Hoppers are here anywhere on the river. Unless you fish late or early in the day swimming is more fun than fishing on the lower river. So head to the Last Chance-Harriman, Flat Ranch or Box Canyon sections for the best chance for action from terrestrial insect patterns. With the heat of day, consider wading wet in each of these sections.
We cannot promote these enough. Almost any small stream in the area will produce now until dropping to base level and cold weather arrives. In some of these, fish will move downstream where overhead cover ( Beaver, Jackknife, Robinson Creeks) may be more abundant. Others with a good inflow from springs, tributaries, or lakes (Bear, Bitch, Big Elk, Palisades Creeks, Warm River) fish will hold their location until cold weather arrives. On all these terrestrial insects, especially grass hopper patterns and caddis life cycle patterns will be effective for weeks to come unless a major mayfly emergence (western green drake, trico) happens. In these warm dog days wading wet on the Teton River from some of its access locations in the valley can be comfortable and rewarding (candidate fly: grasshopper patterns). The Rainey access is a good candidate for doing so. Get in touch with us for fishing condition details on any small stream.
Look for a bit of a mid-day fishing action slow down during this warm weather spell. Nevertheless terrestrial insect populations are growing because of the warm weather. So breakout those hopper patterns for use on just about any stream.
Flow out of Palisades Dam has dropped slightly, but not enough to impact fishing. Riffle fishing is not only productive but consistent up and down the river with PMDs & pink alberts emerging. look for terrestrial insect coming on with this warm weather.
Pauls Reservoir
Blanket statement: the current warm weather raises water temperatures and sends fish to deeper waters, cold flowing inlets, and spring holes everywhere.
Do you have a youngster or physically challenged person that wants to visit still water were fish are active and a minimum of physical effort is required to enjoy them in tranquility? Pauls Reservoir may answer to these questions. It is off the beaten path for sure: go north on I-15 to the Humphrey exit near the Montana border. From the exit follow old US Highway 91 to the Modoc Road. It goes underneath I-15 then about nine miles through dry country to the reservoir. With a bit of care even a sedan can pass along the road. Developed facilities are not present, nor is potable water or anyone selling food. Bring your own of these. Park at the dam and walk a few yards to begin fishing for small cutthrout trout that are usually eager to take small leech, speckled dun emerger or damselfly nymph patterns. If rises are frequent, switch to dry patterns that are in the size of the emerging duns. Light weight gear is best, waders are not needed because fish cruise the shoreline in front of weed beds. So with ability to cast about thirty feet, action is nearly guaranteed. A fifteen inch fish is a “bragging fish,” but who cares if the action is fast.
Flow out of Palisades Dam was dropped to 9800 cfs yesterday. (now 10800 cfs at Heise, 5050 cfs at Lorenzo). Expect warmer water temperatures.
Flow has been nearly constant for about a week and water is warming. This means PMD and pink albert hatches will soon be providing the best action especially at the heads and tails of riffles. Hoppers are beginning to be important on banks of the lower river.
Any where you try, fish deep or around springs or cool inflow from tributaries. That’s where the water is coolest and most comfortable for larger fish.
Flow out of Mackay Dam is up to around 450 cfs. This will make wading a challenge for now.
Without a doubt, Beula Lake currently offers the fastest fishing in the Park! Only Yellowstone cutthroat occupy the lake. You can enjoy this best by packing a flotation device the 2.5 miles into the lake then fish outside the lily pads and other vegetation. If you cannot pack such a device, hike over to the inlet at the southeast corner and fish out into the lake. Small leech, speckled dun, damsel fly, and cinnamon caddis life cycle patterns will provide action. On all Fall River Basin streams stealth is the word with waters nearing base levels but hopper populations building.
The Yellowstone River from the Lake down to the upper falls offers fishing for a few very large cutthroat. Streamer patterns fished in the deepest water is the best way to encounter these fish.
Northeast corner streams ( Lamar, Slough, Soda Butte) are in great shape with green drakes, PMDs, PM caddis and building terrestrial insects, but easy access places on each are crowded.