
Boy howdy did last weekend with some good old fashion winter weather! Fortunately for us the weather has stabilized – relatively speaking – and over the next week we can expect a “warming trend” with some clouds as well. This can make for some great winter season fishing. The Paradise Valley spring creeks (Depuy’s, Armstrong’s, and Nelson’s) are still fishing seasonally very well, reliably producing consistent fishing throughout the day. Additionally, areas of the Yellowstone and Gardner rivers may produce good angling especially around thermal areas that will moderate the water temperature.
Fish continue to feed actively on the spring creeks from mid-morning to mid-afternoon (10:30am-2:30p) and, at times, eagerly take a dead drifted nymph rig of a scud/sowbug with a midge or baetis nymph dropper. Fish the rig deep and slow under an appropriately buoyant indicator. 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 takes nicely.
Light streamer rigs either swung or worked actively over holding water and prime lays have been consistently producing some nice fish on the area spring creeks.
Please be mindful of spawning redds/beds and their location, please avoid wading over them, as foot traffic in the spawning beds can crush or disrupt fertilized eggs.
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.
Follow the US Coast Guard cold weather tips for a safe and fun day on the water.
Yellowstone River flow chart at Livingston:
Yellowstone River near Livingston, MT – USGS Water Data for the Nation
National Weather Service forecast for Livingston MT
Flies For the Season
Nymphs
Tailwater sowbug 16-18 and other nymphs , Zebra midge (red, olive, black) 20, Axtell’s Assassin Midge, Minamalist midge, Perdigon, Frenchie, 12-16 Psycho Prince (yell/or) , Rubber legs and stone fly patterns, Darth Baetis, Sawyer Pheasant tail, sow bug, scud, blood blister midge, Squirmy worm, Perdigon, Cheeseman Emerger, Pink var. Blow Torch.

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,
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