Don’t let a little snow put you off fishing the Park these remaining days – the Firehole really comes into its own at this time of year.  We wholeheartedly agree with those predicting that this new-fallen October mantle of snow won’t significantly impact access or fishing on the Firehole, and most of the snow will likely be gone by midweek. 

All that water heated by the trademark geothermal features of this river really keep things rolling when the weather begins to chill other rivers; even guys and gals driven off other waters (like the NE corner) shouldn’t crowd the Firehole too badly.  

The dry fly maniacs will still be after the midges and BWOs; swinging soft hackles (BH or GH PTs) is a great play when the hatches are sputtering or not evident.  Still might see a Caddis (White Miller) later in the day, but they will be waning from here on out. 

Our resident Firehole maniac nymphs the ledges and weed bed edges carefully between hatches too, and will be throwing streamers tomorrow below the falls for runners making their way up.

Finally, terrestrials are probably done for – as you know minor freezes won’t kill hoppers and their kin – snow will though, as will the harder, colder nights.  For what it’s worth, West Yellowstone was forecast to have dropped to 6 last night – wonder how cold it really got…..

Flows today near the confluence (0600) are 283 cfs, with today’s historical average 273 cfs; flow rates will likely jump a bit as snow melt enters the river over the next few days.  Water temps are 51 F this morning, and have been as low as 48 F during the past few days - obviously still quite fishable. 

Today’s pic is from last week pre-storm - Jess is looking over the Baetis hatch…..

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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; Caddis – EHC, X Caddis, Electric Caddis, EC Caddis, Spent Caddis – tan, olive, black; Midges - Suspender midge, disco midge, Zelon midge, your favorites you can see;

Nymphs: San Juan Worm, red, brown, tan; PT; BHPT; BH Hares Ear, Copper John, olive; BH Prince; Lightning bugs, gold, silver, green/olive; Soft hackles - our best has been an 18 or 20 FB PT SH, but your other typical baetis SHs will play here

Streamers / Other:  Woolly Buggers, olive, brown, black; Sparkle buggers, same; your favorites

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