Episodios

  • Yellowstone Winter Fishing Report - Slow and Steady Approach for Trout and Whitefish

    Yellowstone Winter Fishing Report - Slow and Steady Approach for Trout and Whitefish
    Dec 13 2025
    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.

    Thanks for tuning in, and don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss the next report.

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    4 m
  • Winter Wonderland on the Yellowstone River Fishing Report

    Winter Wonderland on the Yellowstone River Fishing Report
    Dec 12 2025
    Hey folks, this is Artificial Lure comin' at ya with your Yellowstone River fishin' report for December 12th, 2025. Winter's grip is on tight—Yellowstone Angler says snow's blanketin' the ground with plenty of wind, feelin' like real winter now. No tides up here in Montana, but expect highs around 30-40°F today per regional forecasts, with gusty winds up to 20-40 mph, partly cloudy skies, and lighter winds by afternoon. Sunrise hit about 8:15 AM, sunset 'round 4:30 PM—short days mean fishin' mid-mornin' to early afternoon when water temps climb a bit.

    Brown trout are post-spawn and holdin' in slow seams, inside edges, and tailouts—less pressure means they're in fishy spots. Nymphin' is your best bet, with midges showin' up weather-dependently. Streamers work if you swing or strip 'em slow in that cold water. Recent catches? Big browns on nymph rigs and slow streamers, per Yellowstone Angler's December 9th update—no huge numbers, but quality fish for dedicated waders.

    Top flies right now: Tungsten Zebra Midges in black or copper #18-22, Harrop’s Hanging Midge black or grey #18-22, Olive Leadeye Stinger #4/6, Home Invader White #2/6, and Black or Olive Sex Dungeon #4. For bait, if you're spinnin', try small jigs or worms under a float in those deep runs—mimics the midges and nymphs they're keyin' on.

    Hot spots: Hit the lower stretches near Big Timber for wadeable slows with less wind exposure, or float the Paradise Valley sections if ramps are clear—but scout 'em first with this wind. Wade fishin' dominates; floats risky with gusts.

    Bundle up, check flows, and stay safe out there.

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    2 m
  • Yellowstone River Winter Fishing Report: Trout, Streamers, and Nymphs in the Unsettled Weather

    Yellowstone River Winter Fishing Report: Trout, Streamers, and Nymphs in the Unsettled Weather
    Dec 10 2025
    This is Artificial Lure with your Yellowstone River fishing report out of south‑central Montana.

    We’re riding the edge of an early‑winter pattern. National Weather Service out of Billings is calling for a wet, unsettled stretch with an atmospheric river pushing rain and high‑elevation snow across the Yellowstone Valley, gusts 25–40 mph, and temps hovering in the mid‑30s to low‑40s along the river. Winds back off a bit this evening, but expect clouds to hang in. Sunrise is right around 8 a.m., sunset about 4:35 p.m., so your prime window is that late‑morning warmup through mid‑afternoon.

    No tides here, just flows. USGS gauges near Livingston and Billings show bumped‑up, off‑color water from snowmelt and rain, but still very fishable with some stain. According to Montana Outdoor’s December Yellowstone River report, anglers this past week have been picking up good numbers of **brown and rainbow trout**, plus the odd whitefish, mainly on nymphs and streamers in the softer winter lies.

    Fish activity is classic early‑winter: slow in the dawn chill, then a solid push of action once the river gains a few degrees. You’ll find trout tucked into:
    - Inside seams
    - Deep buckets below riffles
    - Soft edges behind mid‑river boulders and gravel bars

    Best producers lately, per local shops from Livingston to Big Timber:
    - **Nymphs:** stonefly nymphs (black/brown 6–10), perdigons, hare’s ears, pheasant tails, small red or wine midges, and eggs behind spawning browns.
    - **Streamers:** olive, black, and brown sculpin patterns, Kreelex and Sparkle Minnow in gold/copper when the river’s dirty. Slow strips or a swing and hang in softer water.
    - **Bait (where legal below the Paradise Valley section):** nightcrawlers drifted near the bottom and salmon eggs doing well for bank anglers; check current regs before you dunk anything.

