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Yellowstone
National Park Most of
all the fishing in Yellowstone National Park has come
around rather nicely. In three rivers too much so.
Because of high water temps the Gibbon below Gibbon Falls, all of the
Firehole and Madison that is in the Park closed to fishing July
17th. They will remain closed
until there is three consecutive days that air temperature does not
exceed 73 degrees.
Yellowstone River
The Yellowstone River
has been fishing very typical for the first time in several years. For
mayflies look for PMD’s midday, Flavs early evenings, Callibaetis and
Grey Drakes in the slower sections of the river. Be aware of spinner
falls in the mornings and also in the evenings. There is some stonefly
action with Salmon Flies and Golden Stones still present. Little Yellow
Sally’s can be important depending on the day. Caddis are always very
important in the evening on the Yellowstone. They can also be prevalent
mid-mornings. Terrestrials such as ants, beetles can be key especially
for bank feeding fish. I would even start to consider hoppers. When you
don’t have the luxury of rising fish the Yellowstone is a very good
nymph fishery and don’t be afraid to throw streamers. Keep in mind that
weather conditions can sometimes impair hatches and at other times
extend and make them more intense.
Lamar River
The Lamar Valley has
started to fish and will just continue to get better. Though you will
have to do some “Matching the Hatch” the Lamar itself is much more of an
Attractor fishery. A lot of the patterns we use on the Snake will work
up there. Stimulators, Humpys, Trudes, Parachute Adams and Chernobyl
Ants should all be in your repertoire. And again I would start to think
of hopper patterns. You don’t need to see rising fish, just fish the
water. Think of nymph fishing with a dry. Cover good holding water well
with 5 or 6 casts. Make sure you have given the fish an opportunity to
see your fly.
Yellowstone Lakes
Many of the lakes in
Yellowstone Park have had their damsel -for lack of a better term-
spinner fall, but you are still going to find a little bit of this still
going on in certain lakes. What has started to kick in are the
Callibaetis. Look for them in the morning on quiet bays of Yellowstone
Lake, Lewis Lake and many other stillwaters in Yellowstone. As long as
wind conditions stay with you, you should find good dry fly fishing well
into mid-day.
Yellowstone National
Park has a tremendous amount of fishing. These are just a few
suggestions, a mere glimmer of what is to be had there. One could fish
Yellowstone Park many years and never fish all the waters that are
available. I strongly suggest that you do a little research, get off the
beaten path and really experience what Yellowstone has to offer.
While a Wyoming fishing
license in not required in Yellowstone, a Yellowstone fishing permit is.
They can usually be obtained at entrance stations, campgrounds, Old
Faithful, Grant Village, Canyon, and other locations throughout the
park. There are three kinds of licenses. For ages 12-15 there is a
required Non-Fee Permit. For ages 16 and older, licenses are $10 for ten
days or $20 for the full season.
Remember to check the Yellowstone fishing
regulations regarding permits, permanently closed areas, and special
fishing regulations before venturing out to the water.
Howard Cole
High Country Flies
Yellowstone
Fishing Report Archives
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