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While a Wyoming fishing license in not required in
Yellowstone, a Yellowstone fishing permit is. 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 water.
Lewis Lake
This outstanding lake is still fishing well, and if you hit it right
you can fish dry flies all day long.
The predominant hatch is a size 14 Mahogany Dun which usually begins
to appear in late morning and lasts throughout the afternoon. Good sized
brown trout are cruising the sandy flats and weed beds in search of
these mayflies. Good patterns include Parachute Hare's Ear, Parachute
Pheasant Tails, and Thorax Mahogany Duns, all in size 14, though you can
often get away with fishing a size 12.
The technique of choice is to simply lead the cruisers with moderate
length casts and wait for the takes, which are occasionally explosive.
If there is no hatch, strip small black leeches and/or nymphs in the
same areas that the hatches have been occurring.
Yellowstone Lake
Fishing very well as usual. Try Woolly Buggers and Flash-a-Buggers in
darker colors (black, olive, brown). Beadhead Peacock Woolly
Buggers are particularly deadly. Leech patterns will also work well. Floating lines are OK, though full sink lines
can sometimes be more effective. Remember, you are not allowed to use
lead shot on your leader in Yellowstone.
Strip in your fly with a medium speed erratic retrieve with frequent
pauses. Yellowstone Cutthroats will often hit the fly as it drops,
sometimes hard and sometimes softly. Keeping the line tight during
pauses will help you detect the softer strikes that other anglers miss.
Please keep in mind...all cutthroats caught anywhere in Yellowstone
National Park must be released unharmed and all Lake Trout caught in
Yellowstone Lake must be killed.
Firehole River
Fishing on the Firehole is pretty much over until fall, probably
sometime in September. The water is too warm and the trout have left the
river for the cooler temperatures of the tributaries. Don't waste your
time here.
Yellowstone River (above Yellowstone Falls)
Opens July 15. Expect good fishing with hatches of orange and olive
caddis in size 14 and grey caddis in size 12. Also expect large crowds
at this time.
To get away from the masses at Buffalo Ford, try hiking downstream
from Fishing Bridge until you reach the open area (fishing is prohibited
in the Fishing Bridge area).
Also expect excellent nymphing below LeHardy Rapids with Beadhead
Prince Nymphs, Pheasant Tails and the like.
Gibbon River
Fishing well above and below Gibbon Falls. Use small attractors (size
14 is a good choice) like Stimulators, Humpies and Wulffs.
Lamar River & Slough Creek
Also fishing well. Hoppers are just getting under way. Try Parachute
Hoppers, Tarantulas, and Jay-Dave's Hopper. Power Ants have also been
effective.
PMD's and caddis are hatching as well.
Yellowstone
Fishing Report Archives
Guy Turck
Head Guide -- High Country Flies
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