Yellowstone Park, October 10th, 2023

Park brown trout runs are in progress with respect to numbers, and the same goes for rainbow trout moving out of Hebgen Reservoir going upstream in the Madison River . Currently the major runs are in the Madison and Lewis Rivers with the run into the Snake River near the south entrance and the Gardner River runs following.

Lewis River channel on a blue bird October day

That blue bird day can change instantly! So be weather-wise.

The most numerous of these events, and least attended by fly fishers and anglers, is the Lewis River run between Lewis and Shoshone Lakes, and the best way to enjoy it is to camp at the outlet campground on Shoshone Lake in order to fish the river in the early AM before anglers crossing Lewis Lake arrive. If choosing to do so, be sure to determine the weather during camping,as this time of year can bring significant changes (see above photos).

If chasing brown trout is not your fly fishing preference, the Firehole River retains its excellent top water and near top water fly fishing situations. BWO, midge and white miller activities are the reasons.