Yellowstone National Park Fishing Report - August 20, 2026

Name: Fishy Joe's Picks - Custom Fly Assortments
Brand: Big Sky Anglers
SKU: jjp-madison-12
Price: 42.0 USD
Availability: InStock

by Steve Hoovler

Yellowstone National Park Fishing Report - August 20, 2026

The return of cool, wet weather threw a curveball into Park fishing plans this week, with heavy rains bringing muddy water to the Lamar River and Soda Butte Creek. We’re back in a dry pattern through the middle of the upcoming weekend, and conditions are steadily improving in the Northeast Corner. Elsewhere in the Park, we’re enjoying some fun late-summer terrestrial fishing.

Wet weather may return next week, so keep a close eye on the forecast and don’t hesitate to check in with us here at the shop for the latest updates on water conditions and fishing.

HERE'S THIS WEEK'S STANDOUTS.

SLOUGH CREEK

If you enjoy sight fishing for large, spooky Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout, this is a great time to explore the slow, meandering meadow water of Slough Creek. Stock up on flying ants, and be sure to have a few small (size #20) pale yellow mayflies like a Sparkle Dun or Flag Dun on hand.

This Northeast Corner Cutthroat factory is far more resilient to heavy rain than its neighbors to the east, Soda Butte Creek and the Lamar River, making Slough a more reliable bet for good water conditions during periods of afternoon thunderstorms.

GALLATIN RIVER (in YNP)

Stormy afternoons have put a damper on the terrestrial fishing on the Gallatin in the Park this week, but cool, wet conditions prompted hatches of Pale Morning Duns and Baetis mayflies. We even saw a few of the last Drunella Coloradensis ("small western green drake") of the season.

With the return of warm, dry weather, you can expect the Gallatin shine once again with terrestrials like hoppers and flying ants, and continue to be a solid dry-dropper bet.

GARDNER RIVER

Hopper fishing and dry-dropper fishing on the Gardner River above the Boiling River has been fun recently. Be prepared to cover some ground rock hopping, and fish pocket water. Wading can be challenging in places due to the rocky terrain, but if you are up for some adventure, the Browns, Cutts, Rainbows, Cutt-Bows, and occasional Brookies are well worth the effort.

SODA BUTTE CREEK

Along with the Lamar River, Soda Butte Creek blew out this week after thunderstorms with heavy rains returned to the Northeast corner. Conditions improved more quickly on this smaller tributary to the Lamar and are now fishable.

Terrestrials like small hoppers, beetles, crickets, and flying ants, as well as Pale Morning Duns (size #16-18) and Flavs (size #14) remain the ticket on Soda Butte.

LAMAR RIVER

The Lamar remains a bit high and off-color at the time of this writing, but may come into shape by the weekend. Keep an eye on the Lamar River USGS gauge, or get in touch with us here at the shop for current conditions.

As always, check in with the shop for the latest conditions, fly recommendations, and river updates. We’re here to help you stay dialed in for your next adventure!

Discovering

Yellowstone

BSA co-owners, Steve Hoovler and Joe Moore are proud to be a part of a recent film project with Outside Magazine and Yellowstone Bourbon showcasing conservation efforts in Yellowstone. The folks at Yellowstone Bourbon are wonderful supporters of our first national park, and know a thing or two about making a fine spirit too. Check out the video series below .

Watch the video Series

Staff Picks - YNP Collection

Scientific Anglers Absolute Trout Tippet

from $8.95

High N Dry Liquid Floatant

$13.99

High N Dry Powdered Desiccant & Floatant

$11.99

Fishpond Headgate Tippet Holder

$22.95

BSA Jojo's Salmonfly

$3.50

Fishpond San Juan Vertical Chest Pack

$49.95

Patagonia Forra Wading Boots

from $299.00

Fishpond Thunderhead Bear Spray Holder

$29.95

BSA Copenhaver Spinner - Rusty

$3.50

BSA Jojo's PMD

$3.50

View all

View all
63 products

Fishy Joe's Picks - Custom Fly Assortments

$42.00

Location

Madison River

Henry’s Fork

Yellowstone Park

Hebgen Lake

Quantity

12 Pack

24 Pack

36 Pack

Fishing Date: Select the date when you'll be fishing and we'll customize the assortment to match the expected conditions. If no date is selected, we'll give you our overall favorites.

