Fishing report for the week of 2/12/2024
Low pressure and warming air and water temperatures over the last week has produced some great fishing conditions on the Yellowstone river as well as the Paradise Valley Spring Creeks. A number of spring/pre-runoff hatches have begun producing excellent dry fly fishing including daily midge and Baetis hatches
Yellowstone River The river is currently running around 1680 cubic feet/second with water temps in the mid 40’s. (Yellowstone River near Livingston, MT – USGS Water Data for the Nation) Anglers have been very successful on the river proper over the last week, and we are seeing an expected increase in the amount of boat traffic for the season. Nymphing the foam eddies and tail out of pools has been producing good numbers of fish. Additionally, the streamer bite has been good throughout the day.
Flies: Stoneflies, March Brown mayfly nymphs and dries, Baetis mayfly nymphs, as well as heavily weighted attractor nymphs, fished deep and slowly, suspended under an indicator or tightlined, has been producing very good numbers and sizes of fish on the Yellowstone. Streamers: Sparkle Minnow, Baby Gonga, Home Invader
Anglers are advised to use caution when wading and boating on the Yellowstone under winter and early spring conditions. We want all of you to be safe, happy and healthy.
Click this link to see the US Coast Guard’s safety recommendations for cold water boating safety: (USCG Documentation Center Tips for Cold Weather Boating (usvesselregistrar.us))
Depuy’s, Armstrong’s, and Nelson’s Spring Creeks provide some of the most consistent fishing opportunities in the area with stable water temperatures hovering around the 50-degree mark. Fish are consistently feeding throughout the day on emerging midges and Baetis making for some of the best dry fly fishing in the area throughout the day.
Flies: Midge pupa/larvae (red, cream, olive, tan, and black), scuds, sow bugs, and small thinly dressed baetis nymphs fished under a buoyant dry or yarn indicator on 6x tippet. Target rising fish with a Harroup’s Hanging midge, CDC Baetis Comparadun, or Mole Midge dry with a short dropper to a midge pupa or small Pheasant Tail or Juju Baetis nymph.
Looking forward, if present weather and river conditions persist, we may be enjoying a great run of Pre-runoff fishing. Look for periods of clouds and low pressure for the area, Baetis hatches, and rising water temps for the March Browns on the river proper. Fish On!
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