Yellowstone Park 6-18-2011

Fishing conditions are way behind in the Park this year.  The cool, wet spring is the reason, and a lot of snow remains in the higher country.  Best fishing is on the Firehole  River (which is running high and tea colored) with PM BWO and PMD activity and AM PMD spinner falls.  Some big stoneflies are emerging in the Firehole canyon.  That means wind can blow these into the river above making for some unusual fishing.   Next comes the Madison River which offers fair streamer fishing for run-up ‘bows and resident browns and bows.  Duck Creek looks like a cranberry bog but  ‘bows and browns are hitting, especially anything that resembles a worm cluster.  Fall River Basin streams are at high tide and because of all the snow on plateaus above will remain so for weeks to come.  As of early this week Lewis Lake was 95% ice covered, and Shoshone Lake was totally covered. This is likely changed for the better by now, but snow remains big time around each lake.   Expect to walk through snow drift remnants and on muddy trails when going around each lake.  Heart Lake Basin opens July 1st.  Fishing there for some of the best cutthroats you will encounter anywhere should be terrific in the lake, Beaver and Witch creeks and the outlet.   Same deal, expect to walk through snow drift remnants and on muddy trails.  Pelican Creek is once again open to fishing with bear warnings and very few fish within.  Trout Lake is open, and the next few weeks will be the time to fish it with scud, damselfly nymph, snail, and midge pupa patterns.  When weather warms up we will have a flush of water in all streams from highest country.  When it subsides we will be in for a great season.  Keep in touch with us on the best time and locations to visit Park waters.