Yellowstone National Park Fishing Report

May 28, 2005

Yellowstone National Park is another area that has its’ general fishing season open Memorial Weekend. Most all of the Parks’ waters will open Saturday May 28^th. There are exceptions, for example: Yellowstone Lake and its’ tributaries (which won’t open until June15th and July 15th respectively). So if you have doubts about a certain piece of water, refer to the regulations or check with us or any of the surrounding area fly shops.

Again this year, the snow pack in Yellowstone Park has been below normal. We have had a wet cold spring, like most of the west, and this will considerably help late summer park conditions. Only of late have we seen mild weather and in this last week, run-off has really kicked in. As a result of these circumstances, I think you are going to find high water conditions for the opener. The Lamar Valley is running very high, so fishing there will be suspect. Though the Firehole, Gibbon, and Madison are high, they are in their banks and with a little poking around you should find them very fishable. Look for Caddis and Blue Wings on top and standard nymphs and streamers below the surface. Oh, the Firehole!! How do I love thee?? Let me count the ways!! With Hemingway Caddis, Prince Nymph, Light Spruce Matukas. For most of us locals, we carry a soft spot for the Firehole. All you have to do is fish this river once and you will see what I’m talking about. I don’t know of a more classic fly fishing river. With runs, glides, riffles, and slicks it has it all and it generally fishes the same way. In a single day you will be able to fish dries, nymphs, streamers, and wets. One technique of fly fishing that works particularly well on the Firehole (but doesn’t get practiced much anymore) is to fish traditional wet flies on the swing. Try swinging an old traditional Royal Coachmen wet. I think you will find it very effective.

Another excellent option for Yellowstone is Lewis Lake. This is very early for Lewis Lake to be ice free and presents a great opportunity to take advantage of the situation. You might try Lite-Brite Zonkers in Chartreuse or White for the Mackinaw in this unique fishery.

For anybody interested in the goings on of the Park, you owe it to yourself to look at the proposed fishing regulation changes for 2006. Some of them are quite surprising. Like turning some waters from No-Kill to 5 fish any size limit. You’ll find the proposal at: http://parkplanning.nps.gov/document.cfm?projectId=11741&documentID=11112. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer to open this file and it can be installed from this page. If you have an opinion on the proposed changes, they will be accepted until August 31, 2005 and can submitted on-line at http://parkplanning.nps.gov/commentForm.cfm?projectID=11741&documentId=11112.

Yellowstone Park is one of my favorite places on earth. I feel particularly blessed when I’m there and especially fortunate to fish it. Have great time and I’ll guarantee you will come back with some of your fondest memories.

Until next time Stop Wishn’ go Fishn’
Howard Cole

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