View Full Version : Anyone else going to Yellowstone this summer?
Chester Allen
06-12-2009, 01:49 PM
I'm in the midst of planning my yearly trip to Yellowstone National Park -- and surrounding waters. I'm going on the second week of August, and I may be there for a week -- or two. I, like many others, have to take an unpaid leave of one week this summer, and I might just let that flow into the end of my vacation week and spend two weeks in Yellowstone country.
Seriously, it might be easier to slowly go broke in Yellowstone than stay home. It would certainly be more fun.
I like Yellowstone in mid-August, as the terrestrial fishing is often great, the Henry's Fork can rock on PMDs and caddis and the gulper lake fishing is hopping.
Anyone else planning a trip for this summer?
grsteelies
06-12-2009, 01:54 PM
Don't forget to make the walk up to meadow 3 on Slough Crk. Wish I was going back this year, but saving gas and spending a week on the St. Joe. Have fun!
gthfish
06-14-2009, 01:27 PM
Don't forget the park areas lesser known streams--sometimes a short walk will get you into incredible fishing. Grayling creek, soda butte, Gardner, Blacktail deer creek, Lava creek, duck creek, --even the out of the way Yellowstone river areas like black canyon, grand canyon , , or different stretches of the Henrys fork, Bechler river, etc. Two weeks isn't enough!
Surfnsully
06-14-2009, 06:26 PM
Me and two friends are heading up there in late July. We hope to hit the Madison, Yellowstone, and perhaps the Gallatin. We are looking for a nice place to stay while there if anyone has suggestions for the area.
We're heading up in mid-to-late July for a week. More sightseeing than anything, but we'll wet-a-hook while we're there, that's for sure. It's been 40 years since I was last there, so I appreciate the posts with suggestions on where to look.
Are you guys using fairly light rigs up there? I'm just getting into fly fishing, so the only right I've got right now is a 4/5 wt 7.5'. Is that enough pole or should I be planning on something bigger for the Park?
Also, what flys work well?
Mitch Callas
06-20-2009, 07:14 PM
We're heading up in mid-to-late July for a week. More sightseeing than anything, but we'll wet-a-hook while we're there, that's for sure. It's been 40 years since I was last there, so I appreciate the posts with suggestions on where to look.
Are you guys using fairly light rigs up there? I'm just getting into fly fishing, so the only right I've got right now is a 4/5 wt 7.5'. Is that enough pole or should I be planning on something bigger for the Park?
Also, what flys work well?
I'm no expert but that setup should be fine. Most guys in July and August throw a hopper, and drop a small nymph of your choice off the hopper. Fish will either eat the hopper or the nymph and you will catch fish! Have fun!
Mitch
gthfish
06-23-2009, 05:41 PM
That rod should do on most of the rivers, although windy (usually!) days on the bigger rivers might be a challenge.Remember--most people fish when in the park and most of them don't walk out of sight of their car!
nailyard
06-24-2009, 08:56 AM
Just got back from the Firehole in Yellowstone. Fantastic trip with bugs and fish everywhere.
http://www.ifish.net/gallery/data/500/medium/IMG_0870.JPG
http://www.ifish.net/gallery/data/500/medium/IMG_0879.JPG
http://www.ifish.net/gallery/data/500/medium/S5032549.JPG
Im going to the Tetons and Yellowstone this august. I am hoping to learn how to flyfish before going.
I seem to be having a hard time finding a decent entry level flyrod/reel combo that isnt going to make me need to take out a signature loan to pay for it (overexageration but you know what I mean - the stuff isnt cheap)
Ill at least post pics when I go.
Trout
06-24-2009, 10:24 PM
Im going to the Tetons and Yellowstone this august. I am hoping to learn how to flyfish before going.
I seem to be having a hard time finding a decent entry level flyrod/reel combo that isnt going to make me need to take out a signature loan to pay for it (overexageration but you know what I mean - the stuff isnt cheap)
Ill at least post pics when I go.
Since you'll be a newbie to fly fishing, you might want to check out some of the smaller streams in Yellowstone. You can have a lot of fun catching brookies in Obsidian creek or hitting some of the upper gibbon river meadows. Diving right into the Firehole or Madison can get frustrating in a hurry. Just an opinion - there is A LOT of water to fish in the park.
Im going to the Tetons and Yellowstone this august. I am hoping to learn how to flyfish before going.
I seem to be having a hard time finding a decent entry level flyrod/reel combo that isnt going to make me need to take out a signature loan to pay for it (overexageration but you know what I mean - the stuff isnt cheap)
I was/am in the same boat. I took a casting class from Kevin at River City Fly Shop and he got me going pretty quickly. Don, at River City, set me up with a combo that seems to fit me pretty well; a little 7.5' 4/5wt. He showed me a beautiful $600 rod/reel combo but said it was way more than I needed for my skill level right now. Kevin checked out the rig River City put together for me and thought it was pretty darn good. It cost just under $100. RC didn't try to up-sell me, even though I could afford anything in his shop and he would have made more money. It was nice to deal with someone of that integrity. I'll definitely be back there when I'm ready to upgrade my rig to the next level.