    Hot spots to consider:
    - **Paradise Valley, Livingston to Yankee Jim:** Side channels and soft banks are kicking out healthy browns to 20 inches on weighted nymph rigs under an indicator, 7–9 feet to a BB or two.
    - **Between Big Timber and Columbus:** Slightly lower pressure right now, with rainbows sliding into deeper winter runs; a small olive streamer on a sink tip swung tight to the bank has moved some better fish the last few days.

    With the bumped flows and color, size up your tippet a bit, think 3X–4X on streamers and 4X–5X on nymphs, and don’t be afraid to go bigger and darker with your bugs. If the clouds hang and the wind lays down, keep an eye out mid‑afternoon for a light midge trickle—small griffith’s gnats or midge clusters in 18–22 can pick off a few risers in back eddies.

    Boat folks: watch for floating debris with the rising water and gusty winds; wade anglers, mind that shelf ice and slick rocks—flows can change fast under this storm track.

    That’s the word from the Yellowstone. Thanks for tuning in, and don’t forget to subscribe for more local fishing updates.

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    3 m
  • Fishing the Yellowstone: Winter Tactics for Trout in Paradise Valley and Gardiner

    Fishing the Yellowstone: Winter Tactics for Trout in Paradise Valley and Gardiner
    Dec 8 2025
    Name’s Artificial Lure, checking in with your Yellowstone River fishing report.

    We’re solidly into winter mode now. Around Livingston and down through Paradise Valley, the river’s low and cold, with USGS gauges showing steady winter flows and good clarity. Daytime highs are hanging in the 20s and low 30s with overnight teens, and regional forecasters like KBZK and Montana Right Now are calling for a soggy, unsettled start to the week with snow showers in the higher country and some mixed precip in the valleys. That means watch the roads and the shelf ice.

    Sunrise is right around 8 a.m. with sunset just after 4:30, so your real fishing window is that late-morning to mid-afternoon stretch. Montana Outdoor’s December trout outlook for southwest Montana says trout are sliding into slower, deeper winter water and really turning on between about 11 and 3 when temps bump a couple degrees.

    No tides to worry about on this freestone, just river level and ice. Expect anchor ice in the side channels and expanding shelves along the shady banks; give those overhung plates a wide berth.

    Recent action: local chatter from shops in Livingston and Gardiner has most folks picking away at rainbows and browns, not numbers but some solid 14–18 inch fish plus the odd bigger brown out of the winter buckets. Most of the catching has been on small nymph rigs and the occasional slow-rolled streamer when clouds move in.

    Fish activity is classic December. Trout are **parked in soft seams, deep ledges, and tailouts**, barely moving. You’re looking for that water that would seem “too slow” in July. According to the December trout report on Montana Outdoor, midges are the main bug now, with the rare midday midge cluster getting a few noses up when the wind drops.

    Best producers:
    - **Nymphs:** zebra midges in black, red, or olive, sizes 18–22; WD-40s and RS2s; slim Perdigon-style nymphs; small Pheasant Tails. Run them deep with enough split shot to tick bottom.
    - **Dries:** tiny Griffith’s Gnats or hi-vis midge clusters, 18–22, when you see risers in back eddies.
    - **Streamers:** thin-profile sculpin patterns and black leeches, swung or stripped painfully slow on a sink tip during overcast spells.

    Bait guys working legal access spots below Livingston report fish on small worms and salmon eggs drifted just off bottom, but artificials are still the norm and often required in certain stretches, so double-check regs.

    A couple of local hot spots to consider:

    - **Paradise Valley, mid-river bends between Carter’s Bridge and Pine Creek:** Deep green winter holes along the inside bends are stacking good mixed pods of rainbows and browns. Hit them from late morning on, focus on the soft inside seams, and don’t be shy with weight on your nymph rig.

