After several days of fly fishing for trout in Grand Tetons National Park, which was spectacular, we continued our fishing excursion into Yellowstone National Park. We were hoping to revisit some waters we had fished on a previous excursion, as well as become introduced to a few new waters - among these a sleepy Joffe Lake just outside of Mammoth.
Fly fishing for brook trout on Joffe Lake
On these fishing excursions out west, we tend to be on moving waters, but will occasionally seek a still water experience for variety. Some memorable moments have been had on still waters, such as targeting arctic grayling at Cascade Lake and greenback cutthroat at Loch Vale. Joffe Lake was similarly compelling as it offered the opportunity to hook into some decent sized brook trout.
Joffe is not a big lake and would have a hard time accommodating more than half a dozen anglers. It is also not a very deep lake with aquatic vegetation harboring a ton of brookies of various sizes, most in the three-to-six-inch range. It is possible to fish from shore, but some of us suited up with waders to be able to cast to the clearly larger fish puckering the surface in the middle of the lake. The most effective patterns were wet flies, particularly streamers, such as a black bunny leech and small krystal buggers in bright colors.
Fly fishing for trout on Soda Butte Creek
Well, I thought the Gros Ventre River and Flat Creek in the Tetons were interesting, and then we went to Soda Butte Creek! We started at the confluence of the Lamar with the Soda Butte, which had a very fishy looking pool, but which did not produce any strikes from drifting nymphs or swinging streamers. I also fished the riffles downstream of the confluence with no success on various hopper-dropper tandems.
Our fishing party then followed the Soda Butte upstream of the confluence, but the flow was very weak. So, we continued upstream to the fish the meadow that lies between the Lamar River trailhead and Soda Butte mound ('cone'). We accessed the creek at the trailhead that crosses the river and had great action, despite a lot of hiker activity. You will see a lot of fish under that bridge – and they will have seen a lot of pressure, so it is wise to not spend very long trying to get those fish to bite. However, the dry fly action was very good in the waters upstream of the bridge in the direction of Soda Butte canyon.
A further note about Soda Butte is that this stretch along US Hwy 212, also known as the Northeast Entrance Road of Yellowstone National Park, is very popular with both hikers to the Lamar Valley and anglers fishing the Creek upstream of the Lamar River trailhead. There is a parking lot at the trailhead with room for, at best, 20 vehicles. And then a handful of laybys with even more limited parking along the Northeast Entrance Road upstream along the Soda Butte Canyon. So, it is a good idea to arrive early or expect to wait some time for a viable parking spot.
Fly fishing for trout on the Firehole River
The master angler and author, Charles Brooks, called the Firehole River the “strangest trout stream on earth” for the plethora of thermal curiosities the feed the stream in the vicinity of Old Faithful. We entered the river near to the Nez Perce picnic area, downstream of the Ojo Caliente spring and Sentinel Meadows. Here the river is characterized as a gentle and meandering meadow stream with a series of riffles that produced some very good dry fly-fishing action, particularly with the classic “white miller” fly, as well as caddis and parachute patterns. During a peak period of rising trout we had great success casting to the rises, which at one point seemed to be every few seconds. This was by far one of the best waters we fished in Yellowstone, with prospects for rainbow, brown and brook trout.
Yellowstone Fishing Regulations
Fishing in Yellowstone National Park is regulated by the National Park Service, which issues licenses specifically for fishing in the park. In addition to an annual permit, one can also purchase a seasonal permit, as well as three-day and seven-day options. Gear regulations include using only barbless, or de-barbed hooks, as well as a prohibition on felt-soled wading boots.
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