Journal
Explore The Journal
After years of journaling my days fly fishing the Greater Yellowstone region, I realized the value this information could bring other anglers. In the journal, I tell the story of my fishing trips and go into detail on what techniques worked for me. I detail the weather, water types, flies, and other important information that led to my success or failure. I go over what I learned from the trip and pose questions about what I left the water curious about.
Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout
There is one fish that stands above all else in the Greater Yellowstone Region. Yes, brown trout grow big and eat streamers, and rainbow trout jump and fight like none other. But the Yellowstone Cutthroat is one of the defining species of the Yellowstone Region. It is the only place in the world where anglers can catch native Yellowstone Cutthroat trout, and anglers travel from all over to lay eyes on this special strain of
Addicted To Gulpers
Among us anglers, there is a sound we look forward to all year long. It’s a sound of summer fly fishing, heard on calm lakes throughout the Yellowstone Region. The sound brings excitement, challenge, frustration, and potentially reward. The sound is the renowned “gulp” that a big stillwater trout makes when it breaks the surface of a lake to eat an insect. This audible gulp sound is known by many anglers who chase rising trout
Spring Fishing Recap 2026
Spring fishing in the Yellowstone Region has really grown on me over the years. When I first moved to Montana, I fell in love with the fall fishing for migratory fish and the beautiful scenery. I thought spring was too difficult because of runoff and sporadic weather patterns. Now that I have been fishing the area for many years, spring is one of my favorite seasons. This spring encapsulated everything I’ve fallen in love with
Chasing Hatches
We are in the midst of hatch chasing season and the best six weeks of fishing in the Yellowstone Region. This is the time of year we travel many miles chasing salmonflies, drakes, PMDs, and whatever else comes to the party. All with the hopes of being on the river when mayhem breaks loose, and every trout in the river is rising. It’s all going on right now, and there is no time like the
Embrace The Skunk
Knowing where to be at the right time can be hard in the spring. With fluctuating flows and changing weather patterns, fishing can be inconsistent across many fisheries. Not to mention how much must go right to capitalize on the fishing when it’s good. This past weekend was a great example. I had two free days to do some fishing, which has been hard to come by with how busy May has been for me. I
Winter Fishing Recap 2026
Winter? What winter? That happened already? We are officially a few weeks into spring here in the Yellowstone Region, and it never felt like we had a winter. The snow didn’t come, the temps didn’t drop, and the rivers never froze. Despite the lack of winter weather, I am excited to document my fishing experience during the mild winter by sharing what I learned and what left me curious. I hope you enjoy the read and enjoyed
More Than Miles: A Fisherman’s Vehicle
There’s a certain kind of bond that’s hard to explain to someone who doesn’t fish. It’s not about the rod, the fly, the river, or the fish. It’s the connection between an angler and his vehicle. A fisherman’s vehicle is so much more than a way to get to or from work. It’s a second home, a gear closet, a kitchen, a bedroom, and a fly-tying desk. We drive thousands of miles a year in these
Fishing New Zealand 2026
Oh New Zealand… where do I start? It’s been a week or so since flying back from New Zealand, where my wife and I spent two weeks camping around the South Island as a belated honeymoon trip. It’s safe to say I struggled to settle back into my life here in Montana. Driving on the wrong side of the road, turning my windshield wipers on instead of my blinker, not falling to sleep until midnight, and
Heading To New Zealand
There is nothing better than the anticipation of an upcoming fishing trip. Filling fly boxes with more than enough flies for a few days of fishing. Spooling reels with fresh lines. Building leaders and checking every knot. Mapping rivers and fishing access sites. Watching every YouTube video and reading every article you can find on the destination. It extends the life and builds excitement for an upcoming fishing trip. New Zealand is world-renowned for
Winter On The Tailwaters
A winter day on a tailwater is special. Gone are the crowds of the summer season. The many tourists are replaced by a few local anglers. The river is low, revealing many of its secret pockets, worth bookmarking for the warmer months. While the fishing is often slower in the winter, you know the potential from seeing the fishery in its prime time. There is no fighting over the best holes, and no need to
How A Mild Winter Is Shaping The Fishing Season
The oddly warm and dry winter persists here in the Greater Yellowstone Region. It was pushing 55 degrees here in Bozeman last weekend, and the 10-day forecast shows more warm temperatures. The lack of winter so far is a hot topic, leaving everyone wondering what the next few months will bring. I thought I’d share my thoughts on what this means for the fishing in the Yellowstone Region and my perspective on what this fishing season
Fishing West Yellowstone
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. West Yellowstone, Montana. 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