August fly fishing in Montana is characterized by early morning starts and dry fly fishing with terrestrial patterns. Whether you are fishing the Yellowstone River or spring creeks in Paradise Valley, expect consistent action through early afternoon.
Hatches become sparse under the summer heat and feeding trout turn their attention to grasshoppers, ants, and beetles as their primary food source.
Dry/dropper and single dry fly setups are particularly effective in the fast riffles where oxygen levels are high and trout feed actively throughout the day.
Hopper fishing is the name of the game when it comes to Montana fly fishing in August. Yellowstone River fly fishing is the best option near Livingston as the tributaries and smaller rivers run low and warm through most of August.
Native Yellowstone cutthroat trout feed readily in the slow, deep runs of the upper river between Gardiner and Emigrant, Montana. Rainbow and brown trout prefer the shallow, oxygen-rich riffles and pools where they can be found rising to large dry flies throughout the river’s course.
The upper stretches between Carbella Fishing Access Site and Loch Leven are key stretches to focus on while floating the Yellowstone River in August. Healthy populations of cutthroat, rainbow, and brown trout thrive in these sections among the river’s diverse holding water during late summer.
Fishing with a hopper and a “drowned hopper” dropper through the fastest runs can produce good numbers and larger average sizes of wild trout in August.
Anglers fishing near Livingston in August will find the best success by planning for early morning start times as the trout are most active during the cooler parts of the day. The long days of summer bring warmer water temperatures to all of the rivers in Montana, but the Yellowstone fares better than most during the dog days of August.
Our Montana fishing guides focus their efforts floating the Yellowstone River in upper Paradise Valley and the sections well below Livingston in August.
In August, novice anglers quickly hone their fly fishing skills with a mix of fly fishing techniques with an emphasis on dry fly and dry/dropper setups.
Advanced anglers often prefer to fish single dry flies, focusing on presentation and accurate casting targeting productive lies. Streamer fly fishing the Yellowstone River around sunrise in August often yields success for the experienced angler as well.
Reservations for Livingston fly fishing day trips can be secured online, via e-mail, or by calling us at 406-468-5019. Contact Us for help planning your Montana fly fishing vacation to Livingston in August.