Cascade Corner Facts

Location:

The Bechler River is formed by the confluence of the Phillips, Gregg and Ferris Forks high in the southwest corner of Yellowstone National Park.  The river flows for 20 miles before joining the Fall River at Cave Falls. 

The Bechler cascades down a narrow canyon for the first part of its journey.  After Colonnade Falls, the river slows and calms for four miles, flowing through a delightful meadow before taking a final descent down to the Fall River.

Features:

The best part of the Bechler River is the four mile stretch in the meadow.  This area contains numbers of 9-14 inch rainbows, with some in the 16-20 inch range.  Most of the trout in the Bechler are rainbows, but there are some cutthroats as well.  The river through the meadow is too deep to wade, as it contains many deep channels and pools. 

The fishing in this section is similar to a spring creek.  Long, thin tippets are needed, perfect presentations are required and you absolutely can not show your profile to the fish.  The trout are very wary and will spook if they see you. 

Seasonal Strategies:

The Bechler River fishes best in the late summer and early fall.  It is not required that you match the hatch exactly.  Attractors and grasshopper patterns work well if fished by undercut banks. 

The river is best fished in the morning and evening, and is better on days with cloudy overcast than sunshine.

Special Regulations:

Native fish are catch and release only. Check the fishing regulations for Yellowstone National Park for other information regarding the Bechler River.

Access:

A trail follows the Bechler River for its entire length.  There is a plethora of campgrounds along the way.

Special Cautions:

Bears are common in this area.  Travel in groups of three or more and observe all the usual precautions when traveling and camping in bear country.

Location:

The Fall River is formed leaving Beula Lake in the southwest corner of the park.  Fall River spends roughly 22 miles in Yellowstone National Park before it heads into Idaho to join the Henry’s Fork of the Snake. 

The Fall River is well named.  Waterfalls and drops abound on the Fall.  The topography alternates between deep canyons and more open, more heavily forested runs. 

Features:

With an average descent of 50 feet per mile, most of the Fall River is inclined sharply downhill.  Wading in the Fall is difficult.  The rocks are slick and the water is strong.  Be careful.  The upper river, above Cave Falls, holds mainly cutthroats and the lower river features rainbows. 

Most of the fish are between 9-15 inches with some larger fish approaching 20 inches.  The tributaries of the Fall River also feature some great fishing.  Fishing the Fall gives the angler a great chance to get some experience fishing pocket water. 

Seasonal Strategies:

The Fall River clears from spring runoff by late June in most years, but it can last longer.  The best time to fish the Fall is late summer and early fall.  Stoneflies and Golden Stones hatch just as the water is clearing.  Caddis are available all season long.  Baetis, PMDs, and Green Drakes offer good summer fishing. 

Various mayfly hatches and Tricos appear in the fall.  Terrestrials such as beetles, ants and hoppers are prevalent from July until October.

Special Regulations:

Cutthroat and cuttbows are catch and release only.  Check the Yellowstone fishing regulations for more information regarding the Fall River.  

Access:

Hiking is the best way to access the Fall River, and the abundance of trails and campgrounds makes this fun and easy.

Special Cautions:

This is prime Grizzly bear country.  Take the usual precautions when hiking and camping in bear country.