Fly Fishing
the Yellowstone River
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Yellowstone River : Livingston to Big Timber
Below Livingston, fishing pressure is less than further upstream. As
the Yellowstone River flows through this section, it is no longer in
a scenic valley. Instead, it runs through true "high plains" country,
with the Absaroka Mountains now to the south and a number of other mountain
ranges always visible off in the distance. The landscape is basically
devoid of trees east of Livingston, except for right along the river
where cottonwood trees line the bank. The prairie that is found away
from the Yellowstone River, though, is hardly flat. Instead, it is a
series of rolling hills, some of which are quite large. Thus, don't let
the "prairie" setting scare you away from fishing this section
of the Yellowstone River.
Although the Yellowstone River is now in the high plains and would seem
to offer reduced fly fishing opportunities, an angler should not pass
up the opportunity to fly fish somewhere along this section. The Yellowstone
River, between its fast current and mountainous origin, tends to run
cool all year long, allowing healthy trout populations to exist in places
where many anglers would dismiss at first sight. Healthy populations
of rainbow and brown trout are found along this stretch.
Additionally,
the fish in this section of the Yellowstone River tend to be larger
than further upstream. The larger fish, combined with reduced fishing
pressure
(the further downstream you go from Livingston, the less fishing pressure
exists), can make for some wonderful fly fishing possibilities.
The Yellowstone River in this section is quite broad and deep. Additionally,
for most of its length in this section the Yellowstone River has a moderate
current (faster nearer Livingston and slower further downstream), so
except during very low water years, wading can pose problems for the
angler seeking out the best fishing spots.
When fly fishing along this stretch of the Yellowstone, an angler has
a number of strategies they can use, depending on the season. During
the early season, excellent caddis hatches occur. Unfortunately, spring
run-off frequently turns the river into a muddy mess, limiting top water
fishing. When the river is clear, though, an angler should make sure
that they have caddis flies for all occasions (nymphs, emergers and top
water), using the appropriate fly to match the hatch. Successful fishing
during this hatch requires using the right type of caddis fly to match
what the trout are feeding on. Thus, if you are fly fishing an Elk Hair
Caddis on top with no luck, don't hesitate to try an emerger caddis pattern
such as a X-Caddis or a nymph caddis pattern such as a Prince Nymph.
A second strategy along this section of the Yellowstone River is to
fish for the large trout that are found in the many deep holes. While
dainty dry flies will occasionally work, the best bet to hook these large
fish is to use large weighted streamers on sink-tip fly lines, with heavy
leaders, fishing them down deep in the holes. For the angler looking
to pull up a large brown or rainbow trout, this is perhaps the best method.
A look around the country the Yellowstone River flows through, with
endless vistas of hay and grass, should offer a solid clue to the third
strategy, used later in summer. Fish hoppers right along the banks, focusing
on any obstructions lying in the river or where any undercut banks happen
to be found.
A fourth strategy, also for later in summer, is to match the various
small hatches that occur along this stretch. Both caddis and mayfly hatches
occur along this stretch. While the hatches don't match those of some
Montana rivers, they none-the-less can provide solid fishing. While a
fisherman is unlikely to take a very large fish this way, it does provide
the top water fisherman an excellent opportunity to land decent sized
rainbows with smaller flies on top.
Trout Fly Assortments
Yellowstone River : Big Timber to Billings
This section of the Yellowstone River is the least heavily used. Floaters
and wade fisherman who are willing to walk away from the access sites
are quite likely to have this stretch of the Yellowstone River to themselves.
The Yellowstone is wide and fairly slow through this section, with many
deep pools. The Absaroka Mountains still line the south sky line, but
slowly fade into the distance as the river approaches Billings.
The best fly fishing on this stretch is on the upper half. Quality trout
fishing drops the closer to Billings one gets, although trout, particularly
brown trout, can still be found in decent numbers and large sizes.
Fishing this stretch is not much different than the stretch between
Livingston and Big Timber. Use streamers and large nymphs to catch the
larger fish that are found in the deep holes. And use the ever-popular
hopper right along the banks.
Next Page : Floating the Yellowstone
River
Fly Tying Kits
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