Bozeman

Montana Fly Fishing: Yellowstone River

Yellowstone River Fly Fishing

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When trout anglers around the world are asked what river in Montana best captivates their interest, the Yellowstone is often mentioned within the top 3 routinely. Is it due to fish size?  Fish numbers? Surrounding scenery? We think it is all of the above.

Featured Listings: (add your listing)


Montana Troutfitters - fish the Yellowstone
Providing the most current river and hatch conditions in the Bozeman fishing area, we are the local's preferred choice for gear, fishing guides, videos & tying materials.
view site : map : call us (406) 587-4707
Dave Handl fly fishing outfitter for Yellowstone
Personalized guiding services on the Yellowstone River near Livingston, plus inside Yellowstone Park. 25 years experience, where it counts. You'll truly enjoy yourself.
view site : call us (406) 222-1404

Other Related Listings: (add your listing)


Angler's West Guide Service - Yellowstone River
Southwest Montana flyfishing experts. Enjoyable adventures on the Madison and Yellowstone Rivers. Book your dates to chase Salmonflies & big trout.
view site : map : call us (406) 333-4401
Centennial Inn - Home Rental along the river
A unique private retreat on the banks of the Yellowstone. Whether as a fishing buddy lodge, weekend retreat, or romantic getaway for couples, our luxury railcar sleeps 4.
view site : call us (619) 507-2316
Fins & Feathers - Montana Flyfishing Packages
Select from local lodging/guiding trips on the Yellowstone River to 5-day excursions including Big Hole, Madison or Missouri. Check our up-to-date reports, even in winter.
view site : map : call us (877) 790-5303
Greater Yellowstone Fly Fishers Shop and Guides
Guided fly fishing trips on the Yellowstone River is our specialty. Located 10 minutes from Bozeman's Airport, we are a full-service shop & outfitter - check our live reports.
view site : map : call us (406) 585-5321
Mountain Home Vacation Rentals on the Yellowstone
Wonderful selection of private vacation cabins and homes, many with river access. Named one of the world's best vacation rental agencies, 2006 & 2007, by Conde Nast Traveler!
view site : map : call us (800) 550-4589
My Montana Vacation Rentals - Fishermen Friendly
Offering unique, one-of-a-kind homes for families and angling groups in and around Bozeman & Livingston, MT. with hilltop and Yellowstone River frontage locations.
view site : map : call us (800) 531-6968
Sweetwater Fly Shop in Livingston, MT
The area's newest retail fly shop and guide service off Hwy 89 enroute to Yellowstone Park. Free advice, updated online river reports and fly/gear specials online.
view site : map : call us (406) 222-9393
YD Flies - Fishing Flies at 20% below wholesale!
Planning your fishing trip to Montana? Order your flies today and we'll have them to you before you go! Excellent quality, 20% below wholesale!
view site : map : call us (970) 927-7089

Flowing unobstructed for its entire 671 miles, the Yellowstone is the longest un-dammed river in the lower 48 states. The Yellowstone is "Big" water, with the average width at over 150 feet and the river ranging from 75 to 300 feet wide throughout its course.

Beginning high in mountains of northwest Wyoming off the Continental Divide, the Yellowstone River offers amazing fishing as it winds through Yellowstone National Park, through the town of Gardiner, the Paradise Valley, past the town of Livingston, and continues on through Big Timber and Columbus, Montana - a stretch of over 240 trout-fishable miles of water.

Headwaters Region

The thirty miles of river above Yellowstone Lake is true wilderness fishing. Hiking and horseback are the only methods of gaining access to this meadow stream portion of the Yellowstone River. The fish are pure strain Yellowstone Cutthroat, and average 14-16 inches in size. These native fish are large given the small size of the stream, but summer migrations up from Yellowstone Lake provide anglers with ample opportunity at catching a true trophy in one of the most remote sections of wilderness in the lower 48 states.

Upper Yellowstone

From its departure with Yellowstone Lake until it reaches the park boundary, the Yellowstone River offers as much diversity in fishing opportunities as any stretch in America. Below Yellowstone Lake and the famous Fishing Bridge, the water is flat and wide for miles, with numerous opportunities to sight cast to rising trout. The stretch through Hayden Valley in closed to fishing, but the remainder of the stretch above the upper falls provides abundant wading access options. After the falls, the Yellowstone begins a run through two stunning canyons with walls reaching as much as 1200 feet above the river. The river is fishable through these stretches, but requires a hike into the canyons. Those that take on the challenge are rewarded with fat cutthroat and rainbow trout, as well as hours of solitude and incredible beauty.

