Yellowstone River Fly Fishing in September
September and October continue to provide plentiful action for visiting anglers as cooling nighttime temperatures spur increased trout activity. Cooling air and water temperatures bring back aquatic insect activity. Tentative early migratory spawning urges make trout aggressive, attacking swinging streamers and skittering terrestrials.
Yellowstone River Fly Fishing Hatches in September
Blue-winged olives (BWOs) bring sporadic afternoon risers to the surface on cloudy days. The subsurface game dominates, with nymphing and stripping streamers yielding the best late season success.
Anglers may encounter sporadic hatches of grey drakes and western red quill mayflies along the upper Paradise Valley stretches. Hecuba hatches are sparse but common on the lower river between Big Timber and Columbus during days with unsettled weather.
Yellowstone River Fly Fishing Techniques in September
As Southwest Montana settles into fall, streamer fishing picks up on the Yellowstone River for experienced anglers. Aggressive brown trout migrate throughout the system and move into skinny water with the approach of spawning season.
Our guides use sink tip fly lines and articulated streamers in contrasting colors such as brown and yellow or olive and white when targeting the legendary brown trout of this river in September.
Rising trout can be found in the tailouts and along slow-moving seams during BWO hatches on overcast days. The Paradise Valley and Livingston stretches of the river offer the best dry fly fishing in September.
Nymphing with medium and small nymphs is productive along mid-depth seams next to structure and mixed currents. Tandem nymph rigs fished about 4 feet under a strike indicator are standard in September.
Bozeman Fly Fishing Guide Pro-Tip:
Fishing with streamer patterns between the Carter’s Bridge Fishing Access Site and the Highway 89 Bridge Fishing Access Site (what locals call the "Town Stretch") can produce some large brown trout. Target soft spots along banks and shallow riffles with tandem streamer setups like an olive Wooly Bugger and a McCune's Sculpin. Our clients catch trophy trout every year by slowly pulling these flies along the riverbed.
Our Yellowstone River Fly Box for September
Yellowstone River Fly Fishing Trips in September
Fickle fall conditions demand that we adapt our tactics almost daily in response to changing weather. Our guides have the experience and expertise to ensure success, as fishing on the Yellowstone River can change quickly in September.
Expert anglers look forward to stripping streamers for trophy brown trout. The Fins and Feathers Guide Service staff has been guiding specialized streamer trips for over 23 years. Our guides understand the nuanced techniques required to correctly move a streamer through varied water.
Floating the Yellowstone River in September is a classic Montana fly fishing experience, well-suited to anglers of all skill levels. Let us create a customized Yellowstone River fishing trip with our team of Bozeman fly fishing guides.
Reservations can be made online, via e-mail, or by calling us at 1-406-486-5019. Contact us for help customizing a Montana fly fishing tour for your group of anglers.