6 October, 2024 - Yellowstone River and Livingston Area Fly Fishing Report
Happy October everyone! It’s officially fall here in Montana, and while the weather sure doesn’t feel like it the fall leaves are putting on a strong show. A persistent high pressure system is lingering and giving us some incredible weather. While it might not be great for fishing, it’s hard not to soak up every moment of it as we’ll be scrambling for winter gear in due time.
This weather is incredible, but it’s not great for fishing. These bright, sunny, warm days are pushing back our typically good October fishing and hatches. Across the region fish are being caught, but the dry fly fishing has been slow, hatch activity has been minimal, and we’re still waiting on things to kick off. If you had other activities on your list you wanted to enjoy before winter, now is a good time to go do them.
Yellowstone River
Things have been reasonably tough on the Yellowstone lately. Fish are being caught, but most of them are subsurface. A double nymph rig with a larger attractor pattern like a lightning bug, perdigon, or rubberlegs and a bwo nymph behind it is a good choice. The BWOs are there, they just need better weather and less sun to start hatching. Focusing on them subsurface is a good way to target the hatch at the moment.
The streamer bite has likewise been suffering with the sunny weather. Fall is typically streamer season, but it gets better with cooler, cloudy days. You can still target fish with streamers now, but keep them smaller and lighter in color in the bright conditions. Fish early and fish late and switch to other methods when the sun is highest. Dead drifting a streamer with a BWO trailer is a good option.
You’ll still see hoppers around, but a few frosty nights have really put a damper on them. Fish haven’t been keying in on hoppers for a while now, and while you might still find one looking up for them, there are more effective methods.
Madison River
The Lower Madison River remains a good fall option. Chillier water temps have basically eliminated the “tuber hatch”, but you might find some recreational floaters on weekends still. The story is the same here as on the Yellowstone - sunny, bright days are keeping hatch activity low and fishing has been a bit slow. The subsurface bite has been pretty good with BWO and midge nymphs, often paired behind a crayfish. Work the buckets and you’ll do well. Expect to see a decent amount of other anglers, especially this close to Bozeman.
The Upper Madison River is fishing better, but the same rules apply. Be on the lookout for brown trout redds, as they are starting to spawn. Don’t wade through or disturb them, and definitely don’t fish over them. Let the trout do their thing in peace.
While we’re waiting for the fall BWOs to kick off, work the buckets and good holding water well with nymphs, and don’t overlook streamers. Smaller and lighter colors will work best. Bounce them off of banks, work the buckets, or dead drift it under an indicator. Many people look toward the latest and greatest patterns, but sometimes the classics like zonkers and wooly buggers are gold this time of year.
Gallatin River
The Gallatin River can be a lot of fun in the fall. There is still a lot of traffic in the canyon, but with those fall colors and views, that’s understandable. The lower Gallatin in the valley really starts to come into shape now and is a lot of fun this time of year. Look for BWOs to pop on the cloudy days, and keep it subsurface until then.
The Canyon gets the bulk of the traffic due to the scenic nature of the area and the super easy access. Hatch activity has been minimal, but if you are stuck on the dry try a larger pattern like a chubby up front and a BWO emerger in the back. This time of year the canyon gets a lot of shade and your odds increase of fish looking up when the sun isn’t shining directly on them.
Yellowstone National Park
Fall in Yellowstone National Park can be the stuff dreams are made of. Leaves are changing, elk are bugling, fish are hungry. The same rules apply here as above regarding bright light, but at the elevation of the park things are moving along a bit quicker. All of Yellowstone is fishing pretty well right now, but not as well as you might expect for October.
Be on the lookout for brown trout redds, and always ALWAYS carry bear spray this time of year. Travel in groups, make noise along the river, and keep your head on swivel. Also be aware that the weather can change in the park quickly and drastically, so be prepared for anything.
The fishing season in Yellowstone closes at the end of the month, and it’s only going to get better as we get closer.
Paradise Valley Spring Creeks
We’re getting to that point in the year when the spring creeks are open enough and affordable enough for the average joe to think about getting on them again. Fall rates are in effect until middle of this month when they drop again to winter rates. In these bright and sunny conditions, expect fishing to be VERY challenging with hyper aware and picky fish. As soon as we get a cloudy day though…
Livingston and the Shop
Things are slowing down here in Livingston. There’s more yellow leaves on the ground than green grass and the town is moving slowly toward the end of the year. October is the last deep breath of rest before a super busy holiday season.
Our shop is moving toward fall and winter too. Our ski room will be set back up here shortly, and our racks are full of new fall and winter arrivals. Coats, vests, jackets, pants - everything you need to stay warm and dry in the fall. Fall is also wader season, and we’ve got a great selection. Come by and tell us a fish story, and find all the gear, clothes, flies and info you need to get out on the river.
Tight lines this week!
