Weather's Coming

NEIGHBORHOOD INDICATORS

NFS ROADS GETTING WORKOUT

runners getting ready

WALLPAPER:   NEIGHBORHOOD INDICATOR TREE

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.. Around the neighborhood there are a few trees, and other signs that consistently signal the time to switch flies and fishing locations.
.. The buzz in our visitors vocabulary is about the waters in Yellowstone National Park and  the presence of migrating Brown Trout on their annual run to sexual encounters.

SEASONAL INDICATOR

.. We encourage all of our visiting fishers to visit their favorite feather merchant and get some advice about where to fish during the early stages of the run.
.. The absolute best rumors and stories will be found amongst their dusty aisles and from their counter help.
.. Right now staging behavior is dominant among the trout migrants. They are sniffing and tasting the water for cues: temperature, turbidity, trace elements and volatile compounds, among others.
.. This behavior concentrates pods of pre-spawn fish in the estuaries and mouths of the tributary rivers that feed the Madison River Drainage. Many of the neighborhood tributary streams are now truncated by the water in Hebgen Reservoir. The fish wait until the cues overwhelm their complacent lifestyle in the reservoir.

A VICTORIAN TREASURE

.. A few fish start up the tributaries early. A few fish lag behind the general population, (a selective advantage or disadvantage that only time will reveal.)
.. During the pre-spawn and 'early run' the fish are tentative when they enter the tributaries. They mill around and make false starts from the reservoir to the rivers and then back.
.. They are hungry and hormone driven. The population density varies with time and distance up the various tributaries.
.. Right now, as you read this, the fish density in the estuaries of Gryaling Creek, Duck Creek, South Fork Madison River, Madison River and others is increasing by the day  -- some more than others.
-- Right now the pre-spawn population density is greater in the estuaries and lower reaches of the tributaries than in the upper reaches.

A VICTORIAN TREASURE - TOO

-- Right now visitors are fishing the upper reaches of the various tributaries. Right now the neighbors are still fishing in the reservoir and the estuaries. Wonder why that is?
.. The giant soft hackle fly seems to be in the forefront of our neighbor's selection for the estuarine fish.
.. Streamers aimed at the dark holes near the banks in the lower river segments are a close second to the soft hackles.
.. One key to finding the fish is to pay attention to the sun and shadows within each river segment.
.. This is particularly true of the sinuous Madison River course as it parallels and transects the park line just prior to debauching into Hebgen Reservoir. The fish from the reservoir are in bright shallow water. It is a foreign environment for reservoir dwellers.

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KING PRINCE NYMPH

.. The Firehole River is about right for early and late fishing. Through the coming week we will have nearly perfect catching weather. The temperatures will fall in the evening. Scattered clouds and showers will dot the west side of the park. The elbow density will not have reached epidemic proportions. The school-aged mobs will be mostly gone.
.. Watch the noses for hints about the flies. The neighborhood faithful are using Scarlet Ibis wet flies, King Prince nymphs, and the usual assortment of flymphs and soft hackles with both regularity and success.
.. If you need to see your fly as it floats the baetids are becoming more regular as are the caddis.

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.. Over yonder, the Lamar River has been blessed with only occasional mud plugs. Catching is good and the transition from terrestrials to floaters is in full bloom.

WALLPAPER: GOOD MORNING LAMAR RIVER

.. It's not often mentioned but, fish run up the tributaries of the Lamar River in the Fall. They move back and forth through the winter and into the Spring.
.. The confluences of the Lamar River with: Slough Creek, Soda Butte Creek, Cache Creek, Calfee Creek, and Miller Creek, are full of fish at this time of year.
.. if, on the other hand,  you would like to have exceptional water to yourself right now get a back country guide to take you to  Mist Creek and the Little Lamar River. Be advised that head hunters and hero photographers will be disappointed with the size of the fish above Cache Creek. The beauty, solitude, and grandure however, could make you look more and fish less.

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.. This afternoon the fish are holding a convention along the shoreline near Spring Creek Campground. We'll head that way in an hour or two. With the anticipated weather coming in a day or two we'll wait until Wednesday to join the neighbors where the runners are thickest.

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WALLPAPER: WHERE ARE YOU FISHING TODAY  ?

Very Few Elbows

Unmentionables ?

PARKING AND FISHING ?

Ignore This Post

damn if you don't have to walk

FISH HERE IF YOU MUST

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.. This is the time of year when fishers in Yellowstone National Park recite a litany of names familiar to all. Third Meadow, Second Meadow, Soda Butte Creek, Lamar River, Slough Creek,  Sulphur Cauldron, Gardner River, Blacktail Deer Creek, etc.

