Yellowstone News: Fishing - Overview

Yellowstone Fishing Overview
Jack Dennis fly fishing Newsletter

Yellowstone River

The most popular stretch of the Yellowstone River to fish is the stretch downstream from the lake to the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. This water opens on July 15th and is perhaps the best stream Cutthroat fishing in the world. It is rare to see a fish less than 15 inches and the average is at least 16 inches. The late Charles Brooks wrote about the Yellowstone River in his book "Fishing Yellowstone Waters." Although much of Charlie's description of the river is accurate, the fishing in the river has changed since this book was written. Charlie wrote about the Yellowstone as being a beginners river, but this is now true only around opening day. Nonetheless, this is a great river to fish.

Probably the most important aspect of fishing this river is a drag free float. The pattern can be exact, but if it drags just a tiny amount, it will constantly be refused. For this reason a long leader tapered to 6x is suggested and it is often helpful to tie on a tippet section four feet long. A variety of flies hatch on the Yellowstone and sometimes more than one will hatch at a time. For mayflies, you can usually take fish with either a Light Cahill or Adams in sizes #16-20. In the fall a size #20 Blue Wing Olive and some midges may be necessary. There are several caddis that hatch throughout the season. When the trout are taking the adults, a size #16 Elk Hair Caddis with either a tan or olive body will usually work. However, sometimes the trout are taking emergers. In that case try either the green or yellow Sparkle Caddis Pupa.

Sometimes there is no surface activity at all. When that happens a Pheasant Tail Nymph #18 or Gold Ribbed Hare's Ear will often save the day. Although lure fishing is legal on the Yellowstone, I've never seen an angler catch a fish on a lure. For those who don't have fly fishing equipment, I would suggest putting a spinning float about four feet above your fly and using a tippet.
The Yellowstone can be a confusing place and it is often helpful to have someone who is familiar with the river. We offer streamside fishing trips on the Yellowstone starting July 15th. Call 307-733-3270 to book these trips or for more information.

The Firehole

Fishing the Firehole is different from fishing any other river. Because these fish see many thousands of anglers every season they can be quite smart. Success on the Firehole depends on how well you understand the river and how observant you are. In many places you need to be very sneaky and execute an almost flawless cast. These fish can be quite particular and will sometimes only take the particular insect they're feeding on. The Firehole tends to be a bad weather stream.

Often the fish are biting better if the weather is nasty. Fish can be very close to the banks and often can be found under the cut banks waiting for terrestrials or caddis to fall off the bank. Caddis populations are heavy, and caddis patterns in several stages are a good choice.

In some places there is a black-bodied caddis with a gray wing that hatches in June which the trout feed heavily on. Both the dry and wet patterns work depending on the day and attitude of the trout. I've found that the Deer Hair Caddis works best for a dry and that the Black Sparkle Caddis Pupa works best for a wet at that time.

Hip boots are of very little help when fishing this stream, because there are surprisingly deep trenches between the weed beds. Therefore, chest high waders are suggested. A wading angler should be very careful along the banks, especially when near one of the geyser basins. The ground is not always as firm as it seems and you could easily find yourself up to your head in boiling hot water.

There are two Blue Wing Olive hatches, one early starting around June and one in October. The first hatch is about a #16 and the second one is about #20. There also seems to be two broods of the black bodied caddis, with the first brood larger than the second one. Activity on both the Blue Wing Olive and the Black Caddis seems to be better on an overcast day. Another important hatch that occurs early in the season is the Pale Morning Dun. A Light Cahill in a size #16 will generally work, but you may need to fish an emerger.

Although the Firehole is not a beginners river, there are a couple of places suitable for beginners. Just above where the Firehole prepares for its plunge into the canyon there is a riffle stretch in which a beginner can have luck on several flies. Caddis, small Humpies and small Royal Wulffs will produce. You need to be careful wading because there are some deep troughs you can easily step into. The other area is just below Muleshoe bend where the river is straight for a while between the bend and the bridge at Midway Geyser basin.

No matter what the fishing is like when you are there, this is a special stream. Few places in the world offer one the opportunity to fish in such a unique environment.

