Yellowstone River
Paradise Valley · Livingston to Gardiner
SW Montana, USA
Open live forecast →Target species: Rainbow, Brown, and Cutthroat.
Stream gauge: 06191500. Flow and water temperature update on every refresh.
Weekly AI Outlook as of 10/02/26
At 1,280 cfs and 55.4°F, the Yellowstone through Paradise Valley is fishing about as well as it gets in early October. Flow has dropped from the 1,740 cfs Yellowstone Angler reported just two days ago — more manageable wading and cleaner sight lines. Water temp at 55.4°F has crossed the Salmonfly/Golden Stone threshold and is squarely in PMD/March Brown territory, but October's story here is fall Hecuba and BWO. Expect Baetis to pop midday — 11am to 2pm on calm days, later if clouds linger — not in the mornings. Yellowstone Angler flagged fish actively eating Hecuba, BWO dries, and terrestrials, with streamer fishing improving daily. Try Vis-A-Dun or Sparkle Dun in #18-20 during the hatch window, then switch to a large articulated olive or tan streamer as afternoon light softens. Spawning whitefish are thick in the nymph runs; target the seams with Hecuba or Baetis nymphs if you want trout mixed in. The forecast shows highs climbing toward 85°F by Sunday — prime conditions for extended afternoon BWO activity.
- Flow: 1,280 cfs at Carter's Bridge — down from 1,740 cfs earlier this week. Wading is comfortable; sight fishing opportunities are opening up.
- Hatches: Peak BWO (Baetis) month — expect midday emergence 11am–2pm. Hecuba and late terrestrials also producing. Vis-A-Dun and Sparkle Dun #18-20 are your go-to dries.
- Water Temp: 55.4°F — right at the golden window for fall brown trout aggression and consistent BWO activity. Temps holding stable with no precipitation in the forecast.
- Best Window: 11am–3pm for BWO dries. Early mornings and late afternoons favor articulated streamers as light drops and browns stage ahead of spawning.
Generated weekly from live USGS gauge readings, weather forecasts, and recent fly shop reports. Updates Friday mornings.
About this Water
- Freestone
- Best months: May–Oct, peak July–Sept
The Yellowstone is the longest undammed river in the lower 48 and one of the most storied trout fisheries in the world. The Paradise Valley corridor runs through dramatic open ranchland between two mountain ranges, producing outstanding dry fly fishing for browns, rainbows, and native Yellowstone cutthroat. The river is big and powerful — wading is challenging and float trips with an outfitter unlock the most productive water.
The salmonfly hatch starts on the lower river near Livingston in late June and moves upstream toward Gardiner over a 2-week window as water temps warm — anglers follow it upriver day by day.
January Outlook
January is a midge-only affair on low, clear water. Fish stack in slow deep runs and are lethargic but catchable.
Productive Patterns
- Zebra Midge
- Juju Baetis
- Pheasant Tail
- RS2
Tips
Focus on seams between slow and moderate current. A two-nymph rig with a midge pupa dropper is standard. Slow your drift and get deep.
Water Notes
1,000–2,000 cfs. Bank ice forms but the main channel stays open most winters.
February Outlook
First BWO hints appear on warm afternoons. Midging dominates but a size 20 dry can produce on overcast days 11am–3pm.
Productive Patterns
- Vis-A-Dun #20
- RS2
- Zebra Midge
- WD-40
Tips
A tandem nymph rig with a dry-dropper covers both feeding levels. Fish are starting to move but aren't committed to the surface yet.
Water Notes
1,500–2,500 cfs. Watch for anchor ice in cold snaps.
March Outlook
Consistent BWO action on overcast days. Skwalas begin on the lower river by late March. A top early-season dry fly river.
Productive Patterns
- Sparkle Dun #18
- Elk Hair Caddis #16
- Skwala Stone
- Pheasant Tail
Tips
The 11am–2pm window is prime. Position early in the long flat runs. Skwala nymphs work all day when dries aren't productive.
Water Notes
Runoff builds mid-month, 2,500–5,000 cfs by month end. Fish the first half of March.
April Outlook
Runoff makes April tough. Fish the upper canyon above Livingston or target the inside seams with streamers when visibility is low.
Productive Patterns
- Skwala Stone
- Jig Nymph
- Streamer
- Sparkle Dun
Tips
Large streamers work when visibility drops. Side channels offer refuge during peak turbidity.
Water Notes
6,000–14,000 cfs at peak. Fishability depends on snowpack. Check the gauge daily.
May Outlook
Late May sees flows dropping and spectacular dry fly action when conditions align. PMDs, Caddis, and Golden Stones all appear.
Productive Patterns
- PMD Cripple
- Elk Hair Caddis
- Golden Stonefly
- Stimulator
Tips
Target the week when CFS drops below 5,000 and clarity returns. Wade with caution — bottom still slippery. Evening caddis hatches can be prolific.
Water Notes
Flows fall from peak but variable. Water 48–55°F.
June Outlook
June is arguably the best month. Salmonfly hatch on upper reaches, PMDs and Golden Stones provide consistent action as flows drop.
