Fly Fishing in Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone National Park conveys visions of big trout guzzling stoneflies and mayflies, pristine waters and unlimited vistas As much as I like fishing in Yellowstone, it is difficult to focus simply on fishing with all beautiful landscapes and wildlife at your fingertips

Yellowstone National Park conveys visions of big trout guzzling stoneflies and mayflies, pristine waters and unlimited vistas. As much as I like fishing in Yellowstone, it is difficult to focus simply on fishing with all beautiful landscapes and wildlife at your fingertips.

However, the Yellowstone River is a must for any full-fledged fly fisherman. It's a vast, swift river that has numerous Yellowstone cutthroats. These water loving creatures are not that difficult to catch, but because of the size and the extent of this body of water and the nature of the migration of fish, they are not at all times feeding in the exact spots. You can do well at a certain spot one day and entirely strike out on another even though you are in the same spot.

A Yellowstone cutthroat is a striking fish with its spot, not to mention its amber and orange slashes positioned at the gill plates. You may catch 16 "to 18" in the park and perhaps a bigger one.

Unfortunately, they are helpless against illegal stocking of trout at Lake Yellowstone. The trout get much bigger and prey upon the cutthroats. If you catch a trout, you are asked to keep it or puncture its air bladder and just allow it to sink into the lake.

No boats are allowed in Yellowstone River and any fishing is wade fishing. You can use a float tube or a boat on Yellowstone Lake.

The river Lamar is a good place, but the storms of may blow off fishing for a couple days. There are a few good tributaries that stream into the Lamar that are a good bet. Slough Creek and Soda Butte are both good bets. Though always pay attention to bears. Do not get close to a bear, or between a sow and her young. You should give every wildlife a wide berth. Most creatures have a comfort zone and provided you do not pass beyond said zone, then they will not, in any way, threaten you.

The Madison River is the favorite of several fly fishermen. Just within the west entrance is a series of well-known pools, which often produce good fish. Perhaps more brown trout can be caught, but rainbows are on the swim as well. In autumn, some large trout jet up the river coming from Hebgen Lake and you may even be surprised by a few real trophies.

The Firehole River offers a good climate for fishing, but because of hot springs that flows through the river, the temperature is too hot in summer.

Some small streams like Gibbon are ok, but in humid weather, some of these may be closed to prevent stressing the fish.

Part of the Gallatin is inside the park and offers very good fishing at some point in time. Water is not that deep, which may result to few catches because it is hard to obtain fish from shallow waters, but the reward is certainly worth the effort.

There are many lakes and streams that provide good fishing, but you'll have to check with the local fly shop or park service to update any information.

Yellowstone country is beautiful and is a fly fisherman, as well as a photographer's dream. If you have yet to see this, then you must include it in your to go list.

Alex is the owner of YellowstoneRes.com. On his site you can find information about Yellowstone national park, Map of Yellowstone national park etc.