Middle Yellowstone

The most popular, and best fly fishing, section of the Yellowstone begins as it leaves the park boundary at Gardiner, all the way through the Paradise Valley and the towns of Livingston, Big Timber and Columbus, Montana, nearly 130 miles later. It is in these stretches that many characterize the Yellowstone as "the true western fly fishing experience".

Through the middle stretch of river, most anglers attack the 'Stone from a drift boat so they can fish the banks hard and cover more water. Long stretches of great habitat and numerous braided channels provide ample opportunities for anglers to get out and wade along their journey. In addition, the diversity and quality of fish habitat - long riffles, miles of deep cut banks, and hundreds of pools - provide for an unmatched environment that will challenge the angler to utilize all their tools and techniques in an attempt to fool the Yellowstone's wild trout population. Fish in these sections average 13-18", with many exceeding the 20+" mark. Spring caddis, Summer Salmonflies and hoppers, Fall mayflies and streamers, and even winter midges, provide year round fishing for native cutthroat, rainbows, and brown trout.

And the scenery is just as amazing as the fishing. The high mountains of the Absaroka, Crazy and Gallatin ranges, the abundant wildlife along the riverbanks, and the natural meandering course of a river that Lewis and Clark floated 200 years ago, provide the perfect backdrop to a wonderful fishing day in Montana.

Spend a day, a week, or even a lifetime on the river, and you will see why the US Fish and Wildlife Service rated the Yellowstone River as the best trout water in the country!

Sweetwater Fly Shop - Livingston's Newest - Located at the mouth of the Yellowstone River's Paradise Valley, the Sweetwater Fishing Company was founded by a group of anglers who have made their home in Montana while exploring world's great fishing destinations. If you are going to be in Montana, stop by our fly shop in Livingston.

Local Web Listings: (upgrade your listing)


320 Guest Ranch Inc
205 Buffalo Horn Creek Rd Gallatin Gateway, MT  59730-9606
view site : call us (406) 995-4283
Big Trout Ranch LLC
767 E Bench Rd Twin Bridges, MT  59754-9767
view site : call us (406) 684-5995
Milesnick Ranch Inc
412 Bridger View Dr Belgrade, MT  59714-3810
view site : call us (406) 388-6518
Sixty Three Ranch
P.O. BOX 979 Livingston, MT  59047-0979
view site : call us (406) 222-0570
Twin Rivers Ranch
P.O. BOX 1009 Manhattan, MT  59741-1009
view site : call us (406) 284-6485

Local Phone Only Listings: (upgrade your listing)


Ladder Canyon Ranch
572 Mchessor Creek Rd Twin Bridges, MT  59754-9723
call us (406) 684-5275
Dorothy A Haugland
4911 Biggs Haugland Rd Belgrade, MT  59714-8017
call us (406) 388-4547
Paul Grieco
142 Bennett Dr Bozeman, MT  59715-8060
call us (406) 522-7123
Kevin Boltz
83 Jack Creek Rd Ennis, MT  59729-9018
call us (406) 682-7140
Maichel Ranch
P.O. BOX 154 Harrison, MT  59735-0154
call us (406) 685-3366
Cotant Ranch
P.O. BOX 508 Livingston, MT  59047-0508
call us (406) 222-0042
Lazy Heart Horse & Mule Co
P.O. BOX 45 Livingston, MT  59047-0045
call us (406) 222-7536
Hudecek Ranch
P.O. BOX 131 Springdale, MT  59082-0131
call us (406) 932-6745
Great Divide Land & Cattle
26465 Bridger Canyon Rd Wilsall, MT  59086-9574
call us (406) 578-9830
Mnk Ranch
15959 Rocky Mountain Rd Belgrade, MT  59714-8030
call us (406) 388-6282
Gallatin Madison Ranch Co
17500 Norris Rd Manhattan, MT  59741-8625
call us (406) 282-7507
Parade Rest Guest Ranch Inc
1279 Grayling Creek Rd West Yellowstone, MT  59758
call us (406) 646-7217
Neil Barnosky
615 Ruby River Dr Sheridan, MT  59749-9517
call us (406) 842-5252
Davis Jack & Lorene LLC
11 Barney Creek Rd Livingston, MT  59047-9178
call us (406) 222-2691
Mountain Meadows Guest Ranch
P.O. BOX 160334 Big Sky, MT  59716-0334
call us (406) 995-4997
Lone Mountain Ranch Inc
P.O. BOX 160069 Big Sky, MT  59716-0069
call us (406) 995-4644

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