Sweetwater Fly Shop

08/06/2026

“Caddis at night, angler’s delight!” Tonight on the Yellowstone…. It’s always worth trying a size 16 caddis dry in the summer! Even if they’re not emerging or egg-laying, the fish have been seeing them for months! Tie one on as a dropper behind your GigantaChubbyHopper and see what happens. 🤷‍♂️

07/30/2026

FYI: All waters in Yellowstone National Park are now closed to fishing from 2:00 pm to sunrise, due to high temperatures that are stressful to fish. Some rivers are also fully closed to fishing (Firehole, Madison, lower Gibbon). Be sure to check the current restrictions and regulations before you head to the park!

(News Release) Beginning July 29, Yellowstone's rivers and streams will be closed to fishing daily from 2 p.m. to sunrise due to high water temperatures and low stream flows. These restrictions are in addition to the existing full fishing closures on the Madison, Firehole and Gibbon (downstream of Norris Campground) rivers that have been in effect since July 15.

What will be closed?
❌ Fishing on all park rivers and streams will be prohibited daily from 2 p.m. to sunrise the following day.
❌ Fishing remains temporarily prohibited on the Madison, Firehole and Gibbon (downstream of Norris Campground) rivers.

These closures will remain in effect until conditions improve to protect the park’s native and wild trout fisheries.

What will be open?
✅ Anglers can fish on most park rivers and streams daily from sunrise to 2 p.m.
✅ Yellowstone Lake and other lakes will remain open to fishing from sunrise to sunset as specified in the 2026 Fishing Regulations booklet.

Water temperatures have exceeded 68 degrees Fahrenheit (20 degrees Celsius) in recent days, and flows on many rivers are below long-term averages. These conditions are extremely stressful and can be fatal to fish. The extended forecast calls for continued hot and dry conditions with a slight chance of isolated afternoon thunderstorms, which contribute to continued low stream flows and high-water temperatures. Staff will continue to monitor the water temperatures. The closure may be lifted, or additional restrictions and closures may be put in place depending on condition assessments.

Anglers: Please fish during the coolest times of day and land fish quickly. Do not play hooked trout to exhaustion. Gently handle fish in the water as much as possible and let them recover before release. Your cooperation will protect the park’s fisheries and may preclude the need to prohibit fishing at all times of the day on some rivers and streams if conditions worsen.

👉 Read more at: go.nps.gov/26015

07/25/2026

If you’re looking for clear(er) water on the Yellowstone River this morning, mid-valley is your best bet. The river is fishable near Point of Rocks (first photo), but it looks like there’s another nasty mud plug in Gardiner (second photo. You don’t want to get caught by that!

Stop by the shop and we’ll be happy to give you the latest update. And please quit fishing by around 2:00, as water temperatures are too stressful for the fish right now in the late afternoon and evening. Thanks!

07/21/2026

Heads up! The Yellowstone River below the 89 bridge east of Livingston is now under “Hoot Owl” restrictions. Fishing is prohibited between 2 pm and midnight when the water is warmest.

The Yellowstone upstream of town remains open to fishing all day as of now. But please plan to get on and off the river early. Keep fish wet and in the net! Grip and grins can be deadly when they’re already stressed!

Rising river water temperatures are prompting daily fishing restrictions for several Montana rivers.

These restrictions, commonly known as hoot-owl restrictions, prohibit fishing from 2 p.m. to midnight each day. They are designed to protect fish when environmental stressors and angling pressure are both high. When water temperatures are high and flows are low, the additional stress of angling can lead to issues including disease outbreaks, reduced spawning success, decreased growth rates and increased mortality.

Restrictions will take effect on July 22 in the following areas:

- Big Hole River from the confluence with the North Fork of the Big Hole River to Dickie Bridge
- Madison River from Eight Mile Ford Fishing Access Site to Ennis Reservoir
- Shields River from the bridge upstream of Wilsall between Jordan Bench and Pinkerton roads to the confluence with the Yellowstone River
- Yellowstone River from the Hwy. 89 bridge near Livingston to the Hwy. 212/310 bridge in Laurel
- Smith River from the confluence of the North and South forks of the Smith River to Eden Bridge
- Upper Clark Fork from the Clark Fork’s origin at the confluence of Warm Springs Creek and Silver Bow Creek to the mouth of Flint Creek
- Bitterroot River in its entirety, from the confluence of the East and West forks to the confluence with the Clark Fork River

Fishing restrictions are in effect for additional waterbodies and other sections of some of the rivers listed above. For a full list of current fishing restrictions, visit https://fwp.mt.gov/news/current-closures-restrictions/waterbody-closures

07/17/2026

It’s the time of the year to start being concerned about water temperatures, especially in the afternoon and evening when the rivers are warmest. Trout become stressed as temperatures rise and mortality rate increases, even with careful catch-and-release procedures. And the fishing tends to suck as the fish get stressed and sluggish. Try to fish in the morning when the river’s coolest, then give the fish a respite as the water heats. Carry a stream thermometer to check temperatures throughout your fishing day. Keep fish wet and in the net. Please skip the “grip and grins” this time of year. Let’s work together to protect our precious fisheries!

07/17/2026

Um, you might want to fish lower on the Yellowstone River today…. This, at Gardiner. It must have rained hard (or someone peed) in the Lamar Valley. The water is clearer farther downstream. Hopefully things will clear up for the weekend! Stay tuned….

07/16/2026

Thursday Yellowstone River clarity update - juicy! The short and sweet mud yesterday has cleared out and everywhere in the Valley looks great!

07/15/2026

The Yellowstone River at Carter’s Bridge near Livingston a bit ago. I’d fish that but you probably shouldn’t! The clarity does look better farther upstream, especially above Mill Creek, but I wouldn’t plan to fish the lower Paradise Valley right now!

07/15/2026

Head’s up if you’re planning to fish the Yellowstone! Mill Creek is puking mud after last night’s heavy rain! For clearer water, you’ll probably want to fish in the upper valley.