Yellowstone River

Yellowstone River
The Yellowstone River extends 553.7 miles through some of the prettiest country in Montana. It remains the longest un-dammed river in the U.S., and is the most important cutthroat trout streams in America. The Yellowstone river originates in Yellowstone Park at an elevation of 5,600 feet and flows into the Missouri river near Fairview , Montana at elevation 1,800 feet. The indians called it the Elk River, and the French explorers called it "Roche Jaune" (yellow rock); which were literal translations of the Minnetaree Indians term for the river. Crow chief Daniel Old Elk asserts that the name "Yellowstone" came about simply as the result of a mistake: "In our language we always called it the Elk River. The words sound alike, and the French didn't understand Crow very well,". So, contrary to the belief that the Yellowstone River was named for the Yellow altered-rhyolite rock found in the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, it was probably a translation of Crow.
Excellent recreation opportunities on the Yellowstone River in Sweet Grass County include Kayaking, Floating, Fly Fishing, and Camping.

Fishing the Yellowstone River
The portion of the Yellowstone river that runs through Sweet Grass County holds trophy sized brown, rainbow, and cutthroat trout. Here you will find long, deep holes just below riffles. The best part about this section of the Yellowstone river is that the fishing is excellent and you can feel like you have the river to yourself as you may not see another person during your float. Trout populations average 5,000 fish per mile, making the Yellowstone River a premier Blue Ribbon trout river sought after by fishermen all around the world. The river holds brown trout to 10 pounds and rainbows in the 6 pound region, although trophies can be hard to get. The best times for fly fishing the Yellowstone is just before the spring runoff, and after the spring runoff- that is March/April and then again from July thru October.
The native cutthroat trout is catch and release only, as their numbers have been in decline. You can easily identify them from the orange/red strip under their jaw- they look similar to a rainbow trout but without the pink sides. Most fish average 14 to 16 inches, but there are decent opportunities for fish in the four to six pound range. Cutthroats must be released, as the native population is protected to increase its numbers. Watch for hatches of Baetis and March browns in March and April before the snow melt runoff "blows" out in early May. Don't expect to get back on the water until sometime in July. When the water slows down, expect golden stoneflies, yellow sallies and a variety of caddis. In August, concentrate on the PMDs and the hopper fishing. Later in August Trico spinnerfalls happen in the mornings and afternoon. By early September, nights are cool and fall fishing begins. Baetis, Tricos, and Hoppers work well. Try for the lunker brown trout using large weighted streamers at gravely edge bottoms at the tail end of riffles where the water starts to calm down. These browns will protect their spawning areas and defend them from other fishes giving aggressive strikes.

Floating the Yellowstone River

The Yellowstone River and is considered a "Navigable River" below Billings, and aside from periods of high water, the river offers easy floats. It is a wide, fairly smooth flowing river that is primarily floated with "float boats", rafts, and an occasional canoe. Any moderate size vessel will work fine and the skill level of floaters is considered beginner, but you must caution the diversion dams and short whitewater rapids. If you do float the Yellowstone with a canoe, make sure that the wind is not blowing, as it can be difficult to keep your canoe pointed in the right direction considering wind direction and current.

Float trips are available through several outfitters for a reasonable cost. It is well worth the trip to see beautiful country in a relaxing atmosphere. For more info on arranging a float trip, contact the outfitters.

Float Distances and Times:
	*Float Between Access'*	*Miles*	*Time*
	Springdale to Gray Bear	10	3 to 6 hours
	Gray Bear to Otter Creek	9	3 to 6 hours
	Otter Creek to Pelican	12	3 to 7 hours
	Pelican to Bratten	11	3 to 7 hours
	Bratten to Reedpoint.	6	1.5 to 4 hours

Yellowstone River Statistics
Drain Area:	68,000 square miles	Water Flow for the Yellowstone River shown in cubic feet per second.
Average Flow	3,717 cfs (cubic feet per second)
Max Flow	36,300 cfs
Min Flow	540 cfs
Gradient (drop)	3,800 feet in 553 miles
Lower Float Gradient	900 feet in 22.7 miles
Clarity	Clear to Murky
Water Temperature	Jan. 34 degrees April 50 degrees July 69 degrees Oct. 48 degrees
Maps
Dangers	105' Waterfall at Natural Bridge Milepost 32.9

Yellowstone River Access
There are 6 fishing access' along the Yellowstone in and next to Sweet Grass County- a stretch of 40 miles. From West to East, the Access points are Springdale, Gray Bear, Otter Creek, Pelican, and Bratten, and Reedpoint. Interstate 90 parallels the river along with several frontage roads, making access simple.