The Firehole River is in fine fettle at this point in mid-June. The crowds (relative) prove that fact.
Flows remain well above seasonal norms for this time of year, and have been creeping upwards for most of the week – no matter, the river is still fishing very well. Looks like there’s a bigger spike in process this morning due to the heavier rains last night, wouldn’t be surprised to see a bit more color in the water for a day or two.
We agree with those who are pitching that while healthy hatches of PMDs and BWOs keep rolling the residents of the Firehole are really keying on Caddis. There are a couple of different Caddis species hatching; no offense to our more entomologically minded friends out there – but I tend to think of the two different caddis as the little dark ones (18-20 black foam caddis) and the bigger light ones (14 CDC emergers, foam caddis, iris caddis). Though it’s hard to believe, more than one relatively reliable source is still claiming to be seeing a Salmonfly or two in the Canyon section.
I’ve found myself drawn a bit more of late to fishing the upper Firehole and Nez Perce to avoid the pastel shirt fishing hatch; it hasn’t really been impossibly crowded though a fair number of fly fisher folk are on the river these days. In my humble opinion another prime time on the Firehole is the last two hours of light – typically a great caddis window and the vast majority of your fishing friends are either dining or imbibing their favorite adult beverage. The poorly detailed pic above was taken just as the caddis got rolling…..
Believe me, that evening cold one tastes even better sitting on the tailgate of your truck in wet waders as the last rays of light leave the western sky. We’ll save one for you this evening…..
Tags: River - YNP - Firehole
