Fishing Near Yellowstone

[Teewinot]

I will be going to Montana the third week of August, just outside of Yellowstone (Right near the boarder of Idaho and Montana). Where are some good places to fish that aren't inside the park?

[Mrs. Land Guppy]

Last year Land Guppy and I went on a guided trip. We were taken to a beautiful stretch of river between Quake Lake and Hebgen Lake. The fishing was stellar...we probably caught fifty fish between the two of us, mostly whitefish. We went in May, but I'm sure that stretch of water fishes just as well at other times of the year.

[Teewinot]

Did you float it, or wade?

My wifes family has a cabin right by Hebgen lake so that would work great. I would love to get some more details if you wouldn't mind e-mailing me. justclimbit2@hotmail.com

[Crosby]

twee- You may be at Hebgen at the tail end of the "gulper" time.
But its something I would certainly look into- its something else if you hit it right- calabetis and spotting and leading " gulpers".
You will get your use of a float tube or a pontoon boat.

[Indylab]

I would personally pass on the stretch between Hebgen and Quake. You can catch whitefish on the Weber. Fish below Quake for huge trout action.

[LarryM]

Don't pass up the chance to fish the lake at night, especially if there isn't much moon. Being in and amongst the dead trees is kinda spooky, especially if the wolves howl. Fishing ain't bad at 2 AM either.

[Teewinot]

Crosby
This may be a dumb question but what do you mean by "calabetis and spotting and leading " gulpers".?"

Larry M
What do you typically use at night time on the lake?
Also what section of the lake is good to fish?

Has anybody else tried the section below quake lake? How is it? Any special hatches I would want to know about?

[MOKE]

Gulpers are big, mayfly-sipping trout that cruise and GULP down Callibaetis (mayfly) spinners, and to a lesser degree the duns.
By spotting and leading CROSBY means spotting a feeding fish and attempting to determine his feeding course, and putting a fly in the determined path.
Gulpers are easy to follow because as they feed you hear a Blurp / Gulp, and a bubble is left behind quite often. They aren't so easy to "lead".
Some of these gulpers can be real big! :)

Try Beaver Creek between Hebgen and Quake.
Any stretch of the Madison below Quake Lake is great. There are some huge fish in the rapids below the outflow, but this is very dangerous, unstable terrain. Be real careful!
The Slide Inn stretch is wonderful water and provides an area to cross the river as well. BE CAREFUL...the river is a sweeper through all of this stretch.
Attempt to cross at med. to lower flows. Wading staff recommended!!

3$ Bridge area, or the braids below Ennis are great, though the braids might be a little warm.

Another great one worth looking at is the Gallatin both above and below Big Sky. I love the water above Big Sky! To get to the Gallatin you cross a number of sweet small creeks....in Bear Country!

These are just some of the waters within a half hour of each other, or apprx so.
Really good water a little further.

Have fun!
MOKE

[Teewinot]

Hey thanks for the info Moke and everyone. Very helpful!

[Utah DaveII]

Just got back from 4 days of fishing that area. I would stay out of the park in August as well. Unless you are heading to the Northeast Corner and that takes quite awhile with road construction.

We camped at cabin Creek which sits about 300 yeards below the dam. The river is real pretty there, but did not fish it. Without question the best fishing was in the wade section of
the madison. $3.00 bridge and other areas are great. Caught lots of fish in the fast water and side channels. It's a beaufifull river.

We also fished the Gallatin on the trip. We fished it in the park, but there are a lot more miles of river outside of the park that are worth your time.

Stop by Blue Ribbon Flies in West Yellowstone and they can point you in the right direction.

[Teewinot]

Utah Dave
What flies did you have success on?

[Utah DaveII]

We went up expecting to get into some awesome caddis hatches, but three days of rain and cool temperatures put the summer caddis down. You might still catch the tail end of it though so I would take X-caddis, Irise Caddis and elk hairs and small stimulators.

For nymphs, I had luck on big black rubber legs on point, with prince nymphs, copper johns and shop vacs (BLue Ribbon Flies pattern that can also be found in the summer issue of American Angler) all producing underneath. The key is to get the fly deep. The madison is very swift and don't be scared to throw out on the edge or right into what looks like a rapid.

Also take along a good supply of high floating attractors: Royal Wulffs, Trudes, Turks Tarantuals, and Humpies. We had good success on both the madison and the gallatin with a pattern that for all intents and purposes is a humpy.

Also take along beatles and ant patterns. There is a flying ant that hits the area in summer that is a amber color. I think it might be a termite, but suppossedly the fish go nuts for it. Beatles are the go to fly of many fisherman in the area.

Hope this information helps.

[Trout4x]

I have a lot to say about the Yellowstone area. So in the consideration of space and since you probably wouldn't read it all if I wrote 5 pages worth, but if I am standing next to you in the river, I can speak whether or not you choose to listen is your choice, speaking is my choice. (LOL)

[moonflower]

Like Utah Dave, I too just returned from a phenomenal trip to this region. The "gulper" action on Hebgen was the best I've had in 3 yrs. A dry dropper rig increases your chances, say a parachute adams with a red copper john dropper. Very nice fish.

The Madison was very kind, all dry fly, BIG bows and browns. Shoot me a line for more info.

[Fred]

Wouldn't the copper john sink the adams? How do you rig that up?

[moonflower]

Size 16 adams, greased nicely, with a size 16 copper john dropped about 11 inches. No problems keeping the adams afloat until its been mangled by a fish a time or two.

[Teewinot]

Moonflower
Tried to e-mail you, but your profile doesn't allow it. If you want you can just e-mail me justclimbit2@hotmail.com

I would love to get more information about fishing up there. We are probably going to fish the Madison Arm of Hebgen lake as well since we will be staying only a mile or two from there.

By the way, thanks to all the info from everyone. I like to be as informed as I can before traveling that far and realizing what would have worked better while I'm on my drive back home.

Has anyone fished the Madison Arm of the Lake? Can you wade there or do you need a boat? What part of the arm is a good area to fish?

[Trout4x]

I have my bags packed, I decided I could go hang out with your family and fish with you.

You are driving & buying dinner and providing everything that I may need, boat, flies & Diet Coke.

Make sure and let me know what time you are leaving.