Legendary Waters · The Stone

Yellowstone River Fly Fishing

The longest free-flowing river in the lower 48, and the quintessential Montana trout stream.

River typeFreestone
SectionsUpper and lower river
Fly intoBillings or Bozeman
Best forBig dries and streamers

The Stone

The “Yankee Stadium” of fly fishing

Author Dave Hughes called the Yellowstone the “Yankee Stadium” of fly fishing, and it lives up to the name.

With no dams from source to confluence, the Yellowstone has a wild, beautiful personality. It holds fewer fish per mile than the tailwaters and can be less predictable. But when you’re the only boat in sight, eagles overhead and deer slipping into the willows, and a big brown explodes on a #6 hopper, all is right in the world.

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Guide and angler with a Yellowstone River brown troutYellowstone River rainbow troutReleasing a big rainbow troutMayfly on a Montana river

Through the season

When to fish the Yellowstone

The Yellowstone changes with the snowpack. Plan around runoff in June, and the rest of the year has something special.

Spring

Late April to May

The Mother’s Day caddis hatch, which can be unbelievable when conditions line up before runoff.

Early summer

Late June to July

Salmonflies on the upper river as the water clears. Big bugs, big eats.

Late summer

August to September

Jeremy’s favorite: the lower river with big dries, hoppers and ugly streamers.

Fall

October to November

Streamer season for big, aggressive brown trout. Cold mornings, empty water.

Guided floats

Full-day trips on the Yellowstone River

1 Angler
$650
Full-day float, per boat
Book 1 angler
Most booked
2 Anglers
$700
Full-day float, per boat
Book 2 anglers
3 Anglers
$750
Full-day float, per boat
Book 3 anglers
All flies and terminal tackle
Streamside lunch and drinks
Transportation to the river
Casting and technique instruction
No booking fees.

Our online booking doesn’t add a single fee at checkout. The price you see is the price you pay, and every dollar stays with your guide.

Book your day on the river

Pick a date, choose your party size and reserve your boat online in minutes. No booking fees, ever. The price you see is the price you pay.