Yellowstone River and Spring Creeks Fishing Report – 12/27/25

Paradise Valley Spring Creeks: by Jan Axtell

Unseasonably warm day time temperatures and persistent low barometric pressure have made for an excellent week of fishing in Paradise Valley and beyond.  If you aren’t fired up about skiing, you might as well go fishing. Our predicted weather pattern next week looks like a return to warmer day time temperatures after cooler temps and precipitation over the weekend.

The Paradise Valley Spring Creeks have been fishing very well.   Spawning behavior has largely concluded except for some winter spawning rainbows scattered around the creeks.   Hungry post-spawn browns have been grabbing flies as they look to bulk up after the rigors of spawning.  Swung streamers and wet flies are still producing grabs, albeit with a fair amount of short striking.   We continue to do very well on our winter season rigs: egg sucking sow bug/scud and midge or baetis nymph rig.  Day in and day out midge rigs or combination rigs with midges in them are consistently producing good –and sometimes great – numbers of fish in the net.

Regardless of how you are fishing, bites have been subtle in many situations. A highly reactive indicator will put more fish on the line than an overly buoyant one.  Even on the swing, the bite has been subtle. Fish a shorter leader and watch the tip of your fly line for lateral or upstream movement.

Flies to try on the spring creeks:

Nymphs/Wet flies

Hot bead sowbugs and other nymphs, Pink variant Blow Torch, Zebra midge (red, olive, black),  String thing #18-22 (red, olive, black, cream, brown),  Frenchie, Psycho Prince (yell/or) , Darth Baetis, Sawyer Pheasant tail #18-22, blood blister midge #18-20, Perdig-Ian (bwo) #18, Cheeseman Emerger (ol, blk, red),

Streamers

Ruby eyed Canadian Leech, Ice Breaker Leech, Mini Intruder patterns, bugger (black, olive), Sparkle minnow, Slump Buster

Dries

Harroup’s Hanging midge (blk, gray) #20, Transitional midge 20, Snowshoe baetis #20-22, Sprout BWO #20-22, Last Chance Cripple #20-22, rusty spinner #20-22;

Yellowstone River: by Rich Ridgeway

Fishing the Yellowstone River over Christmas Eve and Christmas Day offered a great angling experience. Warm temperatures, low winds, and lighter angling pressure made for good days on the water.

Flows have come up over the past week and are currently sitting at 1,780 CFS, with water temperatures around 40 degrees. Trout have been holding deep in slow-moving runs, pools, and seams, conserving energy in the cold water. Most fish have been tight to the bottom, with fewer willing to move far for food. Sometimes just a small step up or downriver can put your flies in the right spot.

Nymphing has been productive using a #10 Pheasant Tail, #12 jigged CDC Prince Nymph, and #8 Pat’s Rubber Legs. Other patterns worth trying include Lightning Bug, Beadhead 20-Incher, Zirdle, Psycho Prince, Sweetwater Sweet ‘n Sour (ask us…)

Winter fishing on the Yellowstone River can be challenging, but anglers willing to slow down and focus on deeper holding water can be rewarded with steady action. Low crowds and beautiful winter scenery make for a great experience on the river.

Streamer fishing has slowed, but you can still pick up nice fish swinging streamers this time of year. The fish tend to hold in deeper and slower water as water temperatures drop. Slow swings and strips are going to be key in chilly water. Use a sink tip and/or stack mends to get your fly to swing slow and deep. Black, white, olive, yellow are all good colors to switch up until you get a grab or two. I usually start with a bright color on sunny days and darker under clouds, but it’s all more art than science.

Streamers to try: Baby Gonga, Double Gonga, Boogie Man, Big Gulp Sculpin, Sculpzilla

Safety First!

Note on weather and personal safety: whether you’re walking and wading or floating the Yellowstone, the Gardiner, the Gallatin or the Paradise Valley Spring Creeks please be aware of the effect of air and water temps during  winter fishing.  The risk of hypothermia is increased: 1. Be prepared, weather conditions change throughout the day so have a plan. 2. Eat well and stay hydrated 3. if your wading use a wading staff If you’re fishing alone, let someone know your plan.

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