October 19, 2026

CFS: 312

FLIES: Firebead sow bug, North fork Specials, Purple Prince, Jigged Prince, Walt’s Worm, Lucent prince, Prince, San Juan worm, Bloody Mary, Pheasant Tail, Midge pupa, Jigged Meathead, Drag Queen, Sculpzilla, Mini Dungeon, Slump Buster, Thin Mint, PMD, Caddis, and midges

CONDITIONS: The flows have dropped significantly in the last few days. Winter flows are expected to bottom out at 250 cfs. Fishing has improved and fish numbers seem to be in good shape despite the summer flooding. Nymphing has been the most consistent method for catching fish.

October 19, 2026

CFS: 400

FLIES: poxyback sow, yum-yum sow, Herford’s magic, Various worm patterns and colors, thin mints, Midges, BWO’s, Firebead sow, purple and pink lucent perdigon’s, black Spanish bullet, Ice cream cones, Sculpzilla, Rusty Tombone, Montana Mouthwash, Chubby Chernobyl.

CONDITIONS: The flows on the Bighorn are dropping as the irrigation season comes to an end. Look for fish in the deeper runs using hopper dropper rigs with zirdles, yuk bugs, worms, sows, and perdigons. Look for heads up on midges and BWO’s during overcast days.

October 19, 2026

CFS: 213

FLIES: North Fork Specials, Drag queens, Pheasant Tail, Optic Nerve, Trout Pupa, Orange Lucent Prince, SJ worms, Trout Pupa, Halfbacks, Lucent Tag Perdigons, Chubby Chernobyls, Chubby cousins, and streamers.

CONDITIONS: Recent reports have people saying they don’t think there are many fish left in the system at the moment. I would probably try to fish a different water shed until next year

October 19, 2026

CFS: Disabled (Valley School)

FLIES: North Fork Specials, Meat heads, Bloody Mary’s, Chubby cousins, Optic Nerves, Jigged prince, Lucent Prince, Walts Worm, Golden Stones, PMD’s, Yellow Sallies, and Streamers.

CONDITIONS: Clear above Valley School and we’re actually catching fish! This trend should continue until we start seeing more rain move in. Dry dropper rigs and streamers have been consistently picking up fish.

October 19, 2026

CFS: 118 (near Belfry Montana)

FLIES, North Fork Specials, Princes, Pheasant Tail, Optic Nerve, Orange Lucent Prince, Yellow Sallies,Lucent Tag prince, Golden stones, Caddis, PMD’s, perrdigons, Walts worm, Sculpzilla,

CONDITIONS: Try using hopper patterns with jigged attractor nymphs below while the water is clear. I also wouldn’t hesitate to pull a streamer through some of the deeper runs.

October 19, 2026

FLIES: Midge Pupa, Hares Ear, Pheasant Tail, Scuds, Buggers

CONDITIONS: The Beartooth Pass is closed for the season.

October 19, 2026

FLIES: North fork specials, pheasant tails, prince nymphs, optic nerves, perdigons, para adams, stimulators, micro chubby’s,

CONDITIONS: The water is clear and the fishing is great. Because of colder overnight temperatures the fishing will be better in the afternoon after the water warms up. Small attractor dries with nymphs below have been the ticket.

October 19, 2026

FLIES: Pheasant tails, Prince Nymphs, Hares ear, Small jigged nymphs, North Fork Specials, Zebra midges, Small buggers.

CONDITIONS: The water is clear and the fishing is great. Because of colder overnight temperatures the fishing will be better in the afternoon after the water warms up. Small attractor dries with nymphs below have been the ticket.

October 19, 2026

FLIES: Pheasant tails, Prince Nymphs, Hares ear, Small jigged nymphs, North Fork Specials, para adams, stimulators, micro chubby’s Small buggers.

CONDITIONS: The water is clear and the fishing is great. Because of colder overnight temperatures the fishing will be better in the afternoon after the water warms up. Small attractor dries with nymphs below have been the ticket.

October 19, 2026

FLIES: Pheasant tails, Prince Nymphs, Hares ear, Small jigged nymphs, North Fork Specials, para adams, stimulators, micro chubby’s, and Small buggers.

CONDITIONS: The fishing has been tough since the big flood earlier this summer. I would fish somewhere else.

October 19, 2026

FLIES: Hares Ear, Pheasant Tails, Zebra midges, Ice cream cones, Balanced leeches, Thin mints, Slump busters, Callibaetis nymphs and dries, Scuds, Soft hackled jigged nymphs, streamers.

CONDITIONS: The water is cooling down due to the colder overnight temperatures. Try using terrestrial patterns, balanced leeches, chironomids, and scuds.

October 19, 2026

FLIES: midge pupa, scuds, hares ear, pheasant tails, red analids, backswimmers, callibaetis nymphs, Damsel dries, and streamers

CONDITIONS: The water is cooling down due to the colder overnight temperatures. Try using terrestrial patterns, balanced leeches, chironomids, and scuds.

October 19, 2026

CFS: 141

FLIES: North Fork Specials, Rubberlegs, San Juan Worms, Sparkle Stones, Halfbacks, Jigged Prince, Drag Queen, golden stones, caddis, pmd’s, grey drakes.

CONDITIONS: Clear and fishing well. Try fishing with stonefly nymphs and jigged attractors under an attractor dry fly pattern until you start to see noses up on BWO’s and caddis. Remember to pack the bear spray as well.

The streamer fishing is picking up as well.

October 19, 2026

Yellowstone Lake

FLIES: Hares ear, Pheasant Tails, Midge Pupa, Buggers, Balanced Leeches, Thin Mint, Scuds.

CONDITIONS: The fish have moved to deeper water. Try throwing buggers, balanced leeches, scuds, and midge pupa. Look for noses up on midges, callibaetis, caddis, and terrestrials. Mornings and evenings are your best chance for catching fish from shore.

CFS: (Lake outlet) 623

FLIES: North Fork Specials, Pats Rubber Legs, Pepperoni Yuk Bug, Sparkle Stones, BWO’s,and Caddis.

CONDITION: Try working small dry/dropper rigs in the morning until you start to see bugs hatching. Look for noses up on terrestrials, BWO’s, and caddis.

Try working some streamers as well.