Montana Fly Fishing

Recommended Flies for
Yellowstone National Park Fly Fishing

(Flies tied by Dean Reiner of Hatch Finders, Livingston, Montana.)

Few places on earth offer a fishing experience like Yellowstone National Park. Wildlife, geothermal activity, an unspoiled, pristine environment, and terrific fishing opportunities all combine to make Yellowstone National Park a favorite fishing destination of many anglers. An angler can potentially catch Grayling, native Cutthroat and wild Brown, Rainbow and Brook trout all in one day. However, the fishing is just a bonus, and you cannot help but enjoy yourself spending a day fishing in the park.

Both temporary and seasonal fishing licenses are available for Yellowstone National Park. The licenses are available for sale at $10.00 for 10 days and $20.00 per season. Clients will be required to pay an entrance fee of $20.00 per private auto, truck, or RV If clients are traveling via vehicle designated for company use, bicycle, or on foot, they will be required to pay an entrance fee of $10.00 a person. Motorcycles and snowmobiles will be charged $15.00 per vehicle.

PREDOMINATE ACTIVITY, HATCHES & FOOD FORMS

MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND THRU JUNE 14TH

Yellowstone National Park fishing season opens. Not all fisheries are open at the same time so be sure to check the regulations. This period is prime time on the Firehole River. Water temperatures on the Firehole are affected by area geothermal activity. As a result of this geothermal influence and cooler seasonal temperatures, the Firehole fishes best during this period. A good rule of thumb for the Firehole is the worse the weather, the better the fishing, within reason of course. If the forecast causes normal people to shake their heads and wonder why they don't live elsewhere get your gear and head to the Firehole. Numb hands and red checks are small fare for excellent fishing. Baetis, PMD's and Caddis can all be found on any given day during this period.

FLY PATTERN RECOMMENDATIONS

	Caps Elk Hair Caddis Size # 10, #12, #14, #16 Stock# DF111		Carpenter Ant Size #8, #10 Stock# DF113
	DrySpruce Size #12, #14 Stock# DF118		Ext. Body Gray Drake Size #12, #14 Stock# DF123
	Hermaphrodite Beettle Size #8, #10, #12, #14 Stock# DF132		Parachute Hares Ear Size #12, #14, #16 Stock# DF146
	Patriot Size #12, #14, #16, #18 Stock#DF149		PMD Parachute Size #12, #14, #16, #18, #20 Stock# DF150
	B.H.DT Size #10, #12, #14 Stock#N101		Olive Hare's Ear Size #12, #14, Stock#N115
	Pheasant Tail Size #12, #14, #16, Stock#N117		Baetis Sparkle Dun Size #16,#18, #20 Stock #SD102
	Baetis Thorax Size #16, #18, #20 Stock #SD103		CDC Biot Midge Size #18, #20, #22 Stock #SD108
	CDC PMD Emerger Size #16, #18, #20 Stock #SD109		CDC PMD Transitional Dun Size #16, #18, #20 Stock #SD110
	Parachute Midge Size #20 Stock #SD112		Adams Wulff Size #10, #12, #14, #16 Stock# DF102

JUNE 15TH THRU JULY 15TH

Many of the most popular lakes like Yellowstone and Trout open on June 15th. All park lakes typically fish their best during this period. Along with the weather, the Firehole begins to warm and become less productive. The tributaries of the Yellowstone River such as Slough Creek and the Lamar River begin clearing somewhat during this period. Be there when they do, as fishing should be great. On the lakes, a variety of subsurface patterns will produce along with damselflies in both nymph and adult form. A smorgasbord of hatches are occurring on most streams, however matching the hatch is not intensely critical as these " early season fish" are very opportunistic and tend to rise to a variety of well presented imitations- we love it when they do that! Salmon flies also can give us quite a treat on the Gardener and the Yellowstone River below the falls during this time. The Gibbon River has a fine Brown Drake Hatch between the middle and the end of this period and should not be over looked. If heading out early in this period, be sure and check with us regarding water conditions at your destination.