Gallatin River

The Gallatin is one of the easier rivers to fish in the park. It is relatively shallow in most places and the fish aren't particularly wary. It is composed mostly of riffles and runs which are easily fished with a bushy dry fly such as a Humpy, Royal Wulff, Dave's Hopper or Elk Hair Caddis. It is also a good idea to have along a few smaller Muddlers. Most of the fishable Gallatin is outside the park. The highway to Bozeman provides excellent access for many miles. As the river races toward Bozeman it gains size and some nice fish can be found.

During the stonefly hatch in June be prepared with both dry and wet stonefly patterns.

Gardner River

Nestled in the northwest portion of the park, the Gardner doesn't see the angler pressure of the more famous rivers. Most of the fish are small, but occasionally a nicer fish is caught. Most of the water is fast and best fished with a high riding dry fly or a hopper. Since stoneflies are abundant in much of the water, both dry and wet stonefly patterns will be productive around the time of the hatch and wet stoneflies thereafter.

Gibbon River

With its cool beginnings in Grebe Lake, the Gibbon shows as much variation as any river in the park. Until it reaches Elk Park, the Gibbon isn't particularly fishworthy. By the time it gets there, it has gained enough nutrients and volume to be a good trout stream. It meanders through the meadows as beautifully as any trout stream and is a sheer pleasure to fish. >From the meadows down, the Gibbon is more of a rough and tumble trout stream until it reaches National Park Meadow, where it joins the Firehole to form the Madison.

This river is best fished as two different streams, a freestone stream and a meadow stream. Fish the rough and tumble water with a high riding dry fly, hitting the good spots and covering lots of water. The meadow water needs to be fished more carefully. Some useful patterns are Blue Wing Olive, Pale Morning Dun, Elk Hair Caddis and lots of hoppers from mid July-on. If there is no surface activity try a Hare's Ear, Pheasant Tail Nymph or small Wooly Bugger when the water is somewhat silty.

Wolf & Grebe Lakes

For the person interested in doing some hiking, these two lakes offer good Grayling fishing in a remote setting. Remember that Grayling is a protected species and all of them must be returned unharmed to the lake. Since there is sometimes bear activity in the backcountry, check with the rangers before hiking in.

Lewis Lake

The gin clear waters of Lewis Lake provide some excellent fishing for both Brown Trout and Mackinaw during certain times of the summer. As with many lakes, Lewis is best early and late in the season. Ice out usually occurs early in June and the fishing is generally very good for about a month. Although some activity can be found from the shore, the best fishing is from a boat. The secrets of Lewis Lake are not easily unlocked and it certainly helps to go with an experienced guide. We offer Lewis Lake float trips starting at "ice out" and continue to offer these trips for several weeks. With the help of an experienced guide you can enjoy catching nice-sized Mackinaw and browns with regularity. Call our store at 307-733-3270 for booking or more information. If you're planning on fly fishing, you will need some Olive Wooly Buggers, Black Wooly Buggers, and Kiwis. Generally a full sinking line is best, because you will likely be trolling your flies along the drop-offs. Several places in the lake there are underwater cliffs; if you cast your fly on the deep side of the cliff, let it sink, then work it up into the shallows you're likely to get a good strike. Once, while taking a friend on the lake, I had him try this tactic with a #2 Kiwi. The Kiwi sunk just as it should and was followed up by a huge shadow. Suddenly, there was a strong strike and the fly was gone. It's hard to say how big the fish was, but I know my friend was using 8 pound test leader.

Many anglers enjoy fishing Lewis with lures and they are certainly very productive. The best overall producer is a ¼ oz. gold Thomas Cyclone (gold is better than silver or copper). Also have some ¼ - 3/8 oz. Krocodiles (chartreuse with fire wings are best). Sinking Rapalas can also work well, but be sure to remove the front gang of treble hooks as it is illegal to have two sets of treble hooks.

For those of you who can't come early in the summer the fall fishing can be great. Usually the lake starts to turn on in early October. At that time of the year the Browns congregate around the inlet and outlet in preparation for spawning. Fishing with a float tube is one of the better ways to fish Lewis at that time. Be sure to stop by the ranger station and get a permit. I suggest a good pair of fins such as the Caddis Fins, because the wind can whip up and you may need them to keep your position. Also, be sure to have some warm long underwear beneath your waders, because the water can be a bit cold. Although you are legally allowed to keep fish at this time of the year, I suggest putting them back. Remember, in the fall these fish are getting ready to spawn and propagate the species. If you wish to continue to have good fishing in this lake put them back so they can accomplish this.

