We are blessed to have many fishing opportunities in the Greater Yellowstone Region. Whether it be the famous rivers known for their abundant hatches or little-known gems where native trout swim. With so many options, it can be challenging to decide where to fish when you have a day off. And with only so many days off, we want to make the days we get to fish count.
In this article, I share a few of the factors I consider when planning a day of fishing and choosing where I go. I hope this helps you filter through the many fisheries we have in the region and find the one that is fishing best for any given weekend.
Time Of Year
The first factor to consider when planning a fishing trip is the time of year. Each season has fisheries that fish better than others. Knowing what time of year each fishery is at its best is critical to success.
Here is a general breakdown of the fisheries I have in mind each season.
Winter : Tailwaters, Spring Creeks, and Ice Fishing Lakes
Spring : Tailwaters, low-elevation lakes, spring creeks, and lower sections of freestone rivers.
Early Summer : Tailwaters, Mid elevation lakes, clear freestone rivers
Late Summer : Alpine Lakes, Tributary Streams, Cold Freestone rivers, and Spring Creeks
Fall : Tailwaters, all stillwaters, tributary streams, and freestones.
Each fishery has its own schedule based on snowpack, weather patterns, and elevation. Learning each fishery and knowing when it fishes best takes time, so I highly recommend you spend plenty of time on your favorite fisheries and learn when they fish best.
Stream Flows
Stream flows may be the most important factor when choosing a river to fish for the weekend. To quote John Gierach, “Montana is where they watch the stream flows more than the stock market.” The last thing you want is to show up to a river when it is flowing high and muddy.
It is widely agreed upon that many rivers fish best on a decreasing flow. When checking stream flows, look at the flows compared to the average and the general trend of the graph. If the flows are above average and increasing, choosing a different river to fish for the weekend may be best.
After a few years of checking stream flows, you will begin to understand what flows each river fishes best at. This understanding will lead you to make the best decisions on which fisheries to fish and avoid muddy rivers.
Water Temperatures
If flows aren’t the most important factor when choosing a fishing spot, then water temperatures are. The optimum range for trout feeding activity is between 52 and 64 degrees Fahrenheit. While trout fishing can be good outside these ranges, it is best to find water within this range to increase your odds of a good day of fishing.
Some streams have water temperature gauges on the USGS website, while others do not. In general, the headwaters of a stream tend to run cooler than the lower reaches. I recommend bringing a thermometer and taking note of water temperatures each time you fish. Understanding water temperatures will help you predict hatches and the best fishing conditions.
Angler Preferences
How do you prefer to fish? Do you like chasing hatches and rising trout or tossing streamers for big trout? What about stillwater fishing? Do you want an adventure into the backcountry? You can switch it up and target a new species for the weekend.
We each have our preferences as anglers, and the Yellowstone Region has many options to fit your desired fishing experience. Rivers like the Missouri River or Henry’s Fork offer many hatch-matching and sight-fishing opportunities. The many mountain ranges are filled with no-name lakes and creeks for one to explore and catch native trout. The region also has many large trout lurking in the depths for those looking for a trophy. This region is like Disneyland for trout fly fishing, offering anglers the option to fish however they want. Consider how you want to catch them for the weekend and plan your trip around it.
Distance
Depending on where you live in the region, you may have fishing options that are much closer than others. However, some fisheries are inevitably a few hour’s drive, and we only have so much time to fish. It’s important to consider your timeframe and the distance before committing to a fishery so you can spend your time on the water rather than on the road.
My general rule around traveling to fish is that I must double my drive time in fishing time for it to be worth the trip. That means if I drive four hours to a fishery (two hours each way), I must have time to fish at least eight hours to justify the travel. The only exceptions I make to this rule are the opportunity to fish with a good friend or a unique fishing opportunity. Maybe a unique hatch, species, fish size, or once-in-a-lifetime experience. This rule keeps me in check and sets boundaries on my fishing options for a given day or weekend, and I invite you to give it a try.
Weather Forecast
The expected weather forecast is also critical when choosing where to fish. The weather may vary across the region, and you want to find the weather that best fits your style of fishing for the day.
Consider the wind, temperature, and overall conditions when planning where to fish. It may not be best to fish a stillwater if the wind blows 30 miles an hour. Alternatively, streamer fishing may not be good if the sun is going to be high in the sky. With time, you will understand what weather patterns to look for when planning your next fishing trip.
As you can see, there are many factors to consider when planning a weekend fishing trip. While we do our best to prepare and put ourselves in a position to succeed, we will inevitably get it wrong more than a time or two. We all learn from our mistakes and look forward to the next day off.
I hope this article helps you plan where to fish this weekend and filter through the many great fisheries in the region. I would love to hear what other factors you consider when planning your day of fishing in the comments.
Thanks for the read,
Nick
