As of October 24, 2024, the Yellowstone River in Montana is offering some exciting fishing opportunities, despite the unconventional weather patterns.

### Weather and Conditions
The weather has been quite warm and sunny lately, which has delayed the typical fall hatches of Blue-Winged Olive mayflies. However, this warmth is expected to give way to cooler temperatures, especially in the evenings, which should activate the fish. Streamflows are currently well below average, making it easier to locate trout in deeper, slower runs and pockets near shallow water, riffles, and banks.

### Sunrise and Sunset
Today, sunrise is at around 7:45 AM, and sunset will be at approximately 6:15 PM, providing a good window for fishing.

### Fish Activity
Brown trout, which are fall spawners, are becoming more active as they prepare for their reproductive cycle. This makes them less cautious and more likely to take larger streamers, especially on cloudy days. Rainbow trout are also active, particularly during the fall Baetis hatch, where they can be seen sipping small mayflies out of current seams and eddies.

### Fish Caught
Yesterday, anglers reported catching a mix of brown and rainbow trout. The larger brown trout are starting to move into their spawning areas, making them more accessible. Nymphing and streamer fishing have been the most productive methods, with some fish still being caught on hoppers.

### Best Lures and Bait
For dry fly fishing, natural-colored hopper patterns in tan, gray, yellow, and pink are recommended, with sizes slightly smaller than those used in the summer. Attractor dries can also work well along banks. For nymphing, tandem nymph rigs are effective, with patterns like North Fork Specials, Pheasant Tail, and Prince Nymphs performing well. Streamers, particularly large ones on cloudy days, can produce heart-stopping strikes from trophy-sized fish.

### Hot Spots
One of the hot spots right now is the upper sections of the Yellowstone River, upstream of Silver Star, where the water is clearer and the fish are more active. Another good area is the lower river, which is quickly picking up volume and will fish well once the flow stabilizes. Target the top of longer, slower runs and the banks for feeding trout.

Overall, the Yellowstone River is in great shape for fall fishing, with fewer anglers on the water and productive fishing conditions. Enjoy the beautiful autumn scenery and the exciting fishing opportunities that come with this season.