Yellowstone Lake

Located in beautiful Yellowstone National Park, this huge body of water has some of the best lake Cutthroat fishing that can be found. These fish usually run over 15 inches with many caught in the 18 inch range. Yellowstone Lake opens on June 15th and both lures and flies are permitted.

As is common in the rest of the park, no bait of any kind is allowed.

Fly fishermen should be prepared with both floating and sinking lines. Since this area is generally windy, a nine foot graphite rod for a six weight is recommended. You don't need a large variety of flies for Yellowstone Lake. Both Black and Olive Wooly Buggers seem to work very well. It is also suggested to have some Kiwis and midges. Lure fishing on Yellowstone can be extremely productive. Without a doubt, the best lure is the gold Jake's Spin-A-Lure (this lure was actually invented for this lake.) Other lures that work well are ¼ oz. gold Thomas Cyclones and black Roostertails.

Although shore fishing can be good at times, better fishing can be found from a boat. We offer guided float fishing trips on Yellowstone Lake starting June 15th. This is one of the most beautiful lakes in the world and it's quite an experience to be on it. The fishing is best for the first few weeks after the lake opens because the ice just melted. Call our store at 307-733-3270 if you're interested in booking a trip or need more information.

Madison River

From its start in the high country in Yellowstone Park until it joins the Missouri the Madison changes character. Here you can find slow moving, almost spring creek water, endless miles of riffles, pocket water and raging torrents. Without a doubt, this is one of the most famous fly fishing rivers in the world.

The Madison starts at the confluence of the Firehole and Gibbon rivers in Yellowstone National Park; the Firehole makes up 70% of the Madison, which accounts for the warm water temperature for the first few miles. From the confluence to Big Bend (a famous spot on the river), it's strictly a dry fly river. Hoppers work well in mid-summer. At Big Bend the river narrows and starts to pick up speed. The predominant insect from this point on is Pteronarcys californica (the salmon fly), but you will also find many Calineura california (yellow stonefly). These insects make up most of the trout's diet year-round.

Stoneflies thrive in fast, rubble-strewn water and the nymphs are usually on the move two periods of the day. These movements correspond with the major feeding period each day. Check the solar-lunar table on the days you plan to fish so that you can be sure you're in the right spot at the right time and you will be rewarded with some incredible fishing. Good patterns are the Chez Sparkle Stone #4-6, Kaufman's Stone #4-6, Bitch Creek #6-8 and the black or brown Yuk Bug #4-8. I personally believe these patterns should be tied using black rubber legs (you may have to special order them to get them this way). I've fished two Bitch Creeks at a time, one with white legs and one with black legs and the fish took the black 80% of the time. When fishing these nymphs they should be heavily weighted and bounced off the bottom. If you don't get snagged often you're not fishing deep enough.

The river is also filled with various mayflies and caddis. Effective nymphs include the Hare's Ear, Ultra Zug, Prince Nymph and Pheasant Tail, all in sizes #12-18.

In the fall the brown trout start running up the Madison from Hebgen Lake to spawn and many rainbows follow to gulp up the eggs that the browns deposit. This is streamer time, so you must find the browns on the redds and strip a streamer right by them. These fish spook very easily so a good presentation is a must. The strike is often explosive, as they are protecting their territory.

Effective streamers are Light and Dark Spruce Fly Streamers, Kiwis and Marabou Muddlers. Another good fly is the Egg Sucking Leech. It's basically a Wooly Worm with a little pink or orange chenille on the head. These fish think the leech is stealing eggs and sometimes they'll hit this fly all day long.

If you spot fish on the redd, carefully wade upstream from the fish. Quarter your cast downstream to a point about 3 feet above the fish, let your fly swing through the redd down and across, keep your line tight and hang on. When you find one of these fish you will always find more. I've found the tailouts of the pools to be the most productive. Access to the Madison is very easy, as the road follows it all through the park. The last two miles of the Madison in the park are known as the Barn's Holes. From hole #1 to the park boundary are about 7 or 8 good deep runs. In the early 1900's the limit was 25 fish and an angler never had to fish past the 3rd hole to catch his limit. This is why it's only referred to as holes 1, 2 and 3.

Tactics for this area in late fall are a little different than the rest of the