Yellowstone River Fishing Report: Browns Staged, Rainbows Hunting, BWOs & Streamers Crushing It

Yellowstone River’s in top late-fall form this Thursday, November 6th, folks. Air’s crisp this morning—rain and snow swept through last night, and we’ve woken to 28 degrees in Livingston, with predictions near 44 for the high. The forecast calls for more sun than clouds through midday, then a chilly breeze and maybe even a light flurry late, just a reminder Montana’s winter isn’t waiting long. Last light drops quick this season—sunrise hit at 7:01 AM, sunset will be 4:56 PM, so there’s not as much time as you think to make those casts count.

Tidal action isn’t a concern up here, but water levels have bumped a touch from the recent moisture. The river’s running cold, clear, and just a hair higher than last week, perfect for getting those browns fired up. Montana Outdoor reports golden leaves still clinging riverside, and—despite winter’s knocking—for those willing to layer up, it’s prime trout country till the deeper freeze sets in.

Fish are on the move: browns are staging and spawning in the riffles, while rainbows hunt actively in slower, deeper runs. Wolf Creek Angler says blue-winged olives (BWOs) are popping mid-morning to afternoon—if you see noses breaking the film, tie on a #18 BWO dry or a small parachute Adams and get ready. Nymphing with small beadhead pheasant tails, lightning bugs, or zebra midges has been steady, especially near cutbanks and inside corners where fish are conserving energy. If the clouds settle in and the light dims, strip a black or olive streamer through those shady seams; the big browns won’t hesitate. Streamers like sculpzillas and Sparkle Minnows in olive/black or white are getting slammed. Don’t overlook dead-drifted smaller rubberlegs or copper johns either.

Some anglers fishing near Big Timber and Springdale have been landing chunky rainbows up to 18 inches on nymph rigs, and the odd brown over 20 inches keeps spirits—and stories—alive at the local fly shops. The action’s been described as solid, but you’ve got to dial in the depth and work for them as water temps fall into the low 40s. Bait anglers (downstream from Livingston where regs allow) are doing best with nightcrawlers or a fat chunk of worm drifted under a split shot, with some reports of late-season walleyes still holding in deep pools, but trout remain the main ticket.

Best hot spots today? Point your rig to the “Grey Bear” access near Emigrant for streamer action, especially if the clouds hold. Down closer to Pine Creek’s confluence, nymphing’s been the go-to, with dependable numbers. Mid-river islands and around gravel-drop-offs are holding fish in both shallow tailouts and in the first deep bends below.

To sum it up: layer up, rig up, and work those seams. BWOs if the hatch is on, small beadhead nymphs when it’s quiet, and beefy streamers for the aggressive takes. Worms and small spoons work in lower river sections if regulations allow.

Thanks for tuning in to the Yellowstone River fishing report with Artificial Lure. Don’t forget to subscribe for more boots-on-the-ground river news and keep those rods bending. This has been a Quiet Please production, for more check out quietplease dot ai.

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