28 April, 2025 - Yellowstone River and Livingston Area Fly Fishing Report
Spring fishing is in full swing here in SW Montana, and there are a lot of options for the patient angler. Spring BWOs are still around in spots, and the Mother’s Day Caddis is right around the corner. Has the hatch already kicked on? Depends on who you ask.
We are also on the cusp of runoff, and it’ll be interesting to see how our local freestones shape up over the next few weeks. As of this writing (April 28th), we’re experiencing a large rain event today and over the next few days with warm weather behind it later in the week. The Lamar River in Yellowstone National Park has already spiked and is pumping some mud and dirty water into the Yellowstone at this time. We’ll be dealing with dirty water to some extent from now through July, it’s just a matter of how much and when.
Fishing across the region is really picking up, and it’s a good reminder of why spring is such a great time of year to fish Montana. The weather is variable at best, water conditions might not be ideal, but being here as the region awakens after a long winter is pretty incredible.
Yellowstone River
The Yellowstone River has had some color to her for a while now, and flows have spiked decidedly in the last 24 hours. With this rain event and warm temps on the horizon, we can expect the river to be dirty in the near term.
If clarity remains fishable, there’s a lot of options. We’re still seeing good Baetis hatches, especially on calmer days. These are going to peak around midday, and fishing nymphs early morning, easing into emergers around 10ish and being flexible with the conditions is key. Look for them in heaviest densities in more slack water, back eddies, and foam.
Mother’s Day Caddis are showing up in good numbers, and if they’re going to be fishable or not this year remains to be seen. They’re more of an afternoon hatch, so you can fish BWOs in the morning and caddis in the afternoon. Fishing an emerger behind an adult can be a great way to approach things, and if you don’t have a Mother’s Day pattern specifically an elk hair caddis with a smushed down wing works great. Think smaller and darker than summer caddis.
As the water dirties, a lot of people will switch to streamers and it’s a great option. Big streamers can be more easily seen in the murky waters. The old adage of dark water, dark fly, applies well this time of year. Strip it, drift it under a bobber, swing it - it’s all worth a shot.
Paradise Valley Spring Creeks
As the Yellowstone River muddies up for the spring runoff, the spring creeks remain a great option. All the creeks are on their spring pricing, which, while more expensive than the winter option, is still pretty darn cheap. These spring creeks remain clear and consistent all year round, no matter the conditions.
Look for awesome and highly technical BWO hatches on the creeks now, and bring your A-game. These trout don’t mess around and if there is ever a case for 6x 12’ leaders in Montana, it’s here and now. You might find a few caddis here and there right now, but expect more of them here in a few weeks. Make sure your fly boxes are stocked with the full life cycle.
The spring creeks do book quickly these days, especially on weekends and days that you’d want to be out there. Plan ahead and be flexible if capacity has been reached.
Gallatin River / Madison River
The Gallatin River is a freestone as well, and will be affected by runoff. Flows have jumped up and clarity has declined as well. It’s still fishable at this point, but how much longer is up for debate. Runoff is right around the corner and the Gallatin’s spring fishing days are limited. The canyon remains a very popular fishery, but down lower really shines this time of year.
The Lower Madison is a hot spot for the Mother’s Day Caddis and has gained some notoriety nationwide for it. As the hatch kicks in you can expect more pressure, but it’s still a great spot for chasing this epic hatch. Being a tailwater, it’s less affected by runoff and water clarity and remains a great spring runoff spot. You’ll still find good BWO action here and it’s too cold right now for the tubers and recreational crowd to be out. Enjoy it while it lasts.
The Upper Madison really shines in the spring. It’s offers some of the best fishing of the year and is a fantastic option. Look for hatches of everything seasonal, and the streamer fishing can be off the charts this time of year. It’s a bit of a haul from Livingston, but if the Yellowstone is blown out it’s a great option.
Livingston and The Shop
Spring is a great time in Livingston, and our store is no exception. Everything is greening up, we’re seeing a lot more leaves on trees and even a few spring flowers here and there! It’s a beautiful time to be here. Our store is stocked with spring apparel and gear to keep you warm, dry, and comfortable no matter what adventure you’re taking.
Check out some of the new waders from Patagonia, new fly rods from Winston, Sage, and Orvis and get stocked up on the flies that’ll work. Our guided fishing trips are booking up for prime season, so if you’re interested give us a call before we’re booked solid!
Stop by the shop and tell us a fishing story next time you’re through town. Tight lines this week!