Productive Patterns
- Salmonfly
- Stimulator
- PMD
- Muddler Minnow
Tips
Chase the leading edge of the Salmonfly hatch up the canyon. Evenings produce consistent PMD and Caddis activity.
Water Notes
Ideally 3,000–6,000 cfs by late June. Water 55–62°F. Prime wade fishing returns.
July Outlook
Prime float season with consistent afternoon hatches. Caddis, PMDs, and Pale Evening Duns keep fish looking up. Hopper fishing begins late month.
Productive Patterns
- Elk Hair Caddis
- PMD Sparkle Dun
- Hopper-Dropper
- Pale Evening Dun
Tips
Float the river for efficiency. Hopper-dropper is reliable by mid-month. Fish tailouts before midday heat sets in.
Water Notes
2,500–5,000 cfs. Water 62–68°F. Fish early on hot days.
August Outlook
Hopper season in full swing. Fish push to grassy banks and attack terrestrials aggressively. One of Montana's finest hopper rivers.
Productive Patterns
- Dave's Hopper
- Chubby Chernobyl
- Ant
- Caddis
Tips
Fish grassy bank edges, especially afternoons. Size 8–10 hopper with a small dropper nymph is the classic rig. Early morning streamers target larger fish.
Water Notes
2,000–3,500 cfs. Temps peak above 68°F midday — fish early morning and evening.
September Outlook
Cooling temps, declining flows, and fall BWO hatches. Trico spinners at dawn, brown trout begin pre-spawn behavior.
Productive Patterns
- Trico Spinner
- Blue Winged Olive
- Hopper
- Streamer
Tips
Trico spinner falls at first light, BWO window in the afternoon. Streamers increasingly effective as browns move. Three distinct sessions in one day.
Water Notes
1,500–2,500 cfs. Water 52–60°F — fish very active.
October Outlook
Prime streamer and brown trout season. Spawning browns are aggressive and fall BWO can produce phenomenal dry fly fishing.
Productive Patterns
- Streamer
- Blue Winged Olive
- Mahogany Dun
- Copper John
Tips
Large articulated streamers in olive, brown, or tan move the biggest browns. BWO hatch 11am–3pm on the right day is the season's best dry fly fishing.
Water Notes
1,200–2,000 cfs. Sight fishing possible. Fish stacked ahead of spawning.
November Outlook
Cold weather but midging produces fish on mild days. Browns spawn — leave redds undisturbed.
Productive Patterns
- Zebra Midge
- RS2
- Pheasant Tail
- WD-40
Tips
Avoid walking on visible redds. Focus pools and runs away from spawning. Midging 11am–2pm on sunny days is surprisingly productive.
Water Notes
1,000–1,800 cfs. Water 38–46°F. Slow your presentation.
December Outlook
A quiet month. Dedicated midge fishers find action on milder days. More adventure than productivity for most.
Productive Patterns
- Zebra Midge
- Juju Baetis
- RS2
- Mercury Midge
Tips
Focus noon–3pm. Deep, slow pools hold fish. Two small midges under an indicator is the go-to rig.
Water Notes
900–1,500 cfs. Ice forming on banks. Know the river before venturing out in December.
Hatch Calendar
| Insect | Peak | Active | Size | Productive Patterns |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Winged Olive Baetis spp. |
Apr, Oct | Mar, Apr, May, Sep, Oct, Nov | #18–22 |
|
| March Brown Rhithrogena morrisoni |
May | Apr, May | #12–14 |
|
| Caddis (Mother's Day Grannom) Brachycentrus occidentalis |
May | Apr, May | #14–16 |
|
| Salmonfly Pteronarcys californica |
Jun | May, Jun | #4–6 |
|
| Pale Morning Dun Ephemerella inermis |
Jul | Jun, Jul | #16–18 |
|
| Caddis Hydropsyche spp. |
Jun, Jul | May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep | #14–16 |
|
| Skwala Stonefly Skwala americana |
Mar, Apr | Mar, Apr | #10–12 |
|
| Trico Tricorythodes spp. |
Aug | Jul, Aug, Sep | #20–24 |
|
| Grasshopper Melanoplus spp. |
Aug | Jul, Aug, Sep | #8–12 |
|
Access & Approach
Wade access at Mallard's Rest, Carter Bridge, and Grey Owl. Float from Livingston to points south. Montana State Parks day-use fee may apply at certain accesses. Carry a wade staff.
Nearby Fly Shops
- Fly Fish Montana
- Dan Bailey's
- Yellowstone Angler
- Sweetwater Fly Shop
- Bozeman Fly Supply
- Montana Angler
Regulations & License
Fishing in Montana requires a current license. Always verify season dates, bag limits, and any special-regulation waters before you fish.
Montana fishing regulations & license →
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About Current
Yellowstone River conditions on Current combine real-time flow data (USGS, WSC, CDEC, CEHQ), weather, tide predictions, hatch probabilities calibrated to this specific water, and recent fly shop reports from the area.
Yellowstone River is one of 245 hand-curated waters in Current. The app and web forecast also generate AI outlooks for any unlisted river, lake, or saltwater flat anywhere in the world — drop a pin or paste a name and Current produces a fresh seasonal outlook with weather, flow context, and recommended techniques.
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