The Yellowstone River in the Park remains fairly quiet after the opening 15 July;  let’s state up front there just aren’t a lot of fish in the river. 

Good news from the area is that weather will moderate a bit at least over the weekend, and you can begin to think about fall around the corner.

The Yellowstone River below Seven Mile Hole remains under special regulations right now - basically the river below Seven Mile Hole is closed from 2 PM to 5 AM.   We feel that most waters should really be closed by noon - or whenever water temps rise into the high 60s.

The best strategy  below Fishing Bridge right now probably is to target the early PMD hatches; otherwise you’re looking at searching with big attractors and terrestials (think big hopper) with nymph droppers, or maybe with a double nymph rig.  You might see an occasional Green and Gray Drake, and the evening Caddis, while variable, can be reasonably productive. 

Yellowstone Canyons - throw a big attractor rig or hopper with a dropper (beadhead of your choice).  There may be a rare Epeorus mayfly.  There are caddis coming off in the late evening, though the river is closed after 2 PM and will be so for several more weeks at least.

Down near Gardner we would suggest terrestials or maybe a small attractor with a dropper rig.  We have a full report available for the Yellowstone River outside the park on Best Fly Fishing Montana.

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Flies to have in the box:

Dries:  PMDs - parachute, sparkle dun, sprout, cripple, CDC emerger, PMX - yellow, peacock, royal; Parachute Adams; Lime Tude; Stimulator, olive, yellow; X-caddis; Goddard caddis

Nymphs:  Lightning bug, green and gold; Hares Ear, include BH;  Copper John, various colors; FB PT; SH PT

Streamers / Others:  Hoppers, small to mid size, ; Beetles, Ants - chernobyl, ParaAnt, black and cinnamon; Wooly Buggers, brown / black, rubberlegs; Bow River Buggers

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