The Yellowstone River in the Park remains a fairly challenging target this summer.  As we noted last week, after the opening on the 15th the consensus of opinion is that there are simply not the numbers of fish in the river this year as compared to years past. 

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.

There is some good news - the weather starting this past weekend has moderated a bit.  There has been some rain, which is of course a mixed blessing in that the Lamar in particular tends to throw mud into the Yellowstone, which it has again with a flow spike yesterday.  The Coolwebs Gardiner / Electric Peak webcam shows a muddy river this morning, and in fact one of the hot discussions today is how far down the Paradise Valley the Yellowstone is off.

Flows remain very low overall - at the Yellowstone Outlet today flows are 1440 cfs (average 2600 cfs, the 20% marker is 1790). 

The best strategy below Fishing Bridge right now probably is to target the waning 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.  Evening caddis are sporadic, but can be productive, and you can fish after 2 PM on this section.  The Drakes are pretty much over.  This is pretty challenging fishing - not the place for the impatient or inexperienced. 

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, though this water will now likely not be clear for at least a day and maybe two (by 8.9).

We have a full report available (updated yesterday) 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

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

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