General Information
YELLOWSTONE RIVER
The Yellowstone River starts south of Yellowstone Park running north into Yellowstone
Lake. It then continues to flow north through Hayden Valley, the Grand and Black
canyons of the park. It enters Montana at Gardner flowing north to Livingston
where it turns east. It is the longest free flowing river in the U.S. outside
of Alaska, flowing unrestricted for 678 miles, over 200 of these miles are prime
trout waters.
The Yellowstone River offers all types of fishing. The river near Yellowstone
Lake fishes just like a tail water fishery, the canyon offers pocket water,
Paradise Valley just south of Livingston offers classic big river riffles and
pools. The river east of Livingston gets larger with additional streams entering
but there are many side channels offering Small River quality fishing.
Insect hatches occur most of the year. Hoppers, blizzard like caddis hatches,
midges, brown, green and gray Drakes, as well as spectacular streamer, and nymph
fishing offer a wide variety of fishing opportunities. It's large populations
of Brown; Rainbow and native Yellowstone Cutthroat trout will reward you as
no other stream.
If you are fishing the Yellowstone for the first time we recommend a float
trip. Wherever you fish on the Yellowstone you will be surrounded by majestic
snow capped peaks. In addition to the scenic beauty the observant angler will
witness the abundant wildlife that makes the river their home. Osprey, Bald
Eagles and deer are common sights while fishing. If you are lucky you may see
elk, moose, bear or Bighorn Sheep.
For those of you who wish to challenge the river on your own, you will be glad
to know there are numerous public access sites along the river.
PREDOMINANT ACTIVITY, HATCHES & FOOD FORMS
JANUARY THRU FEBRUARY
Cold water temperatures (36-42 deg.) limit activity. Midge hatches can provide
excellent dry fly fishing, especially during overcast, non windy days when the
air temperatures rise above freezing. Fish are concentrated and nymphing is
productive once fish are located.
FLY PATTERN RECOMMENDATIONS
 |
| Griffin Gnat |
| Size #16, #18, #20 |
| Stock #SD111 |
|
 |
| Parachute Midge |
| Size #20 |
| Stock #SD112 |
|
 |
| Parachute Adams |
| Size #12, #14, #16, #18, #20 |
| Stock# DF142 |
|
 |
| H&L Variant |
| Size #12 |
| Stock# DF129 |
|
 |
| Olive or Tan Hare's Ear |
| Size #12, #14, |
| Stock#N115 |
|
 |
| Prince Nymph |
| Size #10, #12, #14 |
| Stock#N118 |
|
 |
| George's Brown Stone |
| Size #4, #6, #8, #10 |
| Stock#N111 |
|
 |
| Copper John |
| Size #12, #14, #16 |
| Stock#N110 |
|
 |
| Lighting Bug |
| Size #12, #14, #16 |
| Stock#N113 |
|
 |
| Biot Stone Fly Yellow |
| Size #10, #12, #14 |
| Stock#N106 |
|
MARCH THRU APRIL 27TH
Spring weather brings about increased activity in fish, insects and fisherman.
Also, this is the time of year that Rainbow trout spawn. Nymph and Streamer
fishing tends to prove the most productive, however, dry fly fishing can be
surprisingly good. Midges and spring Baetis are the primary hatches. Given weathers
unpredictability from February through this period, bring along your skis and
either fish or ski depending on what the weather allows.
FLY PATTERN RECOMMENDATIONS
 |
| Royal Wulff |
| Size #10, #12, #14, #16 |
| Stock# DF154 |
|
|
| Griffin Gnat |
| Size #16, #18, #20 |
| Stock #SD111 |
|
|
| Parachute Midge |
| Size #20 |
| Stock #SD112 |
|
|
| Parachute Adams |
| Size #12, #14, #16, #18, #20 |
| Stock# DF142 |
|
|
| H&L Variant |
| Size #12 |
| Stock# DF129 |
|
|
| Olive or Tan Hare's Ear |
| Size #12, #14, |
| Stock#N115 |
|
|
| Prince Nymph |
| Size #10, #12, #14 |
| Stock#N118 |
|
|
| George's Brown Stone |
| Size #4, #6, #8, #10 |
| Stock#N111 |
|
|
| Copper John |
| Size #12, #14, #16 |
| Stock#N110 |
|
|
| Lighting Bug |
| Size #12, #14, #16 |
| Stock#N113 |
|
|
| Biot Stone Fly Yellow |
| Size #10, #12, #14 |
| Stock#N106 |
|
 |
| B.H.DT |
| Size #10, #12, #14 |
| Stock#N101 |
|
 |
| B.H.Black.&.Olive.Bugger |
| Size#2, #4, #6 |
| Stock #S101 |
|
 |
| B.H.Black.Crystal.Bugger |
| Size#6 |
| Stock #S102 |
|
 |
| B.H.Brown.&.Yellow.Bugger |
| Size#2, #4, #6 |
| Stock #S103 |
|
 |
| B.H.Brown.Crystal.Bugger |
| Size#6 |
| Stock #S104 |
|
 |
| B.H.Olive.Bugger |
| Size#2, #4, #6 |
| Stock #S105 |
|
|
|
APRIL 28TH THRU MAY I0TH
One of our most incredible caddis hatches of the year happens during this period.
