August 17, 2026
Yellowstone River Fishing Report
CFS at Carter's: 2,470
TEMP at Carter's: 59.5 - 64.4°
Clarity in town, (Monday 8/17)
Down low would be the best plan for a float today. Town is currently green this morning but we have brown soon to follow. We had more rain in the Park last night as well, so one would infer more mud is on the way up high in Gardiner as well.
Paul Fingersh with a good one! Photo: Hank Bechard
Due to cooling weather and water temps, the hootowl from 89 to Laurel has officially been lifted.
The river has been a little on the slow side this week, although some nice fish have still been getting caught. The cooler weather and water temps should help extend the fish bite into the after noon.
Chubbies and Hoppers have been good choices for top flies, each getting a few solid grabs throughout the day. The tricky part is paying close attention to your fly after a long silence.
Hopper fishing seems to be doing a little better now, after a slower start. Smaller hoppers seem to have the edge (#12-14).
There is still a Hootowl restrictions on the lower Yellowstone from the HWY 89 bridge to WHY 212 (Laurel). If you are not familiar with hootowl restrictions, this means anglers must quit fishing at 2:00PM (until midnight) each day.
Take water temps a few times a day, if the river reaches 68-70 degrees, you might consider calling it a day...
Ryan Mincey with a buttery brown (caught by Joel)... Photo: Eric Rudrud
Brendan Droll on a roll! Photo: Noah Riemenschneider
Sami with a great evening float brown! Photo: Sean Tomlin
Dries:
Nocturnal Stones (#6-12)
Golden Stone dries (#6-12)
Hoppers (#8-14)
Ants (#14-20)
Brindlechute (#12-18)
Caddis (#12-16)
Green Drakes (#10-12)
PMD's (#14-16)
Spruce Moth (#10-14)
Nymphs:
Buggerlegs (Various colors) (#6-10)
Tungsten Buggerlegs (Various colors) (#6-10)
Tan/brown Rubberlegs (#6-10)
Beadhead Prince (#10-18)
Perdigons (#14-18)
Duracell Bomb Brown (#14-16)
Blow Torch Dark (#12-16)
Blow Torch Hare's Ear (#12-18)
Torch Light Fertile Caddis (#14-16)
CDC Pheasant Tail (#12-18)
Streamers:
Olive Zonker (#3-8)
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