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River guide · Montana

Fly Fishing the Yellowstone River

The Yellowstone is the longest undammed river in the lower 48, running free out of Yellowstone National Park through Paradise Valley past Livingston and on across Montana. This stretch is a classic big freestone, fishing best after spring runoff clears, with wild Yellowstone cutthroat, rainbows, browns, and cutbows holding in its riffles, runs, and seams. Anglers float and wade through dramatic mountain scenery beneath the Absaroka Range. It is known for its early-summer salmonfly and golden stone hatches, prolific summer caddis and Pale Morning Duns, and an excellent fall Baetis and streamer season for big browns.

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The best time to fly fish the Yellowstone River is Mid-July–October (after spring runoff). Key hatches include Salmonfly, Golden Stonefly, Yellow Sally, Caddis. 30 fly shops near the Yellowstone River can outfit your trip.

Fly shops near the Yellowstone River

Shops and guides that fish the Yellowstone River. See all 93 Montana shops →

Sullivan Fly RodsGreater Yellowstone Flyfishing OutfittersLEFTY ANGLER & FLIES - Fly-Fishing Guide Service & Custom Flies Livingston, MTYellowstone River OutfittersTroutana OutfittersYellowstone Country Fly FishingWet Net Outfitters LLCAngler’s West Fly Fishing OutfittersSimms | The River's Edge Fly ShopDriftline OutfittersMontana Angling CompanyMontana Troutfitters
12 fly shops shown

Species on this water

BassBonefishMuskyPikeRedfishSalmonSteelheadTarponTrout

Nearby towns

LivingstonEmigrantBozeman

Rivers nearby

Boulder RiverGallatin RiverStillwater RiverMadison River
Hatches & seasons

When & what to fish on the Yellowstone River

River typefreestone
Best seasonMid-July–October (after spring runoff)
AccessParadise Valley between Gardiner and Livingston offers many FWP access sites; the river is largely a drift-boat float through the canyon and valley.
Key hatches & timing
  • Mother's Day Caddislate Apr–May, pre-runoff
  • Salmonflylate Jun–Jul, post-runoff
  • Golden StoneflyJul
  • Pale Morning DunJul–Aug
  • CaddisJul–Sep, evenings
  • Blue-winged Olive / BaetisSep–Oct
From The Fly Bench

Tie the flies that work on the Yellowstone River

Step-by-step tying recipes & videos for these patterns.

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Gear up

Gear up on the Yellowstone River

Everything you need before the next trip — rods, lines, leaders, and fly-tying materials.

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The flies that work on the Yellowstone River

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Updated June 2026