Yellowstone Area?

Gentlemen,
     I am considering a journey to Yellowstone/Jackson Hole/Southern Montana this summer and I was wondering if anybody has any input on the fishability of any creeks surrounding the park.  I haven't been to Yellowstone since about 1978 and I'm trying to find out if all the land outside the park is posted.  Used to be a lot of open water but today ??? Any positive input would be appreciated.  I'm not looking for specific spots just wondering if taking my gear with me will be worth it.  Thanks in advance.

as far as i know you can fish anywhere inside the park.  outside? i don't know.

i do know you have all the water you would ever want to fish inside the park itself.  you need to buy a yellowstone fishing license for the park, and i think the season starts memorial day weekend.

you say you wanna fish outside, i don't know much about the outside.  but my thinking is why worry aobut posted land outside the park when you can fish anywhere inside.

Gentlemen,
    It's just a thought right now.  Back in the 70's I used to go to a camp just outside Jackson Hole that had great cabins and wonderful fishing.  Last I heard it was now an exclusive resort.  And yes you're right there is a lot of water inside the park but sometimes it gets as crowded as the Walnut Project Holes.  Used to fish way back in, till the time I met a very large BEAR that wanted my fish.  At least when I threw the stringer away he stopped and ate them.  Probably picked his teeth with the pin on the end of the stringer.  I'll probably pack some stuff and see what happens.

indsguiz

First let me say that we're retired and have time to burn. Our annual two week trip takes place after Labor Day, so crowds are never a problem. We have a loop that we do most every trip. We've driven 4X but flew the last time. Cost is about the same. Land in Bozeman. Super town to visit. Restaurants, brew pubs, people.

First stop the Big Horn. Favorite river in Montana. The bows go airborne, the browns don't fit into my landing net (It's a medium size net, the fish are not). I never carry a net, but it's a must on the Big Horn. We almost always wade. Easy fishing/catching. Last time we hired a guide for one day. Even more fun/fish. Almost exclusively nymph fishing. Scuds, and a soft hackle the locals call the Ray Charles. I'll save you the embarrassment of asking why the name. "Because a blind man will catch fish w/ that fly". Very reasonable accommodations in Ft. Smith if you keep clear of the Orvis/Lodges.

Next stop the Madison at Ennis. Bear Trap Canyon. It's the outflow of Ennis Lake. The dam/generators are not much to look at, but the fishing is worth it. We were told by a guy in the parking area the a rattlesnake was spotted on the trail up to the dam. I'm SNAKE PHOBIC, but that wasn't going to keep me from fishing. A snake (not a rattler, and the only snake that I've ever seen in Montana) slithered between my legs as I was walking back to the truck for lunch. I'm certain everyone that saw me jump, heard me yelp and sprint down the trail got a chuckle. My buds invite me because I'm usually the entertainment!
I'm amazed at the rapids that hold fish in the canyon, but they're in there. Once again nymphs (September). Fireflies, anything red. Ennis is a nice cowboy/fly fishing town too. Reasonable, very nice accommodations at Rainbow Valley Lodge.

Follow the Madison into the park (Yellowstone). Area just above Ennis lake is wade fishing only. We've never fished that, but plan to next trip. Breathtaking drive. Public access is limited, but available. Lots of guides/drift boats, but that is no problem. People are very nice. The river is an easy wade in most places. Tends to be windy at times. Area below Quake Lake is very popular. Keep an eye out for Kelly Gallop's Slide Inn fly shop just outside of West Yellowstone. World renown fly fisher/tier. Pick up one of his streamers. My souvenir for the trip.

Better make reservations if you plan to stay in West Yellowstone. We didn't the last trip (once again, September) and were lucky to get a room.

The Madison (first left just a mile or so inside the park) is a good place to fish. This is not a spot burn. Every fly shop in town will put you there. Wadeable, deep pools, nice riffles. But as I said, it's fished hard.

My favorite river inside the park is the Fire Hole. Fish aren't big, but there are lots of them. First stop "the falls" on a turnout just past the Madison Junction Camp Ground. Saw a man and his lady having a ball w/ dry flies there. They really knew what they were doing. I tried some dries, but couldn't track them w/ all the foam on the surface of the water. Even more fun try Mid Geyser Basin. Right along the Park road. Again, these are not a spot burns or secret spots. They were suggested by all the fly shops and you can see other guys fishing there. Anyway, swing your Partridge and Orange, or any other soft hackle that you like through the riffles. I enjoy tying/fishing soft hackles. They were made for the Fire Hole.

