Yellowstone River Fishing Report
Date: 09/14/2026
Posted by: Toby SwankCurrent Conditions
The Yellowstone River has been in good shape, and the cooler weather has made for some of the best fishing we've seen in the last few weeks. Water temperatures have dropped, fish are feeding longer into the day, and the recent wind has made streamer fishing a great option. The river is clear, and the Livingston stretch upstream continues to be the most consistent.
Hopper fishing is still worth trying when the wind settles down, but don't be afraid to switch gears. Olive, black, and white streamers have been moving better fish, especially on cloudy afternoons.
If you're nymphing, a beadhead pat's rubberlegs with a Prince nymph or black Spanish bullet underneath has been a dependable setup through the deeper runs and faster water.
The Yellowstone is starting to fish like a fall river. If the weather stays cool, expect the streamer bite to keep improving and more fish to become aggressive over the next couple of weeks.
Additional Resources:
Stream Flows
View stream flow graph on USGS
Recommended Flies
White Circus Peanut
Sweetgrass Hopper
Tungsten Jigged Prince
Prince Nymph
Golden Morrish Hopper
Coffee/Black Restless Stone
Rainbow Warrior Jig
Olive Mini Dungeon
Yellowstone River Fishing
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.
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