As of October 20, 2024, the Yellowstone River in Montana is offering some excellent fall fishing opportunities. Here’s what you need to know for a successful day on the water.
### Weather and Conditions
The weather is cooling down, with crisp mornings and mild afternoons, typical of the fall season. Expect cloudy skies with occasional sunny breaks, which will influence the fish activity. There are no tidal changes to worry about on the Yellowstone River, as it is a freshwater river.
### Sunrise and Sunset
Sunrise today is at around 7:45 AM, and sunset will be at about 6:15 PM, giving you a full day to enjoy the river.
### Fish Activity
Fish activity is picking up, especially with the cooler temperatures. Brown trout are becoming more aggressive as they prepare for their fall spawn. Rainbow trout are also active, particularly during the late morning and early afternoon when Blue-Winged Olive (BWO) mayflies start to hatch.
### Yesterday’s Catch
Yesterday saw a good number of trout caught, with many anglers reporting success with dry flies and streamers. One client reported catching 60-70 trout on dry flies, mostly in the 12-15 inch range. For larger trout, anglers using dark streamers had some impressive catches.
### Best Lures and Bait
For dry fly fishing, focus on matching the hatch with #14 Brindle Cripple (suggestive of Mahoganies & Tan Drakes) and #16-18 Purple Hazy Cripple (suggestive of BWOs). If you're looking for larger trout, consider using dark streamers like wooly buggers or Zirdle Bugs. Nymphing with BWO nymphs, crayfish patterns, and midge larvae/pupae can also be very effective.
### Hot Spots
One of the hot spots right now is the deeper water next to shallow water, off riffles, shelves, and banks. Target the top of longer and slower runs where trout are feeding. The area around Livingston downstream is particularly good, with fewer whitefish and more trout activity.
Another good spot is the lower end of the river, where the water is deeper and the current is consistent. Here, you can use attractor dries along the banks or fish subsurface with tandem nymph rigs.
Overall, the Yellowstone River is in great shape for fall fishing, with plenty of opportunities to catch both rainbow and brown trout. Enjoy your day on the water
This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI
