21 Weeks & Counting

NOT TO RUSH THINGS - BUT

Plan To Include Reservations

off the road is good for the soul

EARLY CATCHING SEASON ON THE FIREHOLE RIVER - A SOCIAL EVENT

 

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.. Just a thought. There are some spectacular places to fish in Yellowstone National Park that are less than a mile from a paved road. Most fisher folks don't even think about them. That's fine with us.
.. Some of the absolute best catching of trout in Yellowstone National Park is not on the Firehole River, or the Madison River, or the Gibbon River, or the Gallatin River.

How many can you catch?

.. It might be on Slough Creek, but not where the elbows are. It might be near the Lamar River, but not within sight of the road. It could even be in the mosquito ridden Bechler Region of the park.
.. Most fly fishers are of a gregarious sort. Yet, they whine about too many folks on their water. They sob about the fact that there are even other folks on their water. They bemoan the fact that someone found their secret spot. Go figure.
.. Then they return to the same holes on the same rivers and wonder why things have not changed.
.. Most of the glory waters in Yellowstone National Park are about comfortable fishing. Do it the way you have read about it. Do it the way the counter help at a feather merchant's shop tells you to do it. Listen to the guides as they extoll the virtues of their successful outings and the grins on their client's face. It's comfortable. Go where you've been before - it's comfortable. Go where someone told you to go - it's comfortable.
.. Most fly fishers measure their fishing experience in terms of the fish that were caught. A few in terms of the bugs or the rivers. Very few, (we plead guilty,) in terms of the place, the time, the surroundings, or the weather - fish be caught or not.

RUNNERS IN THE FALL - UNFISHED PARADISE

.. We encourage all fishers that come to Yellowstone National Park to engage in comfortable fishing.
.. Measure your experience in terms of the size of the fish, the number of fish, the various species of fish, the beauty of the fish, the strength of the fish - enjoy the fish.
.. You will have the memories of having fished and caught fish where millions of other fishers have fished and caught fish.
.. You will be able to tell stories of the same parking places, rocks, runs and riffles and pools that others have experienced. It's fullfilling to be part of the club.
.. We do not suggest that you spend any time in the winter looking at maps. We do not suggest that you plan to walk too far or explore the thousands of miles of streams and rivers in Yellowstone National Park. We do not, for an instant, suggest that the local, professional, experts are not omniscient or omnipotent - heaven forbid! After all, they make a good living by being the way that they are. It's comfortable.
.. We, silly us, are spending many hours this winter looking at maps. We're looking at Google Earth. We, at the moment, are comfortable. But it's not fishing. We are planning a summer of distinctly uncomfortable fishing. Catching may accompany it: may not too.
.. Resources for the uncomfortable fisher folks are wide and varied. Google Earth is good. Digital-Topo-Maps[dot]Com is exceptional and lets you print the maps you need - it's free! Searching the various "YELLOWSTONE FISHING" web sites gives many insights that even the local experts have not yet discovered. Most of this "research" is butt-time, in front of a computer, we hope it pays off.
.. Last year, Many of the wader friendly lodgings in town were booked well in advance of the fishing season in the park. The owners of these establishments have developed a following of repeat customers and suggest that it's never too early to grab your place. Of course there are over 3,000 motel rooms in town - BUT - not many have facilities for drying waders, tying flies, and other things that gregarious fishers enjoy.
.. Right now, by gum, the sun has made an appearance, so we're getting off our butt - for the moment.

PRINTABLE TOPO MAPS FOR FREE

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HOW BIG OF A BROWN TROUT DO YOU WANT?

Follow The Crowd

FISHER FOLKS - FISHIN' FRENZY

Crowded Rivers Now The Norm

they catch fish & they don't

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.. Yellowstone National Park is gathering up fishers in all the familiar places. Fishing is good. Catching is just as good. Circumstances this year have conspired to draw hoards of fishers to the famous waters of Yellowstone.
.. The summer has been cool. The water has stayed at seasonal levels. Fish recruitment for the past few years is up due to the mild winters. Tourons are staying close to home. School is about to start & one last dance is calling. The FFF will be in town this coming weekend. Bugs are happening everywhere. Fish are hungry and willing. Runners have started up the Madison River a bit early. And the gray days with thundershowers stir a fisher's soul.

