The fly fishing chronicles of yellowstone national park

tom-travis · July 29, 2013, 12:00pm

Sysadmin Note

FLY FISHING ETIQUETTE:

The subject that I am about to cover, is not sexy; and it will not help to better understand the trout. However, it may impart the knowledge that will allow you to enjoy your days on the trout stream more completely. To me, fly fishing is fun and I do not care for those few individual who display bad manner and loud poor talk on a trout stream that I am fishing. However, it is possible that these boorish individual have never been educated in the proper etiquette and manner to be used on the trout streams of the world. Therefore I wish to share the following information.

In the year 1496, “Treatyse of Fysshynge with an Angle” was published; the author was Dame Juliana Berners. That was the accepted beginnings of fly fishing literature as we know it today. Since that time thousands of volumes have been published dealing with the various subjects which covers fly fishing. Also, there have been millions of newspaper and magazine articles published dealing with this same subject, fly fishing.

Therefore, a logical person might assume that all areas of fly fishing have been thoroughly covered. But alas, that is not the case. Most of the magazines and books published in recent years have neglected to cover the subject of fly fishing etiquette!

Unless you are extremely wealthy and can afford to buy your own stream, you are generally sharing the water you fish with other anglers. Now, I have had the great good fortune of making my home in Livingston, Montana, where I have been guiding and fishing the area waters for over thirty-five years. Within a two hundred and fifty mile circle of Livingston are some of the finest wild trout fishing to be found in the world. Yet seldom, am I the lone angler or guide on the water. In my role as a teaching guide I have often been asked;"What is the acceptable procedure for sharing the water with other anglers?"And “What should I do or say to those individuals who are rude or crowd in to close to?” The first question is fairly easy to answer. Fly Fishing Etiquette is simply nothing more than common sense and the best way to define etiquette is: “Do unto others as you would have then do unto you.”

In Webster’s New World Dictionary the word Etiquette is defined as follows: “The forms, manners and ceremonies established by convention as acceptable or required in society or in a profession”. After reading this definition you would think that fly fishers would have no problems with each other, that acceptable manners come very natural to most fly fishers and therefore seldom would there be any clash between them. However, there are those few who either by deeds, words or both show that they have no manners or common sense, thus creating problems for themselves and the anglers around them.

Sometime anglers who feel that their space has been invaded cause problems by yelling and swearing at the offender. Me, I don’t do that and feel that it accomplishs nothing positive. I will, offer to explain what fly fishing etiquette is and how it works.
Sometime, when being crowded, I will walk up to the individual, extended my hand and softly say;“Hi, my name is Tom, if we are going to be fishing this close together, I thought I should introduce myself.” Mostly I get a handshake, an apology, and room to fish in.

I would also like to caution anglers about yelling at someone who is crowding them, on some eastern streams, which see a lot more anglers than we do in the west, 100 to 150 feet is an acceptable distance. Some anglers in the west would feel that 100 yards would be to close. However, let us be realistic and learn how to be polite and share the water with others.

For the wading fly fisher most problems can be avoided if we use common sense and make an honest attempt at being courteous. Here are a few simple rules that work for me.

If you are fishing downstream, yield the right-of-way to the angler fishing upstream.
When you are fishing along a stream and chance upon another angler, get out and move around the angler, giving plenty of room so you don’t spook the trout.
Never crowd anyone. Other anglers have the right to their own space without someone edging in on them. If you’re not sure, ask!!
If you encounter an angler who appears to be sitting on the bank resting or watching an area, be kind enough not to jump in and start fishing. Also, you might ask, so you can move around the angler without spooking the trout being rested.
Don’t trespass or litter and treat all property and streams with care. If a gate is closed, make sure you keep it that way. Don’t build unauthorized fires. Obey all rules set by the landowner that allow you on their land to fish.

The angler that uses a boat to fish faces some other problems that must be considered.

Editor’s Note
Except on lakes and ponds there is no floating allowed in Yellowstone National Park

Never float over the water a wading angler is working. If the river is narrow, stop the boat and ask where you can pass so as to not disturb the trout being worked.
Remember that being in a boat doesn’t give you any special right and simple courtesy to other anglers who are floating or wading will make for a more enjoyable day for everyone.
Don’t race your boat to beat someone to a spot. If that is the ONLY spot to fish, try another river.
Always be aware of the other anglers in your area regardless of whether they are wading or floating. This will keep you from crowding someone.
Never yell at other anglers because they may be fishing a method different from yours. With this I am not just talking about those who may be fishing with lures or bait. I am also referring to certain individuals who believe that their fly fishing method is the only fly fishing method. In history the most famous example is the battle between the dry fly anglers and those who were fishing nymphs. A few years ago I watch battles between anglers over the use of strike indicators.
When fishing on the water, lower your voice, the stranger upstream may not enjoy your conversation.
Know the fishing laws of the stream you are fishing.