PUT FISHY JOE'S DECADES OF EXPERIENCE AND THOUGHTFUL APPROACH TO FLY SELECTION TO WORK FOR YOU!

Joe Moore has spent his career fooling fish throughout Big Sky Country, and whether it's one of his own innovative patterns, or another guide approved fly, Fishy Joe's Picks should be the first flies you tie on. There's a reason he's called Fishy Joe after all!

"There's nothing better than having one of our sport's most respected guides and outfitters hand-pick your flies."

These fly assortments are hand-picked by Fishy Joe himself, and come in a water-proof, micro-slit foam fly box (pictured). Please select the river of choice, the quantity of flies you would like, and the time period you are interested in. Joe will be sure to get you the goods!

[{"id":46654592155931,"title":"Madison River \/ 12 Pack","option1":"Madison River","option2":"12 Pack","option3":null,"sku":"jjp-madison-12","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":true,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"Fishy Joe's Picks - Custom Fly Assortments - Madison River \/ 12 Pack","public_title":"Madison River \/ 12 Pack","options":["Madison River","12 Pack"],"price":4200,"weight":0,"compare_at_price":4200,"inventory_management":null,"barcode":"92155931","requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[],"quantity_rule":{"min":1,"max":null,"increment":1}},{"id":46654592254235,"title":"Madison River \/ 24 Pack","option1":"Madison River","option2":"24 Pack","option3":null,"sku":"jjp-madison-24","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":true,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"Fishy Joe's Picks - Custom Fly Assortments - Madison River \/ 24 Pack","public_title":"Madison River \/ 24 Pack","options":["Madison River","24 Pack"],"price":8400,"weight":0,"compare_at_price":8400,"inventory_management":null,"barcode":"92254235","requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[],"quantity_rule":{"min":1,"max":null,"increment":1}},{"id":46654592287003,"title":"Madison River \/ 36 Pack","option1":"Madison River","option2":"36 Pack","option3":null,"sku":"jjp-madison-36","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":true,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"Fishy Joe's Picks - Custom Fly Assortments - Madison River \/ 36 Pack","public_title":"Madison River \/ 36 Pack","options":["Madison River","36 Pack"],"price":12600,"weight":0,"compare_at_price":12600,"inventory_management":null,"barcode":"92287003","requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[],"quantity_rule":{"min":1,"max":null,"increment":1}},{"id":46654592319771,"title":"Henry’s Fork \/ 12 Pack","option1":"Henry’s Fork","option2":"12 Pack","option3":null,"sku":"jjp-henrysfork-12","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":true,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"Fishy Joe's Picks - Custom Fly Assortments - Henry’s Fork \/ 12 Pack","public_title":"Henry’s Fork \/ 12 Pack","options":["Henry’s Fork","12 Pack"],"price":4200,"weight":0,"compare_at_price":4200,"inventory_management":null,"barcode":"92319771","requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[],"quantity_rule":{"min":1,"max":null,"increment":1}},{"id":46654592352539,"title":"Henry’s Fork \/ 24 Pack","option1":"Henry’s Fork","option2":"24 Pack","option3":null,"sku":"jjp-henrysfork-24","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":true,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"Fishy Joe's Picks - Custom Fly Assortments - Henry’s Fork \/ 24 Pack","public_title":"Henry’s Fork \/ 24 Pack","options":["Henry’s Fork","24 Pack"],"price":8400,"weight":0,"compare_at_price":8400,"inventory_management":null,"barcode":"92352539","requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[],"quantity_rule":{"min":1,"max":null,"increment":1}},{"id":46654592385307,"title":"Henry’s Fork \/ 36 Pack","option1":"Henry’s Fork","option2":"36 Pack","option3":null,"sku":"jjp-henrysfork-36","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":true,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"Fishy Joe's Picks - Custom Fly Assortments - Henry’s Fork \/ 36 Pack","public_title":"Henry’s Fork \/ 36 Pack","options":["Henry’s Fork","36 