run high and cold.
Fish activity has been steady when the river drops and clears. Anglers have been bringing in healthy browns, rainbows, and the occasional cutthroat, mainly between Livingston and Yankee Jim Canyon. Most fish are running 12 to 18 inches, with the possibility of hooking that bigger brown if you stick to the deeper seams and boulder runs. The bite has been best during those windows when the river is dropping and color gets that ideal “greenish” tint, as Montana Outdoor notes.
With no major bug hatches right now, you’ll want to focus on nymphs and streamers. Streamer fishing is the go-to—dead drifting or swinging darker patterns like black, olive, or brown leech imitations has been getting takes, especially on overcast days. For nymphing, dark rubberlegs and leech patterns paired with a smaller baetis or midge dropper will put fish in the net. If the sun pops out, don’t be afraid to throw a flashier, lighter streamer or nymph. Paradise Valley spring creeks are also fishing well if you crave technical dry fly work—good baetis and midge hatches have the trout looking up on those creeks.
Looking for hot spots? Target the stretch from Emigrant up through Paradise Valley for consistent action, or brave the pocketwater and deeper runs of Yankee Jim Canyon if you want solitude and the chance for a big brown in wild water. Don’t overlook the first few miles below Gardiner for great scenery and willing fish, just be cautious in the canyons—flows can be tricky.
As always, check local gauges before heading out, and keep an eye on rising water. That window is closing fast.
Thanks for tuning in—don’t forget to subscribe for more reports and updates! This has been a Quiet Please production, for more check out quietplease dot ai.
We’re right in the thick of spring runoff here on the ‘Stone. The river has been all over the map the last few days—recent cool spells dropped the flows and cleared things up just enough for solid fishing, but with warmer weather on tap, expect those flows to spike and the water to get muddy again soon. Today, the river near Livingston sits just under 7,000 cfs. It’s fishable—and probably your last good shot for a couple weeks, so seize the day before true runoff shuts things down until later in June, according to Sweetwater Fly Shop and Gallatin River Guides.
Weather-wise, you’ll want to layer up. We’ve got cloudy skies this morning, mild winds, and a slight chance of afternoon sun. Sunrise hit at 5:45 am, and you’ve got daylight until about 8:45 pm, so there’s plenty of time to fish every corner and eddy. No tides here, just classic fast current—wade carefully and mind your footing, especially as flows run high and cold.
Fish activity has been steady when the river drops and clears. Anglers have been bringing in healthy browns, rainbows, and the occasional cutthroat, mainly between Livingston and Yankee Jim Canyon. Most fish are running 12 to 18 inches, with the possibility of hooking that bigger brown if you stick to the deeper seams and boulder runs. The bite has been best during those windows when the river is dropping and color gets that ideal “greenish” tint, as Montana Outdoor notes.
With no major bug hatches right now, you’ll want to focus on nymphs and streamers. Streamer fishing is the go-to—dead drifting or swinging darker patterns like black, olive, or brown leech imitations has been getting takes, especially on overcast days. For nymphing, dark rubberlegs and leech patterns paired with a smaller baetis or midge dropper will put fish in the net. If the sun pops out, don’t be afraid to throw a flashier, lighter streamer or nymph. Paradise Valley spring creeks are also fishing well if you crave technical dry fly work—good baetis and midge hatches have the trout looking up on those creeks.
Looking for hot spots? Target the stretch from Emigrant up through Paradise Valley for consistent action, or brave the pocketwater and deeper runs of Yankee Jim Canyon if you want solitude and the chance for a big brown in wild water. Don’t overlook the first few miles below Gardiner for great scenery and willing fish, just be cautious in the canyons—flows can be tricky.
As always, check local gauges before heading out, and keep an eye on rising water. That window is closing fast.
Thanks for tuning in—don’t forget to subscribe for more reports and updates! This has been a Quiet Please production, for more check out quietplease dot ai.
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By Quiet. PleaseGood morning anglers, this is Artificial Lure with your Yellowstone River report for May 31, 2025.
We’re right in the thick of spring runoff here on the ‘Stone. The river has been all over the map the last few days—recent cool spells dropped the flows and cleared things up just enough for solid fishing, but with warmer weather on tap, expect those flows to spike and the water to get muddy again soon. Today, the river near Livingston sits just under 7,000 cfs. It’s fishable—and probably your last good shot for a couple weeks, so seize the day before true runoff shuts things down until later in June, according to Sweetwater Fly Shop and Gallatin River Guides.
