The following report is by Dan Bailey’s in Livingston, MT:
Despite a strong winter snowpack, runoff for southwest Montana’s rivers and creeks is weeks ahead of where it should be. While the fishing is great right now, it could be a long summer for our fisheries. Please do everything you can to keep fish wet as you handle them, and refrain from overexerting them to capture photos and videos.
We have everything you need for a great day on the water, so be sure to stop by the shop to gear up and to get up-to-date information before you head out. Happy fishing!
YELLOWSTONE RIVER
5,440 CFS in Livingston on 7/1/25
The Yellowstone River is dropping much faster than we’d like for this early in the season, but it is in shape and fishing really well. The salmonflies have moved up Paradise Valley and are into the park at this point, but you can still find them active from Joe Brown up to Gardiner. Golden Stones and Yellow Sallies are prevalent, so make sure to try several different combinations of stonefly dries and nymphs. Big stimulators and chubbies are a great choice for a multipurpose dry fly.
Fishing a rubber leg, perdigon, or caddis pupa underneath a high-floating salmonfly, golden stone or Chubby Chernobyl pattern is a great way to cover two zones when you’re waiting on the hatch. A brown rubber leg dropper about three feet below your dry fly is working particularly well below Livingston. The caddis hatches have been strong too, and when they’re out the fish are keying in on them.
Streamer fishing has been good too, with olive streamers getting the most consistent chases.
As always, the Yellowstone can be a dangerous river to wade or float at any time of the year. Please use caution when you’re out enjoying the Stone.
YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK
The park’s rivers and creeks are fishing very well right now, but please note that Hoot Owl restrictions (fishing is closed daily from 2 p.m. until the following sunrise) are in effect on the Firehole, Madison and Gibbon Rivers.
Please respect the fishing restrictions and do everything you can to keep fish in the water without overexerting them. Due to water temperatures on the YNP stretch of the Madison River, we recommend avoiding this stretch altogether in order to protect the fishery.
In the northeast region of the park, the Lamar River, Soda Butte Creek, Slough Creek and other waters are all in great fishing shape right now. Salmonflies are on the menu as well as grey drakes. Terrestrials like ants and beetles are always worth a try here too.
Be sure to be bear aware and carry bear spray with you. If you can fish in a group of three or more, do it. Respect for our wildlife is crucial for everyone’s wellbeing.
MADISON RIVER
Upper Madison
342 CFS near West Yellowstone on 7/1/25
As mentioned above, the Madison River in Yellowstone National Park is under Hoot Owl restrictions. We recommend letting it rest altogether.
The wade section of the river is fishing very well. Dry fly fishing is about as good as it gets right now, and we should continue to see all manner of stoneflies and mayflies through the Fourth of July. A dry/dropper combo is a great bet in riffles, pocket water as well as along the bank.
Lower Madison
1,220 CFS near McCallister on 6/30/25
While the lower Madison is much lower than we’d like, it is still fishing very well with dry flies carrying the day. There are still a few salmonflies around, but the salmonfly bite is waning. The caddis hatch has been exceptional. If you’re waiting for the hatch, throw on a Chubby Chernobyl (#14) with a beadhead nymph below. Size #12/14 Prince Nymphs and Pheasant Tails are working well, but don’t hesitate to throw on a smaller size #16 PMD nymph too.
GALLATIN RIVER
1,160 CFS near Gallatin Gateway on 6/30/25
The Gallatin is in good shape, and the salmonflies are out! You can’t go wrong with a Chubby Chernobyl dry and a rubberleg or Perdigon dropper. Make sure to give your dropper some length, and use quick-sinking nymph to get the fly in front of the fish in the Gallatin’s swift water.
