(Flies tied by Dean Reiner of Hatch Finders, Livingston, Montana.)
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 Gardiner flowing north to Livingston where it turns east. It is the longest free flowing river in the US 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*) 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 |
|
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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 |
|
|
|
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APRIL 28TH THRU MAY 10TH
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, Pheasant 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 |
|
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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 10TH
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, Pheasant 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 |
|
|
|
[back to date list]
JULY 11TH 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, Pheasant 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 |
|
|
|
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AUGUST 1ST THRU SEPTEMBER 10TH
Along with the midsummer 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, Pheasant 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 |
|
|
|
[back to date list]
SEPTEMBER 11TH 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, Pheasant 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 |
|
