In case there is anyone out there wondering just where the hell the Chi Wulff team has been for the past few days, have no fear: we are not going anywhere.  This has been an interesting weekend (and a busy one) for a couple of reasons:

• Work in the real world
• The imminent closure of Yellowstone

The team has spent the past two days in the park, fishing the Firehole and Madison while we still can.  The fish were picky, but plentiful.  Just for kicks, I even broke out the spey rod on the Madison.  More on the weekend later.

The Gardner is pretty much done for the year.  Personally, I would not even bother with it.  If you really want to fish the eastern side of the park, hit the Yellowstone.  It is fishing much better.  Better yet, mosey on over to the western side for either the Firehole or the Madison.

Better hurry, the clock is ticking.

Tags: River - YNP - Gardner

The Gardner is almost done for the year.  While there is still some good fishing to be had, things have really slowed down.  Flows are down quite a bit, forcing anglers to work the pools and deeper runs more than usual.

The upper river is done for this year.  Down lower, keep an eye out for BWOs on the cloudy days.  Seems like the hatch is best from about 1 in the afternoon to after 4.  Swinging soft hackles is a great way to fish this hatch.

Streamers are also productive in the mornings and evenings, especially on cloudy days.  There are some big browns that have moved up from the Yellowstone in the river, and a streamer is the best way to hook up with one of them.  Nymphing with stonefly patterns and larger bead head nymphs has been very productive as well.

Tags: River - YNP - Gardner

While the upper Gardner has been finished for a few weeks now, the lower Gardner is still fishing well right now.  It’s mainly Baetis, nymphing late, and a small dark Caddis down low.

The Park’s guys are thinking terrestrials may come back into play this week once it warms up again – maybe, it’s going to be nippy for a few days over here.

Enjoy it while you can.

Tags: River - YNP - Gardner

Now it finally feels like fall.  This morning in Bozeman it is in the 30s with a high of only 60-something forecast for today.  Beats the hell out of the 80s and 90s we have been seeing every day.  Fall fishing is upon us too, and the Gardner is no exception.

The upper river is starting to slow down, most of the larger fish have gone up into the tribs.  I wouldn’t even bother with it now.  The lower river is fishing pretty well.  There are still some drakes around here and there and the BWOs are really picking up.  The fall BWO hatch is one of my favorites.

Nymphing is probably the most productive way to fish this river right now.  Larger nymphs such as princes, pheasant tails, hare’s ears, and other mayfly patterns have been working well.  Be sure to bring lots of soft hackles.  Swinging a double nymph rig down and across can be very good.

Tags: River - YNP - Gardner

The lower Gardner is still pretty busy from what I hear, seems like the river has seen a bit more pressure this year.  Related to the road closure?  Who the hell knows; visitation numbers are up for the entire Park this year.

There are still a fair number of hoppers around on the lower, though we’d sure be hanging a decently sized attractor nymph off of whatever terrestrial we were throwing.  You’ll probably see some Drakes and maybe even an Olive or two pending the weather.

Sounds like it’s already pretty skinny on the upper river above Sheepeater;  it’s about time for the spawners to head for the hills…..

Hint of the week – walk a bit and get away from the trails and road……

Tags: River - YNP - Gardner

The Gardner is having a good start to fall.  Flows are still up there, almost 140 cfs this morning.  All indications are for a good rest of the year.

Terrestrials are still the main item over here right now.  Don’t go without a fair number of hoppers and beetles in your box.  There are still come caddis around in the evenings.  Look for more and more mayflies in the days to come.  

Standard nymphs such as princes, hare’s ears and soft hackles are never a bad idea to hang beneath a hopper.  If you can find a hole deep enough, streamers have been producing on the cloudy days.

Tags: River - YNP - Gardner

The Gardner is in pretty good shape for this time of year.  Won’t be too much longer before the fall hatches start up and the fishing really gets good.  It is hard to believe it is already the end of August.  Where did our summer go?

The main menu item on the Gardner is hoppers.  Fish them from about mid morning on through until evening.  It certainly doesn’t hurt to hang a nymph such as a soft hackle or prince off the back.  

There are still some scattered Spruce Moths around, and fishing this hatch in the mornings will yield results.  Caddis are out in the evenings, in some places more heavily than others.  Look for mayflies basically all day.  

The number of fishermen on the river is dropping, and will continue to do so throughout the fall.

Tags: River - YNP - Gardner

Flows on the Gardner have come back up again in the past few days, back to almost 190 cfs.  Yesterday, Mark and I were down in the park and it was raining very hard, as it had been all day.  The heavy rain is going to bump flows up and might muddy the waters somewhat.  

As far as fishing goes, it has been a pretty good summer.  Hoppers are out in full force and the trout are really targeting them.  Hoppers will work better on the lower river.  Spruce Moths are still around, mainly in the mornings before 11 or 12.  Bring some elk hair caddis with you, as the hatch is strong right before dark.  

