Montana/Yellowstone..........

[Mr. T]

Looks like Mrs. T and I are going to try and head to Montana/Yellowstone sometime during July, and I'm wondering if any of you have some good Info to pass along on areas to Fish, places to Camp, Etc.......

I have a 28' Travel Trailer, so we would be Roughing it, but it's nice to catch a Meal out at times, so if you know of good places to eat?

I'm going to spend time perusing the WWW but any Upfront Info. would be appreciated.

Also, we would like to spend a Day with a Guide, helping Mrs. T to learn some Good Habits, so if any of you know a good one in that area it would be appreciated.

[Boilermaker]

Mr.T- I did this trip 4or 5 years back we camped at the Madison River Campground onthe west end of the park.Also called the Madison River Junction,where the Firehole,Madisonand Gibbon meet.

Your only 15to20 minutes away from WestYellowstone where there is plenty of eats and BudLillys Flyshop.

I personally enjoyed The Gibbon where I had the most success,It was to warm for the Madison and Firehole.


From there we followed the Gallatin out of the park,wich also was great fishing.Ended up in Missoula to visit Debbies friend.Went south to Hamilton and stayed at the Bitterroot Family Campground.

This place was awesome,the friendliest people you would ever meet.constantly inviteing us over for barbecues.And I had that whole stretch of Bitterroot to myself!

If you need more info let me know I have maps,infoand a Yellowstone fishing guide.

Later,Scott

[Jason B]

T,
There is soooooo many great waters to fish in the Park. I try to make a trip up there as often as i can and want to go some time in June. Try fishing Slough Creek (sp?), YellowStone River for some big Cutts. I would site fish for these fish as i walked the bank. Great dry fly fishing to on the YellowStone. At Madison Juntion there is a lot of White fish. In the evenings you can take some nice fish on drys. Also swing by Fishermans Bridge and check out all the Cutts. Its hard to name all the rivers and such. You will be driving and there will be rivers and small streams all over the place. The year before last is saw 5 bears on different occasions, one was a grizzly with its cubs, and 2 of them were black bears with there cubs.
Beautiful Place.

[bob naftel]

Mr. T,

I as usual agree with Jason B.

My recommendation would be go to West Yellowstone to Craig Mathews BlueRibbon Flies. He gives great info on where to go and what to use.

I like several books to plan as well. The Yellowstone Fly-Fishing Guide by Craig and Clayton Molinero, Fly Fishing the Yellowstone in the park by Bob Jacklin and Gary LAFontaine, and Fly Fishing the Madison by Craig and Gary.

I went this past Sept and it was great.

Bob

[mike b]

suggest you camp on madison at the conjunction with
the west fork. there is public camping on the other side of the
river. this is about 30 miles from west yellowstone. the
madison in the park and the firehole will probably not be
in good shape in july due to the water temp. the madison
below quake lake will be wonderful at that time. as far as
food - good to the oasis in manhatten for a t-bone. you will
not find a better steak.

[Ed Kent]

T,

If you're planning on staying in the Park, I would call ahead and book a res.....otherwise there are many public campgrounds in the area....I perfer the campground between Hebgen and Quake Lakes....name slips me but you can't miss it. There are 3 loops, all tree covered, secluded, and central to all of the fishing areas, and you'll always be able to find a camp site.

[ScottT]

Even if your staying in the park, a day trip to the Gallatin toward Big Sky is worth it - especially the stretch that flows through that "piece of the park" up in the meadows. Small water fishing after the spring run-off but loads of fun. This is an especially nice piece of water to take the younger ones or neophytes who are getting serious about our sport, but not quite ready to wade the big stuff. Mid/late summer when the 'hoppers are on is a blast with newbies (OK, I love it too...). Even the bad casts get a lot of strikes - and hopper strikes are exciting for all of us! I let my boys fish ahead with the hoppers and I lag back and still catch my share with small dries after they've hit 'em.

[Greg G]

I go up to that area every year and highly recommend that you get in touch with either Craig or John at Blue Ribbon Flies in West Yellowstone city. They know that area (especially YNP) better than anyone and could really help you in your choice of rivers and flies. When we go up, we always check with them first before heading out. Craig is one of the mostly highly regarded fishermen in those parts and beyond. His fly shop has some great guide service. They would do you well.

In July, you can expect some good hatches of PMDs, Caddis, Drakes and with any luck some Salmonflies. If you don't mind the travel, Slough Creek is awesome that time of year. The Firehole is another great river, although the water temps might be on the high side by then, but who knows. Soda Butte can be good too. It really depends on the water levels and if the ice has cleared in those northern areas. If the Salmonfly hatch is on, head to Box Canyon of Henry's Fork (Idaho). Its a big river, but when that hatch is on, its amazing! There is so much great fishing up there...you'll love it.

I just bought a DVD that Craig Mathews and John Juracek put out called Fly Fishing Yellowstone Hatches. It goes over all the major waters of the area and what to use. They did an awesome job. Check out their website.

www.blueribbonflies.com

Happy casting,

Greg