Our Favorite Spots for Fly Fishing Bozeman on the Yellowstone River

Fall is one of the best times of year to wade fish the Yellowstone River. The summer crowds are gone, the weather is cooler, and trout feed aggressively as they prepare for winter. Browns turn territorial, rainbows rise on cloudy afternoons, and the river itself is often more consistent to fish than at any other point in the year.

Here are three of the best wade fishing spots along the Yellowstone River in Montana during the fall, and why they shine this time of year.

Point of Rocks Access

Just downstream of Gardiner, the Point of Rocks fishing access site is a great option for fall wading. This stretch of the Yellowstone has great accessibility for wading as well as rocky banks with pocket water. In October, brown trout sit in these slower pockets and will react quickly to streamers, making this one of our favorites for fall streamer fishing. On cloudy afternoons, baetis hatches bring rainbows and cutthroat to the surface, giving dry fly anglers a chance at steady action. With easy parking and straightforward wading, Point of Rocks is one of the most practical and productive fall access points for DIY anglers.

Yankee Jim Canyon

For anglers after adventure, Yankee Jim Canyon is one of the most rugged and rewarding Yellowstone River stretches. The river here cuts through steep canyon walls, creating fast, deep runs that demand careful wading. Joe Brown Fishing Access, located at the upper end of the canyon, is the main point for getting into this section on foot. From there, anglers can work their way downstream into prime pocket water and canyon runs.

In the fall, this section becomes more consistent as flows drop and stabilize. With fewer anglers willing to tackle the rougher terrain, you’ll often have big water to yourself. It’s not an easy place to fish, but for those willing to pick it apart carefully, Yankee Jim offers some of the best wade opportunities on the Yellowstone.

Below Livingston

As the river makes its way down toward Springdale, the river broadens. The wide bends and gravel bars of the lower Yellowstone River give wade fishermen plenty of room to spread out, and public access sites like Springdale and Otter Creek make it easy to get into the river without a boat. For anyone interested in Bozeman fly fishing, this stretch is close enough to reach in a day yet feels like classic big water that can be broken down and fished slowly in the fall.

Fishing here in autumn is rewarding. Cooler days keep trout active, and overcast afternoons often bring baetis hatches that get fish looking up. With fewer anglers around, long runs fish better than they appear at first glance, giving wade fishermen the chance to cover water slowly and find trout holding throughout the stretch.

Streamer Fishing for Trophy Browns

Fall is one of the best times to fish streamers on the Yellowstone River. As the water cools, brown trout move into different parts of the river and become more aggressive. This is the time of year for big articulated streamers. For anyone thinking about Bozeman fly fishing or Montana fly fishing in the fall, this is one of the best chances of the year to find a bigger fish. Fall wade fishing on the Yellowstone River combines everything anglers love about Montana: cold, clear water, aggressive fish, and the kind of solitude that’s hard to find in the summer months.

Pro Tip

A pro tip from our Bozeman, Mt fly fishing guides: fall weather can be unpredictable, so pack for all conditions. Cold mornings often turn into sunny afternoons, and short rain showers can flip the switch on both baetis and streamer fishing. Staying comfortable means you’ll be on the water when the bite is at its best.

If you’re planning on fishing streamers, having the right line setup is just as important as the fly itself. A 7-weight paired with a Scientific Anglers triple-density sinking line or a heavier Trout Express line is a great match for fly fishing the Yellowstone River. The extra weight and quick sink rate make a huge difference when fishing big articulated streamers.

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