Montana Fly Fishing

Recommended Flies for
Yellowstone River Fly Fishing

(Flies tied by Dean Reiner of Hatch Finders, Livingston, Montana.)

The Yellowstone River starts south of Yellowstone Park running north into Yellowstone Lake. It then continues to flow north through Hayden Valley, the Grand and Black canyons of the park. It enters Montana at Gardiner flowing north to Livingston where it turns east. It is the longest free flowing river in the US outside of Alaska, flowing unrestricted for 678 miles, over 200 of these miles are prime trout waters.

The Yellowstone River offers all types of fishing. The river near Yellowstone Lake fishes just like a tail water fishery, the canyon offers pocket water, Paradise Valley just south of Livingston offers classic big river riffles and pools. The river east of Livingston gets larger with additional streams entering but there are many side channels offering Small River quality fishing.

Insect hatches occur most of the year. Hoppers, blizzard like caddis hatches, midges, brown, green and gray Drakes, as well as spectacular streamer, and nymph fishing offer a wide variety of fishing opportunities. It's large populations of Brown; Rainbow and native Yellowstone Cutthroat trout will reward you as no other stream.

If you are fishing the Yellowstone for the first time we recommend a float trip. Wherever you fish on the Yellowstone you will be surrounded by majestic snow capped peaks. In addition to the scenic beauty the observant angler will witness the abundant wildlife that makes the river their home. Osprey, Bald Eagles and deer are common sights while fishing. If you are lucky you may see elk, moose, bear or Bighorn Sheep.

For those of you who wish to challenge the river on your own, you will be glad to know there are numerous public access sites along the river.

PREDOMINANT ACTIVITY, HATCHES & FOOD FORMS

JANUARY THRU FEBRUARY

Cold water temperatures (36-42*) limit activity. Midge hatches can provide excellent dry fly fishing, especially during overcast, non windy days when the air temperatures rise above freezing. Fish are concentrated and nymphing is productive once fish are located.

FLY PATTERN RECOMMENDATIONS

	Griffin Gnat Size #16, #18, #20 Stock #SD111		Parachute Midge Size #20 Stock #SD112
	Parachute Adams Size #12, #14, #16, #18, #20 Stock# DF142		H&L Variant Size #12 Stock# DF129
	Olive or Tan Hare's Ear Size #12, #14, Stock#N115		Prince Nymph Size #10, #12, #14 Stock#N118
	George's Brown Stone Size #4, #6, #8, #10 Stock#N111		Copper John Size #12, #14, #16 Stock#N110
	Lighting Bug Size #12, #14, #16 Stock#N113		Biot Stone Fly Yellow Size #10, #12, #14 Stock#N106

MARCH THRU APRIL 27TH

Spring weather brings about increased activity in fish, insects and fisherman. Also, this is the time of year that Rainbow trout spawn. Nymph and Streamer fishing tends to prove the most productive, however, dry fly fishing can be surprisingly good. Midges and spring Baetis are the primary hatches. Given weathers unpredictability from February through this period, bring along your skis and either fish or ski depending on what the weather allows.

FLY PATTERN RECOMMENDATIONS

	Royal Wulff Size #10, #12, #14, #16 Stock# DF154		Griffin Gnat Size #16, #18, #20 Stock #SD111
	Parachute Midge Size #20 Stock #SD112		Parachute Adams Size #12, #14, #16, #18, #20 Stock# DF142
	H&L Variant Size #12 Stock# DF129		Olive or Tan Hare's Ear Size #12, #14, Stock#N115
	Prince Nymph Size #10, #12, #14 Stock#N118		George's Brown Stone Size #4, #6, #8, #10 Stock#N111
	Copper John Size #12, #14, #16 Stock#N110		Lighting Bug Size #12, #14, #16 Stock#N113
	Biot Stone Fly Yellow Size #10, #12, #14 Stock#N106		B.H.DT Size #10, #12, #14 Stock#N101
	B.H.Black.&.Olive. Bugger Size#2, #4, #6 Stock #S101		B.H.Black.Crystal. Bugger Size#6 Stock #S102
	B.H.Brown.&.Yellow .Bugger Size#2, #4, #6 Stock #S103		B.H.Brown.Crystal. Bugger Size#6 Stock #S104
	B.H.Olive.Bugger Size#2, #4, #6 Stock #S105

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APRIL 28TH THRU MAY 10TH

One of our most incredible caddis hatches of the year happens during this period. Often times, concentrations of these insects can be inches thick, literally blanketing the water surface. Runoff can be a factor during this hatch and usually brings an abrupt end to the excellent fishing sometimes during the first ten days in May.

FLY PATTERN RECOMMENDATIONS

	Caps Instigator, Olive, Yellow, Pheasant Tail Size #8, #10, #12, #14 Stock# DF112		B.H.DT Size #10, #12, #14 Stock#N101
	Patriot Size #12, #14, #16, #18 Stock#DF149		Prince Nymph Size #10, #12, #14 Stock#N118
	Caps Elk Hair Caddis Brown Olive Size # 10, #12, #14, #16 Stock# DF111		Hemingway Caddis, Olive Size #12, #14 Stock# DF130
	Henryville Caddis, Olive Size #12, #14 Stock# DF131		Parachute Caddis Size #12, #14 Stock# DF145

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MAY 11TH THRU JUNE 25TH

This is our runoff period. Water is typically high and discolored. Depending on weather and snow pack there may be a few scattered days when the river is fishable, but they are completely unpredictable. This is a good time to consider some of our other fishing options in the area. Private lakes, some Yellowstone Park water and smaller mountain freestones all offer good fishing opportunities during this time.

