Yellowstone To Lift Mandatory Fishing Restrictions

August 6, 2007

Cooler temperatures will allow Yellowstone National Park officials to lift mandatory fishing restrictions from all of the park’s rivers and creeks, effective at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, August 22. Biologists will continue to evaluate conditions and reinstate restrictions if necessary.

Mandatory fishing restrictions have been in place on many of Yellowstone’s rivers and streams since July 21, when low water flows, coupled with unusually high air temperatures, resulted in high afternoon water temperatures of 70-80 degrees. Water temperatures this high can be stressful and even fatal for trout. Angler cooperation with fishing restrictions has helped protect the park fisheries. Changes to the fishing restrictions will be communicated in future news releases and posted on the park’s Web site at: http://www.nps.gov/yell/parknews/newsreleases.htm.

A Yellowstone National Park Fishing Permit is required to fish in the park. Anglers 16 years of age and older are required to purchase a $15 three-day permit, a $20 seven-day permit or a $35 season permit. Anglers 15 and younger may fish without a permit if they are fishing under the direct supervision of an adult who has a valid park fishing permit, or may obtain a free permit that must be signed by a responsible adult; with this permit, a child can fish without direct adult supervision.

Fishing permits are available at all ranger stations, visitor centers, and Yellowstone Park General Stores. Fishing permits are also available at many businesses in the Greater Yellowstone Area. No state fishing license is required in Yellowstone National Park. Yellowstone fishing information and regulations may also be found on the park’s Web site at: http://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/fishdates.htm.

- www.nps.gov/yell -

General Information

August 6, 2007

Cooler temperatures have prevailed over the last 2 weeks, as much needed rain has finally arrived. But despite the low water on most rivers in the area, fishing has still been quite good most days with fish keying on ants, beetles and hoppers as caddis hatches start to wane. Our hopes for much needed rain has finally happened, these are more seasonable temperatures.

Yellowstone National Park officials have not lifted any of the current restrictions and probably won't until river temperatures cool significantly. To familiarize yourself with the advisory: www.nps.gov/yell/parknews/0739.htm However many rivers (Soda Butte and the Lamar most notably) have water temps. in the 50's in the morning hours and were fishing very well until rains in the last 7 days made both of them chocolate milk. The benefit is that the cutts get a well deserved break.

The Gallatin

August 6, 2007

The colder water temperature of the Gallatin is it's saving grace and has made it a choice of many anglers wanting to fish in Yellowstone Park. Ants, beetles and hoppers fished close to the banks right now with a beetle and ant combo hard to beat. Soft hackles are also working well in the riffles and are the best choice for beginners and kids. Royal Wulffs, Stimulators and Humpies are always good attractors to have in your box for the Gallatin, but since this river has been receiving a generous amount of fishing pressure downsize the sizes to 16's 18's and even 20's when necessary. Slowing down and working a stretch of the river is also more important now than the typical run and gun approach. Spruce Moths have made their yearly appearance in the last several weeks on the Gallatin and the trout have noticed, a tan E.H. caddis is the best imitator. PMD's are also hatching but not in the same numbers as in July, and you should have a few size 16 and 18's in your box as a safe bet.

Caddis: CDC Elk Hair brown or tan 16-18, Etha-Wing Caddis 16, Iris Caddis 16-18
Hoppers: Stimpson's Klodhopper 10, Grand Hopper and Carnage Hopper 12-14
Beetles / Ants: Arrick's Ice Beetle 12-14, Parachute Ant Black or Cinnamon 12-16
Attractors: Super Royal Wulffs 12, Royal Humpies 16 and Stimulators 16-18
PMD's: Hi-Viz Parachute 16-18, Hackle Wing 16, Paracripple 16

Lamar/Soda Butte

August 6, 2007

Recent rains have made both not suitable at this time. Call us for up to date conditions before making the trek.

Gardner River

August 6, 2007

A great choice for kids to catch lots of small brookies particularly above Sheep Eater cliffs which is open to fishing in the afternoon. Attractor patterns and terrestrials with beadhead droppers are hot and are the best fly choices. We've received some very good reports in the last several days. Keep in mind the lower Gardner is under the 2:00 p.m. closure.

Hoppers: Grand Hoppers, Carnage Hoppers and Parachute Hoppers 10-14
Attractors: Para-Humpies 14-16, PMX's 16 in Royal or Lime, Olive Stimulators 14-16
Beadheads: Peacock Anato-may's 14-18, Yellow Lite Brite Princes 14-16, Yellow Superflash 16

Hebgen Lake / Quake Lake

August 6, 2007

Callibaetis have been hatching on both, even if their appearance is a bit spotty some days. Lighter, longer leaders and tippet are required on Hebgen (12 foot 5X) than on Quake (10-12 foot 4X) for gulper fishing due to the clarity of Hebgen. When the morning breeze kicks in, switching over to sink tips or clear intermediate lines with small unweighted Pheasant Tail or Rickard's Callibaetis Nymphs will surely bring a few fish to the net.

Callibaetis: Tilt-Wing Callibaetis 14-16, Almost Dun Callibaetis 16, Callibaetis Parachute 16 and CDC or Organza Callibaetis Spinner
Tricos: Stalcup Trico 22, CDC Trico Spinner 22
Nymphs: Rickards Callibaetis Nymph 16-18, Pheasant Tails 16-18 and Poxyback Callibaetis 16-18

The Madison (below Quake)

August 6, 2007

Fluctuating water levels on the Madison have made for just fair fishing on the Madison, as water is being released at the dam in greatly differing amounts every day - 1300 c.f.s. one day to over 1700 c.f.s. the next, this not giving trout enough time to adapt pushing them out of their usual haunts. This makes for difficult dry fly fishing. But it does force them tight to the banks and behind boulders. Concentrating your efforts there will be the most productive using weighted streamers and smaller double beaded point flies for nymphs. Terrestrials are also working well fished tight to banks as are streamers. Caddis are not hatching in their usual numbers but that is a result of heading towards late summer, they are however still being keyed on and no less important. Epeorus mayflies are hatching in the evening hours and are keyed on in both the dun and sometimes the spinner to the exclusion of everything else. Be sure to have some rusty spinners with you.

Caddis: CDC E.H. Caddis 16-18 brown, tan and peacock, X-Caddis 14-18 tan, olive and brown 14-18, Etha-Wing Caddis 16 in tan
Beetles: Flying Loco Beetles 14 and 16, Arrick's Ice Beetle 12-16
Ants: Parachute and Flying Ants in both Black and Cinnamon 12-18
Nymphs: Black, Brown and Coffee Sili Leg Stones 6-10, Double Beaded Prince's, Peacock and Olives in 12-16.
Streamers: Cross Eyed Zonkers, Olive Flash Fry and Kiwi Muddlers 4-8
Spinners: Organza Wing Rusty Spinner 16-18