Get Upstream

FISH HERE

USE THESE

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.. There are still eager fish to be fed along the Gibbon River in Yellowstone National Park.
.. For the neighbors it means trading a few gallons more gasoline for the privilege of catching some trout in cool water.

.. It's unusual, but not unheard of, to speak of the upper Gibbon River warming as fast as it has this year.
.. It means that the further upstream you go, the cooler the water and the more sprightly the fish. We'll take it - but not as often as usual.
.. The terrestrials are out and the Hoppers are beginning to imitate Olympic Swimmers - but poorly at that: all in the favor of the fish and fisher.
.. The Spruce Moths are busy imitating Caddis Flies in some areas, and the active fish are very indiscriminate about the pattern or size - right now.

.. There are very few ants around, but the beetles are especially prolific this year, (soft winter and all that!)
.. Fish in the morning while there is still dew and pockets of fog. Precise casting to the early shadow lines with groceries will wake up some of the larger fish.
.. The Brook Trout will be active all day, but again, they will be resting in the shade of rocks and undercut banks. As the sun moves - so too the fish.
.. The nice thing about fishing marginal waters in the late summer is the beauty of the surroundings that are unencumbered by elbows or the plashing of baggy waders.

.. The catching has slowed just a smidgen and there is time for dawdling and lazing and basking in the beauty of Yellowstone National Park. This is not for headhunters or scalp collectors. It is, however, relaxed, gentle, unhurried, fishing - with some pleasant catching thrown in.
.. The neighbors are fond of reminding us that even, (or especially,) the bigger fish seek the cooler upstream waters. Your Ipsydasie Superslaughter Wig-Wag attractor fly may end up with a fish bigger than your relaxed attitude deserves!

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P.S. The gulpers of fame on HEBGEN LAKE are becoming very noisy early in the day. Right now the midges are holding sway but . . . .

Some Cold Water

FISH HERE

USE THESE

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.. The mid summer warm has forced the neighbors north. Into the elbow-ridden Gallatin River valley they have fled. The cold water and the early hopper hatch has made the social aspects of crowded fishing worthwhile. The catching continues to improve by the day.

.. Spruce moths are also available. Not quite as thick as last year - yet.
.. The standard assortment of trout fodder is currently gracing the valley in Yellowstone National Park.
.. Some PMD's in mid morning, followed by caddis. Hoppers are busy drowning as soon as they get some sun, ants have been seen doing the back stroke around Black Butte, and beetles are all over the ground.
.. Flies that work are simple and effective right now: San Juan worm, Yellowstone Sallies, small Rubber Legs, small Spruce Flies in the undercuts, and Hare's Ears nymphs, (with or without bead heads or gold ribs.) It's a good time to fish - just do it.
.. Remember - PLEASE !! - the bears are still in the valley. Carry bear spray, sing ribald songs, and fish with a partner.

.. Our little village is suffering the standard busy weekend full house syndrome. Current events make walking, parking, shopping, and just plain being a chore. The Rodeo is drawing crowds at a record pace, the 42 annual Rod Run is in town, the Smoking Waters Rendezvous and living history event is camped out here, and visitors are arriving in record numbers. Visiting fishers are having a hard time finding a place to stay, and the motels are loving it.

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Fish Quick And Hard

FISH HERE

USE THESE

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.. It should be very early - OR - it should be very late. Stalk carefully, watch closely, cast perfectly, cross your toes, hang on!
.. It's not the best catching available right now, but it's good and the fish are rather lonesome. The water temps are still reasonable and the fish are eating early breakfasts and late dinners. Try it  - you'll like it, (especially if there are clouds.)

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TRY HERE TOO

River Closures

FIREHOLE, GIBBON, MADISON

Starting Tomorrow

don't bother today either

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National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior,
Yellowstone National Park,
P.O. Box 168 Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 30, 2012
12-055
Al Nash or Dan Hottle (307) 344-2015
YELL_Public_Affairs@nps.gov
YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK NEWS RELEASE
Yellowstone To Implement Fishing Closures

Yellowstone National Park is planning to implement some temporary fishing closures. The following waterways will be closed to all fishing, effective Wednesday, August 1:
• Gibbon River below Gibbon Falls
• Firehole River below Keppler Cascades
• Madison River
• Hot air temperatures, limited rainfall, runoff from thermal features, and below average stream flows have all resulted in high water temperatures in these rivers. Water temperatures in the Gibbon River have been above 73 degrees most of the past two weeks, with water temperatures in the Firehole River above 78 degrees temperature.
• Water temperatures this warm can be stressful and even fatal for trout. Yellowstone National Park staff will continue to monitor water temperatures and stream flows in these and other rivers and streams throughout the park. The extended forecast calls for continued hot and dry conditions with a slight chance of isolated afternoon thunderstorms. These conditions contribute to continued low stream flows and high water temperatures, and could result in additional fishing restrictions.

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NEWS STORIES:
ISLAND PARK,
MADISON_DOT_COM,
WYOMING STAR TRIBUNE,
.. My, my, my! They are all the same.

Published Tomorrow

OFF THE HOT PRESS

A Prose Tapestry

some fly fishing stuff too

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.. It's not just another, (of the myriad,) Yellowstone Fly Fishing books. It is one in a long line of books about fishing in the park.
.. It's not just another, (of the myriad,) "I did this and so should you!" books.
.. If anything it's a book that highlights and celebrates Yellowstone National Park. It's a tapestry woven of history, anecdotes, personal experiences, interviews, rumors, legends, and fish stories.
.. Offered up are fish stories from people who, have fished, and some who continue to fish in Yellowstone National Park. The stories serve to illustrate the rich diversity of any fishing experience in the park. They are the delights of their tellers and their enthusiasm, reverence, joy and pain are all there for us to read.

