As of October 11, 2024, the Yellowstone River in Montana is offering some excellent fishing opportunities, despite the unseasonably warm and sunny weather.
### Weather and Conditions
The weather remains mild, with plenty of sunshine, which has delayed the typical fall hatches. However, this is expected to change as we move further into the fall season. Sunrise today is at around 7:45 AM, and sunset will be at about 6:30 PM.
### Fish Activity
Trout activity has been good, particularly in the deeper and slower runs of the river. With streamflows well below average for this time of year, it's easier to locate trout. They are generally found in water that is 4-6 feet deep with a consistent current. Brown trout are becoming more aggressive as they prepare for their fall spawn, making this a great time to target larger fish.
### Types and Amounts of Fish
Anglers have been catching a mix of rainbow and brown trout. The brown trout, in particular, are becoming more active as they enter their spawning season. While the Blue-Winged Olive mayflies have not yet appeared in significant numbers, the smaller "pseudo" mayflies are hatching consistently, attracting trout.
### Best Lures and Bait
For dry fly fishing, natural-colored hopper patterns in tan, gray, yellow, and pink are working well. Attractor dries along the banks can also be effective. Nymphing remains a consistent technique, with tandem nymph rigs featuring flies like the copper Duracell, purple Psycho Prince, or small mayfly nymph imitations in dark colors. Streamers, especially on cloudy days, can produce some impressive strikes from larger brown trout.
### Hot Spots
One of the best areas to fish is in the deeper water next to shallow water, off riffles, shelves, and banks. The top of longer and slower runs are particularly productive. For those targeting hoppers, the banks of the river are a good place to start. The stretch of the Yellowstone River through Paradise Valley and near Livingston is highly recommended.
In summary, the Yellowstone River is in great shape for fall fishing, with trout active in the deeper sections and a variety of effective lures and baits to choose from. As the weather cools and cloud cover increases, the fishing is expected to get even better.
This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI
