Fishing in Yellowstone?

[GOFISH1]

Anybody ever been? Maybe some tips on rivers or maybe even campgrounds?  We are heading over there this summer for vacation and I am hoping I can spend a little time on one of those rivers with the bugrod!  Thanks! Eric

[Jack]

Never been....yet.  I am doing the same thing, vacation this summer.  I plan on fishing the Madison River near Ennis Montana, then heading down into West Yellowstone with the family.  Looking forward to it.

[Big Buck]

Eric. only small fish in the rivers inside the parks, nice size cutties in the lake. you are on the right track, the madison r. is your best bet.  if you have a drift boat ,bring it .  when moving from one camp spot to another do it early a.m. or you might not get a spot.  Ennis has some reel nice fly shops and alot real nice ball caps.  have a great trip and catch lots fish              you to Jack....

[iwantchumluvin]

Inside the park, the Firehole would definitely be on the top of my list. It's a great little river with lots of easy access and if you get bored...jump in! It's fed straight from the hot springs of the geyser basin, so it runs a good deal warmer than the other rivers in the area.

[GOFISH1]

I will be there the first week of July. How about patterns?

[bugnuts]

I'd stay in West Yellowstone and make my daily ventures from there.  Tons of people in the park around July 4th so the "license plate game" is on.  Flyshop row on main street is sweet...Bud Lilly's, Madison River Outfitters, Blue Ribbon etc. although their hats leave something to desire. 

The quake area between Ennis and West Yellowstone on the Madison is truly spectacular so stop there.  Inside the park, I like the Firehole and Lamar Rivers and Slough Creek if you are willing to hike over two or three hogbacks. 

Patterns that have worked for me outside the park that time of year include small olive caddis, slightly larger olive or tan caddis with a small beadhead PT or caddis emerger as a dropper.  Inside the park, keep some of the old trusted Renegades in your box sizes 14-20 plus the standard BH hare's ears/PTs/Copper Johns and so on.

If you want to experience the fray, drive up to Buffalo Ford below the lake and hit an epic BWO hatch for Yellowstone Cutties...if you don't get run over by a bison or a fat housewife you'll be golden. 

[GOFISH1]

thanks for the tips guys!    Hey Bugs, what fly shop has the best hats? 

[rvrfshr]

Eric,

Spend some time on the MT side on your trip out or back for some angling on the Yellowstone, Gallatin, Madison if you can. (Don't forget Rock Creek as well!) I know for a fact that matching the hatch is critical, which is always 1/4oz. and 1/3oz. copper Little Cleos... That is if you want fish on every other cast. Browns on the spoon will be over 24" and every rainbow and cutt over 20"... and LOTS of them. "Piss on fantasy Ennis".

I like to fly fling with the 6# as much as the next guy but if it aint on top I aint doing it. That said if intent on fly only, stimulators, hoppers for the top, greased muddlers for sub presenting and bead head/weighted nymphs for the depths. Piss on the small "fantasy flies". 

Have fun on your trip, watch out for plenty of moose, bear and buffalo if planning on some backcountry excursions!  

[bugnuts]

...Hey Bugs, what fly shop has the best hats? 

I thought all the hats sucked on a trip back in '02, and vita brevis was born. 

[GOFISH1]

I will be rockin' my VB hat for sure! And I am definately not opposed to slingin' some metal either!