Often times, concentrations of these insects can be inches thick, literally
blanketing the water surface. Runoff can be a factor during this hatch and usually
brings an abrupt end to the excellent fishing sometimes during the first ten
days in May.
FLY PATTERN RECOMMENDATIONS
 |
| Caps Instigator, Olive, Yellow, Phesant Tail |
| Size #8, #10, #12, #14 |
| Stock# DF112 |
|
|
| B.H.DT |
| Size #10, #12, #14 |
| Stock#N101 |
|
 |
| Patriot |
| Size #12, #14, #16, #18 |
| Stock#DF149 |
|
|
| Prince Nymph |
| Size #10, #12, #14 |
| Stock#N118 |
|
 |
| Caps Elk Hair Caddis Brown Olive |
| Size # 10, #12, #14, #16 |
| Stock# DF111 |
|
 |
| Hemingway Caddis, Olive |
| Size #12, #14 |
| Stock# DF130 |
|
 |
| Henryville Caddis, Olive |
| Size #12, #14 |
| Stock# DF131 |
|
 |
| Parachute Caddis |
| Size #12, #14 |
| Stock# DF145 |
|
MAY 11TH THRU JUNE 25TH
This is our runoff period. Water is typically high and discolored. Depending
on weather and snow pack there may be a few scattered days when the river is
fishable, but they are completely unpredictable. This is a good time to consider
some of our other fishing options in the area. Private lakes, some Yellowstone
Park water and smaller mountain freestones all offer good fishing opportunities
during this time.
JUNE 26TH THRU JULY I0TH
The fabled Stonefly hatch begins during this period. June days are usually
still marked by runoff. Depending on snow pack levels and weather conditions,
runoff can also present a problem during the first week in July. If the water
level is dropping and visibility is good, fishing can be at its best.
FLY PATTERN RECOMMENDATIONS
 |
| Ext. Body Foam Salmon Fly |
| Size #8 |
| Stock# DF122 |
|
 |
| Royal Coachman Trude |
| Size #8, #10, #12. #14 |
| Stock# DF153 |
|
|
| Caps Instigator, Olive, Yellow, Phesant Tail |
| Size #8, #10, #12, #14 |
| Stock# DF112 |
|
 |
| Bitch Creek |
| Size#4 |
| Stock #S107 |
|
 |
| Kiwi Muddler,Yellow, Olive,Chinchilla,Black |
| Size#6 |
| Stock #S112 |
|
 |
| Rubber Leged JJ |
| Size#2, #4, #6 |
| Stock #S117 |
|
 |
| Yellow Double Bunny |
| Size#2 |
| Stock #S120 |
|
|
|
JULY 1ITH THRU JULY 31ST
This is consistently the best dry fly fishing of the year on the Yellowstone.
Less emphasis is on stoneflies, although there are still a few around. Caddis
imitations and general attractors are the best producers.