Pack"],"price":12600,"weight":0,"compare_at_price":12600,"inventory_management":null,"barcode":"92385307","requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[],"quantity_rule":{"min":1,"max":null,"increment":1}},{"id":46654592418075,"title":"Yellowstone Park \/ 12 Pack","option1":"Yellowstone Park","option2":"12 Pack","option3":null,"sku":"jjp-yellowstonepark-12","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":true,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"Fishy Joe's Picks - Custom Fly Assortments - Yellowstone Park \/ 12 Pack","public_title":"Yellowstone Park \/ 12 Pack","options":["Yellowstone Park","12 Pack"],"price":4200,"weight":0,"compare_at_price":4200,"inventory_management":null,"barcode":"92418075","requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[],"quantity_rule":{"min":1,"max":null,"increment":1}},{"id":46654592450843,"title":"Yellowstone Park \/ 24 Pack","option1":"Yellowstone Park","option2":"24 Pack","option3":null,"sku":"jjp-yellowstonepark-24","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":true,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"Fishy Joe's Picks - Custom Fly Assortments - Yellowstone Park \/ 24 Pack","public_title":"Yellowstone Park \/ 24 Pack","options":["Yellowstone Park","24 Pack"],"price":8400,"weight":0,"compare_at_price":8400,"inventory_management":null,"barcode":"92450843","requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[],"quantity_rule":{"min":1,"max":null,"increment":1}},{"id":46654592483611,"title":"Yellowstone Park \/ 36 Pack","option1":"Yellowstone Park","option2":"36 Pack","option3":null,"sku":"jjp-yellowstonepark-36","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":true,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"Fishy Joe's Picks - Custom Fly Assortments - Yellowstone Park \/ 36 Pack","public_title":"Yellowstone Park \/ 36 Pack","options":["Yellowstone Park","36 Pack"],"price":12600,"weight":0,"compare_at_price":12600,"inventory_management":null,"barcode":"92483611","requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[],"quantity_rule":{"min":1,"max":null,"increment":1}},{"id":46654592516379,"title":"Hebgen Lake \/ 12 Pack","option1":"Hebgen Lake","option2":"12 Pack","option3":null,"sku":"jjp-hebgenlake-12","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":true,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"Fishy Joe's Picks - Custom Fly Assortments - Hebgen Lake \/ 12 Pack","public_title":"Hebgen Lake \/ 12 Pack","options":["Hebgen Lake","12 Pack"],"price":4200,"weight":0,"compare_at_price":4200,"inventory_management":null,"barcode":"92516379","requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[],"quantity_rule":{"min":1,"max":null,"increment":1}},{"id":46654592549147,"title":"Hebgen Lake \/ 24 Pack","option1":"Hebgen Lake","option2":"24 Pack","option3":null,"sku":"jjp-hebgenlake-24","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":true,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"Fishy Joe's Picks - Custom Fly Assortments - Hebgen Lake \/ 24 Pack","public_title":"Hebgen Lake \/ 24 Pack","options":["Hebgen Lake","24 Pack"],"price":8400,"weight":0,"compare_at_price":8400,"inventory_management":null,"barcode":"92549147","requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[],"quantity_rule":{"min":1,"max":null,"increment":1}},{"id":46654592581915,"title":"Hebgen Lake \/ 36 Pack","option1":"Hebgen Lake","option2":"36 Pack","option3":null,"sku":"jjp-hebgenlake-36","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":true,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"Fishy Joe's Picks - Custom Fly Assortments - Hebgen Lake \/ 36 Pack","public_title":"Hebgen Lake \/ 36 Pack","options":["Hebgen Lake","36 Pack"],"price":12600,"weight":0,"compare_at_price":12600,"inventory_management":null,"barcode":"92581915","requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[],"quantity_rule":{"min":1,"max":null,"increment":1}}]

legendary

Yellowstone

An angler could spend a lifetime of summers exploring and mastering the roadside waters of Yellowstone Park alone. Rivers like the Madison, Gallatin, Gibbon, Firehole, Lamar, and Yellowstone all have relatively easy access. And that is just a small fraction of the over 200 fishable streams and 45 fishable lakes in the Park.

Explore Yellowstone