As of October 12, 2024, the Yellowstone River in Montana is offering some exciting fall fishing opportunities, despite the unusually mild weather that has persisted over the last few weeks.
### Weather and Water Conditions
The weather is expected to remain mostly sunny with temperatures in the mid-60s, though there is a forecast of clouds and potential rain towards the middle of the month, which should improve fishing conditions. Water temperatures are currently in the low to mid-50s, which is ideal for trout activity. Streamflows are well below average, making it easier to locate trout in deeper water next to shallow areas, off riffles, shelves, and banks.
### Sunrise and Sunset
Sunrise today is at around 7:30 AM, and sunset will be at approximately 6:30 PM, providing ample time for both morning and late afternoon fishing.
### Fish Activity
Brown trout are becoming more aggressive and territorial as they prepare for their fall spawn, making this a great time to catch some of the year’s biggest fish. Rainbow trout are also active, particularly during the late morning and early afternoon when Blue-Winged Olive (BWO) mayflies start to hatch. However, due to the warm and sunny weather, BWO hatches have been sporadic, with "pseudo" mayflies being more consistent.
### Fish Caught
Yesterday, anglers reported catching a mix of brown and rainbow trout. The brown trout were primarily caught using large streamers during the low-light morning hours, while rainbow trout were taken on both dry flies and nymphs. Some anglers also reported success with terrestrial patterns like hoppers and ants.
### Best Lures and Bait
For nymphing, tandem rigs with a larger first fly followed by a smaller dropper have been effective. Flies like the Jigged Prince, Rainbow Warrior Perdigon, and dark Spanish bullet are good choices. For dry fly fishing, small BWO Comparaduns (#18-#22) and attractor dries like the Simazaki Ant and Green beetle are recommended. Streamer fishing with patterns like Kill Whitey's, Barely Legal's, and Sculpzilla has been productive, especially in the mornings.
### Hot Spots
One of the best spots right now is the Gallatin Canyon section of the Yellowstone River, where you can find rising fish in the early afternoons. Another hot spot is the area around Livingston, where the river's deeper and slower runs are holding feeding trout. Target the top of longer and slower runs, and also consider fishing along banks where hoppers and other terrestrials are active.
Overall, the Yellowstone River is in great shape for fall fishing, with plenty of opportunities to catch both brown and rainbow trout using a variety of techniques. Just be prepared for the low, clear water conditions and use stealthy approaches with finer tippets.
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