Recent heavy rains have impacted Park streams almost everywhere. We suggest waiting for flows to drop (Fall River flows out of the Park doubled because of recent rains and run-off) for best fishing. The PMD emergence on the Madison River has been put down because of the rains. With drier weather it will resume. The Firehole River is fair fishing with PMDs, BWOs and caddis emerging, but will improve.
Closed to fishing until the 2010 season.
Fishing season in the Park traditionally closes the first Sunday in November.
Brown trout migration is the big attraction here. Best places are Lewis River, Gibbon River, Duck Creek, Gardner River and the Snake River. Streamer flies are the fare, and do not over look outlets to both Lewis and Shoshone lakes. The way the weather is headed, just about any day should be good, but be prepared for winter driving and walking conditions.
Big attraction here are the brown trout runs. Hebgen ‘bows and browns are in the Madison River system. They are moving into the Lewis River between Lewis and Shoshone lakes as well as just below Lewis Lake. Soon they will be in the Gardner River and the Snake River. Break out your streamers! If that does not suit your fishing preferences, BWOs are active on the Firehole, Gibbon and Madison rivers.
Big action here are brown trout runs in the Lewis, Madison, Gibbon and lower Firehole (below the falls) rivers. Other than that, the BWOs are active on the Firehole, Madison, and Gibbon rivers. Be prepared for winter conditions throughout the Park. That means have proper clothing and driving habits.
Choice of best fishing now is pretty much down to either top water with BWOs at such as the Firehole, Gibbon and Madison River and the Lamar River drainage or streamer fishing for migrating browns or bows. For browns the current best waters are Madison, Lewis, and Snake rivers. The Gardner River will kick in later in the month. Want a still water break from this? About the middle of this month Trout Lake will kick in. The biggest cut-bow hybrids in Park waters reside here. Another is to wade Lewis Lake shoreline and pitch streamers while wearing well insulated waders.
Fires are limiting access and travel throughout, so check with Park managers before planning trips to any Yellowstone River drainage waters. Tricos reign supreme on all Fall River basin streams.
Get out to enjoy the last few weeks of fishing effective terrestrial patterns. That’s because by mid October killing frosts are sure to come and impact the terrestrial insect population. Then if you are a dry fly person, BWOs on such as the Firehole, Gibbon and Madison will be almost all that is left. After that streamers will be the way to go on just about all streams and on many lakes, especially those hosting brown trout.
A few Hebgen lake browns & bows are showing up in the Madison River inside the Park. Likewise, browns are beginning to move in the Lewis River system. Best place to find these are in the river between Lewis & Shoshone lakes and at the Lewis Lake outlet. Action on the Firehole River is picking up thanks to cooling waters and BWO and caddisflies. Terrestrrial patterns remain effective on all Fall River Basin streams and on those of the Lamar River drainage at the northeast corner of the Park. The Gallatin River remains a good choice for presenting classic attractor patterns. The fastest action in Park waters can still be found on Beula, Cascade and Riddle lakes. Use small leech and small beadhead nymph patterns for wet flies. Use midge and callibaetis patterns for dry fly action here.