Spent almost a week in Yellowstone and the surrounding area. Was able to get away for a few hours each day to hit different spots. Managed to fish the Gibbon, Firehole, Madison and Lewis Lake while in the park. It was everything I hoped it would be. Cloudy wet skies and cold didn't hamper the fishing or my desire as I managed to catch fish at every stop. Swinging flies is a tactic infrequently used in the small water I am used to, but it is very effective on the larger water around Yellowstone, especially when the trout aren't rising. Fished the Firehole River first and it lived up to its billing for beautiful scenery and wildlife, and overall smaller fish. Good place to get the skunk off, I started my afternoon in the rain upstream from the Nez Perce river. The buffalo kept me from resting in one spot too long. Caught a half dozen or so brown trout and headed back to the Madison campground. Doesn't get dark until 9:30 pm up here so had some more time to explore the Gibbon River in front of our campsite where I landed several more browns upstream of Madison junction. Went back to camp cold and wet and happy! Next day went back to the Firehole near Biscuit Basin. After walking downriver a ways to avoid the crowds I managed to find a great hole that i had all to myself. Didn't have long to fish but caught several more with a mix of rainbow and brown now. Caught most on the swing with a white miller soft hackle, as recommended by the local fly shop. It was the ticket. The next day I had to head into West Yellowstone for supplies and since the Madison runs next to it for about 14 miles, I just had to stop for a little while. Fished the Elk Meadows section for a few hours. I had several ferocious hits swinging the DHM but just couldn't get a hook to set, or they were bumping it more than eating it. After trying for an hour or so I switched to a conehead streamer whose name I cant remember and started to land some fish. Caught about a half dozen browns that afternoon, all were good sized. They say only 20% of all fishermen who fish the Madison actually catch a fish. I was happy to be in the 20 percentile. Following my unexpected success on the rivers, I thought it might be time for some larger fish on larger bodies of water. Headed over to Lewis Lake through the snow and hail to take a shot. It was cold, really cold. There was a sign warning of the cold water in case you fall in, and it must have been about 34 degrees. Cold! Didn't bring the pontoon 1500 miles for nothing though so blew it up and threw it in. After paddling out a ways it started to sleet but I pressed on and caught two 18 inch lake trout, a first for me. Caught them on my tied up Wooly Bugger too which made it sweeter. It got cold fast and I only lasted an hour before paddling to shore. It was a long drive to and from the Madison campground but it was well worth it. Again went back to camp cold and wet and happy! Yellowstone is a special place for fishing. I am fortunate that my better half understands my love for fly fishing! Of course most of our time in Yellowstone wasn't fishing, it is an incredible place for the entire family. We saw animals and wonders that we never knew existed.
Lees Ferry, never drive this far and just keep on going!
First Bison in the park we see is crossing the Madison River
The Gibbon River from our camp.
The Firehole River. Was raining most of the time. More Bison.
My honey hole on the Firehole.
Firehole just like I had dreamed with Bison and Geysers shooting off.
Madison Junction. Where the Gibbon and Firehole Rivers meet to form the Madison River. The Mecca.
Lewis Lake and one of my Lake Trout. Right before I got really soaked!
After leaving Yellowstone I had figured that my fishing was over for the trip. We were continuing on to Janine's brother's ranch with an overnight stop in Cody, Wyoming. Although beautiful like I never imagined, I didn't expect much from the area especially after seeing that all the rivers were high and turbid. The wife gave me the OK to hit the local fly shop so I did. They confirmed what I had seen, but remarked that there was other fishing to be had in the area if a small lake would interest me. Why not! Everything in Wyoming must be really big because the fly shop just told me that the fish were "bigger" in East Newton but dumber in West Newton. The two lakes are practically connected. Being dumb myself I chose to try the lake with the bigger fish, East Newton. Blew up the pontoon again, threw on the waders and hit the water. The lake is about the size of Christmas Tree I would guess. The weather was perfect. First fish I catch is a "bigger" 24 inch rainbow trout that would probably tip the scales at over 5 pounds! He and the following fish all took the damsel nymph dropper. Gave my 4 weight rod a workout and even took about 10 feet of backing into the lake before the tide of battle turned. My first impression of the lake was that I was going to need a bigger net! My 20 inch net didn't hold a single fish! After 2 large rainbows and a phenomenal brown trout that I will never forget I paddled back to shore, sore. Of all the fishing spots on the Yellowstone trip, this one is my most fond, even though it wasn't in the park. Awesome!
