Bison, Elk, Wolves and the Lamar Valley. Cutthroats too.

Nice perspective on the changes in the Yellowstone ecosystem, very interesting reading. Just got back myself from a week in/around the Park, 3 days on the Lamar. Although those high flows earlier in the summer delayed the fishing up in the NE end, the rivers are in great shape now and should fish well the rest of the season (think back a few years to 2007 when a number the rivers were subject to Hoot Owl restrictions late July-Aug). I've only been fishing up there since '99 but I was amazed at the number of bison up by the road; haven't been subject to that many jams (3-4 every day) before and it wasn't just 1 or 2 buffs by the side of the road, it was good sized herds moving back & forth, standing around giving folks great photo ops while seeming unconcerned about all of the cars, trucks and buses around them. Although there were a number of fishermen, a bit of walking (actually quite a bit) gave me all the water I could fish in relative solitude. Didn't even bother with the Soda Butte, except to take some photos early and late in the day; that place is crazy. Lots of hoppers up in the meadow grasses, not so many right down on the river but the fish accepted some of my offerings as a valid protein source; did find that they seemed a bit "tired" of my foam imitations and something like a Tarantula would liven things up.

Regards,
Scott

I remember reading somewhere that the wolves in a pack that feed on the bison on average weigh 50 lbs, and in some cases 75lbs more than their counterparts that hunt on elk.

As a result, the bison have relearned that they need to stay in larger herds to avoid getting caught up by a wolf. Likewise, outside of the park, I've noticed that many cow herds in wolf country have also relearned this survival mechanism. Most of the cow herds in wolf country tend to group tightly together. Meanwhile herds i've run across out of wolf range, tend to spread out.

Feb 13, 2011 – Sylvester Nemes died at home on the outskirts of Bozeman on Feb. 3, 2011, with his wife of 65 years, Hazel Mary Barclay Nemes, by his side.

What a loss! I used to leave his books in Blue Ribbon Flies in West Yellowstone. He would stop in and sign the books left for him to sign. Great guy!! Started a big change in fly patterns. Prior to his works, you would hardly find a soft hackle fly in the shops. Now, they have lots!

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Originally Posted by branhap

I remember reading..........As a result, the bison have relearned that they need to stay in larger herds to avoid getting caught up by a wolf.

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Glad to hear it's been discussed and documented. I've seen it happen over the past 5 years or so. This season more than ever. The downside to the fisherman is that it's getting increasingly difficult to fish the lower end of the Lamar where you now often find 400 or more bison in a big snorting, head-butting, dust-wallowing herd. There are other rumbling noises too. Quite a sight. But not a safe place to fish. Catering to fly fishermen is not the Park's mission. I'm not complaining. Just noticing.

I agree. I noticed it too. I almost got caught in a similar situation of getting a bison between my location and the path back to my truck! He was blocking the path for a while, but luckily during that time, I was able to easily keep my distance as the rest of the herd was still over the next rise.

I need to make another trip up for the purpose of fishing!