.. Even the big meadows on the Gibbon River are yielding fish to anglers at an astounding rate. It might have to do with the hoppers, or the persistent mayflies, or the density of the fishing public. Less crawling and more catching is taking place in Elk Meadow than in recent memory.
.. With the campground at Norris open again, (hard-side only,) and the bears relocated Solfaterra Creek and the little meadows are drawing the attention of the expectant fly fisher. Fishing here is increasingly difficult! It's hard to cast and keep one hand on your bear spray.
.. Despite rumors to the contrary, the Gibbon River canyon is still a wonderful place to catch fish and enjoy the parade of visitors and their driving antics.
.. The new pull-outs around Tuff Cliff are attracting the neighbors and visitors alike. At least for now, these conveniences are well situated for fisher folk. A gentle stroll will place you in perfect position for some of the best "riffle & run" fishing in the park.

.. The Madison River has fished well all summer and is just now starting to enter it's fall phase. Yellows and ambers are beginning to infiltrate the surprisingly still green meadows. The river is bank-full and the bugs are persistent - if not prolific. The evening caddis hatch has been a staple all season.
.. Even though 9-mile hole is filling in and shallower than it has been, there are still fish to be had on the far side of the river. Wade carefully near the big island and you will be rewarded. The deep narrow channel near the far shoreline is a docking port for some of the largest resident submarines on the Madison River.
.. Right now the Firehole River discharge is a skosh low for this time of year, the temperature spikes are only in the 75° range and there are fish rising to caddis during most evenings.The temperature will plummet as soon as the crisp nights of Fall put together a string of five or six frosts in a row. Get in the starting blocks.

.. Nez Perce Creek, amazingly, seems to have fewer fishers than warranted. The walk to the first bridge must seem daunting to the folks that know - or folks don't know! The water is still cool and the fish are very active.
.. Slough Creek has entered it's "torture the visitor phase." Fishers here will see a perfect pattern, perfectly presented, rejected by the sniffing fish. The growing hopper population seems to have changed the psyche of the fish and they are taking the smallest of ant patterns and minuscule nymphs and cripples floated on the surface.

.. If you intend to fish the popular segments of Slough Creek it's necessary to bring your A+ game and a box of the smallest flies to offer to these fish. If three flies won't fit on a dime, they are probably too big.
.. Of course, in the glow of a still evening - as twilight fades to dark, a mouse with the proper wake pattern will still gather up a monster. But, by that time the fishers will have left the meadows - and the fish know it. Bear spray is still a must for fishing these waters.
.. Soda Butte Creek still has bears, and so many elbows that it looks like circus troupe doing the Funky Chicken. It's a good place to make new friends and enemies while exchanging ring tones for your cell phone and comparing genealogies. Even these normally friendly fish are becoming aloof. It takes real persistence and a bucketful of social skills to fish these waters.
.. Up north of town, on the Gallatin River the fish are still friendly. They are becoming slightly "stand-offish" and beginning to demand a modicum of manners in presentation and approach. Hoppers and caddis are on the menu here and the fish love it when polite presentation and approach are involved with the servings. Stealth is often ignored on this "easy" fishery - so be it!
.. We're headed to Duck Creek - Bears Be Damned! The mosquitoes have made their re-appearance and they are hungry. The bears have caused the friendly rangers to post new notices. The moose are enjoying the thick willows and using the tunnel-trails along with the neighbors. It's a dangerous job, but someone has to do it.

