We are taking a family trip out west this year. Gonna get some fishing in and maybe do a little backpacking. We are going at the end of june. What flies should i tie, and what rod should i bring? My 8 weight or my 6 weight. Thanks
CD
How far west? You going to the Rockies ? Pacific coast? Not trying to be snide, but something a little more specific would make it easier for folks to help you out.
Regards,
Scott
Give us a general idea where you are thinking of heading. “Out West” ? That’s like saying your going to Austraila… Out West is Huge and varied.
If you’re looking at places like Yellowstone, or Colorado even… your 6wt is fine. If your fishing for salmon on the Pacific coast…thats a whole other ball of wax.
Many rivers “out west” are not fishable in June or early July. Yellowstone area fishing isn’t in full swing until the middle of July. (15th)
Walk and wade or guided float? Do you have a float tube or small boat for still water fishing or is it just river fishing you want.
More details needed before we can assist you.
we are going to be around yellowstone and the tetons. Probably just walk and wade.
cdpaul,
You will only need your 6 weight for trout.
As for the flies, pick the rivers you want to fish then call a local fly shop to check with them. There are so many rivers in that area and they vary greatly regarding fly choice. Do have some nymphs with you, say size 18’s like Lightening Bugs, Flashback PT’s, Flashback Hare’s Ears, Prince Nymphs, Amex’s, San Juan Worms in size 16, to either use as a dropper off your dry or with a nymphing rig.
Larry —sagefisher—
6wt would be perfect.
4-6x leaders & tippets
No Lead in YNP
Dries:
Elk Hair Caddis
Stimulators (Stone fly patterns)
Rubber Legs
PMD’s
BWO’s
Nymph’s
BH PT & PT
CJ’s Asst Colors
Lg Zebra Brassie
Bitch Creek
BH Prince/Psycho Prince
Wet
Soft Hackle patterns 14-20
Woolly Buggers & Woolly Worms
Partridge & Red
almost all the flies on my web page will work there.
Late June you will have few fishable backcountry options besides Grebe and Cascade Lake, or Shoshone Lake for bigger fish. The Firehole, Gibbon, and Madison will be fishable. The Gardner will just be coming into shape. Everything else will still be in snowmelt unless we have an exceptionally warm May.
Weather, runoff may limit some of your options. Yellowstone River will probably be high and dirty; NE end of the park probably the same. West side of the park probably a safer bet; Madison, Firehole and Gibbon should still be fishing well (although early, warm weather could affect them, too). Madison outside of the park could be good as long as Beaver Creek and West Fork aren’t still puking mud; salmonflies may be coming off. South end of the park, Snake River will probably be high and dirty and you should exercise extreme caution if you’re thinking about wading it; that is very serious water even in prime flows and you can get in trouble in a hurry. 6 wt should be just what you need.
Regards,
Scott
cd,
If you don’t mind telling us, What is YOUR favorite fly that you use there in Michigan during that time of year? The fly that you catch fish on.
BTW your going to Fly Fishing Heaven. I know that you won’t think you had enough time spent there when you return home, but enjoy every minute your there.
…and where exactly did the name Grand Teton come from anyway? I know, but I know your young mind might get a kick out of the answer.
Why not bring both rods?
Thanks for all of the information. Bringing both rods crossed my mind, but our vehicle is usually packed tight when we go on vacations and i only have one rod tube. I am working on getting another tube so i could bring both. My favorite fly to fish is a para adams, but i have more confidence in HEN’s.
So… Para Adams is a great fly. It will slay them in Yellowstone country. Tie some up in #18 to #12 and knock 'em dead.
What’s a HEN’s ?
Oh…duh…, hare’s ear nymph. Yes, nobody will argue with that one! #18 to #8. Get tying!
The Yellowstone River downstream of Gardner could start fishing in early to mid July, and it can be especially good once it just begins to clear after the runoff. Check with the locals if you happen to be in that area then, because that can be some of the best fishing of the year there if you hit it right. You can find the fish right along the edges, and in addition to the flies already mentioned, a large black conehead crystal bugger (or similar) is a good imitation for the salmon flies that should be coming off then. I am never on the water in Yellowstone country without an ample supply of Parachute Adams, and my personal favorite is a #16. (I fish practically every day, somewhere in that region from mid-May to early October.)
Your 6 wt will be all you really need.
Like some have said…you will have few options for fishing in mid June. The reason is it’s snow melt run off time and cutthroat spawning time. Be sure to read the regulations carefully before you go. Mid July or later is much better if you can hold your trip off.
On a different note…be absolutely sure you carry bear spray 24/7…especially if you are hiking into the back country…and don’t go alone. Go in groups. I decided NOT to fish a lot of water because I didn’t have company and saw just too much bear activity. Also keep bison, moose and elk at a safe distance. They drove me off of a lot of places. My only real comfortable uninterrupted fishing took place on still water situations where I could take my float tube.
In most cases, you’ll be fishing nymphs and streamers. But a #16 Adams (parachute) works well everywhere out there, as a general dry fly pattern. Your best bet is to hit the shops in the area and talk with them before heading out…and buy a few flies in exchange for their time. Fishing inside Yellowstone NP is your most economical fishing. Outside of YNP you’ll need a Wyoming (can get expensive in Grand Tetons) or Montana license. Do a lot of homework before heading out.
I’ll be starting to make my way out there again in mid July.
You’re a brave soul, Deb, hope your summer is less eventful than last year.
You know, if you were able to put your trip off for a few weeks, you could join us for the Montana Fish-in…just a thought.
TT
CLUE: It’s French and Google has a translator.
That didn’t translate it… What a rip. :lol:
Here’s a link to a great website that has up-to-date reports in the summertime. Most of it involves the west side of the Tetons, but it covers some Park waters as well. If you like dry fly fishing, I’ve always enjoyed the Teton River, in Teton Basin, on the west side at that time of year. PMD’s should be going strong about then, and it’s very wadeable.
http://jimmysflyshop.com/
http://www.montanasbestflyfishing.com/montana-fly-fishing-montana-trip.htm scroll down to look at rod suggestions and then bring both. Big river, big sky and big wind along with big fish and big flies at time make a 7 or 8 wt just right! I find I can pack two rods to a tube fitting them in side by side.