Downright hot weather is in the forecast for the upcoming week making it a great time to head into the higher elevation fisheries in YNP where dry fly season is in full swing.

The northeast corner cutthroat triumvirate of Slough Cr, the Lamar River, and Soda Butte Creek will be a great place to hang this week. Green Drakes, PMD’s, and caddis can be found hatching on all three fisheries with prime time lasting from late morning to early afternoon. Find a shady spot to take a siesta, or head to Roosevelt to sit on the porch and rock through an ice cream cone during the heat of the day. Then, expect to see some more good fishing in the evening with caddis and rusty spinners through dark.

The caldera stretch of the Yellowstone river between Chittenden Bridge and the fishing limit below Fishing Bridge is an excellent option on these hot days. Flows continue to fall here every day opening up more and more accessible territory. Imitations of Golden Stones, Green Drakes, PMD’s, caddis, and Gray Drakes should all be Iined up like little soldiers in your box for the Yellowstone.

Warm, calm mornings are a great time to look for callibaetis spinner falls on Yellowstone lake, and the next few look ideal. You’ll find lots of good access along the shoreline south of Lake Village, especially along Gull and Pumice Points. Large Yellowstone Cutts will cruise close to shore rising to the spent callibaetis spinners in the mornings until the wind picks up, at which time it’s worth heading down to the river.

The Gallatin River in YNP is perhaps the coldest fishery in all of Big Sky Country, and should really fish well this upcoming week during the heat wave. Warmer temps will kick start the dry fly fishing earlier in the day than we typically see on this chilly river. You can expect to find fish rising or looking for caddis, PMD’s, Golden Stones, and Green Drakes as early as 10am. This will be a great week to explore some of the Gallatin’s trips which hold some interesting fish this early in the season.

As always, be prepared with some bear spray when fishing and exploring off the beaten path in 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.

1. 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.