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Madison Coming On

FIREHOLE RIVER PEAKING

Persistent Sun - - For Now

air temp going up

water temp too

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.. It happens every year and we're always surprised by the rapidity with which spring leaves and summer begins. It's about to happen again.
.. The legendary catching on the Firehole River is at or near it's early season peak.
.. Fewer fish but better catching will last for a few more weeks on Nez Perce Creek.
.. Fisher folk have already started their migration up the Little Firehole River and on to Iron Spring Creek.
.. A few fishers have retreated as far upstream as the water by the Lone Star Geyser Trail. This upstream Firehole River should provide exceptional entertainment with dancing and leaping Brook Trout for another 5 weeks or so.
.. Even as the spectacular catching recedes into memory, there is still a few, (maybe four,) weeks of very good catching to be had. The shift from PMD's on the surface to soft hackles is already underway. Mid day and evening caddis, (depending on cloud cover and thundershowers,) will continue past the time when the river becomes too warm for responsible catching.

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.. As we write this the Madison River is coming into great shape. Flows are still about 150 cfs below the seasonal mean rate.
.. The water is clear; plenty, (but not too,) cold, and the fish are frisky.
.. The surface fisher is treated to a surprisingly consistent morning and late afternoon array of flies.
.. PMD spinner falls are available from sunup 'til 8:00 or 9:00 AM.
.. Hatches, (depending on location,) run from 9:30 - about 1:00.
.. Caddis are nearly omnipresent, and nymphs and emergers are working all day.

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.. The Gibbon River is still on the ascendancy, though the canyon fish have been visited frequently - despite the construction and road closure. The big meadows are just as tough as ever but there are a few early afternoon hatches. This is still a bank-fishers proposition. Pick a nose and gently cast to it. A couple of refusals will clue you in to the efficacy of your fly or presentation.
.. Large Soft Hackles, a dark olive Casual Dress, or a black Woolly Worm in the dark undercuts may be the best tactic for another 5 or 6 days.
.. From Norris Campground up to the cascades is a bit of beautiful "small water."
.. Many of the fish in this section of the Gibbon River will see you before you see them - no matter how careful you are. There are many hides and holes and the eager fish are small, (6"-10" or so.)
.. Done correctly, there are more fish to catch here than most places. Stealth, guile, and gentility will bring the little darlings to net.
.. Solfaterra Creek is getting a heavy pounding and the fish are becoming pretty tight-lipped around the campground.
.. A short walk upstream will provide far fewer elbows and more willing trout. There's been a moose hanging around so be careful. Her baby is cute - she is dangerous.

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.. A couple of sleepers that will soon appear in reports and blogs are the Gallatin River and Grayling Creek.
.. Right now is the time for Grayling Creek. Very soon this water will be a bit too low and a bit to busy. The prime catching is now.
.. Soft Hackles and Ants will do the job. If you want some surprises try an olive Woolly Bugger, (size 10-12,) in the undercut banks. Dance partners of better than decent size will reward the fisher that knows how to quickly finger-strip this fly.
.. The Gallatin River has finally settled down and is providing good catching.
.. The willows around the Fan Creek confluence still have some very large fish, (to 16",) and the pressure is just now beginning to pick up.
.. Caddis Nymphs or a generalized dry, (such as an Adams or even a Coachman,) will be eagerly accepted. Keep them on the small side, (14 - 16.)

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Could Be Worse

PRECIPITATION RAMPANT

Not Quite Biblical

YET !

