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Fishing Reports |
Yellowstone National Park Fishing Report
July 21, 2008
While the wet, cool spring has been a boondoggle to many Yellowstone area fisheries it has been great for Yellowstone Park waters. Due to an extended run-off many anglers have become agitated that they have had such a long wait to fish some of their favorite waters. After 10-plus years of drought, the Park has gotten just what the doctor ordered; a good winter snowpack and a long cool spring. Though I think you will find that all Yellowstone waters are going to profit from the high water and the extended run-off, it has been especially beneficial to the Firehole and the Yellowstone River downstream from the lake. Because the Firehole runs through very active geothermal topography, usually by the end of June it really isn’t worth fishing. This year because of much cooler water, it has held on nicely and is just now slowing down. The Yellowstone is an unusual system in that the Cutthroat trout not only run upstream to spawn but they also run down stream. The past several springs and summers have been extremely warm and the seasons have been accelerated. By the July 15th opener for the Fishing Bridge to Canyon section of river, the fish had already spawned and had moved back to Yellowstone Lake. This year’s opener found the Yellowstone full of fish and many fishermen have had excellent fishing.
If you are thinking of fishing the Firehole you had better do it soon, as I have already stated, the fishing there is winding down. There are still some action with PMD’s, early and late spinner falls, and a smattering of Caddis. On the other hand the Yellowstone between Fishing Bridge and Canyon is in prime shape. Though it is running very high, there is extremely good bug activity, with good mid-morning PMD’s, prolific afternoon Salmonflies and Golden Stones, and very good evening Flaviliena (Small Western Green Drake) and Caddis hatches. There has also been a dash of the large standard Green Drakes.
The Lamar Valley is still ripping and off in color, but I think you find (with the exception of the Firehole) the rest of the Park’s waters fishing well and getting better. With finally having the benefit of normal or better water, expect fishing in Yellowstone National Park to be superb this August, September, and October. If you have the time, it would be a great year to take advantage of the best conditions we have experienced in many a moon. As always for up to the minute advice and information, contact us here at the shop.
Until next time, good
fishing!!
Howard Cole
Yellowstone Fishing Report Archives