A HERD

.. These are places where the social fishers gather to perpetuate the fiction that these are the best catching locations in the northeast portion of the park. More power to them.
.. These are places where it's easy for the casual angler to gather in a bucket load of fish and enjoy the company of other fishers with a popular vocabulary and compatible ring tones.
.. These are the places that seasonal shop rats can send visiting fishers and feel safe about their recommendations - even if they've never been there.
.. Given that the typical destination fisher has only a few partial days to spend fishing in the park they need to maximize their catching opportunities: usually within sight of the car. Run and gun is the name of the game: just like every other casual visitor.

A FLY

.. On the other hand, shanks mare will bring a few fine opportunities to the angler who is not enamored of social fishing.
.. Quietly whisper a few other, less mentioned,  names to any park habitue and you may get a quick, sly smile and some really interesting insights.
.. What names, you say? Try Upper Lamar River,  Miller Creek, Cache Creek, or Calfee Creek. Ask about these at your favorite feather merchant's counter. Ask about the trails. Ask about each discharge eddy into the Lamar River.
.. Ask about the first or second distributary gravel bars in the creeks, and the deep dark holes that can be reached with a simple easy cast. Ask about the flies to use and the times to go. Verify the answers with a simple test: when were you last there?

A SIGN

.. Should you be inclined to fish the finest catching localities in this section of the park be prepared to walk a long way. It's better to ride a horse. It's even better to spend more than a day - perhaps a week.
.. But, then again, sad but true, you'll not be able to share stories with the typical casual park fisher. Your stories will be better and far from public knowledge.
.. Keep this in mind if you'd rather be a social fisher.

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FISH HERE IF YOU CAN

A Midsummer Night's Report

EGAD - IS JULY ENDING ?

All Open Park Waters Now Open

all fish now targets
(monster map at end of post)

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.. In the blink of an eye we've gone from anticipating opening day to the summer doldrums. Fishing and catching, however, are anything but dull or depressed.
.. We've gathered up the best information, juiciest rumors, and most rampant speculation about the fishing in Yellowstone National Park.
.. We even went out of our way to fish several of the best places to examine the information for this fishing report, to wit:
==> Arnica Creek: Getting low, still cold, avoid the fire, attractors and small ants.
==> Bacon Rind Creek: In prime shape, beetles, ants, caddis, stalk the banks and cover a lot of territory, carry bear spray.
==> Beaver Creek: Long walk - small fish, bears, but great camping and exploring, anything in the box will work, only fish it if you're young and adventurous, two reports, (cell phone photos,) show fish to 14" taken on a "WHITE ROYAL COACHMAN" - never heard of such a thing!
==> Bechler River: The mosquitoes are not too bad yet, drakes as big as bombers are coming off in the meadows, anything will take the smaller fish on top, the large fish are there but you need all the stealth of a B2 to get within range, perfect skills will gather up some of the largest stream fish in Yellowstone.
==> Blacktail Deer Creek: Golden stoneflies right now, big soft hackles and bead head caddis underwater, caddis on top, sallies if you're lucky, as soon as the hoppers mature this will be very crowded.
==> Boundary Creek: Seems to be clearing early, without rain this creek and the Bechler River will be as good as it gets for the next 3 weeks, (or more,) use your full arsenal of 'ground bugs' here, beetles are especially good right now.
==> Cache Creek: Fishing better than the Lamar River or Soda Butte Creek right now, if you've got the legs this is the place to be for the next week, PMD's and Drakes are working now, reports of hoppers seem a bit suspicious, we believe the beetle and ant stories.
==> Cottonwood Creek: Long walk, good fishing, worth a day to go in and out, terrestrials soon, carry bear spray for all streams in the canyon, Royal Wullf, yellow Humpies, and Adams will do on top, Prince Nymphs and Gold Ribbed Hare's Ear down below.
==> Cougar Creek: Low again this year, fish outside the park near the confluence with Duck Creek, or right at the park line in the thick willows.
==> Duck Creek: There are some small winged hoppers here, first of the season, soft hackles and attractors too, please obey the bear closure.
==> Falls River: No good current information, however it should be just great with PMD's and small stoneflies.
==> Fan Creek: In perfect shape, carry bear spray and fish with a friend, some flavs and drakes, subsurface with soft hackles all day.
==> Firehole River: Fish the upper with attractors and soft hackles, dance with beautiful Brook Trout, go way up, camp, fish in pristine water, take bear spray.
==> Gallatin River: Water of choice for a couple of weeks, spruce moths starting, caddis clouds in evening, nymphs and soft hackles all day, a winged hopper was seen yesterday, see ya there - armed with bear spray.
==> Gardiner River: Fishing well with heavy pressure, caddis on top and Prince Nymphs below are the staple fish-getters.
==> Gibbon River: Canyon has slowed, use soft hackles and attractor flies, below the falls is marginal - walk and prospect, above Norris Campground still fishing good, (eager Brook Trout in the shadows and undercut banks.)
==> Iron Spring Creek: Surprising number of fish in this still cold water, attractor dries, caddis, Prince and Hare's Ear, best hurry this water will warm up too.
==> Lamar River: clearing and fishable, streamers in the canyon, soft hackles in the riffles, match the hatch if it happens, small stonefly nymphs will serve in most places, PMD's and other surface activity getting good.
==> Little Firehole River: Not as many fish as expected, try Iron Spring Creek, in the late evening a mouse is a good bet near all the sweepers and downfall.
==> Madison River: Excellent evening caddis, terrestrials, (without hoppers - yet,) for the day, sparse mayflies about 10:00 AM, warming rapidly.
==> Nez Perce Creek: The water about a quarter mile above the Loop Road is teeming with fish just run up from the Firehole River, cover a lot of territory and swing soft hackles, make noise and carry bear spray.
==> Obsidian Creek: Just a delight, cars or no cars your choice, walk a bit and find Brookies so colorful you'll two pair of sun glasses to appreciate them, often scorned as a "kids fishery" this is one of the prettiest creeks in Yellowstone, and - DAMN if the catching aint as good as the fishing.
==> Pebble Creek: Often ignored, sadly, try the long glides right by the picnic tables, use large soft hackles and beetles.
==> Slough Creek: The drakes are starting, the water is clear, the evening has some caddis and folks are beginning to arrive by the busload.
==> Snake River: Caddis is king with the drakes scattered, if you bump into them hold on.
==> Soda Butte Creek: Clear cold and beautiful, meadow section has caddis and PMD's, lots of ants this year - big too.
==> Straight Creek: The green drakes are still hanging around, fish near the confluence with Winter Creek for the most eager of the Brookies, enjoy the heavy cover, lose some flies.
==> Tower Creek: Worth the walk to the bottom right now, small stones, caddis, soft hackles, and mice in the evening.
==> Trout Creek: Just too good to leave to the worm fishers and kids.
==> Winter Creek: What a glorious tangle! the fish are here and larger than they have any right to be, attractors of the most bizarre sort work here, so does everything else.
==> Yellowstone River: Still on the high side, clear, cruise the banks looking for noses, Stimulators may infuriate large fish.

