Yellowstone

[troutfiend1985]

I'm going to Yellowstone this summer, I was wondering if anyone knew of a good guide that I could contact.

I also have one other question, how bad are the Grizzlies up there? I'm really wanting to get into the back country, but man the I do not want to see National Geographic take place in front of me. I just have this picture of me accidentally wandering up on a Grizzly and me getting beaten like a guy in an early 80's Mike Tyson fight.

Any help would be appreciated.

[Gavin]

I've been there a few times....What is your time frame? How are you getting there? And whats your agenda once you hit the park? Post it or shoot me a PM... The Grizz arent bad...I've seen a few while fishing within O'Blank range but never a problem.

[fishgypsy]

I've gone out a few times and it's a lot of fun- when are you going and whereabouts are you planning to spend most of your time?

Grizzly bears aren't terrible, when I've been up there I've worried more about the bison than the griz. Good luck!

[Kicknbass]

I've gone out a few times and it's a lot of fun- when are you going and whereabouts are you planning to spend most of your time?

Grizzly bears aren't terrible, when I've been up there I've worried more about the bison than the griz. Good luck!

Google fly fishing west yellowstone. I'm sure you can come up w/ something. I know there is a fly shop in west yellowstone, I think it is Bud Lilleys fly shop. They should be able to hook you up.

[Al Agnew]

There are several fly shops in West Yellowstone that will hook you up with a guide for the park. The grizzlies are there, and the farther you get into the back-country in the summer the more likely you are to encounter one, but it isn't all that likely and even if you do run across one it isn't all that likely that it will be aggressive. Most of the places the guides will take you for a day trip, the chances of seeing a grizzly are fairly remote.

If you are doing day trips in the park, figure on LOTS of company in the summer. Anyplace you can drive to and get to with less than an hour of hiking is going to have other anglers. If you're willing to walk a little farther than that, the competition drops off significantly. There are a lot of smaller streams in the park that have pretty good fishing and few other anglers, but it takes some exploring to find the better spots. There are several good books on fishing in the park that can be pretty helpful if you are doing it on your own. Otherwise, as my flyfishing buddy and I have said many times, "Let your guide be your guide."

You also have other options outside the park. Lots of good fishing, both wading and drift boat floating with a guide, on the Yellowstone on the north side of the park, on the Madison to the west and northwest, and on the Snake to the south in and around Grand Teton Park. The park float on the Snake is the most popular, and only a couple of concessions are able to do those trips so they are booked months in advance, but there are other floats below the park that are easier to set up. In my opinion, unless you do a backcountry trip of more than one day in the park, the better fishing is to be found outside the park.

One trip in the park I heartily recommend if you have the time and want to spend the money is a horseback trip up Slough Creek to the third meadow. It will be a multi-day trip (takes about a half day of riding to get there). Lots of big native Yellowstone Cutthroats.

[CS Huntley]

A lot of the trails and back country sections are closed off early in the year because of bear activity. If you go in May/June your chances of running into one are much greater than if you take the trip in July/August. There are some sections that don't allow fishing until after July so make sure you check into it before you go. Yellowsotne is incredible though and you will have a great time no matter when you are there.

[troutfiend1985]

I was thinking on going just after July 15th, that seems to be the date when the smaller streams open up. My idea was to get away from the crowds and get into the back country. I appreciate the help you guys have given, does anyone know of a good book on yellowstone because there are so many and I don't know if there are one's that are alot better than the others.

[fishgypsy]

My favorite book on the subject is "The Yellowstone Fly Fishing Guide" by Craig Matthews. It goes into the major drainages, small streams in lengths in fairly good detail, letting you know acceses, trails, species present, hatches, and flies to use. He also owns Blue Ribbon Flies in West Yellowstone, and is very approachable as to information regarding the local fisheries.

PM Sent.

[Gavin]

I have two of them, and I'd recommend them both......"The Yellowstone Fly Fishing Guide" by Craig Matthews, and "Fishing Yellowstone National Park" by Richard Parks...If your looking for some short backcountry hikes...Trout Lake is a half hour walk....The Yellowstone below Tower Falls is a short walk. Hellroaring Creek is a bit further. Soda Butte, the Lamar, and the Y. Stone in the Canyon are your best bets for a Y. Stone Cutt. Dont bother with the Y. Stone below the Lake (Buffalo Ford area)...It was great fishing 20 years ago, but not anymore(no fish).

I dont really see a need to hire a guide in the park...but its worth the cost if you want to fish Upper or Lower Madison, or the Y. Stone outside the park. Cheers.