Yellowstone Park
YELLOWSTONE PARK
ReportThe Firehole River still offers good early-in-the-day dry fly fishing with trico, BWO, midge life cycle, and soft hackle patterns producing action. Caddis hatches bring trout up during afternoons.
The brown trout runs in the Lewis and Madison Rivers are going strong enough to be the major fly fishing attraction in park waters. Runs in the Gardner and Snake Rivers are beginning. Try the Gardner River just below Mammoth. Try the Snake River at the park's south entrance to the Lewis River confluence.
Fall weather, such as that predicted for the next several days, can make these runs difficult to enjoy. Under such conditions there will be less crowding with trophy brown trout enthusiasts. Streamer, large soft hackle, and woolly bugger patterns fished deep are needed to interest these fish in each river.
Weather conditions are now a major consideration when visiting park waters. Keep track of these through the park website.
| Insect | Size | Activity | Prime Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trico | #20–22 | Moderate | Early morning, Firehole River |
| Blue-Winged Olive (BWO) | #20–22 | Moderate | Early morning, Firehole River |
| Midge | #20–24 | Good | Early morning, Firehole River |
| Caddis | #18–20 | Good | Afternoon, Firehole River |
| Brown Trout Spawning Run | N/A | Strong | All day — Lewis, Madison, Gardner, Snake Rivers |
- FIRST LIGHT TO MID-MORNING: Firehole River dry fly fishing with trico, BWO, and midge patterns in the slower seams
- AFTERNOON: Firehole caddis hatch brings trout to the surface — switch to CDC caddis dries
- ALL DAY: Brown trout run rivers (Lewis, Madison, Gardner, Snake) — streamers, large soft hackles, and woolly buggers fished deep