These are the rules I operate under, regardless of whether I am fishing or guiding. I have never had a problem that could not be dealt with in an easy and peaceful manner without resorting to yelling or other poor actions. I could list rules for the still water angler or those who fish the shorelines of ponds, lakes or even the beaches of the oceans. But, I think with a little common sense and courtesy it is easy to figure out those situations. For those of us who are long time fly fishers it is our responsibility to educate the new angler to the etiquette of fly fishing. It we do not, the sport of fly fishing will pay the price.

I have heard other anglers say that they don’t fish certain rivers because of the crowds, which is a choice that each angler must make as an individual; however I never let the number anglers or boats stop me from enjoying the day on the river.

Remember that fly fishing is supposed to be fun and I will not let anyone destroy my enjoyment. You must realize that you will be sharing the waters with other anglers and not all of them are going to have good manners. However, some of them are new anglers and no one has explained what good manner are on the trout stream and the others, well all I can say is it not a perfect world so don’t expect everyone you meet on the water to be perfect. When fishing in the Park you also have many people who are not there to fish and don’t realize that they should give you room and will often walk right up to where you are fishing and occasionally spook the trout you are working, be calm and tolerant. Yelling at the wildlife watchers will gain you nothing expect a possible reprimand from a Park Ranger.

Enjoy & Good Fishin’

Sysadmin Note

Sysadmin Note

Soda Butte Creek is approximately twenty miles in length. It is a long major tributary to the Lamar River and is located in the northeast corner of Yellowstone National Park. During the past ten years this stream has become one of my personal favorites to fish and I believe that Soda Butte Creek offers some of the finest dry fly fishing to be found within the borders of Yellowstone National Park.

On October 5th 2011 there was a gathering of fishing friends on Soda Butte and neither the fishing nor the day of friendship disappointed any of the participants. Today wasn’t really a guide trip though I have a hard time turning it off and I wanted the day to be memorable for all of us. My son Ryan was home to fish with one of my longtime clients and friend Dr. Jay Swartzwelter of Boulder, Colorado and joining up with us was my long time fishing partner Paul Gates.

My son is a Captain and Company Commander for the 6th Battalion Aviation, 101st Airborne Division and had just returned from his second tour in Afghanistan. Ryan is also a graduate of West Point, and as you might be able to tell by this, I am very proud of him. Ryan grew up in my fly shop and knew many of clients and fished with several as he was growing up.

As I was often busy guiding Paul Gates, who is my long time fishing partner and best friend, often took Ryan with him on many of his fishing adventures. Growing up in a fly shop had its advantages as Ryan was able to spend time with Lefty Kreh, Doug Swisher, Bob Jacklin and therefore turned out to be an excellent fly fisher as well as a creative and dedicated fly tyer.

Dr. Jay Swartzwelter has been fishing with me for going on thirty years and we have shared many different fishing adventures on many of Montana’s finest trout streams, but with the press of family and his own grandchildren Doc had not fished with me in a couple of the years.

Ryan had also not been able to return to Montana during the fall for many years due to West Point, tours of duty and the press and responsibility of family, as he is now married and he and his wife are now expecting their first child. Paul is recently retired from teaching but is now busier than ever.

Somehow with the magic of E-mails and many phone calls I was able to get everyone to communicate and able to get everyone in Montana for some fall fishing. A couple of days were spent fishing the pools on the Yellowstone River for brown trout that should have been gathering in the pools prior to the spawning run. The fishing was good but the special part was the chance to catch up, visit and talk over the many days we had spent together over the years was the truly special part.

On October 5th the weather had turn and the expected high was only going to be in the 50’s with a strong chance of rain. However, for today’s adventure we had decided to go to Soda Butte Creek in Yellowstone National Park, having been on adventures of this type before. Therefore I was prepared with a hot lunch of homemade Chili and Sausage.
We began the journey from Livingston, Montana and traveled south through Paradise Valley with periodic showers and low scudding gray clouds and we as continued into the Park we notice that the temperature was falling and I was hoping that Mother Nature wouldn’t get carried away with this cool down and present us with unfishable conditions. The cab of the truck was filled with stories, laughter and the others seldom noticed the conditions beyond the cab of the truck. The traffic was light which we hoped for with the early start and we were moving along nicely until we ran into a small buffalo migration and were delayed for about thirty minutes.

We spent the time enjoying the great scenery of the Park and took photographs of the buffalo plodding up the highway. As you may know the Buffalo is a big fellow and pretty much walks where they want and wildlife stopping traffic is just part of the experience of visiting a stream in Yellowstone Park. We had all experienced this event in the past and none us were in any great hurry.

Finally we started up the Lamar Valley and as we approached the area where Soda Butte joins the Lamar there were cars everywhere, the air temperature was now 42 degrees and a light mist was falling and the sight of all those vehicles brought a series of comments. Ryan said “So here is where they are serving that free breakfast.” Paul said “October 5th is the date of the Musical Concert entitled Ode to the Buffalo.” Doc quipped “No today is National Buffalo teeth cleaning day.” Doc is a dentist.