JUNE 26TH THRU JULY 10TH

The fabled Stonefly hatch begins during this period. June days are usually still marked by runoff. Depending on snow pack levels and weather conditions, runoff can also present a problem during the first week in July. If the water level is dropping and visibility is good, fishing can be at its best.

FLY PATTERN RECOMMENDATIONS

	Ext. Body Foam Salmon Fly Size #8 Stock# DF122		Royal Coachman Trude Size #8, #10, #12. #14 Stock# DF153
	Caps Instigator, Olive, Yellow, Pheasant Tail Size #8, #10, #12, #14 Stock# DF112		Bitch Creek Size#4 Stock #S107
	Kiwi Muddler,Yellow, Olive,Chinchilla,Black Size#6 Stock #S112		Rubber Leged JJ Size#2, #4, #6 Stock #S117
	Yellow Double Bunny Size#2 Stock #S120

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JULY 11TH THRU JULY 31ST

This is consistently the best dry fly fishing of the year on the Yellowstone. Less emphasis is on stoneflies, although there are still a few around. Caddis imitations and general attractors are the best producers.

FLY PATTERN RECOMMENDATIONS

	Caps Instigator, Olive, Yellow, Pheasant Tail Size #8, #10, #12, #14 Stock# DF112		Turk's Tarantula, Lime Green,Yellow, Tan Size 38, #10, #12 Stock# DF158
	Pale Morning Dun Size #12, #14, #16, #18 Stock# DF141		Patriot Size #12, #14, #16, #18 Stock#DF149
	Royal Coachman Trude Size #8, #10, #12. #14 Stock# DF153		Caps Elk Hair Caddis Size # 10, #12, #14, #16 Stock# DF111
	Chernobyl Ant Size #6, #8, #10 Stock# DF114		DrySpruce Size #12, #14 Stock# DF118
	Ext. Body Foam Hopper,Yellow, Olive, Tan Size #8 Stock# DF121		Hermaphrodite Beettle Size #8, #10, #12, #14 Stock# DF132
	Madam X Size #8, #10, #12 Stock# DF136		Parachute Adams Size #12, #14, #16, #18, #20 Stock# DF142
	Parachute Hopper Size #8, #10, #12 Stock# DF147		Royal Wulff Size #10, #12, #14, #16 Stock# DF154
	Tar Baby Size #8 Stock# DF157		Yellow Goofus Bug Size #12, #14, #16 Stock# DF160
	Dave's Hopper Size #8, #10, #12 Stock# DF116

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AUGUST 1ST THRU SEPTEMBER 10TH

Along with the midsummer season comes the terrestrial that August is best known for, grasshoppers. Caddis continues to produce well in the being of this period, but less of a factor from mid-August on.

FLY PATTERN RECOMMENDATIONS

	Lime Trude Size #10, #12, #14 Stock# DF135		Patriot Size #12, #14, #16, #18 Stock#DF149
	Royal Coachman Trude Size #8, #10, #12. #14 Stock# DF153		Royal Wulff Size #10, #12, #14, #16 Stock# DF154
	Turk's Tarantula, Lime Green,Yellow, Tan Size 38, #10, #12 Stock# DF158		Ext. Body Foam Hopper,Yellow, Olive, Tan Size #8 Stock# DF121
	Dave's Hopper Size #8, #10, #12 Stock# DF116		Chernobyl Ant Size #6, #8, #10 Stock# DF114
	Caps Instigator, Olive, Yellow, Pheasant Tail Size #8, #10, #12, #14 Stock# DF112		Bullet Head Hopper Size # 6, #8, #10, #12 Stock# DF107
	Adams Trude Size #12, #14 Stock# DF101

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SEPTEMBER 11TH THRU EARLY NOVEMBER

Fall season is a diverse time on the Yellowstone. Brown Trout make their annual spawning run during this time and react aggressively towards streamer patterns. If your goal is to catch that one large fish it can happen anytime, but this is a prime period to concentrate your efforts. Many fish move off the banks this time of year and can be found primarily in large pools. Hatches include fall Blue Wing Olives and Midges, especially on overcast days.

FLY PATTERN RECOMMENDATIONS

	Baetis Traditional Dun Size #16, #18, #20 Stock #SD104		Caps Instigator, Olive, Yellow, Pheasant Tail Size #8, #10, #12, #14 Stock# DF112
	DrySpruce Size #12, #14 Stock# DF118		Hermaphrodite Beettle Size #8, #10, #12, #14 Stock# DF132
	Lime Trude Size #10, #12, #14 Stock# DF135		Madam X Size #8, #10, #12 Stock# DF136
	Patriot Size #12, #14, #16, #18 Stock#DF149		Rat Face McDougall Size #12, #14, #16 Stock# DF151
	Royal Coachman Trude Size #8, #10, #12. #14 Stock# DF153		Turk's Tarantula, Lime Green,Yellow, Tan Size 38, #10, #12 Stock# DF158
	Ext. Body Mohagany Para Drake Size #12, #14 Stock# DF127

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