Name’s Artificial Lure, checking in from the Yellowstone River country.
We’re sliding deeper into winter, but the Yellowstone’s still got some life in it. According to the National Weather Service for Livingston and down through Big Timber, we’re looking at a cold, clear day, highs in the 20s to low 30s, light wind in the morning building to 10–15 out of the west by afternoon. Skies mostly sunny with a few high clouds. Sunrise is right around 8 a.m., sunset just after 4:30 p.m. USGS gauges on the Yellowstone show seasonally low, stable flows and clear water for this time of year. Being an inland freestone, we’ve got **no tides** to worry about—just temperature and daylight.
Montana Outdoor’s early‑December Yellowstone report said winter conditions have settled in, with most recent trout action coming sub‑surface on slow, methodical drifts. They noted light pressure and decent numbers of chunky browns and rainbows for folks willing to brave the cold. Local shops in Livingston are saying the same: not big numbers, but consistent fish if you fish smart and slow.
Fish activity is centered in that late‑morning window. Figure 11 a.m. to about 3 p.m. as your sweet spot, when the water bumps a degree or two. Expect a mix of **brown trout**, **rainbow trout**, and the odd whitefish. Most reports this week talk about a half‑dozen to a dozen trout to hand for strong anglers working good winter runs, with a couple fish in the 18–20 inch class each day.
Best producers right now are **nymphs and small streamers**. Folks are doing well on:
- Zebra midges, black or red, sizes 18–20
- Tiny perdigons and Frenchies in 16–18
- Small stonefly nymphs in deeper buckets
- Egg patterns behind any remaining spawning gravel
For meat, think low and slow:
- Thin‑profile streamers like olive or black sculpin patterns, size 6–10
- Small sparkle minnows and mini buggers, swung just off the bottom
If you’re not fly fishing, dead‑drifted nightcrawlers, small pieces of shrimp, or salmon eggs on light fluorocarbon will move trout and whitefish in the slower seams. No need for big hardware; if you must throw lures, go with downsized spoons or 1/8‑oz marabou jigs in natural colors, worked painfully slow.
Couple local hot spots to think about:
1. **Between Carter’s Bridge and Pine Creek**
This stretch gets winter sunshine and has plenty of mid‑depth walking‑pace runs. Trout are stacking on the inside bends and at the tailouts. Walk in above Carter’s, look for green, waist‑deep water with a smooth surface, and run a two‑fly nymph rig under an indicator with enough weight to tick bottom every few feet.
2. **Big Timber area – town stretch and just downstream**
A bit less pressure than upstream. Deep bends and classic winter slots right along the highway access. Work the slow edge of riffles and the heads of pools. Fish a small stonefly with a midge dropper, or swing a small olive streamer right on the seam line.
Key today:
- Sleep in a bit; let things warm up.
- Focus on slower, deeper water close to the bank.
- Mend often, move rarely. Most winter fish come when you finally get that perfect drag‑free drift.
Bundle up, keep your guides ice‑free, and handle those trout quick and gentle—water’s cold enough that they don’t need long out of it.
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