Last trip we left the park and headed for Jackson Hole. Again, RESERVATIONS. The drive and Grand Teuton Park are worth the trip. The Snake is in my opinion a drift river. Very deep, fast. Truth is, we were fished out. Jackson is a fun tourist/cowboy town. Pretty yuppyesk for my taste.

Other trips we close the loop and return to the Big Horn because that is by far the best fishing river we have enjoyed in Montana.

My buds and I are retired teachers and not loaded w/ cash. Whether we drive (2.5 days each way) and pay for gas or fly, this two week trip usually costs us about $1,200 total. You'll know immediately why they call it BIG SKY COUNTRY. Have a great trip.

indsguiz,
Sorry, but I can't think of the stream that you are describing. However, terrestrials are an excellent choice for Aug. and Sept. Saw two guys working together on the Fire Hole as it meanders through the meadow just before Old Faithful. One guy was walking along the river (dodging bison patties) and chasing hoppers into the river. Other guy walked along the bank and tossed his hopper imitation into the feeding frenzy. Fish are very smart, but these two were still one step ahead of them.
Don't think I'll be getting back to Montana this fall. Wifie and I spent a week at the Outer Banks last September, and this year she wants to make it two weeks. Fine w/ me. Fly fishing, bass fishing, surf fishing, it's all good! LIFE IS GOOD! T.

OTH
     I am trying to plan a summer trip for my grandson.  His choices:   Vegas!  (which I really can't fault, heh, heh, but his mother is against),  Washington DC which is OK but I hat the city, the area, the city and the area; and finally a road trip from Bowling Green thru the Black Hills to Yellowstone, lasting about 2-3 weeks.  He can't make up his mind.   Was planning a trip to Newfoundland to fish the Miramichi for atlantics but that fell through, due to logistics and co-ordination.

Get some Jakes spoons and fish the lake for cutthroat.  Its a blast!  or Charter a boat.  well worth it!

OTH,
    You're right about too many choices and my map reading sucks "The Miramichi is in NEW BRUNSWICK!".  He can't make up his mind but since my health is going; I'm determined to give him at least one great memory.  Was planning: Bowling Green to Omaha,  Omaha to Mt rushmore (fishing is a possibility in the black hills)  then Mt. Rushmore to Rapid city;  Rapid city to Bozeman;  Bozeman to Yellowstone (5-6 days)  Yellowstone to Colorado Springs  (4th of july at the pikes peak hillclimb)  Colo Springs to the Arkansas River (2 days fishing) then 2 days driving from Pueblo back to Bowling Green.  If we go to Vegas we will be taking the three day float trip down the colorado below the dam.  Fly fishing for rainbows in the cold water below the dam.  45 miles of trout and hard camping.  Thank goodness for vicoden.
   Any trip will leave me pretty well wacked but to me he is worth it

Indy if he can't go I can pretend to be your grandson for a couple of weeks.
 
 
 
 
LeT mE nO

Another missed fishing hole in Black Hills SD. Local word had it that it is great for trout... NEXT TIME!

ORIGINAL: Over the Hill
 Cody gun museum is a must.

 
Yep, When I went, it was the Winchester Museum but heard they now have the greatest collection of Colt.
Someone pocketed my Zippo-Winchester lighter at the bar in town.  I thought I was over it until now.
Even while camping in Yellowstone, more than once we found ourselves driving the 2 hours back to Cody for another day/night trip.  

My in-laws live in Bozeman so when we go out thats our home base ,I usually only fish within about 20  miles around the house .You would definately not be disappointewd in traveling from Bozeman to Ennis but would probly never make Yellowstone for not wanting to leave the Madison.Just along the highway alone is more water than you could work in a year.The Yellowstone Rivewr is also easily accessible from bozeman (about 3 miles outside town) and can be followed to park,seems to be more people on it tho.My favorite is the little yellowstone on the other side of town.
We will eventually be moving west once the kids are off to college  still 7 yrs away!  but any ditch practically holds fish I LOVE IT!!!!
 
Mark