Firehole River Fly Fishing Report

West Yellowstone, Gallatin County, Wyoming  ·  Last Updated: July 16, 2026

One of the most unique trout streams in the world, the Firehole flows through Yellowstone National Park past geysers and hot springs. Its geothermally-warmed water creates an unusual ecosystem, producing prolific hatches and rewarding dry fly fishing in a truly otherworldly setting.

Today's Trout Fishability

5.7 /10
Fair
Best Window
5:30 AM - 9:00 AM, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Flow
Below average (-17%)
Water Temp
Good, warm (62.1°F)
Hatch Activity
High

Conditions at a Glance

Flow on the Firehole River near West Yellowstone is below normal at 213 cfs (-22% vs average) with water temperature running warm at 77°F.

What's locked:
  • Water temperature varies 62.1–76.6°F across gauges — warmer reaches are stressing trout; fish the cooler water and early.
  • Below-average, getting skinny
  • Bright bluebird skies
Unlock Tactics for 5.7/10 Conditions

How Do You Fish a 5.7/10 Day?

See the fly patterns built for today's conditions, where the fish are holding, and how to work the 5:30 AM - 9:00 AM, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM window.

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Today's Weather

84°
Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
High: 84° / Low: 44°
View Detailed Weather Forecast

See hourly conditions, wind speeds, barometric pressure, and 5-day outlook

USGS Water Monitoring

Real-time data from 2 monitoring stations

Avg Streamflow
129
Deviation: -32%
Low
Avg Water Temp
69.0°F
20.8°C
Warm
Avg Gage Height
2.72 ft
Across 2 stations
Status:
Very High
Low/High
Normal
View Station-by-Station Flow Data & Trends

See station-by-station details, historical ranges, and trend analysis

What's Hatching This Month

Rocky Mountain West — typical for July

Pale Morning Dun #16-20 Green Drake #10-12 Trico #20-22 Golden Stonefly #6-10 Yellow Sally #14 Terrestrials (ants, beetles, hoppers) #8-18

Source: Fishmasters — Colorado Fly Hatch Chart

5.7/10 Today — See the Full Firehole River Breakdown

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Firehole River Fly Fishing — FAQ

Is the Firehole River fishing well right now?

DriftWise scores the Firehole River every morning on a 0–10 fishability scale that weighs real-time USGS flow and water temperature, National Weather Service forecasts, and lunar data. Check the live fishability score and condition summary above for today's rating before you head out.

What is the current water flow on the Firehole River?

The Firehole River's flow is tracked by USGS streamflow gauges near West Yellowstone, Gallatin County, Wyoming and refreshed daily in the condition summary above. Flow is reported in cubic feet per second (cfs) and compared against the seasonal average so you can see whether the river is running high, low, or normal.

What is a good water temperature for trout on the Firehole River?

Trout feed most actively when water temperatures sit roughly between 48°F and 62°F. DriftWise reads live Firehole River water temperature from USGS sensors near West Yellowstone, Gallatin County, Wyoming — see the summary above for the current value.

When is the best time of day to fish the Firehole River?

The most productive windows shift with the season: cold months fish best around midday (10 AM–2 PM) once the water warms, while summer rewards early mornings and evenings. Each Firehole River report factors in the current season.

Do I need a fishing license to fly fish the Firehole River?

Yes. A valid Wyoming fishing license is required to fish the Firehole River. Check current Wyoming regulations for seasons, limits, and any special catch-and-release or fly-fishing-only sections before you go.

Is the DriftWise Firehole River fishing report free?

Yes. The daily Firehole River condition summary — flow, water temperature, weather, and fishability score — is free. A free account (3 reports per month) unlocks the full AI analysis with fly-pattern recommendations and a detailed hatch forecast.

USGS · NWS · USNO

AI-generated summary — always verify conditions before your trip.

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