Weather-wise, you’ll want to layer up. We’ve got cloudy skies this morning, mild winds, and a slight chance of afternoon sun. Sunrise hit at 5:45 am, and you’ve got daylight until about 8:45 pm, so there’s plenty of time to fish every corner and eddy. No tides here, just classic fast current—wade carefully and mind your footing, especially as flows run high and cold.
Fish activity has been steady when the river drops and clears. Anglers have been bringing in healthy browns, rainbows, and the occasional cutthroat, mainly between Livingston and Yankee Jim Canyon. Most fish are running 12 to 18 inches, with the possibility of hooking that bigger brown if you stick to the deeper seams and boulder runs. The bite has been best during those windows when the river is dropping and color gets that ideal “greenish” tint, as Montana Outdoor notes.
With no major bug hatches right now, you’ll want to focus on nymphs and streamers. Streamer fishing is the go-to—dead drifting or swinging darker patterns like black, olive, or brown leech imitations has been getting takes, especially on overcast days. For nymphing, dark rubberlegs and leech patterns paired with a smaller baetis or midge dropper will put fish in the net. If the sun pops out, don’t be afraid to throw a flashier, lighter streamer or nymph. Paradise Valley spring creeks are also fishing well if you crave technical dry fly work—good baetis and midge hatches have the trout looking up on those creeks.
Looking for hot spots? Target the stretch from Emigrant up through Paradise Valley for consistent action, or brave the pocketwater and deeper runs of Yankee Jim Canyon if you want solitude and the chance for a big brown in wild water. Don’t overlook the first few miles below Gardiner for great scenery and willing fish, just be cautious in the canyons—flows can be tricky.
As always, check local gauges before heading out, and keep an eye on rising water. That window is closing fast.
Thanks for tuning in—don’t forget to subscribe for more reports and updates! This has been a Quiet Please production, for more check out quietplease dot ai.
We’re right in the thick of spring runoff here on the ‘Stone. The river has been all over the map the last few days—recent cool spells dropped the flows and cleared things up just enough for solid fishing, but with warmer weather on tap, expect those flows to spike and the water to get muddy again soon. Today, the river near Livingston sits just under 7,000 cfs. It’s fishable—and probably your last good shot for a couple weeks, so seize the day before true runoff shuts things down until later in June, according to Sweetwater Fly Shop and Gallatin River Guides.
Weather-wise, you’ll want to layer up. We’ve got cloudy skies this morning, mild winds, and a slight chance of afternoon sun. Sunrise hit at 5:45 am, and you’ve got daylight until about 8:45 pm, so there’s plenty of time to fish every corner and eddy. No tides here, just classic fast current—wade carefully and mind your footing, especially as flows run high and cold.
Fish activity has been steady when the river drops and clears. Anglers have been bringing in healthy browns, rainbows, and the occasional cutthroat, mainly between Livingston and Yankee Jim Canyon. Most fish are running 12 to 18 inches, with the possibility of hooking that bigger brown if you stick to the deeper seams and boulder runs. The bite has been best during those windows when the river is dropping and color gets that ideal “greenish” tint, as Montana Outdoor notes.
With no major bug hatches right now, you’ll want to focus on nymphs and streamers. Streamer fishing is the go-to—dead drifting or swinging darker patterns like black, olive, or brown leech imitations has been getting takes, especially on overcast days. For nymphing, dark rubberlegs and leech patterns paired with a smaller baetis or midge dropper will put fish in the net. If the sun pops out, don’t be afraid to throw a flashier, lighter streamer or nymph. Paradise Valley spring creeks are also fishing well if you crave technical dry fly work—good baetis and midge hatches have the trout looking up on those creeks.
Looking for hot spots? Target the stretch from Emigrant up through Paradise Valley for consistent action, or brave the pocketwater and deeper runs of Yankee Jim Canyon if you want solitude and the chance for a big brown in wild water. Don’t overlook the first few miles below Gardiner for great scenery and willing fish, just be cautious in the canyons—flows can be tricky.
As always, check local gauges before heading out, and keep an eye on rising water. That window is closing fast.
Thanks for tuning in—don’t forget to subscribe for more reports and updates! This has been a Quiet Please production, for more check out quietplease dot ai.