The spring runoff hits the Yellowstone River and its tributaries in early May, making this one of the most difficult months of the year for anglers fishing near Livingston.
The exception is the Mother’s Day Caddis Hatch which typically offers a few days of outstanding dry fly fishing in Paradise Valley in early May. The onset of this legendary hatch is triggered by several days of warm temperatures which in turn initiates the runoff season, so timing a fly fishing trip around this hatch on the Yellowstone is difficult.
If you are lucky enough to be fly fishing in Montana during early May and the Yellowstone River Mother's Day Caddis Hatch is on, head to Livingston for a bucket-list fly fishing experience!
Anglers fishing the Mother’s Day Caddis hatch on the Yellowstone River will be competing with millions of natural insects on the water at the same time. Try swinging a Soft-Hackle & Peacock in a size 16 through actively feeding trout along seams and in back eddies for consistent success.
Planning a Montana fly fishing trip to Livingston in May is typically not advised as the entire area is often under high water at the start of the runoff season. However, unusually cold weather can hold back the runoff, creating a window for solid fly fishing on the Yellowstone and Boulder rivers early in the month.
Anglers with flexible schedules or who are based out of Bozeman are best poised to find angling success near Livingston in May.
The Bozeman fly fishing guides with Fins and Feathers watch the waters near Livingston closely in early May for windows of opportunity as the runoff season looms. With over two decades of experience outfitting Montana fly fishing trips, our world-class guides can be counted on to find the best water near Livingston in May when the Mother’s Day Caddis hatch kicks off.
Guided fly fishing day trips near Livingston, MT. can be reserved online, via e-mail, or by calling us at 1-406-468-5019. We customize Montana fly fishing tours to the skills and interests of our guests, Contact Us to begin planning your fly fishing vacations to the Livingston area.