August 5, 2023 Yellowstone River Fishing Report
Date: 08/05/2023
Posted by: Toby SwankCurrent Conditions
The Yellowstone River has been fishing very well thus far during the summer of 2023 – which is encouraging news a year after the historic floods of 2022. We have seen some remarkable fish being caught post-runoff while also finding good numbers of trout in a wide range of sizes, among all of the primary species.
The upper Paradise Valley stretches were slower for us this past week - which makes sense with the hot weather and low, summer flows. We were finding fish that were willing to eat a hopper or a small dry along the seams coming off bank-side rocks and logs - as long as the water under them had some depth to it. Long, mid-river drifts at the tail end of gravel bars are also finding some Cutthroats throughout the day. Fishing a dry-dropper or short nymph rig in back eddies and along inside seams has been the most productive method for finding numbers of fish.
The sections through and below Livingston have been productive with hoppers and hopper/dropper rigs this past week. Long riffles are still holding some good Browns and this overcast and cooler weather pattern should keep them in that water throughout the day. Early morning streamer sessions have been very productive along the faster banks with a lot of structure like rip-rap and downed trees. Nocturnal stones are out, so nymphing the faster water with some depth changes to it is finding plenty of trout too.
We offer Yellowstone River guided fly-fishing trips throughout the year and float the river from the top of Paradise Valley, all the way to Columbus, Montana at different times of the year. You can book with us online or through e-mail.
The Yellowstone River can go off-color quite quickly during the summer months following heavy rains in Yellowstone National Park and Paradise Valley. You can check current water clarity through handful of webcams in the are, here is link to one that we check regularly.
Stream Flows
Flows
Recommended Flies
Yellowstone River Fishing
The Yellowstone River is a 600-mile-long river in Montana that originates in Yellowstone National Park. The river offers world-class trout fishing opportunities and flows through breathtaking mountain landscapes with cottonwood-lined banks. Anglers can enjoy diverse fishing experiences, ranging from the whitewater of Yankee Jim Canyon to the peaceful glides near Livingston and the broad riffles near Big Timber.
Read our "Yellowstone River Fishing Guide" for a detailed overview of fly fishing the Yellowstone River in Montana. This is a great resource for anglers fishing near Bozeman Montana and details the various river stretches and seasonal hatches with tips from our Bozeman fly fishing guides on Yellowstone River fly fishing.