.. The intriguing title touts the "50 Best Places." The book covers many more than that.
.. Fishers who love specific river segments or lake localities are used to illuminate the lore of any single piece of water. The famous and infamous have come forth to share insights and delights: you will recognize many of the names and places - some you won't !!
.. If this were an early 19th century work it could just as easily be titled "The Personality of Yellowstone's Fly Fishing." It's all there! Bears, Wolves, Monster Fish, Native Americans, Mountain Men, Explorers, Early Visitors, Bandits, Outlaws, Rapine, Tragedy, and Fishing.
.. Of course there are plenty of illustrations. Certainly there are quite a few tips and tricks about the various waters and the fish inhabiting them. There is even the expected hatch sequences, recommended flies, secret tips and tactics, where to, how to, etc. - it really is all there.
.. This is a "FAT BOOK" and we strongly recommend that you properly break-in the binding. We also suggest that you buy two. If you love the park and it's fishing you'll quickly wear out the first one.
.. If you view fishing in Yellowstone National Park as just another catching destination you should avoid this book. If you would like your experiences in the park to be enriched and informed by it's long history and traditions then this is the book for you. It will even help you catch fish.
.. It's an easy read and one full of everything from gossip to fact. It is readily apparent that the author, (a Montana native son,) is not quite done with the 50 best places. We're sure he'll be back. Perhaps he'll treat us to a sequel.

OFFICIAL DETAILS

English
ISBN: 0811710513 EAN: 9780811710510 Category: Sports & Recreation / Fishing/Travel / Parks & Campgrounds
Publisher: Headwater Books, Release Date: 08/01/2012
Author: Nate Schweber
Synopsis: The most important hatches and recommended patterns, along with key fishing techniques and the best times of year to fish there. Interviews with a stunning collection of Yellowstone Park veterans in the know, including fly shop owners Bob Jacklin, Craig Mathews, John Juracek, Richard Parks, and John Bailey.
Writers, including; Tom McGuane, Wild Bill Schneider, and The Drake magazines' Tom Bie. The best spots for Yellowstone cutthroat, westslope cutthroat, Snake River finespotted cutthroat, grayling, rainbows, cuttbows, brown trout, brook trout, mountain whitefish, and Mackinaw lake trout

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NOTICE !!

ALMOST AVAILABLE !!

Pre-Order HERE

Too Hot - High Or Low

SHADE NOW A PRIORITY

For Man And Beast

visitors wearing neoprene waders

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.. It has got to be a true shock to the psyche of the tweedy set. They've packed their finery. They've read the books. They are armed with rods of herculean proportions. They are ready to strut their stuff on the glory waters of Yellowstone National Park and the rest of Southwestern Montana.
.. They forgot their short pants. They never had a short-sleeved fishing shirt. They wear socks with their sandals. Their waders are full of powder and their sweater is packed and ready. Oh Well!
.. It's not too early to dream of blinding and slashing strikes at terrestrial bugs. Of course the experts would have you believe that the dainty flies are holding their own as fish fodder - mostly true for some famous places.
.. The weather has been of the standard variety for this time of year. It's been hot, punctuated with gentle showers on occasion.
.. The showers and blessed coolness of the afternoons has slowed the final molt for our local grasshoppers - but there are a ton of the nymphs ready to fall into the rivers.
.. White millers have sprouted like dandelions as have the evening caddis, and a few spruce moths have also shown up.
.. For the moment the catching game goes something like this: morning spinner fall, (peaks about 7:30 or 8:00 AM,) followed by recreational wading, lunch and a nap in the shade - then caddis in the late afternoon and evening, (be on the water about 5:00 PM or so.)
.. This schedule will get you through the day on the destination waters of Yellowstone National Park. The neighbors are already fishing beetles, ants, small hoppers, gaudy rubberlegs, and San Juan worms on those waters with fewer elbows and more fish.

.. The Yellowstone River is a destination for some fishers that remember the glory that once was. There are some large fish to be had - true enough. On the other hand, it looks like recruitment is up and should you just want a pleasant fishing experience we recommend it highly.
.. Social fishers are clogging the parking lot at Slough Creek. Everything from hoppers to PMD's are pricking fish.
.. Get there now and fish all day. Ignore the experts, if you dare. These fish are eager and hungry. By fishing hard you will contribute to their advanced degrees. But today, (and maybe tomorrow,) they really are just like any old hungry trout. Throw it - they'll eat it.``

.. If you can find Snowflake Springs, you can find fish on the Gallatin River. If you can get past the beaver ponds and through the woods to the upper meadows on Fan Creek you can fish with the bears and elk: you will catch some of the prettiest fish in the park as well. Say hi to the horse packers and mounted rangers for us.
.. Ask the visitors about their big flies. They probably won't mention the damselfly. Nor do the visiting clerks at the feather merchants.

.. In passing we'll just note that there are trout that can, (and do,) take the blue lady from the grass overhanging the deep undercut banks. It may look foolish to the uninitiated, it may feel foolish when you do it, - BUT -  casting to the grass can take some monsters in  the mid-day doldrums.
.. Park your car in the evening shade and walk the gentle trail to Osprey Falls. Take a picture of the monster clouds. Sniff the burnt smell in the air.
.. Go above the falls and catch a mighty Brook Trout with every other cast. If someone got there before you it might take a half dozen casts - damn!
.. Nothing really new right now. Catching is all in how you do it.

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