The Lamar is another favorite Yellowstone Park destination of our guides. The Lamar Valley is one of the most scenic areas in the Park. The river meanders through a grassy meadow, with gentle riffles, boulders, and undercut banks providing some great cover for trout. Elk, bison, bears, and even wolves frequent the Lamar Valley. Expect to see mostly Yellowstone cutthroat trout, although there are some big rainbows and cut-bows in the lower stretch of the river. There are good hatches of Pale Morning Duns, Green and Gray Drakes, as well as a variety of caddis in July. The hopper fishing is excellent from late July through late September. On the right days, the Lamar also produces heavy hatches of Gray and Green Drake mayflies. These are big bugs, size 10 and 12, and tend to bring up all the big fish. If you hit the right day (heavy cloud cover is ideal), you will likely see some of the best dry fly fishing of the whole season.

The same mighty Yellowstone River that flows through Paradise Valley and Livingston originates in Yellowstone National Park. Two tributaries, one from Yount’s Peak (12,156 ft) and one from Thorofare Mountain (12,058 ft) come together to form the Thorofare of the Yellowstone, which flows into Yellowstone Lake. This pristine portion of the Yellowstone is difficult to get to without horses, as it requires a hike over 15 miles one-way.

The section that we guide starts below the lake, (although there are a couple of sections here that a permanently closed), down to the confluence of the Yellowstone and the Gardner River, near Gardiner, MT. After the runoff, (usually ending by early July), the river is swarmed with salmon flies and other stoneflies. Terrestrial fishing on the Yellowstone is good in July, August, and September. Depending on how far you’re willing to hike, you can fish parts of the river with very little fishing pressure. The Yellowstone River in the park, like all other streams within the park boundary, is walk wade only.

Slough Creek is one of the most popular fishing areas in Yellowstone Park—and for good reason. The scenery is spectacular, access is relatively easy, and the cutthroat fishing is some of the best in the world. The lower meadows of Slough Creek below the campground are easily accessible from parking areas between the campground and the Cooke City road. There are a few big rainbows in this lower water as well as big cutthroat. The upper meadows of Slough are accessed from a trailhead near the campground. The first meadow is a 45-minute walk from the trailhead—this hike starts with a fairly steep climb but levels out after the first hill. Be sure to keep your eyes and ears peeled- the trail is used for horse-drawn wagons headed into the Silver Tip Ranch.

The first meadow is the most popular because it’s close, and while the fishing is excellent, you can expect to see plenty of other anglers here in the middle of summer. If you want to see fewer people, Slough Creek’s second meadow is about a 2-hour trek, but worth the extra effort. The additional distance cuts down the number of anglers, but it also shortens the fishing day if you plan to do this as a day trip. There are several campsites in the second and third meadows but these are on a reservation basis only with the Park Service at Mammoth. Be sure to plan ahead, the earlier you can reserve a campsite, the better. Many of the cutthroat you’ll catch in the second or third meadow will hit 18 and even 20 inches. These are heavy fish, and some of the best fighting cutthroat anywhere! Best of all, they favor rising to dry flies with an almost slow-motion take. Heavy hatches of caddis, PMD’s, and large Green and Grey Drake mayflies make for some spectacular dry fly fishing in July. Later, hoppers, beetles, and flying ants are the winning dry flies.

Soda Butte is hailed as one of the best trout streams in Yellowstone National Park. It is similar to the Lamar and runs in between grassy meadows and timber forests. Terrestrial fishing starts in July and is effective much of the season. There are healthy Pale Morning Dun and Green and Gray Drake hatches through the summer, with good caddis hatches also. In the later season, you can catch the legendary cutthroat on larger drakes and hoppers. Fishing on Soda Butte is some of the most scenic fishing in the park, and access can be fairly easy. The most popular spot is the confluence with the Lamar River, but your guide will take you to a spot where you will be successful. Eat your lunch on the banks of the river and watch bison graze in front of one of the most spectacular backdrops around.

The Gibbon and Firehole Rivers combine to form the Madison River.

Beginning at Grebe Lake the Gibbon River is easily accessible in many spots throughout its journey to Madison junction providing ample fishing opportunities.

The Firehole is perhaps most well known for its proximity to large and active thermal features. It is also readily accessible and can provide excellent dry fly opportunities.

The Madison River is larger and perhaps most well know for opportunities at large migrating brown trout.