The Yellowstone River is now a legitimate option for fly fishing near Bozeman or Livingston right now. Nearly all of the shelf ice is gone, except for in a few very specific spots. There will be some midges hatching, but it is unlikely trout will be feeding on the surface. Perhaps check slow, back-eddies or slow foam lines, but the game on the Yellowstone River is going to be tandem nymph rigs fished in the deep, slow runs. Streamer anglers might also find some fish by dead-drifting or dragging streamers on sinking lines. Fish aren't moving much for food right now, but things should get better and better each day.
Because stream flows are the lowest of the entire year, walking-and-wading anglers have a lot of the river to fish--unlike other times of the year when anglers most often have to use a boat to get around and fish it effectively.
The Month Ahead:
It is hard to believe that we are through with the worst of the wintertime conditions on the Yellowstone. Large banks of shelf ice are almost gone, and the the forecast for the next ten days isn't calling for any major cold spells.
Long Term Fishing Forecast:
The Yellowstone River should be a decent option for the next few months until runoff begins in earnest in May.
Looking for More Great Content?
7 Great Trout Fisheries Within 30 Minutes of Bozeman
Montana Weather: Month by Month Guide for Fly Fishing
6 Guide Secrets to Catch More Trout
The Best 7 Tips for Walk-and-Wade Fishing
5 Tips to Find More Trout When Sight Fishing
5 Great Fishing Days out of Bozeman Montana
Tips for Fishing in Montana During Runoff
What to Consider When Planning a Montana Fly Fishing Trip
Introducing the Montana Angler Rent-a-Labrador Retriever Program
5 Great Fishing Days in Montana's Yellowstone River Valley