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Yellowstone National Park Fishing Report

June 29, 2000

While a Wyoming fishing license in not valid in Yellowstone, a Yellowstone fishing permit is required. They can usually be obtained at entrance stations, Old Faithful, Grant Village and other locations throughout the park. Prices are $10 for ten days or $20 for the full season.

Remember to check the Yellowstone fishing regulations regarding permits, permanently closed areas, and special fishing regulations before venturing out to the stream.

Lewis Lake

Lewis Lake is still fishing very well on dry flies but it is hard to say how long this will last. Size 12 Mahogany Spinners with upright wings (not spent spinners) are on the water in good numbers and the brown trout are all over them. Aggressive feeding behavior has been observed from late morning throughout the afternoon.

Size 12 Parachute Hare's Ears have been very effective. Any pattern imitating the Mahogany Spinners should prove effective.

Yellowstone Lake

Yellowstone Lake is fishing very well as it always does following it's June 1 opening. A slow to medium strip retrieve of Woolly Buggers and Mini Leeches in brown and dark red colors (sizes 12, 10 and 8) is as effective a technique as any. Be ready, because Yellowstone Cutthroats will often hit the fly as it sinks.

Sinking lines can be helpful, especially considering the fact that lead shot is not allowed on a leader (or even in possession)  anywhere in Yellowstone.

Boats or float tubes are helpful, but not necessary as trout will cruise the shoreline and can be caught in places where there is room for a good backcast. Many such locations exist, such as Sand Point near Bridge Bay Marina and Pumice Point between Grant Village and Bridge Bay. These fish are never very deep either, preferring to stay in 15 feet or less of water.

Firehole River

Because the Firehole River is primarily geyser fed the water temperatures get too high in the middle of the summer for the trout and we are approaching that time of year. A good cloudy day could still bring out the hatches and bring up the fish. Try Pale Morning Duns in sizes 16 and 18 along with a size 16 Charcoal Caddis. Be sure to have a good selection of emergers and adults to match these hatches as the fishing can be quite technical. Fine tippets and good presentation are the order of the day when the trout are feeding on the surface.

Royal Coachman and Partridge and Peacock wet flies can be very effective when there is no hatch. Swinging soft hackles (wet flies) has been particularly effective.

Other effective patterns include Light Spruce Matuka, Copper John's, Royal Coachman Wet, Parachute Caddis, and the Glassy Caddis Pupa.

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Yellowstone River

Closed to fishing until July 15.

Yellowstone Fishing Report Archives

Guy Turck
Head Guide -- High Country Flies