In view of all this intelligence I kept my silence as we moved closer to the source of the stoppage, and as we approached a bend in the Lamar River there was a Grizzly Bear on a kill with a pair of Wolves waiting for their chance to feed. We spent over an hour watching the Grizzly protect its kill from all comers and took many photographs while the Park Ranger were there to keep any of the other onlookers from approaching to close.

Finally at 10:30 am we finally move up to Soda Butte Creek and choose a section of the creek that runs right along the road to begin our fishing. Once we were geared up and on the water we all stop to observe and saw an occasional insect but the cutthroat trout were not showing any interest what so ever!

I found the water temperature to be 44 degrees with an air temperature rising to 45 degrees. There was a slight breeze out of the south and a continuing mist so I suggested that a two fly nymph rig might be the ticket. As we could expect a possible hatch of Gray Drake or Fall Drakes I suggested that we use a size 12 Olive Hare’s Ear nymph with a size 16 Black Sawyer Pheasant Tail nymph dropped 12" behind the Hare’s Ear.

I also suggest that we play with the placement of the strike indicator and bounce the nymph rig right along the bottom; and soon we were catching fish. The catch rate wasn’t fast and furious but steady if you thoroughly covered the water. Around 11:45 am I left the group to start lunch as I had a feeling that with the weather change we were not going to see much of the Gray Drakes or Fall Drakes however with these conditions I felt the Baetis hatch would start early and be heavy therefore I decided that an early lunch was in order.

I might mention that even though we were fishing right off the road we saw no other anglers. I think that the weather had discourage others from venturing out on the water.

As soon as lunch was hot and ready I called to the others and the rush was on, as I watched them scramble up the bank. I thought that, boy if the Baetis do come early and are as aggressive as these guys the fishing will be great.

Lunch was filled with more stories and a great deal of laughter and the large pot of chili disappeared like magic and was topped off with several cups of hot coffee, and we all agreed that the hot lunch was the ticket on a day like this.

The weather was holding steady with a light breeze and 46 degrees with a light mist and an occasional shower would move through and after lunch we returned to the river and saw an occasional drake but the trout were just ignoring any of the adult insects that were on the water. A week ago during much better weather I had fished Soda Butte Creek in this same area and on that day the Baetis hatch didn’t show up until 4:00 pm, but today I figured that the hatch would come earlier and it did.

The Baetis hatch began at 1:45 pm and continued on until 5: 20 pm. Once it began the hatch became extremely heavy and soon every trout in the river was feeding. Paul and Doc wandered upstream and Ryan continued to fish right along the road and fishing and the catching was just plain OUTSTANDING, and for me the pressure was off and everyone was catching trout so I spent time with my son. Mostly he did the fishing and I did the photography. For those of you who have sons that you fish with you will understand. I have caught my fair share of fish but I surely enjoy spending time with my son and watching him catch fish, pointing a good fish or recommending a pattern or suggesting an angle of presentation, just passing on the information that I have gained over a lifetime of fly fishing and guiding other fly anglers.

After a while I wandered upstream to see how Paul and Doc were doing, not that I was worried and both are extremely good anglers, it took me a while to find them and they had really wandered, I guess I should have hung a cowbell off one of them, but finally I found them and just sat down and watched as two skilled anglers worked the rising trout. I finally I joined them and we trade quips about slow reflexes and failing eyesight, you know the comments like “Jeezs I have seen better reflexes on a corpse,” and “Oh come on, Ray Charles could have seen that take!”

I was just good fun among anglers who have fished together for a very long time and we all thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. I finally wandered off to a little corner that I know of to catch a couple of these willing trout myself. For about an hour I lost myself in the pleasure of working difficult trout but even though I was not guiding I started to feel guilty and had to go and check on everyone to make sure that they were still enjoying success.

They were all still catching trout and my fears were groundless, soon I returned to fishing and all was well. I noticed that the hatch was beginning to taper off and that it seemed to be getting darker and I looked up and saw that a major mass of scudding black and angry clouds were heading our way and you could see the sheets of rain bearing down. By the time I collected everyone up the hatch had faded and the water was still. We barely made it to the truck to gear down when the storm struck and the rain was somewhat heavy so we sat in the cab of the truck drinking coffee and sharing notes on the fishing, the flies and presentation methods that we used and chided each other on missed fish or in my case and over eager strike which promptly broke off a very good cutthroat and darn near broke its neck! Or the misstep that caused the nameless angler to suddenly sit down among the cries of “Oh bored already” and “Hey old timer do you need a hand” and all of us then applauded.

We never did see another angler and the fishing day was as perfect as a fishing day could be, the weather was a little ify but some of the best fishing days are often in less than stellar weather. But the fishing was only a small part of this great day; it was the buffalo on the road, the grizzly on the kill with the wolves in attendance and the fact that we were all together again fishing one of the great rivers in Yellowstone National Park. Soon we would split up and go our separate ways and who knows when or if we will have a chance to all gather together again.

Enjoy & Good Fishin’

The following is a list of the flies that we used during the Baetis hatch along with images of each of the patterns.