FLY PATTERN RECOMMENDATIONS

	ParachuteAdams Size # 12, #14, #16, #18, #20 Stock # DF142		Ant Size #14, #16 Stock# DF103
	Bullet Head Hopper Size # 6, #8, #10, #12 Stock# DF107		Caps Elk Hair Caddis Size # 10, #12, #14, #16 Stock# DF111
	Chernobyl Ant Size #6, #8, #10 Stock# DF114		Dave's Hopper Size #8, #10, #12 Stock# DF116
	Drake Quigley, Olive, Gray, Brown Size #12. #14 Stock# DF117		Ext .Body Crickit Size #8 Stock# DF120
	Ext. Body Gray Drake Size #12, #14 Stock# DF123		Ext. Body Mohagany Para Drake Size #12, #14 Stock# DF127
	Borger Damsel Size # 10 Stock# DF106		Hermaphrodite Beettle Size #8, #10, #12, #14 Stock# DF132
	Patriot Size #12, #14, #16, #18 Stock#DF149		PMD Parachute Size #12, #14, #16, #18, #20 Stock# DF150
	Midge Pupa Size#18, #20, #22 Stock#SN105		PMD Emerger Size#20 Stock#SN113
	PMD Soft Hackle Size#16, #18 Stock#SN114		Sawyer PT Size#20, #22 Stock#SN119

JULY 16TH THRU AUGUST

Our attention does not really shift during this period from the last, but focuses primarily on the Yellowstone River and its tributaries. These streams offer some of the greatest fishing for cutthroat trout that an angler can find anywhere. The Yellowstone above the falls opens to fishing on July 15th and is a good place to avoid on that particular day unless you like overcrowded fishing conditions. Terrestrials become active during this time and the trout... lets just say they like terrestrials, very much. Many species of caddis can be found on the streams and are a significant part of any trout diet. The Yellowstone River will still have a number of salmon flys, especially early in the period.

FLY PATTERN RECOMMENDATIONS

	Bullet Head Hopper Size # 6, #8, #10, #12 Stock# DF107		Caps Instigator, Olive, Yellow, Pheasant Tail Size #8, #10, #12, #14 Stock# DF112
	Chernobyl Ant Size #6, #8, #10 Stock# DF114		Ext .Body Crickit Size #8 Stock# DF120
	Ext. Body Gray Drake Size #12, #14 Stock# DF123		Hermaphrodite Beettle Size #8, #10, #12, #14 Stock# DF132
	ParachuteAdams Size # 12, #14, #16, #18, #20 Stock # DF142		Baetis Thorax Size #16, #18, #20 Stock #SD103
	PMD Soft Hackle Size#16, #18 Stock#SN114		PMD Emerger Size#20 Stock#SN113
	CDC PMD Emerger Size #16, #18, #20 Stock #SD109		CDC PMD Transitional Dun Size #16, #18, #20 Stock #SD110
	Parachute Midge Size #20 Stock #SD112		PMD Quigley Size #16, #18, #20 Stock #SD113

SEPTEMBER THRU 1ST SUNDAY OF NOVEMBER

Early in this period the Yellowstone River and its tributaries continue to receive most of the attention. Terrestrials and smaller mayfly or midge imitations produce well at this time. As we progress further toward and into autumn, however, fishing emphasis switches to the Firehole and Madison Rivers. The Madison has a great fall run of both brown and rainbow trout out of Hebgen Lake. Streamers and a variety of large nymphs tend to produce best on these fall running trout. Along with cooler weather, the Firehole turns on once again. Fall blue winged olives hatch in good numbers under ideal conditions. Heavy overcast with a little (or a lot) of rain or snow falling with little or no wind constitutes ideal conditions. Those conditions are usually associated with the best fishing on the Madison as well. Much to the disappointment of a few hard-core anglers, the season closes after the first Sunday in November.

FLY PATTERN RECOMMENDATIONS

	B.H.Black.&.Olive. Bugger Size#2, #4, #6 Stock #S101		B.H.Black.Crystal.Bugger Size#6 Stock #S102
	B.H.Olive.Crystal. Bugger Size#6 Stock #S106		Kiwi Muddler,Yellow, Olive,Chinchilla,Black Size#6 Stock #S112
	Kiwi Muddler,Yellow, Olive,Chinchilla,Black Size#6 Stock #S112		Wool Head Sculpin , Black , Olive Size#6 Stock #S119
	Parachute Midge Size #20 Stock #SD112		CDCBaetisTransitionalDun Size #16, #18, #20 Stock #SD106
	Baetis Sparkle Dun Size #16,#18, #20 Stock #SD102		Baetis Quigley Size #16, #18, #20 Stock#SD101
	Ext. Body Loop Wing Para Drake Size #12, #14 Stock# DF126		Ext. Body Green Para Drake Size #12, #14 Stock# DF125