July 9, 2026
Yellowstone River Fishing Report
CFS: 5,250
Samantha Smith with a nice native up high! Photo: Wes Smith
We have a heat wave this week, especially this weekend! It would be a good idea to bring a thermometer and check water temps in the afternoon. If water temps exceed 70 degrees it would be a good idea to take a break with a voluntary hootowl. If the river reaches 73 degrees for three days in a row there will be a mandatory hootowl. Luckily it looks like next week cools down after Monday.
The Shield's river has been on a hard steady drop and the lower Yellowstone is back to fishing well. The rest of the river is in great shape, no spikes on the Lamar yet despite some rain in the park a few nights ago.
The salmonflies and goldenstones have moved into the park now, aside from a few stragglers. So if you really want to be in the thick of things you'll want to engage in a hike and strike inside Yellowstone Park.
We are still seeing a bunch of caddis and sallies on the river, as well as a few drakes and PMDs. We have one report of seeing midnight stones way down low already, which is early but perhaps on par with the rest of the hatches coming a couple weeks early.
Temps will be hot this weekend, especially Sunday
Give us a call to book a guide! 1-406-222-7130.
Francis and Heidi Ferdinand with a great fish. Photo: Rob Ferdinand
Cha-ching! More smiles from Tim Galloway... Photo: Ryan Mincey
Richard Marciniak with a great rainy day brown! Photo: Francis Clougherty
Sean and Scott W getting things done in the rain! Photo: Troy W.
Dries:
Salmonfly dries (#4-8)
Golden Stone dries (#6-12)
Sally dreis (#14-16)
Chocolate Sedge (#12)
Caddis (#12-16)
Green Drakes (#10-12)
PMD's (#14-16)
Nymphs:
Buggerlegs (Various colors) (#6-10)
Tungsten Buggerlegs (Various colors) (#6-10)
Black Rubberlegs (#4-10)
Black/Cofee Rubberlegs (#4-10)
Beadhead Prince (#10-18)
Duracell Bomb Brown (#14-16)
Torch Light Fertile Caddis (#14-16)
BH Prince (#10-18)
Blow Torch Dark (#10-16)
Streamers:
Home Invader White #2/6
Olive Leadeye Stinger #4/6
Black Leadeye Stinger #4/6
Mini Kill Whitey Olive #4
Olive Sex Dungeon #4
Black Sex Dungeon #4
Peanut Envy Rootbeer #4
Sparkle Minnow #4-8
Yellow Silk Kitty #2
White Silk Kitty #2
Olive Silk Kitty#2
White Home Invader #2-4
Olive Leadeye #6
Olive Swim Coach #4
Coffee Sparkle Minnow #4-6