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. Swing a partridge and peacock soft hackle, in a size 16, through actively feeding trout along seams and in back eddies for consistent success.
The legendary Mother's Day Caddis Hatch takes off in early May on the Yellowstone River and spring creeks of Paradise Valley...
Yellowstone River fly fishing during the pre-runoff weeks of early May is a mix of dry and streamer fly fishing for wild rainbow...
Depuy's is a "runoff oasis" for anglers fly fishing in Montana near Livingston in May as the rivers and streams across the region...
Planning a Montana fly fishing trip to Livingston in May is typically not advised as the entire area is often under high water due to the start of 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 by watching the weather near Livingston in May.
The Bozeman fly fishing guides with Fins and Feathers watch the Montana rivers 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, Montana can be reserved online, via e-mail, or by calling us at 406-468-5019.
The Yellowstone River, Montana's crown jewel, offers diverse fly fishing experiences for anglers of all skill levels. This angler's guide explores fly fishing Paradise Valley on six popular stretches, highlighting...
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