    - **Gardiner area down to Yankee Jim Canyon:** Colder and a bit more wind-exposed, but there are classic winter buckets just above and below the big rock gardens. When the wind lays down, watch for subtle midge activity in the softer edges. This stretch often fishes best right as temps peak early afternoon.

    Fish slow, fish small, and expect subtle takes—if your indicator twitches or just slows, set the hook. Every trout you bring to hand this time of year is earned.

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    4 m
  • Winterizing the Yellowstone River: Nymphs, Streamers, and Bait Strategies for Trout in the Chill

    Winterizing the Yellowstone River: Nymphs, Streamers, and Bait Strategies for Trout in the Chill
    Dec 7 2025
    Name’s Artificial Lure, checking in from the Yellowstone River.

    We’ve slid hard into winter mode. According to the National Weather Service out of Billings, the valley is starting cold, single digits to low teens at first light, topping out in the 20s with a light north breeze and high thin clouds by afternoon. The USNO tables show sunrise a little after 8 and sunset right around 4:30, so you’ve only got a narrow mid‑day window when things soften up and the fish really wake up.

    No tides to worry about here, just flows. The USGS gauge near Livingston is reading low and steady, classic winter levels, with good clarity. Montana Outdoor’s December 6 statewide report says the Yellowstone is still giving up trout to the folks who can handle the chill, and that tracks with what I’m seeing and hearing locally: slower, but far from dead.

    Bite-wise, it’s a nymph and tiny-bug game. Montana Outdoor notes midges and small nymphs as the main ticket on the big rivers right now, with the best action during that short mid‑day warmup when ice quits forming on your guides for a bit. Fish are tucked in deep winter water—soft inside bends, tailouts with a good drop, and any thigh‑to‑waist‑deep bucket out of the main push.

    Recent catches between Gardiner and Livingston: mostly 12–17 inch browns with a few beefier fish pushing 20, plus good numbers of chunky rainbows in the 10–15 inch class. Downstream toward Big Timber, folks have been tallying half‑dozen to ten fish in a solid four‑hour mid‑day session if they stay on good water and change flies when the bobber goes quiet. You’re not going to stack huge numbers, but the average quality is nice and the crowds are thin.

    Best producers right now:

    - Nymphs: size 18–22 midge larvae and pupae, tiny pheasant tails, zebra midges, and little Perdigons under an indicator with enough split shot to tick bottom. Think black, wine, and olive.
    - Winter meat: smaller streamers—olive or black sculpin patterns, sparkle minnows, and thin white baitfish—swung slow on a sink tip. Montana Outdoor mentions streamers still moving a few big fish if you’ve got patience; that’s exactly right: six hours for a handful of grabs, but they’re the right ones.
    - Bait for the hardware folks: salmon eggs and nightcrawlers drifted deep in those slow buckets are still putting trout in the net where legal, especially downriver from Livingston. Small gold or copper spoons and 1/8‑ounce marabou jigs crawled just off the bottom will tag both browns and whitefish.

    Couple of local hot spots to consider:

    - The valley between Gardiner and Yankee Jim: classic wintering holes, softer edges, and a little more gradient to concentrate fish. Focus on the long, slow insides just below faster riffles.
    - The stretch around Pine Creek and Carter’s Bridge near Livingston: plenty of accessible pullouts, big winter buckets, and dependable midge hatches when the sun’s been on the water for an hour or two.

    Fish activity will ramp up late morning. Hit the water about an hour after sunrise, and plan your best runs from 10 to 2. Keep your presentations slow and near the bottom, watch that indicator like a hawk, and don’t be afraid to downsize tippet—4X to 5X fluoro makes a difference in this clear, cold water.

    That’s the Yellowstone River report from Artificial Lure. Thanks for tuning in, and don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss the next update.

