The Yellowstone is seeing her first taste of real winter weather.  A good snow blanket has been laid down in the Park, and the cold temperatures have in all likelihood killed the terrestrial population.  We are officially into fall fishing now.  Anglers in the Park are enjoying less trafficked waters, beautiful scenery, and big fish.  Get your Yellowstone fishing fix in soon before the Park entrances close… all too soon!

Below the Lake / Above the Canyon – The Yellowstone below Yellowstone Lake is still fishing for anglers who are willing to spend some time and effort slowly, quietly walking along the banks searching for fish.  This water is most definitely for sight-fishing only.  Anglers should plan to spend a fair amount of time moving along the river looking for pods of rising fish (usually Cutthroats taking Mayflies.)  The cold, dark weather has brought out more baetis as well.  Plan to fish a 5-20 foot reach from the bank; this is where most of the hatches will be coming off, and, hence, where the fish should be.

Canyons of the Yellowstone – Fishing in the Canyons is still decent if you can get there.  Now that the Park has some decent snow laid down (yes, it very likely should melt but it could take a few days) hiking into the Canyons has just become much more interesting.  If you feel like digging out the snowshoes today and need some good exercise, head to the Canyons.  Fishing pressure should be minimal, and the fish may still be looking up for terrestrials for a little while (try a small Hopper – bead head dropper combo.)

Near Gardiner and beyond – Outside of the Park, the river is fishing well all the way to Big Timber.  Come prepared to drag Streamers through some deep eddies and holes.  The fall / winter weather has made the fall run Browns rather aggressive as they take Streamers, so get ready for some fun!  The winter weather has also really brought on the baetis – look for them in the early to mid afternoon.  The fish are big, the action is good, and the scenery is beautiful – what more could an angler ask for?

Flows are still higher than average today (0600), reading 881 cfs, with the historic average 780 cfs.  These flows are measured on the Yellowstone Lake Outlet gage.

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Flies to Have in the Box

Dries:  baetis - BWO, Blue Dun, Olive Sparkle Dun, Comparadun, Fall baetis Sparkle Dun, Para-Adams; Midges and small midge emergers;  maybe a Trico too

Nymphs:  BH & FB PT; Copper John, green, red, chartreuse; Shop Vac; Flashback soft hackle, yellow; HE assortment

Streamers / Others:  Woolly Buggers, brown, black, olive, blue; Sparkle Buggers, same; check the shops for the latest secret weapon

Terrestrials:  Hoppers (smaller), ants, beetles, bees (probably the last week)

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