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Fishing Reports |
Yellowstone National Park Fishing Report
June 19, 2009
It’s incredibly refreshing to finally find ourselves under blue skies. While three weeks to the day of rain in the Greater Yellowstone Area has been exactly what the doctor ordered, I personally find myself quite ready for summer to finally begin. As we find ourselves nearing the end of June, the fishing in the park is really starting to pick up.
The Firehole, Madison, and Gibbon rivers (the holy trinity of early-season trout fishing in YNP) have all been fairly productive over the last several weeks. On the Firehole and the Madison there have been good numbers of Pale Morning Dun’s, Caddis, and even a few Baetis, with plenty of fish keyed on them. For matching the hatch on either of these two rivers, I would look at having a variety of PMD duns, cripples, emergers and spinners, as you never know which cycle the fish may key in on. For specific PMD patterns I would look at Challenged Emergers, Butthead Sparkle Duns, and Rusty Spinners all in a size 16 or 18. For Caddis try our new Corn-Fed Caddis, Stenerson’s CFO, or our proven Everything Emerger in 14s and 16s. One thing never to forget about on the Firehole is the traditional swung soft-hackle. This classic technique works as well today on the Firehole as it did during our grandparents’ time. Good wet fly patterns include Royal Coachman’s, Schmidt’s New Trick Soft Hackle, and Bloom’s Olive Soft Hackle. To properly fish a soft-hackled pattern, cast across and down-stream and let your fly swing across the run. You might be surprised to find how productive this technique can be. On the lower Gibbon River, I would use simple attractor dries and nymphs. Royal Wulffs, Parachute Adams, and Trudes tend to work quite well. For nymphs try your general Pheasant Tails, Princes, and Copper Johns.
As of June 15th,
Yellowstone Lake is now open, although the river itself between
Fishing Bridge and the
Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone does not open up until July 15th.
Picking flies for the lake is not too difficult; I would have a
variety of Mohair Leech Patterns in Blood, Olive and Black.
Traditional Woolly Buggers in Black and Olive should work well too.
I would look at using some kind of sinking line, be it an
intermediate, a Type III sink tip, or a full sinking line. As for
where to go, I suggest you concentrate your fishing around points;
Sand Point and Bluff Point are good places to start.
Now that the weather has finally broken, things are looking up for the fishing in our area. As warm temperatures continue to melt snow, run-off in the park should start to slow down. I think you’ll find that high water years, especially back to back, are incredibly beneficial to our river systems. This year should turn into a great one, so if you have never made it into the valley, I encourage you to do so, and if you are a thirty year local, get out and enjoy the weather, the water, and our wonderful fish. As always, for up to the minute information, questions, or concerns, feel free to give me a buzz here at the shop at (307)-733-7210, or stop by the shop here in Jackson.
Pat Brennan
High Country Flies
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