Ask me why I love fall fishing in Yellowstone Country. Is it big streamers for big browns, tiny fall baetis mayflies on the Paradise Valley spring creeks, solitude in Yellowstone National Park? Is it ‘hopper action without the crowds, cooler weather, cooler water and re-energized fish? Yes, yes it is.
There’s a bit of everything in autumn around here. Gorgeous fall weather one day, snow the next (and repeat). Golden leaves silhouetted against still-green trees behind. And the fly fishing, a cornucopia of delights! Whatever you’re into, you’ll find your passion in the shoulder season.
Perhaps most important, the fishing tends to be rather good. The water is cooling, the fish are happy, and they’re bulking up for the winter ahead. Brown trout are staging up for their upcoming fall spawn, and they’re hungry and cranky. Fall blue-winged olive (baetis) mayflies are the last big bug emergence of the year and trout on the Paradise Valley spring creeks will eat them with abandon. Hoppers are still bouncing around until the first few hard frosts. And all this without hardly anyone else on the water!
And nymphing? Of course! Whatever time of year, if you want to catch fish, you fish nymphs. All the usual suspects are crawling around the rocks. With the baetis nymphs getting active, a small (#20) pheasant tail or other mayfly nymph wouldn’t be a bad choice, but there are always bigger stonefly nymphs washing down, as well as developing nymphs of all colors and sizes. Oh, and the Mountain Whitefish spawn in the fall, and trout love fattening up on whitefish eggs, just saying.
For those of us who love to feel the water on our legs, fall is a great time to wade fish the Yellowstone River. The water’s low, you can fish dries, nymphs, or streamers, and there won’t be a bunch of rafts floating by making you listen to their bad music choices.
And then there’s Yellowstone National Park…. Great fishing, vastly reduced crowds, spectacular scenery and wildlife, it’s all good! Give that bison herd wide berth, catch a bunch of cutthroat jewels in the Lamar River or Slough Creek on hoppers, ants, and attractors, and head home without the traffic stress.
You should fish Yellowstone Country in the fall, without a doubt. If you’re local, stop by the shop and we’ll be happy to set you up for success. Whether you’re floating or wading, you’ll be likely to find good fishing without the crowds of summer. Rod fees go down on the spring creeks and solitude is easier to find. Decreased irrigation and cooler weather bring better water conditions and happier trout than in late August, If you’re thinking of visiting, you should! In addition to all the perks already mentioned, airfares and lodging tend to be a bit cheaper in our neck of the woods between summer tourism and ski seasons. Just be sure to bring clothing for any weather! The fishing might be better when the sleet is falling, but those bright autumn days sure are special!
See you this fall!
Pick your poison.
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