There are many small towns in the West famous for their trout fishing. Craig, MT, Island Park, ID, Jackson, WY, Missoula, MT, Glenwood Springs, CO, to name a few. But there is only one that is widely considered the epicenter of Western Trout Fishing.
There is a certain feeling an angler gets as they drive into West Yellowstone. Every other vehicle has fly rod tubes and fish stickers. Drift boats are parked in every driveway and backyard. The five fly shops are full of unique patterns for the region. Not to mention the rivers you must drive by to get into town, and knowing of the many famous anglers that have waded those waters. It all serves as a reminder that there is no place you’d rather be as a trout fisherman than West Yellowstone, Montana.
From the legendary rivers to the fishy culture, I share why fishing in West Yellowstone is so special and one of my favorite trout towns in the West.
The Fishing in West Yellowstone
What makes the fishing in and around West Yellowstone so unique is the array of quality trout fisheries within a short drive. While many towns have great trout fishing, it is often focused on a single fishery. Craig, Montana, has the Missouri River; Ennis, Montana, has the Madison; Jackson, Wyoming, has the Snake, and so on. West Yellowstone is home to many of the West’s most famous rivers and lakes, all within close proximity.
Head North out of town, and within a half hour, you can be fishing the famous Madison River or Gallatin River. Driving south for 45 minutes puts you on the renowned Henrys Fork, right on the famous Harriman State Park. Head East, and you’ll find a plethora of stellar fisheries in Yellowstone National Park. You’ve probably heard of the Firehole, Gibbon, and Yellowstone rivers.
The town of West Yellowstone is adjacent to Hebgen Lake, known for some of the best stillwater fishing in the Yellowstone Region. Henry’s Lake is also just right down the road for stillwater anglers. And I’m not going to mention the many small streams and backcountry lakes that go unnoticed amongst the famous fisheries. There is a lifetime’s worth of fishing in West Yellowstone, and it’s why West Yellowstone is the trout mecca.
The History of Fishing in West Yellowstone
Thanks to its many trout fisheries, West Yellowstone boasts a rich and influential history in Western fly fishing. The town’s unique past is full of stories from Yellowstone National Park, legendary anglers who called the area home, and pivotal moments that shaped the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.
West Yellowstone is at the center of the fight to protect native species, such as grayling and Yellowstone Cutthroat trout. The 1959 earthquake forever changed the course of the famous Madison River, leaving a mark on both the landscape and the fishery. West Yellowstone also served as a gathering place for the International Federation of Fly Fishers, welcoming some of the world’s most renowned fly anglers.
I highly recommend taking some time to tour the West Yellowstone museum, as they have an informative section on Yellowstone’s fly-fishing history. I also recommend reading Bob Jacklin and Bruce Staples’ book “Fly Fishing West Yellowstone,” which details the history of fishing in West Yellowstone and what makes it unique.
The Fishermen Who Made It Famous
Fishing a river in West Yellowstone is special because of the many famous fishermen and women who have waded the same streams before you.
Fishing the Barns pools, knowing Charlie Brooks, Pat Barnes, Bud Lilly, Bob Jacklin, and many others once fished those runs, and the influence they had on the fly fishing world. The same goes for fishing at Three Dollar Bridge, knowing Craig and Jackie Mathews supported the project and helped make that land public for fishermen. Hunting a rising trout on the Henry’s Fork, knowing the likes of Rene Harrop and Mike Lawson have done the same. For me, catching a fish in West Yellowstone feels special—you become a small part of the rich tradition and culture of West Yellowstone fly fishing.
West Yellowstone is the hub for some of the most respected and inspiring fly anglers the West has seen. Joe Brooks, Bob Jacklin, Bud Lilly, Doug Swisher, John Juracek, and countless other legends have their place in West Yellowstone fishing history. Not to mention all the guides and outfitters who left their previous lives and dedicated themselves to the waters of West Yellowstone.
It’s hard to fish West Yellowstone without developing a deep appreciation for those who came before you and shaped the sport into what it is today.
West Yellowstone Fishing Culture
The fishing culture in West Yellowstone is special. Never have I been to a place with more trout bums than West. Anglers from around the world converge on West Yellowstone in the prime season and dedicate their lives to the fishing. They work as guides, fly shop staff, dishwashers, cooks, bartenders, or whatever job pays them enough so they can fish every hour they are not working. Many of these fishermen and women spend the Rocky Mountain winters guiding trout in the southern hemisphere. The dedication and passion for fly fishing in the small town of West Yellowstone is incredible.
With the variety of fisheries in close proximity, the fishing culture is just as varied. Trout spey bums thrive with the many big rivers perfect for swinging flies, including the fall fishing on the Madison River just minutes out of town. Dry fly purists have some of the best hatches in the West to keep them busy all summer. Nymphing and streamer folks have plenty of big trout to chase. Whatever your thing is, there is a passionate cult in West Yellowstone to grow and learn from. They can be found in the evenings at one of the few bars in town, telling fish stories from the day. While they may be tight-lipped on where they have been fishing, they are usually happy to share a few tips and tricks with a fellow angler who loves West Yellowstone as much as they do.
West Yellowstone Fly Shops
Even for a small town, West Yellowstone supports five fly shops, each with its own unique community and history.
Jacklin’s Outfitters is one of the most famous because of the many contributions Bob Jacklin has made to the sport of fly fishing and West Yellowstone. He has been the heart and soul of West Yellowstone fly fishing, and a stop by his shop is a must. Blue Ribbon Flies was started by the one and only Craig Mathews and has grown a community of fly fishers and tyers that stretches around the world. Bud Lilly started the Trout Shop back in 1950, and it is now run by the Big Sky Anglers team under a new name. Arrick’s Fly Shop and Madison River Outfitters round out the list and help make West Yellowstone what it is to the angler. It’s worth a day shopping around and chatting with the many great people who left their previous lives to trout bum in West Yellowstone at the many fly shops.
Plan A Fishing Trip To West Yellowstone
West Yellowstone and the area’s fisheries are among my favorite places to be. The scenery, fishing, and culture keep me coming back many weekends throughout the year. I have spent ample time learning and enjoying the many legendary waters surrounding West Yellowstone, and I still feel as though I have so much to learn.
If you have not yet visited West Yellowstone, I highly recommend a trip in the coming years. It is one of the most unique trout towns in the West that I believe every trout angler should experience once in their lives. Feel free to let me know if you’re headed that way, and I’d love to help you plan a trip and maybe meet on the river!
Thanks for reading The Curious Angler,
Nick
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