Yellowstone Park 7-10-09

Except for some streams in the northeast corner, waters have really shaped up. The Firehole is beginning to warm up, so the days of action there are numbered.  Elsewhere, the Gallatin River in the Park is clearing, and golden stones are making an appearance.  Caddisflies are always there.  Don’t forget dry attractor patterns if you try it.  Fall River Basin streams are a bit high, but clear. They have dropped very quickly, so fishing while good will improve with time.   Major mayfly emergences there are getting started including brown and green drakes and PMDs. The gray drake emergence is about done there.  Beula Lake offers the fastest fishing in the basin and perhaps in the entire Park.  Riddle Lake would also be a good choice with fishing off the northwest shore being a good option.  All you need is waders to get out a bit with a floating or intermediate line and dry damsel patterns or small leech patterns.  Action can still be had around submerged Shoshone Lake and Lewis Lake weed beds.  All you need is a float tube, full sink line and small scud and leach patterns.  If you don’t have insulated waders you will not last long out on those lakes.