Yellowstone River Fishing Report

Yellowstone River Fishing Report

04/26/2024

Our beloved rainbow trout are spawning this time of year. That means if you see fish in shallow water on polished gravel DO NOT fish to them, walk in the water near them, or wade below the polished gravel as that is where the most eggs are. They are trying to keep our fish populations healthy and we need to do our part and leave them alone this time of year.

The Yellowstone has been fishing pretty well lately and been host to some good bug activity as well. The flows have recently bumped up a decent amount and the river is starting to hold a bit more color. With the rains expected this weekend flows will likely increase and the river will get murkier. The fishing is still pretty reliable and we probably have a few more god trips out here before runoff really gets going. 

There are some dry fly opportunities with caddis and blue winged olives, but they will get increasingly more challenging as the water gets more color to it.



We have had the most success nymphing with bugs on the larger side of things with a smaller bug below it. Pairing a large stonefly or small streamer with a midge or mayfly nymph behind is a great starting strategy. Focus on the slow water, behind boulders, tight to the bank, and on the inside of bends. If you can't seem to get away from the whitefish try throwing more natural patterns without a beadhead, rigged a little bit shallower, and fish water that is moving a little bit quicker moving.

Slow stripping or dead drifting streamers are a great option this time of year, especially on the Yellowstone when you can't dial in any bug hatch. Start with your patterns that are a bit smaller and then slowly increase in size until you find how big they want that day. Usually a mid size sculpin pattern like Jeremy's Bite Snack Sculipin #4 is a good starting place and then start trying out those larger articulated patterns.

Dries: Micro Chubby (Royal, Gold, Black) #14-16, Cornfed Caddis #14-16, Hippy Stomper (purple) #12-14, Glarachute Adams #16-18, Carlson's Olive Haze #16-18

Nymphs:  Pat's Rubber Legs (black/brown, coffee, olive, black) #8-12, Prince Nymph #8-16, Perdigon (hollow point, pearl, any color lite brite) #16-18, Primetime Caddis Pupa #14-16, Little Green Machine #14-16, Lil Spanker (gold, silver, pheasant tail) #14-20, Soft Hackle Lightning Bug (silver, gold) #14-20

Streamers: Kill Whitey's, Barely Legal's, Sex Dungeon's, Silk Kitty's, Sculpzilla, Sparkle Minnows and Li'l Kim

New to the Yellowstone? Head over to our shop in Big Sky or reach out to us for information about trips with our experienced guide staff, up to date fishing advice, and the right tips to get you on the water and finding fish.

Want to fish the Yellowstone summer 2023? We're ready to book trips for 2023, just give us a call at the shop. 406-995-2290

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Thanks for checking out our Montana fly fishing report for the Yellowstone River Fishing Report brought to you from beautiful Big Sky, Montana. Also serving Bozeman, Ennis, West Yellowstone, Belgrade, and Livingston, Montana.