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.. With the rain coming down in sheets we have the wonderful opportunity to practice some combat fishing in Yellowstone National Park.
.. Our 7-day forecast shows some rain for most of this weekend and the coming week.
.. Not continuous, not deluges, not cold, and not debilitating - just rain.
.. Temperatures will be in the balmy 50's and we may see 60's by the first of next week.
.. Fishers in the neighborhood are rejoicing. This is perfect bug weather. The slickers are out and some of the codgers are waxing & oiling their "old-timey" foul weather gear.
.. Many conversations are centered on how to keep cigars dry and what libations help to keep the ticker tocking.
.. Heavy speculation turns to how do those little flies manage to get airborne in the pounding rain.
.. Rain brings the savvy to the fore. Fair weather fishers looking for a postcard experience are busy moaning and warming stools in the local pubs.
.. One of the great advantages of this weather, especially for fishers of the Firehole River, is the reduced number of flies necessary in the fly box.
.. Emergers, (up one or two sizes,) nymphs, (up two or three sizes,) dries, (up one size,) and you're done.
.. For some insight into the simple and effective flies for now, (and for just about anytime,) check out the article by Marshall Cutchin written a couple of years ago. The article features Craig Mathews' fly box.
.. Head hunters need only add a Wooly Worm, (black and/or yellow ones,) and a Woolly Bugger, (olive and/or black ones,) and you're done.
.. Most of the successful catching in the rain is bank stalking. If the Baetis are cooperating it's a dream experience. Slick spots and eddy's by the bank can produce a pile of fish.
.. For high water tactics see the post below. The fishing and catching right now is better than you would think.
.. Folks on the Madison River will be doing well with streamers and Wooly Buggers. Folks in the Gibbon River canyon can do the same.
.. Solfaterra Creek is going like gang busters right now. Eager fish are on the top, the bottom, the edges, and in your waders. Enjoy the action with these 8"-10" monsters.
.. When mom give you rain, enjoy the rainbows!

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OH, the joy of it all

A JOLLY GOOD TIME
WAS HAD BY ALL

Report Soon

it's just like you'd hope

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.. Not much snow and a trifling amount of cold mist and rain greeted the eager and faithful as they entered Yellowstone National Park for this year's opening day.
.. The clouds loomed low and were that perfect shade of dark gray that brings moans to most visitors and smiles to feather flingers who know.
.. Heavy overcast, and light fog greeted the dawn and lasted until 2:30 - 3:30, depending on where you were.
.. Fishers on the Firehole River were greeted by broken clouds and tiny bits of blue sky about noon. The brightness did not last long nor did it significantly interrupt the ample but not overwhelming Baetis hatch. Drizzle and gray clouds made for great conditions over much of the west side of the park.
.. By noon-thirty many successful Firehole fishers had doubled up their rig by floating an emerger followed by a Flash Back Prince Nymph on point. The flies were dinky but not impossible, (16 - 18.)
.. By 6:30 the day had transformed itself into a still, soft, and gentle countenance that had us transfixed and mesmerized as we pulled fish after fish from the Notellum River. Not much more could have been asked.
.. The river discharge rates for the Madison River Basin increased noticeably overnight but the color and visibility are still good. We'd hoped for a full week of clear water in the Madison River and the Gibbon River. We'll probably be lucky to get four days. Then it's everybody on the Firehole River for about a month, (baring a significant cold spell.)
.. The midges were thick on the Madison River around 7-mile Bridge. Fishers were fooled, but not the fish. They were taking Hare's Ear Nymphs and bright green Soft Hackles.
.. We saw some pilgrims far out on the meadows on the Gibbon River but have nothing to report for this area. However, the finger meadows north of Norris Geyser Basin did produce rumors of good catching on streamers.


.. The little meadows around the campground and by the Museum Of The Ranger were full of anglers enjoying both the scenery and the bite. Reports of fish right next to some campsites on Solfaterra Creek drew a lunchtime B-B-Q party for fresh Brook Trout.
.. Several of the neighbors fished around the Barns Holes and the park water near Baker's Hole on the Madison River.
.. These folks have recently imported a secret fly from England and wanted to try it out, far away from the prying eyes of river spies.
.. The controversial fly is called a "flexi-bug" and is of the same family lineage as the San Juan Worm and the Gob O' Worms and the Flexi Girdle Bug.
.. It's mere presence causes some fishers to foam at the mouth, and roll on the ground with either demonic laughter or spastic horror.
.. Initial reports were whispered in the dark corners of local pubs just a few minutes ago: "slayed 'em," "destroyed the drag on my reel," "broke 'em off on 2x," "landed one that left a hole in the water," "don't tell John."
.. We'll have better information on this, 2010, opening day tomorrow or Monday. By then we will have recovered from our arm weary day on the Notellum River.

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