Fishing Yellowstone N.P. in early September: Advice on where to fish?

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docbluedevil	Fishing Yellowstone N.P. in early September: Advice on where to fish?	Lead	[-]
Master Guide Posts: 43 (08/24/08 21:43:48) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I'm leaving with the family for YNP and the Grand Tetons N.P. on labor day weekend and plan to stay about a week and a half. It's a family trip so I won't be able to fish as much as I'd like, so I'd appreciate any direction you can give to make the most of my fishing time. The first half of the week will be spent at GTNP, and I'll likely hit Flat Creek a couple mornings. I've fished there before, and it's always fun and challenging. I'll probably bring my McFarland 7'9" 4wt for it. I'm planning on hitting a mountain stream for brookies off of the Cascade Canyon trail as well with my Winston Retro 6'6" 3wt. The 2nd half of the week, we'll be in West Yellowstone, MT. Most local fishing reports seem to direct people to Slough Creek and Soda Butte this time of year; I've never fished those areas before. I'll get one day away from the family to fish Slough or Soda Butte. I'm assuming it's terrestial time these days. As I hear it's at least a 2 mile hike into Slough Creek, I'll bring a pack rod 5wt (my Winston LT5 8'9" 5wt) as well as the McFarland for a back-up. I've also heard some good things about Duck Creek as well which appears to only be a short distance from West Yellowstone. I may be able to hit it a bit more frequently since it's close to our campsite, if it's worthwhile. Any thoughts about these waters that I've mentioned? Any other places to consider as well? Thanks in advance! I'll post pics when I get back! Last Edited By: docbluedevil 08/24/08 22:02:32. Edited 1 time.
boarmountain		#1	[-]
Master Guide Posts: 151 (08/24/08 21:57:55) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I will be there also around that time. This time of the year the northest part of the park is the best. Soda butte is good ,but I like the Lamar better. To me,Slough creek is overrated. A 3 mile hike and still alot of other fishermen. Most of the water on the west side tend to be too warm to fish this time of the year. An exception would be the Gallitin. Very good fishing along hwy 191. Hope this helps. Mike B. www.prairiedrifterrods.com
majicwrench		#2	[-]
Master Guide Posts: 839 (08/25/08 12:12:45) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	You can fish Slough creek without the hike, just fish along the road. I like the hike though, it's pretty country and an easy hike. Try scatting an elk hair caddis along the top and hang on. The rivers/creeks will not be too hot on the west side, Firehole is FULL of small browns, but it is the one river that may be too hot. Almost too much water to fish in the park, can drive you nuts. Trout lake always good. Have fun, try not to spend your entire trip driving around it is a huge park. Keith
Upstreeam		#3	[-]
Master Guide Posts: 352 (08/25/08 16:32:15) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	In West Y., I've always gotten good info from the folks at Blue Ribbon Flies. Jacklin's is also worth a visit and a question or two, although BRF seems to have more advice well geared to my desires (which sound similar to yours). Although I love Slough, if you only have one day, especially one that involves getting back to West in time to satisfy someone else's idea of a "fishing day,"I wouldn't do it; too much windshield time. At least once, I've gotten back after midnight, and another time got a ticket trying to avoid that (there can be a lot of delays at night, too). A good meadow experience can be had going upstream from 191 on the Gallatin, and some of its tribs are good, as is Grayling. There seems to be much better water conditions out there than most of the last 10 years, so you may have more options than many of us are used to lately. For instance, I haven't heard of any closing on the Firehole (but I didn't go there this year), and if it is open, I'd fish it, it's just such an unusual experience. On Duck, I think I've been advised by BRF not to go solo due to griz, but timely local info is always best on that. It sounds like you have Jackson planned out, so I won't make any suggestions. Although I do keep looking at Crystal Creek on the map . . . Have fun. Bob
docbluedevil		#4	[-]
Master Guide Posts: 44 (08/25/08 18:34:52) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Thanks for your thoughts, all. Trying to balance family time with fishing time in such a huge, unfamiliar park is going to be pretty tough. It does seem that I could easily spend most of my fishing time driving around the park. I'll definitely inquire about recommendations from the local fly shops as well and look into the Gallatin and Duck creek, since it is relatively close to where I'll be staying in West Yellowstone. Thanks again.
Mojorizing		#5	[-]
Master Guide Posts: 262 (08/25/08 19:34:25) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Fly Goddess and I will be up at Henry's Lake at that time too. Normally fish Henry's Fork, head into Montana and fish Hebgen, the Madison below Quake, and Jellystone (west entrance) In West Yellowstone, I second Craig Matthews' Blue Ribbon Flies. Great people there. Personally I don't care much for Jacklins place though. The help there would rather shoot the crap with each other than help customers. Just my experience (been there more than once too) Arricks is also a good place lot's of fly tying stuff too. Mountainshark will hopefully meet up with us too.
TXTrout		#6	[-]
Master Guide Posts: 180 (08/25/08 19:55:23) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I would go to Blue Ribbon as well, I tend to support them over my local shop a lot of the time. I'd Try the Gallatin in the park this year, Everyone that is up there that I know says it is fishing very well this year. Robert. "Some paths are best not taken alone" John W. Barfield
graewolf		#7	[-]
Master Guide Posts: 132 (08/26/08 13:54:53) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	doc, I've had good luck on Duck, Daley and Specimen Creeks. It might be too warm this time of the year but in June when I was there (in a snow storm!) we tore up browns & rainbows on the upper Firehole where the Nez Perze joins it. Anywhere up through those meadows along Hwy 191 is good though and beautiful and pretty easy to reach. I can't name the creek because I'm sworn to silence but my son caught a 24 inch rainbow (!!) up on one of those meadow creeks just last week. Don't get in too big a hurry though because that same son is a park ranger and he patrols that stretch of highway 191. Last Edited By: graewolf 08/26/08 13:58:53. Edited 1 times.
graewolf		#8	[-]
Master Guide Posts: 135 (08/26/08 16:14:58) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	PS: I just spoke with my ranger son out in Yellowstone and he said they've been catching fish on the Gallatin from mile marker 20 to 30. Fish along the cutbanks with nymphs, down deep along those cutbanks, and watch for hatches and use drys if one happens. Mike
Upstreeam		#9	[-]
Master Guide Posts: 353 (08/26/08 17:15:24) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I forgot about Arricks. I'd put them second behind Blue Ribbon for advice; fourth and fifth place aren't worth commenting on. BTW, West Yellowstone has my favorite bookstore; you'll see it. Mike, I never ran into anyone else who'd fished Daley. Doc, if you go there, I hope you like small streams and hiking. If that seems negative, it's not; I'd go again, or to any of its sister Gallatin tribs. Bob
graewolf		#10	[-]
Master Guide Posts: 136 (08/27/08 06:23:00) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Bob, I love that bookstore you mentioned too, can't remember the name of it, but I spent hours in there. As to the Daley I only found out about it because my son works in West and he gets all the secret spots. Mike
Upstreeam		#11	[-]
Master Guide Posts: 354 (08/27/08 12:13:51) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I want to say it's the Bookworm, but it's not like you have to make sure you distinguish it from the Barnes & Noble down the street. Bob
graewolf		#12	[-]
Master Guide Posts: 139 (08/28/08 12:57:28) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Yes! That's the name, Bookworm. What a great bookstore, a must stop for sure. Mike

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Fishing Yellowstone N.P. in early September: Advice on where to fish?

Fishing Yellowstone N.P. in early September: Advice on where to fish?