Yellowstone River Fishing Report October 7th, 2019
Be Sure to bundle up! We have a seriously cold spell coming our way due to arrive in Paradise Valley on Tuesday evening. There is snow and cold weather in the forecast. Expect Wednesday to drop 3-4 inches of snow with temperatures well below freezing. We are also expecting high winds through Thursday evening.
In regards to the fishing, there is still good windows of dry fly fishing in the afternoons. We tend to have a couple good hours of BWO fishing once things warm up and bugs start coming off. Guides have been finding rising fish in foam lines and back eddies. Be sure to stop and take a look at slower water when you are seeing bugs in the air, as fish will move into those spots for an easy meal! We have been liking the #20 Brooks’ Sprout Baetis, #18-20 Parawulff and #18 Parachute Adam’s. We are also still seeing some Fall Drakes now and then. #14-16 Purple Haze, #14-16 Parachute Adams, #14-16 Hazy Cripples and #14-16 Royal Wulff’s have been effective imitations.
When fishing subsurface, trailing a smaller nymph behind heavier stoneflies is a good technique. Pats Rubber legs in all colors, #10-12 TJ Hookers, and Marabou Rubber Legs are good options for anchor flies. Trailing a #12-18 Prince Nymph, #14-18 CDC Pheasant Tail, #14-18 Copper Johns, and #14-16 Psycho Prince Nymph’s.
Streamer fishing starting to get HOT. Expect the pressure change from this upcoming storm to have an effect on the bite but it should pick back up once it passes. We are beginning to see more and more big fish in the net. On brighter days, slow strips with brighter flies will do the trick. Darker days, fishing darker colors will work best. Streamers in the small to medium size range will be your best bet. Urchin Buggers, Sparkle Minnows, Zonkers, and Kreelex are a good place to start. Going a little bigger with Mini-Dungeons, Masked Avengers, Home Invaders and Dirty Hippies are a good bet. Come in and buy some meat while we’ve got them!
As usual, come on by the shop or give us a call for an up to date river report. Be sure to protect yourself from the cold this week as it certainly will be chilly out there!