MsOutdrs
06-25-2009, 06:20 AM
I was/am in the same boat. I took a casting class from Kevin at River City Fly Shop and he got me going pretty quickly. Don, at River City, set me up with a combo that seems to fit me pretty well; a little 7.5' 4/5wt. He showed me a beautiful $600 rod/reel combo but said it was way more than I needed for my skill level right now. Kevin checked out the rig River City put together for me and thought it was pretty darn good. It cost just under $100. RC didn't try to up-sell me, even though I could afford anything in his shop and he would have made more money. It was nice to deal with someone of that integrity. I'll definitely be back there when I'm ready to upgrade my rig to the next level.
Don is one of the most decent and honest shop owners around. Old-fashioned ethics.
Wheres this shop at?
I dont live up there, but my pappy lives up there. I can send him down there. Hes wanting to get a flyrod too, cause hes going with me to yellowstone/tetons area this august.
100 bux for a good combo from a good guy is totally worth it. Id rather give my money to someone up in the PacNW than to a huge chain like Cabelas or whatever.
nailyard
06-25-2009, 11:10 AM
I'm going to respectively disagree with trout. I have not thrown a fly in over 20 years. All of my fly fishing experience came from roll casting and dabbling in the coastal Oregon streams. Them most that I used to be able to catch with a full back cast was an alder or spruce. The least I caught was my own ear and in those days it was all barbed hooks.
I found the upper reaches of the Firehole to be fantastic for a novice fisherman. Easy wading, ~25 fish per day and absolutely beautiful. You have to be careful in any river while wading/fishing. But the Firehole couldn't have been any better for the novices of our group.
http://www.ifish.net/gallery/data/500/medium/Copy_of_S5032536.JPG (http://www.ifish.net/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/102418)
http://www.ifish.net/gallery/data/500/medium/IMG_09641.JPG
gthfish
06-25-2009, 11:41 AM
The Firehole can be great,but by Aug, the river temp climbs, ane lots of the fish retreat to the tribs without thermal features--its' a slog,but I liketofish the Little Firehole, Iron Springs Creek, or the Gibbon above the Falls(or just below for a chance at a Grayling!)
Trout
06-25-2009, 03:34 PM
The Firehole can be great,but by Aug, the river temp climbs, ane lots of the fish retreat to the tribs without thermal features--its' a slog,but I liketofish the Little Firehole, Iron Springs Creek, or the Gibbon above the Falls(or just below for a chance at a Grayling!)
Yeah,
Late summer is not the world's best time for the firehole. But there are tons of other places that are a lot of fun.
Wheres this shop at?
I dont live up there, but my pappy lives up there. I can send him down there. Hes wanting to get a flyrod too, cause hes going with me to yellowstone/tetons area this august.
100 bux for a good combo from a good guy is totally worth it. Id rather give my money to someone up in the PacNW than to a huge chain like Cabelas or whatever.
River City Fly Shop is on Scholls Ferry Road, a little less than a mile west of Hwy 217.
Google them and they're the first hit.
Can some of you guys recommend some common fly patterns that might be successful up there? Im really a noob to this, and Im looking at getting my first fly rig. Im looking to get a reel that I can get an extra spool for, I want a floating line, and a sinking line, etc, but I know where I live in Utah, the hatches will be a bit different, so any of you guys who have been up there, in the later end of August, can you please recommend what I might want to have on me?
Trout
06-29-2009, 03:08 PM
Can some of you guys recommend some common fly patterns that might be successful up there? Im really a noob to this, and Im looking at getting my first fly rig. Im looking to get a reel that I can get an extra spool for, I want a floating line, and a sinking line, etc, but I know where I live in Utah, the hatches will be a bit different, so any of you guys who have been up there, in the later end of August, can you please recommend what I might want to have on me?
Luni, I would definitely have some rubber-legged hoppers (like a Chernobyl hopper) for Yellowstone that time of year. Last year when I was in the park in early Septmeber that was my go to fly.
For dry flies I would bring elk hair caddis in various sizes (#10-#16), royal wulffs/trudes, ants, parachute adams, etc. Bring the standard assortment of nymphs: pheasant tails, hare's ear, prince nymphs ... And bring some wooly buggers and maribou muddlers too. Check in with Jacklin's fly shop in West Yellowstone if you get a chance- they are pretty good guys.
Thanks for all the help so far guys.
I think I have my rig picked out, but Im always looking for a better deal. And I need to send my pops down to that shop recommended above.