The Gardner has been hit hard with traffic this year, but the crowds are going to start dissipating very soon.  Be ready walk a bit to find some solitude.

Tags: River - YNP - Gardner

Usually by this time of year the Gardner is starting to slow up.  This year, while things are getting tougher, the fishing is still pretty good.  Flows are much higher than they usually are for mid-August which means good fishing.

Grasshoppers are really working well.  There are more and more terrestrials out, including ants, beetles and hoppers.  Sometimes a beetle will draw more strikes than a hopper will.  The warmer days are going to be better terrestrial fishing than overcast.  When clouds are prevalent, tie on a mayfly.  Spruce moths are also around in pretty good numbers.  

Because most of the lower river is pretty easily accessed, there are a lot of fishermen on the water.  However, if you are willing to walk for a mile or so you can find solitude.

Tags: River - YNP - Gardner

This is a good summer for the Gardner.  There is still more water in the river than average, and it is full of hungry fish and lots of insects.  All the rain in the area over the past few days has bumped flows up a little bit and muddied the waters, but it is certainly manageable now.

Spruce Moths are showing up in greater numbers on the Gardner.  This hatch is often overlooked by visiting fishermen but it is well worth your time.  Hoppers are also working very well now.  Hang a nymph like a prince or pheasant tail off the back to increase your chances.  

PMDs, caddis, and some scattered stoneflies continue to come off as well.  You can fish dry flies all day long if you want to.  There are quite a few folks on the water, so be ready to walk some to find a quiet piece of water.

Tags: River - YNP - Gardner

Now is a good time to be out on the Gardner.  Flows are still above the median average for this time of year.  The Upper river has warmed up enough that it is starting to fish well too.

The hoppers are out and are working very well.  Drift one past a brushy bank anywhere on the river to pick up some good fish.  Spruce moths are beginning to show up in a couple places, so keep your eyes peeled.  The PMDs are slowing down, but evening caddis are still going strong.  Also look for a few stoneflies in the stretch above Boiling River.

Throw a couple attractors like a Royal Wulff or humpy in your box as well.  Fish these mainly in the afternoons and evenings.  While most of the fish you will catch are going to be small (8-12 inches), there are some larger fish in here.

Tags: River - YNP - Gardner

The Gardner has been holding its own these past few days.  Flows have come down slightly since the start of the week, but are still above median levels.  Clarity is excellent, and water temp is coming up.  

There have been a fair number of caddis in the river lately.  This hatch occurs in the afternoons and evenings and can provide some great fishing.  PMDs in the mornings will keep you busy until then.

There are still some yellow sallies and Salmonflies in the river, mainly in the section above the Boiling River.  Fish a stonefly nymph at any time during the day and you should connect with a few fish.  Also, throw some hopper patterns in your box.  The terrestrial action won’t get really good for a little while longer, but it doesn’t hurt to do a little prospecting.

Tags: River - YNP - Gardner

The Gardner is in great shape right now.  Flows are holding steady just below 250 cfs at Mammoth, which is pretty good for this time of year.  Water temps have been coming up; warming, but not hot yet.

The lower river is fishing very well.  There are still some Salmonflies and golden stones around the Boiling River and above.  Look for lots of caddis everywhere.  The fish are really going after this hatch.  Yellow sallies are also present.

Now is a good time to fish the Gardner before it really warms up for the summer.

Tags: River - YNP - Gardner

One of the things that I really love about this area is the fact that most of the waters are on varying schedules.  Right when a hatch, say stoneflies, starts to turn off on one river, they show up somewhere else.  This is the case with the Gardner right now: the stoneflies are out.

The river is in pretty good shape, still has a lot of water in it, but visibility is pretty good, over two feet anyway.  The upper river is still really cold, so I would not even bother with it yet.  Prime time for the Gardner is just barely around the corner.

Stoneflies are out.  The fish are eating these big bugs like crazy.  Subsurface flies are your best bet at this point, but dry action will be picking up here shortly.  There are also lots of caddis and some mayflies on the water.   

Mark and Jess were in the Park yesterday, and snapped the above pic of a stonefly on the camper in front of them as they waited in line to enter at the North Gate in Gardiner.  I know, it’s not a great picture, but it proves the point.  He said the big bugs were all over the place…….

Tags: River - YNP - Gardner

The Gardner is looking better by the day. 

Flows have been dropping like a rock over the past week, and while the river remains cold and is still flowing above seasonal averages, it’s a lot more approachable these days.

The big news has been that the stoneflies are coming off on the lower river; as you’d expect nymphing has been more productive that using dries, there are still some folks taking decent fish on well presented dries.  Caddis are gaining strength (best below) Boiling River though moving up.  The farther upstream you go, the more likely you are to be nymphing for you fish fix. 

You’ll need your sun screen today.

Tags: River - YNP - Gardner