The Firehole River has been a favorite of ours for decades, and even though restrictions were lifted from all Park waters on the 22nd, we’re going to stick with our position that you just shouldn’t be fishing the Firehole until things cool off a little further.  Here’s why -

The Firehole’s flow rate today near Madison junction was 224 cfs at 0600, with today’s mean 264 cfs, and the 20% marker 224 cfs.  She’s been pretty steady in this range for the past 4 or 5 days.

More concerning are the water temps recorded the past few days - the afternoon of the 24th (Friday) the water temp was over 75 F(ouch!) and it had been close to that range several days before.  Frankly we’re amazed the YNP fisheries people opened it back up on the 22nd (when the word first leaked out about the restrictions being revoked, word was the Firehole would still be covered).  Water temps have been better upstream near Old Faithful (near 64.5 on Friday afternoon late).

Our position since late June has been that the Firehole and her tribs should not be fished until fall.  Fall isn’t that far off;  let’s give her and her residents another few weeks of protection and see what the fall weather brings.

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Flies to have in the box:

In keeping with the above, we are not recommending flies at this point.

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