Hatch-chart pattern list
Best Flies for Yellowstone River (Montana)
The Yellowstone River in Montana fishes as both a wade and a float. It is a freestone fishery for Cutthroat Trout and Rainbow Trout, with the most reliable window in July, August, September. The patterns below are matched to the hatch chart we publish for this water. They are not a live report of what other anglers caught this week.
What's hatching now
Month, insect, size, and pattern from the Yellowstone River hatch chart. We do not invent a hatch that is not on the chart.
No month-by-month hatch chart is stored for this river yet. Use the nymph, dry, and streamer lists below, then read the river guide.
Nymphs
Subsurface patterns matched to this river's chart and catalog. Fish them at the size the chart lists, not the size that looks good in the bin.
Dries
Dries and terrestrials for the Yellowstone River. If the chart says a size 18 PMD, do not start with a 12.
Streamers
Streamers and wets for stained water, banks, and low light. This is not a claim that streamers are "on" today.
No catalog patterns in this group yet. Use the hatch chart and the river guide.
Setup
4X and 5X cover most nymphing. 4X on dries until the fish get picky, then 5X. A 3.0–3.8mm tungsten on the point and a lighter dropper is a default until you see the water. Tight-line the near bank and the heads of pockets. Use an indicator only when you need to search water you cannot euro.
FAQ
- What flies work on the Yellowstone River?
- Start with Hare's Ear Nymph and Silver Bullet Baetis, then match size to the hatch chart for the month you are standing in. The Yellowstone River does not need a 40-pattern box. It needs the right size on the insect that is actually in the drift.
- When is the best time to fly fish the Yellowstone River?
- The editorial window we list is July, August, September, October. That is a planning month range, not a guarantee. Shoulder months can fish well if flows and water temperature cooperate.
- Do I need a guide on the Yellowstone River?
- Montana has walk-up wade water and, on some sections, float water. A guide is worth it for a first float or a technical tailwater. A hatch chart and a gauge are enough for a first wade if you already nymph. We list local guides and shops on this page when we have them.
- Where can I see live flow for the Yellowstone River?
- Open the Yellowstone River river page for the USGS gauge, access notes, and the same hatch chart this fly list is built from. We do not publish other people's spots or fish counts.
- Is this a report of what's working now on the Yellowstone River?
- No. Executive Angler does not publish other anglers' catches, GPS, or a crowdsourced hot fly. This page is hatch-chart patterns plus catalog flies. Presence on the river page is gauge and weather only.
Related
Yellowstone River
Access, hatch chart, USGS gauge.
Montana
Trip planning for this region.
Hare's Ear Nymph
Nymph
Silver Bullet Baetis
Nymph
Elk Hair Caddis
Dry
Bud Lilly's Trout Shop Guide Service
Montana Troutfitters
Arrick's Fly Shop
37 Canyon St, West Yellowstone, MT 59758
Beartooth Flyfishing
2925 US-287, Cameron, MT 59720
Beaverhead River
Open the river guide, then its fly list.
Big Hole River
Open the river guide, then its fly list.
Bighorn River
Open the river guide, then its fly list.
Bitterroot River
Open the river guide, then its fly list.