Yellowstone River Fly Fishing Reports
September 16, 2023 Yellowstone River Fishing Report
Date: 09/16/2023
Current Conditions
The upper river is fishing ok with a variety of small attractor dries, fished over shallow water flats and along bank seams throughout the day. The Whitefish bite is starting to get "really good" as they are preparing to spawn in the near future - so expect lots of them if you end up with a nymph under a dry or indicator. We have mostly been fishing the river east of Livingston the past week with mixed results as we are still finding fish willing to come up to a hopper, but it has been less consistent and is starting to wind down. We did have some boats throwing streamers this past week with some good results in the water just below long riffles and fished back towards the bank, even in the bright sun. Streamer fishing should get better and better the next few weeks!
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 area, here is a link to one that we check regularly.
Flows
2080 CFS
On 2023-9-16
Streamflow
Click to enlarge
Bozeman, Montana Fly Fishing Guided Day Trips
Our guests have the flexibility to fish a variety of world-renowned trout fisheries including the Yellowstone, Gallatin, Madison, and Jefferson rivers on our Bozeman, Montana fly-fishing guided full-day trips.
- Day Trips Are 6-8 Hours in Duration
- 1-2 Anglers Maximum Per Guide/Boat
- Float Trips with Wade Fishing Opportunities Throughout the Day
- Drive Time Is Typically 30-60 Minutes Each Way
- Use of gear, flies, and terminal tackle is Included
- Deli lunches and Non-Alcoholic Beverages are included
- Fishing Licenses and Gratuities Are Not Included
Fins & Feathers Guide Service has been outfitting fly-anglers across Montana since 2000. We sold our fly shop (Fins & Feathers of Bozeman at 4-Corners) to our friends at Yellow Dog Fly Fishing in late 2022. Our guide service remains the same and continues to be outfitted by Toby Swank, Montana Outfitter #9603.
For Yellowstone River Shuttles Contact:
B and G River Shuttle: (406) 223-0626
Digger Driver Shuttle: (406) 823-9238
The Yellowstone River is the quintessential large western river and provides a unique Montana fly fishing opportunity with over 100 miles of quality, wild trout water. In fact, the Yellowstone River is the longest free-flowing river in the lower 48. There is every type of water to be found through its course, including the whitewater sections of Yankee Jim Canyon, the placid glides of Paradise Valley, and the long riffles of the lower sections near Big Timber.