“Good morning anglers, this is Artificial Lure bringing you today’s fishing report from the mighty Yellowstone River in Montana.
We’re well into runoff season now and flow levels have been bouncing up and down after the weekend rains. Conditions are shifting each day. Water is higher and a little murky in spots but still fishable if you pick your windows wisely. If the flows drop and the water clears, it can be prime time to get out there, especially before things get too muddy as spring warms up. Always check the local gauges before you hit the water and look for that sweet spot when the flows start to drop after a spike. That’s your green light for the day.
Weather-wise, expect cloudy skies early with a chance for some afternoon sun and mild winds through the Paradise Valley stretch today. Sunrise is around 5:45 am and sunset will be about 8:45 pm—plenty of daylight for long casts and drifting bugs down those gravel bars. No tides to worry about out here, just good ol’ river current, but be mindful of higher flows as runoff continues.
Fish have been feeding well when the river settles a bit. Recently, anglers have landed browns and rainbows with a few cutthroats mixed in, especially in the stretches from Livingston up through Yankee Jim Canyon. Fish in the 12 to 18 inch range have been the norm, with the odd bigger brown if you put in the time around deeper runs and boulders.
Best bet for flies right now are big dark rubber legs, leeches, and streamers—think sculpin patterns and small articulated buggers. Darker colors work best on overcast days, while lighter and flashier patterns shine if the sun pokes through. Nymphing with worms, stoneflies, and flashy patterns like prince nymphs and blowtorches is producing fish as well, especially below riffles and in slower moving water. For a shot at some surface action, look for caddis and mayfly hatches during the warmest part of the afternoon.
Bait anglers should focus on worms or leeches drifted near the bottom, but check regs before you go as some sections have artificial-only rules.
Hot spots right now include the Gravel Bars west of Livingston, where dropping flows are pulling fish into feeding lanes, and the boulder-strewn stretches near Emigrant, which are perfect for swinging streamers and drifting nymphs on the seams.
In summary, be mobile and patient, target the inside bends and soft water, and don’t hesitate to change flies or move spots if you’re not getting grabs. The Yellowstone can be hit or miss this time of year, but time it right and you’ll be rewarded.
Tight lines and good luck out there.”
Click here for audio fishing report.
