Wow, that’s what I call Western weather. The last 3 weeks of February have been a heck of a ride – epic snow and cold followed by warming and hurricane force wind. Big shout out to the Crew at Park County works that have kept the vast majority of roads open. The recent warmup has really improved fishing in the area – especially on the Paradise Valley spring creeks which appear to be transitioning from their winter doldrums to the pre-runoff season. The lengthening days and warming temperatures have improved the fish bite as we await the spawning run of Yellowstone rainbows.
Post Snowmegedon (Feb 2025) fishing has been a very pleasant surprise. The increases in daytime and overnight temperatures have improved fishing significantly. Fish continue to feed actively on the spring creeks from morning to mid-afternoon (09:30am-2:30p) and, at times, eagerly taking a dead drifted nymph rig of a scud/sowbug with a midge or baetis nymph dropper.
Drifting nymph rigs deep and slow under an appropriately buoyant indicator in feeding lanes throughout the pools and riffles has been producing great fishing through out the day. Some extra weight on the leader or incorporated in your anchor fly will help achieve a slow drift through targeted water.
The winter bite can be quite subtle, using an oversized indicator can mask subtle eats. We like the New Zealand Yarn indicator system, foam pinch on indicators, and extra small Oros bubble type indicators. These detect light winter takes nicely and result in more fish hooked
In the coming weeks as the days begin to lengthen and temperatures warm, we can expect to see greater intensity of midge hatches and the first spring baetis activity of the year on the Yellowstone and in the spring creeks. This will make for some much-anticipated dry fly fishing. Additionally, our local population of rainbows should begin their rights of spring in the next month. Which makes for some of the best fishing of the year.
2025 Fishing licenses go on sale March 1, 2025.
Its looking like a nice week of weather to get out and fish!
National Weather Service
Note on safety: Whether you are walk and wading the Yellowstone, the Gardiner, or the Paradise Valley Spring Creeks please be aware of the effect of air and water temps during winter outings. Use caution traversing ice covered shoreline, shelf ice can give way, and be a slip, trip, fall hazard. Additionally, the risk of hypothermia is increased. Dress appropriately for weather conditions and have a plan. High winds are expected throughout the next week consult the National Weather Service for updated conditions and hazard warnings before venturing out on the water.
Flies For the Season
Nymphs
On the spring creeks: Tailwater sowbug 16-18, Ray Charles Zebra midge (red, olive, black) 20, Axtell’s Assassin Midge #20, Minamalist midge #20-22(red, black, olive) , Perdigon, Frenchie, 12-16 Psycho Prince (yell/or), Darth Baetis, Sawyer Pheasant tail, Euro-style soft hackled nymphs #16-20, Perdigon nymphs, Cheeseman Emerger, Pink var. Blow Torch.
On the Yellowstone or Gardiner Rivers: Stone fly patterns like rubber legs, Craven’s Two-bit stone, Jig head zirdle bug, Perdigon style flies, Tung Ol hares year soft hackle, Psycho prince, flashback pheasant tail 12-18, Zebra midge (black, olive, red)
Streamers
Wooly bugger (black, olive, white,), Sparkle minnow (olive, black), Home Invader, Slump Buster, leach patterns, Sculpzilla, Baby Gonga, Rubber legged cone head Krystal bugger (Black, ol, yellow), Intruder style Spey flies, large soft hackle flies, McCune’s Olive Sculpin.
Dries
Harroup’s hanging midge, Brooks sprout midge emerger, cluster midge, Harroups CDC adult midge, CDC olive comparadun 20, Last Chance Cripple (BWO) 20, Griffiths gnat and other cluster midge patterns
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