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Yampa River
Hatch Chart 2025
The Yampa River is a tale of two currents. Above Stagecoach Reservoir, it flows like a serene meditation retreat, with trout that seem to have a refined palate and won’t just bite anything. But venture downstream to Steamboat, and you’ll find a lively freestone river alive with buzzing insects and rocky obstacle, a playground for anglers armed with hopper-droppers, ready to navigate the wild foam lines. It's like the river has a split personality: calm and discerning upstream, bold and bustling downstream!
The Yampa River is a fishy contradiction—in all the right ways. Up top, it’s a chilled-out tailwater sneaking below Stagecoach Reservoir, where trout feed with the pickiness of a Parisian sommelier. Downstream, it morphs into a freestone party through Steamboat, bubbling with bugs and boulder pockets made for hopper-droppers and fast-paced foam lines.
Whether you're Euro-nymphing midges in cold spring currents or throwing Chubbies through the warm bends in July, the Yampa’s changing personality keeps anglers thinking—and catching.
It's a four-season river with wild flavor. And when the hatch is on, it’s on. Match it right, and you’ll wonder why you ever fished anywhere else.
Yampa River Hatch Chart by Month
| Month | Main Hatch | Secondary Bugs | Guide Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| May | BWOs (#18–#20) | Midges, Golden Stones | Focus on the tailwater. BWOs hatch mid-morning—pair an emerger with a zebra midge. |
| June | Caddis (#16), PMDs (#18) | Green Drakes, Sallies | Dry-dropper season is here. Drakes may pop late month—don’t miss the evening rise. |
| July | PMDs, Terrestrials | Tricos, Yellow Sallies | Fish a foam hopper with a Frenchie dropper. Tricos in the morning, hoppers by lunch. |
| August | Hoppers, Ants & Beetles | Tricos, Caddis | Prospect banks with twitchy dries. Early AM trico spinner falls can be sneaky good. |
| September | BWOs (#20–#22) | Caddis, Midges | Low, clear water—downsize your flies and tippet. Fish soft seams and undercut banks. |
| October | BWOs | Midges, Fall Caddis | Browns get aggressive. Swing soft hackles or strip streamers on the drop-offs. |
| November | Midges | BWOs | Tailwater time again. Double nymph rigs with a tungsten midge are your best bet. |
| December | Midges | Winter Stones (rare) | Slow water, small bugs, big patience. Fish the warmest part of the day. |
| January | Midges (#22–#24) | — | Focus on slow tailouts and eddies. A classic midge-and-split-shot day. |
| February | Midges | BWOs (if sunny & warm) | Midday windows open up. Keep your drifts long and your bugs tiny. |
| March | BWOs | Midges | Cloud cover? Tie on a dry. Otherwise, trail RS2s under a parachute Adams. |
| April | BWOs, Early Caddis (#18) | Midges | Fish swing-style wets in the afternoons. Start looking for splashy rises. |
- Tailwater perfection. Stagecoach tailwater is your go-to for consistent flows and fishable water year-round. Size down and get technical in the winter and early spring.
- Runoff relief. In May and June, when most rivers are blowing out, the tailwater stays fishable—midge and BWO game strong.
- Chubby season. July and August bring out the hoppers. Throw big foam flies along grassy banks in downtown Steamboat for explosive eats.
- Evening magic. Caddis hatches can be lights-out in the last hour of light. Pack headlamps and hit the soft water with a double dry rig.
- Streamer days. Come fall, brown trout turn bold. Strip something ugly and articulated through the bends.
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