Fly Fishing In Yellowstone National Park: The Window Of Opportunity

Saturday, October 03, 2015

The Window Of Opportunity

IT'S OPEN NOW

Favorable Conditions

little bugs are prolific

WALLPAPER: THE WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY

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.. Each Spring and Fall all the things hoped for by fly fishers occasionally come together and provide opportunities for epic fishing, (and catching,) in Yellowstone National Park.

TRY THIS FLAVOR

.. Low cool water to concentrate the fish, overcast and drizzly days, salubrious temperatures, gentle breezes, slow visitation days, hungry fish, bugs aplenty, and other fleeting factors conspire to make fishing worthwhile for even the least of fishers.
.. Right now, (and for the next few days,) everything is in place. Head hunters of the runner denomination, faithful fishers of the surface, disciples of the flymph, and double nymph & bobber folks, all can be satisfied on the west side rivers.
.. The Firehhole River is giving forth with prolific hatches of a couple of kinds of small mayflies, (check with your favorite feather merchant for the Latin.) Presentation, size, and silhouette are keys to sore wrists and a multitude of hero photos right now. As to flies: the flavor of the month and others will do just fine.

MY WHAT LONG LEGS YOU HAVE

.. The Madison River has lost some fair weather fishers. It's still crowded but there are ample empty fishy places.
.. Ugly flies with obnoxious legs, red rubber bands, woolly buggers, and leaches are dragging in the pudgy fish from Hebgen Reservoir.
.. Many fish in 12" to 16" range also are being taken. Some are resident fish, some are precocious migrants. Whatever the case, they are willing and hungry.

MORE LEGS AND HACKLES

.. The Madison River has seen both BWO hatches and, surprisingly an ant fall. Surface fishers will do as good as possible on the Madison River right now. Spinner falls are even visible from the shore early in the day.
.. Beyond the Junction Pools and clear to the falls, the Gibbon River is seeing activity by the fish and fishers reminiscent of the corybantic days of the 50's and 60's.
.. Reports, (and cell phone photos,) for this stretch of river suggest that the flymph and indigenous bugs are the keys to constant catching. Stonefly nymphs of all stripes and colors, (in generous sizes,) are raking in the Browns, (and Rainbows.)

THE FUR BALL IS A SUCCESS

.. Down the road on the "way too cold" Gallatin River the fish are looking up; but not to the surface. The neighbors are fishing with a double dropper and bobber rig. From the bobber to the trailer is no more than 18". A pair of Prince Nymph flies or a BH Prince on point with GRHE up top is a common rig.
.. No hoppers have been reported for a week or two but, a drowned hopper is still taking good fish in the deep riffles.
.. Given the current conditions and mood of the trout it is possible to fish all day and continue to catch fish. A hearty breakfast will carry the dedicated clear through to an early dinner. Back at it in time for the late day frenzy. Have at it!

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