FLY PATTERN RECOMMENDATIONS
|
| Caps Instigator, Olive, Yellow, Phesant Tail |
| Size #8, #10, #12, #14 |
| Stock# DF112 |
|
 |
| Turk's Tarantula, Lime Green,Yellow, Tan |
| Size 38, #10, #12 |
| Stock# DF158 |
|
 |
| Pale Morning Dun |
| Size #12, #14, #16, #18 |
| Stock# DF141 |
|
|
| Patriot |
| Size #12, #14, #16, #18 |
| Stock#DF149 |
|
|
| Royal Coachman Trude |
| Size #8, #10, #12. #14 |
| Stock# DF153 |
|
|
| Caps Elk Hair Caddis |
| Size # 10, #12, #14, #16 |
| Stock# DF111 |
|
 |
| Chernobyl Ant |
| Size #6, #8, #10 |
| Stock# DF114 |
|
 |
| DrySpruce |
| Size #12, #14 |
| Stock# DF118 |
|
 |
| Ext. Body Foam Hopper,Yellow, Olive, Tan |
| Size #8 |
| Stock# DF121 |
|
 |
| Hermaphrodite Beettle |
| Size #8, #10, #12, #14 |
| Stock# DF132 |
|
 |
| Madam X |
| Size #8, #10, #12 |
| Stock# DF136 |
|
|
| Parachute Adams |
| Size #12, #14, #16, #18, #20 |
| Stock# DF142 |
|
 |
| Parachute Hopper |
| Size #8, #10, #12 |
| Stock# DF147 |
|
|
| Royal Wulff |
| Size #10, #12, #14, #16 |
| Stock# DF154 |
|
 |
| Tar Baby |
| Size #8 |
| Stock# DF157 |
|
 |
| Yellow Goofus Bug |
| Size #12, #14, #16 |
| Stock# DF160 |
|
 |
| Dave's Hopper |
| Size #8, #10, #12 |
| Stock# DF116 |
|
|
|
AUGUST 1ST THRU SEPTEMBER I0TH
Along with the mid-summer season comes the terrestrial that August is best
known for, grasshoppers. Caddis continues to produce well in the being of this
period, but less of a factor from mid-August on.
FLY PATTERN RECOMMENDATIONS
 |
| Lime Trude |
| Size #10, #12, #14 |
| Stock# DF135 |
|
|
| Patriot |
| Size #12, #14, #16, #18 |
| Stock#DF149 |
|
|
| Royal Coachman Trude |
| Size #8, #10, #12. #14 |
| Stock# DF153 |
|
|
| Royal Wulff |
| Size #10, #12, #14, #16 |
| Stock# DF154 |
|
|
| Turk's Tarantula, Lime Green,Yellow, Tan |
| Size 38, #10, #12 |
| Stock# DF158 |
|
|
| Ext. Body Foam Hopper,Yellow, Olive, Tan |
| Size #8 |
| Stock# DF121 |
|
|
| Dave's Hopper |
| Size #8, #10, #12 |
| Stock# DF116 |
|
|
| Chernobyl Ant |
| Size #6, #8, #10 |
| Stock# DF114 |
|
|
| Caps Instigator, Olive, Yellow, Phesant Tail |
| Size #8, #10, #12, #14 |
| Stock# DF112 |
|
 |
| Bullet Head Hopper |
| Size # 6, #8, #10, #12 |
| Stock# DF107 |
|
 |
| Adams Trude |
| Size #12, #14 |
| Stock# DF101 |
|
|
|
SEPTEMBER 11 TH THRU EARLY NOVEMBER
Fall season is a diverse time on the Yellowstone. Brown Trout make their annual
spawning run during this time and react aggressively towards streamer patterns.
If your goal is to catch that one large fish it can happen anytime, but this
is a prime period to concentrate your efforts. Many fish move off the banks
this time of year and can be found primarily in large pools. Hatches include
fall Blue Wing Olives and Midges, especially on overcast days.
FLY PATTERN RECOMMENDATIONS
 |
| Baetis Traditional Dun |
| Size #16, #18, #20 |
| Stock #SD104 |
|
|
| Caps Instigator, Olive, Yellow, Phesant Tail |
| Size #8, #10, #12, #14 |
| Stock# DF112 |
|
|
| DrySpruce |
| Size #12, #14 |
| Stock# DF118 |
|
|
| Hermaphrodite Beettle |
| Size #8, #10, #12, #14 |
| Stock# DF132 |
|
|
| Lime Trude |
| Size #10, #12, #14 |
| Stock# DF135 |
|
|
| Madam X |
| Size #8, #10, #12 |
| Stock# DF136 |
|
|
| Patriot |
| Size #12, #14, #16, #18 |
| Stock#DF149 |
|
 |
| Rat Face McDougall |
| Size #12, #14, #16 |
| Stock# DF151 |
|
|
| Royal Coachman Trude |
| Size #8, #10, #12. #14 |
| Stock# DF153 |
|
|
| Turk's Tarantula, Lime Green,Yellow, Tan |
| Size 38, #10, #12 |
| Stock# DF158 |
|
 |
| Ext. Body Mohagany Para Drake |
| Size #12, #14 |
| Stock# DF127 |
|
|
|
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Call or Email us for the latest up to date information on this exciting fishery
406-222-0989 flyshop@hatchfinders.com