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==> Grebe Lake: Crowded, fishing well, grayling on the small side.
==> Hebgen Lake: Gulpers-ho, callibaetis, drowned Adams, furious action.
==> Joffe Lake: Great place to meet new friends, have a picnic, let the kids fish, and catch a few yourself, evening is best if the mosquitoes don't suck you dry.
==> Lewis Lake: Camp here, explore in the day, drag a leech near the outlet for some real excitement.
==> Shoshone Lake: Same as above, the mosquitoes are larger and hungrier this year than in recent memory, pretty place.
==> Quake Lake: Streamers near inlet and Beaver Creek, some gulper activity near trees and outlet.
==> Yellowstone Lake: Shore fishing still productive in the West Thumb area. Float a soft hackle well ahead of cruisers.

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Soda's Poor Sister

JUST A FEW PATTERNS

Stroll Gently Sweet Angler

avoid the crowd

.. For just a few pennies more in gas, (or a few less if you're coming from Silver Gate,) you can fish Pebble Creek and avoid the riffle-rush of rabid visitors.
.. There's a small campground and space for 30 camps, (more - or - less;) and a brief stroll will find you some eager fish and very few elbows.
.. If you've the legs for it, the upstream area has some spectacular scenery and fantastic holding water. The fish are generally unmolested and only the bears appreciate them -- many bears!
.. You'll need only a few patterns and a light rod. Put on a day pack; carry a 4 or 5 piece 4 or 5 weight rod and enjoy Soda Butte Creek's poor sister.
.. The glory waters of the Lamar River, Slough Creek, Cache Creek, and Soda Butte Creek garner all the attention during 'hopper time.' Well Mable, there are hoppers-a-plenty up stream from the campground.
.. Take a Humpy. Take a Wulff. Take a Feather Duster. Take a Caddis. A couple of Hare's Ears and a Prince will also be needed, too. AND -- DON'T FORGET THE HOPPERS!
.. Cock your bear spray and fish where few fishers dare to go.

