A surprising number of emails popped up this weekend asking where I’d fish in Yellowstone over the next several weeks.
Proving great minds think alike, most shared a few common themes…
- They admitted they basically didn’t know squat about the Park and only one had fished any Yellowstone water at all, ever.
- Perhaps somewhat in line with recent confessions we’ve made, they all strongly prefer small water over the much-storied ‘trophy’ waters in the neighborhood, though they all admitted they had to hit the Yellowstone and / or the Madison at least one day.
- They all noted they were in ‘reasonable shape’ or better and wanted to ‘see the real Yellowstone’.
- To a man they admitted they weren’t members of ‘The 1%’ and might have the cash to spring for a guided trip one day but no more.
- Finally, all were aware that the Park is damn crowded this time of year and they didn’t want to be hooking cars on their backcasts fishing along a tourist studded roadway.
Jake and I, and I presume Quinn as well, get a fair number of these sorts of queries every season (increasing every year in fact). It always surprises me (at least) as we’ve long established that we’re just a small tribe of fly fishers who are far, far from experts on fly fishing or the area.
That said, and with a due nod to an increasing veil of ‘we ain’t divulging nothing about our small water honey holes’, here’s a round of low-quality, worth-what-you’ve-paid-for-it advice. Offerings get better when beer and other forms of nourishment / entertainment are paid in advance.
General Wisdom
The Park is damned busy this time of year and throughout July, mostly with cars stuffed full of tourists who rarely venture more than 6.6 feet from the roadway or a boardwalk.
July is more or less high summer in the region and it’s been warm lately. Here’s the forecast for the week (as of yesterday afternoon) in West Yellowstone – afternoon showers help but it’s hot. Optimal fishing weather it’s probably not.
Given the warm temps, some waters shouldn’t be fished. Most notably, the Madison in the Park, the Firehole and some of the other pasture/park based smaller waters (upper Gibbon). Crack of dawn maybe on the Firehole, though that means off the water when the sun hits it. Better yet, give it a rest.
Despite what we heard for the past two years from Texans, there really are bears in Yellowstone’s back country. Don’t travel alone and buy some damned bear spray; go so far as to actually read the directions. Keep it handy. Keep an eye on and out of the way of other large critters.
With a nod to today’s economy and recognizing we’re cheap bastards, I still have to say a day with a good guide can be more than worth the money. There are some incredibly gifted and hardworking guides in the area, too many to mention really. My personal favs – Joe Moore’s Big Sky Anglers (WY) and the venerable crew at Blue Ribbon Flies (WY); the gang at Park’s in Gardiner is pretty damned savvy as well.
5 + 1 Places We’d Fish the Next Week or Two….
Nothing magic about recommendations here; just a few thoughts from small stream leaning boys who like to fish the neighborhood.
Black Canyon of the Yellowstone. The salmonflies have peaked though should still be available through the third week or so; this is nice fish and bugger water otherwise. Best to be early and hit water that’s harder to get to. A hot day can make the hike out seem like a death march for the poorly conditioned; the advantage is there will almost always be a fat guy you can outrun.
Slough / Upper Lamar. Sorta’ve a love-hate thing here due to the crowds on Slough, hence the upper Lamar mention. Sounds like the hatches are coming on strongly (read Drakes my friend) and early season streamers are an oft overlooked secret weapon.
The Madison. Yep, it’s busy and yep, it’s been fishing incredibly well this year (so they say). Our secret weapons: between the lakes and be the first boat on the water if floating.
The Upper Gallatin / Fan Creek. Get a map, get off the road and heavily used trails. Warming up finally and coming into play. Bring a fat guy and your bear spray.
Grayling Creek. See above and bring two fat guys.
Hyalite Creek. Opens the 15th. Native cutts and big grayling(for the lower 48) in play. Might also be two fat guy water.
One of the intrepid emailers asked if I was available to be the designated fat guy on one of their excursions. Your recommendations are coming under separate cover; ignore the above.
