As we near the end of July and head into August, I thought I’d give an update on how the Greater Yellowstone Region has fished thus far this summer season. I hope you have had a wonderful summer of fishing so far and enjoy this quick read.
Before I proceed with the update, I would like to note that it is based on my experience on the water. My opinion is limited to the 23 days I have fished since June 1st, as well as my past seven years of fishing in the region. I understand things may be different on days I didn’t fish or on watersheds I didn’t fish, and that you may have a different perspective. I am young and have limited fishing experience, so I welcome your insight on how the fishing has been for you this summer.
This summer has been a little odd for me. Not that there haven’t been plenty of memorable days of fishing. It’s prime time for some of the best trout fishing in the country. With perspective, it’s never that bad. However, the fishing has been more challenging than what many anglers may be accustomed to. The word I keep coming back to when describing this summer’s conditions is “tough”. Not always bad, just tough.
Although we had a decent snow year, the snow melted quickly this spring due to above-average temperatures. Our runoff started and ended early, causing many hatches to occur earlier than usual and all at once. Rather than having a standard progression through hatches, it seemed as if all the hatches occurred within a two-week window on many fisheries. This makes for epic fishing during these two weeks, but not so epic after it’s all said and done. After the parade of hatches flew through, we were left with low flows, sparse hatches, and few rising trout.
Like many of you, I take a few trips each year around the same time of year. This year, a couple of my yearly trips were too late for the hatches I like to fish on those fisheries. While I still found some incredible fish, it was not what I expected. Not only were the hatches early and sparse, but water flows and temperatures were lower and warmer. All of this together makes for tough fishing, at least for those of us who prefer match-the-hatch fishing.
These conditions have made my days on the water more challenging than usual. Unfortunately, I have not had as many days of head-hunting, casting at rising fish as I am used to. I’ve had to prospect with dry flies much more than I prefer this time of year. This could be a combination of sparse hatches, low flows, increased angler pressure, wind, lack of experience, and simply being in the wrong place at the wrong time.
As we near the end of July, many of the famous and sought-after hatches are all said and done. Flows are low and rivers are warming up. It is getting tougher by the day, and August is not looking pretty. The thought of having another full month of hot, dry weather makes me grimace when considering our trout fisheries. Not to mention the intense angling pressure the fish have had to deal with so far this summer.
It is the time of year when one needs to find cold water for the best fishing and trout survival. Keep the fish wet, forgo the photos, and be cognisant of how much you are taking from the river. Is a 50-day fish day something you should be bragging about this time of year? On most fisheries, probably not.
There will still be plenty of epic days of fishing to be had as summer comes to a close. Hoppers are right around the corner, and we look forward to casting foam along undercut banks. The coldest water is typically found at higher elevations or below dams. I highly encourage you to strap on a backpack and venture into the high country. Find some cold water and less pressured trout.
If you want something a little different, get out and chase some carp, bass, or bluegill. I know many guys who look forward to carp fishing this time of year. Or take a weekend off from sticking hooks in trout and enjoy a hike, float, or camp with the people you love. There are many ways to enjoy a summer day in the Greater Yellowstone Region that do not include fishing.
However you end up spending it, I wish you a wonderful end to summer. It’s truly a special time of year.
Let me know if you have any questions or comments. Thanks for following The Curious Angler.
Nick
