Yellowstone's high-country, cold-water fisheries offer some great options during periods of warm weather like we're seeing this week. Just like the mercury, park traffic is at its peak right now, so plan a little extra drive time, pack a little extra patience, and try to muster up some extra fascination in Bison, especially if your fishing journey takes you through the Lamar or Hayden Valleys where the bison rut is now underway. 

HERE'S THIS WEEK'S STANDOUTS. 

YELLOWSTONE RIVER

The "Big River" in the park has been a consistent, albeit challenging, producer of good dry fly fishing. In the Caldera Stretch (between Chittenden Bridge and the Lake) Pale Morning Duns, Caddis, Green Drakes, Gray Drakes, and Golden Stones are all in the drift throughout the day. Localized populations of drakes and their corresponding spinner falls have driven the most consistent dry fly action. 

It's important to note that the Green Drake most prevalent right now on the Yellowstone is Drunella Coloradensis, the slightly smaller, less-common cousin to the Drunella Grandis. These slate-olive mayflies will trickle off in sparse emergences throughout the day, and their spinners will concentrate over riffles, along with Gray Drake Spinners. Emergences of these drakes are not concentrated, but the spinners are widespread and numerous in the drift. A slim-body, olive spinner in a size 12 is an important pattern to have these days. 

The canyon stretches of the Yellowstone below the falls have experienced some off-color water conditions due to recent afternoon thunderstorms. The new bridge outside Roosevelt junction is a good place to judge water clarity for the Grand Canyon around Tower, and keep in mind, if the Lamar is off-color, the Black Canyon of Yellowstone will likely be as well. 

GALLATIN RIVER

Still one of the best options for warm-weather dry fly fishing, the Gallatin's icy-cold waters continue to produce hatches of PMDs, caddis, and the last of the Green Drakes and Flavs.

Recent afternoon thunderstorms have muddied the river below the park, and we even saw the unusual sight of the park stretch below Fan Creek briefly blowing out this week. Fortunately, conditions rebounded quickly.

Another night of thunderstorms and heavy rain brought a bit more color to the park stretch this morning (Thursday 7/23), but we expect that to clear quickly as well. 

SLOUGH CREEK

Slough Creek continues to be the Northeast Corner's most consistent bet, offering reliable water conditions, dependable hatches, and rising Yellowstone cutthroat. Mornings remain your best opportunity to find steady surface activity, with PMDs, caddis, and Rusty Spinners leading the hatch rotation.

As the afternoon breeze picks up, shift your attention to pieces of fallen bank and hunt for sneaky risers tucked into the calm slicks along the edge. Prospecting the deeper runs and pools with terrestrials like hoppers, beetles, and ants is also becoming productive as midsummer settles in.

SODA BUTTE CREEK

Soda Butte has been another great dry fly option in the Northeast Corner, though water conditions have been hit or miss with passing thunderstorms. PMDs and Caddis have been the ticket for rising Cutthroat, and small terrestrials like hoppers and ants are worth keeping on hand.

Keep a close eye on the forecast and pay close attention to the radar. Any thunderstorms passing over the Northeast Corner will likely bring some color to the water on Soda Butte and the Lamar. For the most up to date intel, give us a call (406-646-7801) or stop by the shop.

LAMAR RIVER

This week's thunderstorms temporarily muddied the Lamar, and while flows have returned to normal, water clarity is still lagging behind. Give this Cutthroat Corner gem a few more days to recover before making the trip. As always, we'll have the latest conditions here at the shop.

Warm Weather Brings Fishing Closures on Select Rivers in the Park

Well folks, we saw this one coming. Warm conditions have prompted the National Park Service to implement temporary full closures to fishing on the Firehole and Madison rivers and their tributaries. The Gibbon River and all associated tributaries downstream of Norris Campground are also temporarily closed to fishing.

At the moment, these are the only waters in the Park under restriction, but that could change quickly. Stay tuned for updates from the Park Service HERE.

Fish More, Stress Less- Tips for Summertime Visits to Yellowstone

We're in the throws of peak tourist season in Yellowstone. Millions of visitors flock to the world’s first National Park every summer, and crowded roadways are to be expected. If you’re planning to head in for a day of fishing, we have a few tips to make your visit as enjoyable as possible.

START EARLY.

We can’t stress enough the value of an early start to your fishing day in the park even if the Hatch are hoping to find won’t begin until 10 or 11 AM it’s worth getting through the gate in West Yellowstone before 7 AM.

GIVE YOURSELF PLENTY OF TIME, AND BE PATIENT.

Traveling through Yellowstone during peak tourist season can be a slow affair. Be sure to give yourself some extra time to reach your destination so you’re not sitting in a Bison jam while the hatch of the century is rolling off your favorite fishery.

STAY LATE.

Whenever possible, plan to spend the whole day in the park. Pack a bunch of food, some chairs, and your favorite beverages. There are tons of great picnic areas and vistas to enjoy a picnic dinner while you wait for the evening rush of traffic to leave the park. Evening fishing is also pretty good on most of our favorite fisheries.

BE A TOURIST.

Even if you have been in the park a million times, and you’re just on a mission to fish your favorite hatch on your preferred water, take some time to look around. Check out the visitors centers. Grab an ice cream cone. Go gawk at the Upper Falls. There’s a good reason millions of people come back to Yellowstone year after year.

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!