Yellowstone River Fishing Report
Date: 08/17/2026
Posted by: Toby SwankCurrent Conditions
The Yellowstone River is fishing well and has been a solid option again this week. The river is clear, fish are spread out, and anglers are finding consistent action throughout the upper river. Mornings have been the most productive, but there are still plenty of fish to be caught if you're willing to work for them.
Fish a tan chubby with a black or olive perdigon underneath and work the faster runs, banks, and drop-offs. If fish stop eating the dry, don't change flies right away.
Hoppers are becoming more important every day, and caddis are still bringing fish to the surface during the evening. There are enough fish looking up that it's worth fishing a dry most of the day.
Additional Resources:
- Bozeman Fly Fishing Report | August 2026 Montana Conditions
Stream Flows
View stream flow graph on USGS
Recommended Flies
Circus Peanut Water Walker
Tungsten Jigged Prince
Tan/Yellow Mini Masked Avenger
Butano Lite Brite Perdigon
Olive Double Gonga
Prince Nymph
Coffee/Black Restless Stone
Rainbow Warrior Jig
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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