Yellowstone River/Emmigrant, MT

Went out there two years ago and fished the Yellowstone with a guide and a drift boat. We did well with thunder thighs fly pattern and a dropper as well. One of the fly shops in Livingston will have more info and will most likely help a little more if you bring a six pack and ask for a few pointers.

Yes a rooster tail and the heavier, the farther you can throw. I go to the Madison occasionally and always bring a spinning rod for when I’m done giving them a sporting chance.

If you want to catch fish, hire an outfitter. If you want to cast all day and likely catch nothing then go buy a mepps and cast it near water rushing around boulders and riffles.

Most importantly, be bear aware. You will be in the heart of griz country.

Take a fly rod. Trout and flies go together.

The Yellowstone will likely be blown out with runoff in June with high and muddy water making fishing very difficult. In some years the river isn’t fishable until July. Early June is almost guaranteed to be high and muddy in most years, but by late June things might be OK depending on the year. That is true for most of the freestone rivers in Montana. The Bighorn, because it is a tail water, is a better option in June. But it does get crowded because it’s often the only game in town at that time of year.

quote:

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You will be in the heart of griz country.

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This reminded me of a person in Alaska who advocated carrying a personal defense weapon when in grizzly country. When asked where is "grizzly country"? He replied any place you are not standing on pavement.

If you are fortunate enough to catch any trout and a bear wants your fish, walk away and leave the fish.

Have a great trip!

We did the same thing about 4 years ago. Got a house in Emigrant with the Yellowstone running through the back yard last week of May into first week of June. When booked had big plans to wake up and wade fish every morning.... haha no freaking shot. That runoff was so high and muddy.

Instead we would go up into the Gallatin and fish small streams, fished in the park at certain spots, and did a float trip on the Madison. The Madison is what I would recommend. Much better that time of year.

Either way, so damn jealous. Paradise Valley really is the best place in the world.

If its not a fishing trip take the spinning rod and rooster tails. Might consider a small rapala original minnow as well but a black roostertail with yellow dots and a copper colored blade in whatever size you can throw will catch them anywhere anytime.


Make certain the water is not fly fishing only....its rare but there are some. People will tell you they are all fly only...this is not true, almost all allow any kind of bait including live bait. Be prepared for people to roll their eyes and act as if you have taken a dump in the punch bowl. When you are catching 16 inch rainbows and cut throat on every cast and the occasional big old brown all of that side eye they hand out in that part of the world for soaking night crawlers seems silly!

I have caught sooooooooo many big trout all over the western US out of drift boats with a spinning rod it is ridiculous....and it is always the same story, people act as if you are raping a goat in church. I use the long rod as well but I like catching fish not casting......if that means using chicken livers for bait I am a chicken liver chunking son of a bitch....