Yellowstone By ben pierce
The Yellowstone River is big water with a big nutrient base that grows big trout, period. The Yellowstone is also the longest undammed river in the lower 48, one of the last strongholds of the Yellowstone cutthroat trout and the home water of some of the best fly fishers on the planet. And if you think that’s impressive, wait until you see the hatches. “The last time I caught the Mother’s Day caddis hatch real well was a high water year with a late run off,” said Peter King of Bozeman Angler. “We were even catching sculpins on dry flies, there were so many fish up in the river.” At the height of the Mother’s Day caddis hatch bugs can literally blanket the water. Mats of insects more than an inch thick are not unheard of. Later hatches of golden stoneflies and salmonflies can be equally astounding. Give the Yellowstone a chance and it will take your breath away. Maybe your leader, line and backing too. 10 Hatch | Summer 2014
Anglers fish from a drift boat near Point of Rocks on the Yellowstone River in Paradise Valley during the annual salmonfly hatch. BEN PIERCE
The Yellowstone River runs 692 miles from its headwaters in the Thoroughfare region of Yellowstone National Park to its confluence with the Missouri River at Buford, N.D. For the trout fisherman, the stretch from Yellowstone National Park downstream to Big Timber is the most important. Anglers can access the river just outside the park near the gateway town of Gardiner, and again downstream at Queen of the Waters and McConnell Landing fishing access sites. All three locations offer excellent fishing opportunities for Yellowstone cutthroat trout, rainbows and browns. Downriver lies Yankee Jim Canyon. The Yellowstone here can be exceptional during the late June salmonfly hatch, but the canyon is also choked with whitewater and best not to bring a drift boat through. Lower boat ramps at Point of Rocks, Grey Owl and Pine Creek offer better options for float fishermen.