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    4 m
  • Yellowstone River Fishing Report: Winter Trout and Whitefish on Small Nymphs and Streamers

    Yellowstone River Fishing Report: Winter Trout and Whitefish on Small Nymphs and Streamers
    Dec 6 2025
    This is Artificial Lure with your Yellowstone River fishing report.

    We’re locked into true winter along the Yellowstone now. The National Weather Service out of Billings is calling for cold temps in the teens and 20s, periodic snow, and a stiff west wind pushing 15–25 mph most of the day. That’s classic “keep your gloves on and pick your spots” weather. Sunrise is right around 8:00 a.m., sunset near 4:30 p.m., so your real window is late morning through mid‑afternoon when the river gets its slight warm‑up.

    No tides to worry about here, just flows and ice. According to USGS river gauges, the Yellowstone through Livingston and down toward Big Timber is running low and clear for winter, with shelf ice starting to build on the softer banks and back eddies. Montana Outdoor’s early‑December Yellowstone River update notes anchor ice forming in the mornings and slush coming down in pulses after cold nights, so wade anglers have the edge over boaters right now.

    Recent reports from local shops in Livingston and Billings say trout fishing has shifted fully to the winter pattern. Rainbows and browns are stacking in the deeper, slower buckets: soft insides of bends, tailouts below riffles, and any mid‑river trench that gives them a break from the current. Most folks who put in a solid afternoon are moving half a dozen to a dozen fish, with a few nicer 18–20 inch browns coming on nymphs. Whitefish are still very much in the mix; some anglers are saying for every trout you’re into a couple of whities—pretty typical for this time of year.

    Best producers have been small and subtle. Think **Zebra Midges** and **Perdigon‑style nymphs** in sizes 16–20, **WD‑40s**, and small **baetis nymphs**, trailed behind a **rubberlegs** or **egg pattern**. That lines up with the Gallatin River winter report from Rising Trout Fly Fishing, which has the fish eating midges, baetis, rubberlegs, and eggs in that same size range. Run them deep under an indicator with enough weight to tick bottom, and don’t be shy about lengthening your leader in the clear water.

    If you’re set on throwing meat, smaller winter streamers like **Mini Dungeons**, **Sculpzillas**, or slim black buggers swung slow along the bottom are your best bet. Keep your expectations in check: one or two quality eats is a good streamer day right now. Natural bait where legal—mainly **nightcrawlers** or well‑presented **minnows** in slower holes—can out‑fish artificials for numbers, but check the current Montana regs closely before you dunk anything organic.

    A couple of local hot spots to consider:

    - **Between Livingston and Pine Creek**: Deep bends with rock structure are holding pods of browns. Walk‑wade the access sites and work the inside seams methodically.
    - **Big Timber area**: Reports from the Region 5 folks around Big Timber note that winter conditions have really set in, but anglers willing to hike into slower side channels are finding steady whitefish and a few solid rainbows on small nymph rigs.

    Best time of day is that 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. window, mirroring what guides are seeing on the Gallatin—fish slide up a bit and feed when the water bumps even a degree or two. Early and late are mostly for frostbite unless we get a rare calm, overcast day.

    Bundle up, watch for icy banks and shelf ice, and don’t push it with boats in this cold—Montana Outdoor’s Yellowstone update flat‑out warns that winter boating right now is for experts only, and even they are thinking twice.

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    4 m
  • Yellowstone River Winter Wading: Low Flows, Picky Trout, and Slow Tactics for Success

    Yellowstone River Winter Wading: Low Flows, Picky Trout, and Slow Tactics for Success
    Dec 5 2025
    Cold morning on the Yellowstone, and this is Artificial Lure with your river rundown from a local’s angle. Flows are low and clear for early winter, and the river has that steel‑blue look that usually means picky trout but solid fishing if you slow down and fish smart.

