WORTH THE LOOK
Like A Living Post Card
native jewels abound
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.. We don't get to the northeast corner of Yellowstone National Park as often as we'd like. We are also quick with many excuses, but just a couple of good reasons: the price of gasoline, the Norris Road closure, age and senility.
.. Despite the famous glory waters of the region we tend to gravitate toward Pebble Creek, Hellroaring Creek, Blacktail, and of course Soda Butte Creek. Right now Pebble Creek is very attractive and our current choice.
.. Once away from the campground, (either up or down stream,) the waters are sparsely populated with elbows and waving wands. The little fish are bright and bouncy, and seem to find your fly - whatever it may be.
.. There is still just a bit of color in the river, and there usually is. The spawning has passed but there are still a few spent fish in the meadow across the road from the campground. If you tie into one of these fish please land it quickly and release it gently... There is really no reason to walk in the water - other than to traverse the creek. Gently stroll and probe the dark water and the little pockets. The fish are there and happy to oblige you.
.. Surprising as it seems, the little hoppers are making their presence felt. A hopper - dropper rig will work for most of this water: (the hopper can be a Yellow Humpy and the dropper can be a Bead Head Prince or Copper John.) For now, keep the flies on the small side: 12 or 14 for the hopper and 16 + or - for the dropper. A ten inch fish is the place to start bragging.
.. Remember that this is skinny water and that enormous lengths of monofilament are not necessary for your rig. Midcurrent ran a primer on Dry/Dropper rigs a few years ago. It's worth a look.
.. Although the Gallatin River is fishing nicely today, it'll be quite a bit better in a week, and our visitations to the north will probably end early this year.
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