Autumn has officially taken the Yellowstone, and the season is rotating. According to Yellowstone Angler’s October 12, 2026 report, the cottonwoods are turning, trout are up on the surface eating Hecuba, BWOs, and terrestrials, the streamer bite is climbing session over session, and whitefish are thick and just starting to spawn — meaning a nymph rig will rack up numbers, though quality trout are holding those same holes and runs. On bright days, hopper-dropper or straight nymphing remains the highest-percentage play, but the forecast turns this weekend into next week with rain and possibly snow, and that lower light plus incoming moisture should pop the baetis and put fish back on top while giving streamers the window they’ve been waiting for.
Be sure to check out the week’s board here, which includes a bunch of awesome fishing photos, all of which is to say, as one caption put it, it’s officially streamer time! The fly box runs from Nocturnal and Golden Stones, hoppers, ants, Brindlechute, caddis, Green Drakes, PMDs, and Spruce Moth on top; to Buggerlegs (standard and tungsten), Rubberlegs, Beadhead Prince, Perdigons, Duracell Bomb, Blow Torch, Torch Light Fertile Caddis, and CDC Pheasant Tail underneath; to Olive Zonker, Home Invader, Leadeye Stingers, Mini Kill Whitey, Sex Dungeon, Peanut Envy Rootbeer, Sparkle Minnow, Silk Kitty, and Swim Coach out back — and the next ten days set up better than the last ten, so call Yellowstone Angler at 406-222-7130 to book a trip!
Here’s their contact information if you find yourself in Livingston, too:
5256 US Highway 89 South | P.O. Box 629 | Livingston MT 59047
Mon-Sat: 7:00-5:00, Sunday: 8:00-4:00
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