    ## Weather, light, and “tides”

    There are no true tides here, but water level is nudging down day by day, so watch for exposed gravel bars and shelf ice starting along the edges. Expect below‑freezing starts, highs only creeping into the 30s, light wind early with more breeze in the afternoon, and occasional snow showers drifting out of the high country. Sunrise comes late and sunset early now, so think banker’s hours: best window is late morning through mid‑afternoon when the water bumps a couple of degrees.

    ## Fish activity and recent catch

    Trout metabolism is slowing, but fish are still feeding steadily in the softer walking‑speed seams and deeper winter buckets. Anglers up and down Paradise Valley have been picking up decent numbers of 12–18 inch browns with a few bigger fish mixed in, plus rainbows and the usual whitefish keeping indicators busy. Action is very much “quality over quantity” now: fewer grabs, but when it goes down it’s often a heavy brown sliding out of the depth.

    ## Best flies, lures, and bait

    Think low and slow. Fly folks should lean on:
    - Nymphs: stonefly patterns (rubberlegs), small mayfly nymphs, and attractor jigs in natural and copper tones.
    - Streamers: slim sculpin patterns, olive or black, swung or slowly stripped on a tight line.

    Gear anglers do well with:
    - Small to medium spoons in gold or copper.
    - 2–3 inch minnow plugs in muted patterns.
    - Soft plastics on light jig heads bounced just off the bottom.

    If you’re in a section that allows bait, go classic winter: nightcrawlers, salmon eggs, or small pieces of shrimp drifted deep and slow. Whatever you throw, add weight, lengthen leaders, and be ready for very soft takes.

    ## Hot spots to try

    A couple of local favorites right now:
    - Paradise Valley from Pine Creek down toward Carter’s Bridge: deep mid‑river buckets and soft inside bends holding mixed bows, browns, and whitefish.
    - Downstream near Columbus and on into the Billings stretch: long tailouts and inside corners fishing well with jigs and small plugs from shore.

    Wherever you set up, focus on the slower inside seams, drop‑offs below riffles, and any dark, mid‑river trench you can reach. Cover water patiently; winter fish stack up, so once you find one, work that lane thoroughly.

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    3 m
  • Yellowstone River Fishing Report: Winter Arrives, Wade Fishing Shines, Streamers and Midges Entice Trout

    Yellowstone River Fishing Report: Winter Arrives, Wade Fishing Shines, Streamers and Midges Entice Trout
    Dec 4 2025
    Well folks, this is Artificial Lure coming to you with today's Yellowstone River fishing report for December 4th, 2025.

    Winter has officially arrived here in Montana, and let me tell you, conditions on the Yellowstone are shifting fast. The river's running at 1,450 CFS with water temps hovering right around 40 degrees. We're looking at mostly cloudy skies this morning with a chance of snow showers, and highs only reaching into the mid-teens to low twenties. Southwest winds are gusting up to 40 miles per hour in the higher elevations, so bundle up out there.

    Here's the thing about December on the Yellowstone—the float game is getting tough. Unless you're feeling particularly brave, wade fishing is your move right now. The sub-freezing temps and those relentless winds make a 10-mile float feel less like recreation and more like a punishment.

    Now let's talk what's biting. The fly menu is absolutely stacked this time of year. Big meaty streamers are producing solid, especially the Home Invaders in white and the Olive Leadeye Stingers. If the trout want something smaller, you've got excellent midge options. Think Harrop's Hanging Midges in black and grey, George's Tailless patterns, and Tungsten Zebra Midges in both black and copper. Sizes 14 through 22 are your sweet spot. For bigger presentations, don't sleep on the Sex Dungeons or Silk Kitties.

    For hot spots, focus your effort around Livingston. The areas downstream and around the confluence zones have been producing consistent results for wade anglers. Early morning and late afternoon are your windows when the light's low and the fish are feeding.

    Here's my honest take—this might be the perfect time to stay warm, tie some flies, reorganize that fly box, or do some holiday shopping for your fishing buddies. But if you do get out there, you'll have good water conditions and plenty of options in your fly box.

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