Hidden Treasures

JUST THE THING
FOR AUGUST

Trees Trout Timeout

sorta secret hatches & places

.. It happens about this time every year. Our home waters fill up with visitors and 'discovery' is the theme for every one of them. We retreat to better fishing in more secluded areas where the fish are eager, relaxed, and very willing dance partners. There are no secrets about the fishing in Yellowstone National Park. Happily, this time of year, people continue to visit the fabled glory waters and leave the good fishing alone.
.. The bits of dust on the Obsidian Creek trail are becoming clouds as more and more people wend their way along this stream. Interestingly, the trails along Straight Creek and Winter Creek are still a bit obscure. The late spring and cool Summer temperatures, (so far,) have delayed one of the sorta secret hatches in Yellowstone. It'll be over by the end of next week, but right now there is excellent dry fly fishing to explosive Brook Trout. Your favorite Green Drake imitation in sizes 16-20 will keep you busy for as long as you care to cast. Watch for the bigger fish to be close to the dead fall and snags. Take your 3-weight and enjoy the scenery.
.. Digestion of your leisurely picnic at Grizzly Lake will not be aided by the eager Brookies in the lake smacking anything on the surface. If the day is calm it's fun to cast to the cruisers. If it's windy get to the windward shore for big fish on foam ants.
.. The grasshopper nymphs along Blacktail Deer Creek will have wings by next week and the hatch will blossom along with the beetles by the second week in August. This is one of the places where angry Mountain Whitefish will keep you guessing longer than usual. Little scorn should be wasted on these tigers, they are almost as selective as the Brook Trout.
.. If you still have legs that still work well, now is the time to fish Cache Creek. It's clear, cold and nearly devoid of fisher folks.
.. Eager native Cutthroat Trout have been enjoying the summer so far, (judging by the trail.) The area around Waab Springs shows some usage but this bit of mosquito fodder is well worth fishing right now. The ants are out and they are feeding on first stage grasshopper larvae. Get there early as the temperature really accelerates this hopper hatch.
.. Tower Creek is enjoying a resurgence in popularity this year, as is Solfaterra Creek and Indian Creek. The campgrounds are sprouting more fly rods than camper trailers -- for a change. These are still good August destinations, but the upper Fan Creek meadows are probably better for solitude. Of course bears like solitude too.
.. These are the sorta secret places that we used to visit this time of year. They are getting crowded as 'discovery' continues.
.. We have a couple of places that we've been fishing that are less discovered. The fish are eager, the trails almost indecipherable, the mosquitoes absent, and the water is still cold and clear. Ants abound and the hoppers are over 1/2 inch long. We'll be surprised to see you there.

Fall Shaping Up

BLUSTER IN THE FORECAST

Bring Bear Spray

go west young fisher

.. Quake Lake and Hebgen Tailwater fish are responding to streamers. Large fish are beginning to pod up at both the inlet & outlet of Quake lake. Woolly Buggers, Dark Spruce, and pink Montana Duster's. Fishing has been excellent in the late afternoon right up to dark - no artificial lights please!
.. The 'narrows' at Hebgen Lake and the Madison Arm Estuary have pods of large fish waiting for the starting gun to rush upstream to the spawning gravels. Use the same flies here. The South Fork Estuary is devoid of the large fish - they are about 6 weeks away in this area.
.. The Madison River has a few early submarines at the Barns Holes. See yesterday's post for details. As the weather becomes more like fall there will be more fish entering the system.
.. The flows on the Gallatin River are still low and the fish are concentrated in hides and holes. If you fish early it may be necessary to tease them into striking. Use a double Wooly Worn combination - black and yellow or red and yellow, size 10 -14. A few afternoon Caddis are around and the fish will rise to the naturals. Use a double-bobber rig, A hopper followed by your favorite Caddis or an attractor will work. Keep both of them floating high.
.. Cache Creek is loaded with 18" - 22" fish. Streamers are the ticket here. If you catch it on a warm still afternoon, (with a gentle drizzle,) Drakes on top or Caddis nymphs below should be just the thing to gather up a few monsters. Tomorrow or Friday should be ripe.
.. Shameless commercial plug.

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.. Does "N" really stand for knowledge? Check out the recent posts at Mostly Right, Usually.

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URGENT NEWS

.. The bears are out in force this Fall. The berry crop has mostly failed, there are a few nuts and seeds, the fish are slow to run, and the tourist numbers are up in Yellowstone. Bear attacks are up and even the safety officer for Yellowstone National Park has been attacked and mauled. Get and carry bear spray. Get the big can. Sing ribald songs and keep your eyes open. This is no joke!