Yellowstone National Park

[DarkShadow]

The mental batteries needed some recharging after the hustle and bustle of LA life. A quick drive to Yellowstone National Park made it all better.

Spent a week in the park, and honestly spent more time viewing the sites, than fishing. But, the fishing varied, and success was based on your presentation. The last day of my vacation, I decided to fish the creek that was 10 yards away from my cabin, and found more willing biters of the 12" variety that you can shake a stick at. Our local creeks would have been feeling inadequate.

Pictures are worth a thousand words, so I'll stop talking now.

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And that's Day 1 before we even got a line on the water!

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I did fish, really, I did.

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"There was nowhere to go but everywhere, so just keep on rolling under the stars." -- Jack Kerouac

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[shinbob]

Awesome photos! Colors are amazing - saturations reminds me of the old days shooting Velvia.

I need to get up there at least once in my lifetime. Which cabins did you stay in, and did you like them?

[DocSpotty]

Great picture....not sure why you bothered with those nasty yellowstone cutthroat....;-)

[Stumpknocker]

Beautiful pictures of a great vacation, at the right time of year! Thanks for sharing them DarkShadow.

[DarkShadow]

Awesome photos! Colors are amazing - saturations reminds me of the old days shooting Velvia.

It was either that or my Lomo! But in reality, HDR capabilities of new cameras nowadays are pretty fantastic.


Which cabins did you stay in, and did you like them?

We stayed in Silver Gate, Montana, which is just a stone's throw away from the Northeast entrance.

A word of advice is that getting from the Western entrance (which is the most common for us SoCal folk) is about a 2 to 3 hour drive in the park, depending on bison traffic, and the "HOLY ***** WOULD YOU LOOK AT THAT I NEED A PICTURE!" that happens every mile or so.

http://www.pineedgecabins.com

That's the place, and the prices are EXTREMELY reasonable after doing some research on lodging near and around the park. If you're taller than 6'0", the cabin may seem a bit claustrophobic, but all we needed was a place to sleep, a place to cook, and a place to shower. We stayed in Whispering Pine #6. I left a killer grasshopper pattern in the fridge for any lucky angler who may need it, and a cold Montejo.

The cabins were more than enough. The best part? NO CELL PHONE SIGNALS, NO TVS, NOTHING BUT NATURE! My phone was turned off for the entire trip, and even on the drive home, I had it off. There are 3 major tributaries within a 20 minute drive, and don't overlook the feeder creeks.

[DarkShadow]

Great picture....not sure why you bothered with those nasty yellowstone cutthroat....;-)

Doc,

I'm afraid I will need some counseling getting back home and having to deal with refined rainbows that we have around here. Our 'bows will inspect a fly 12 times before not hitting it.

Those Yellowstone Cutts are suicidal! They approach dry flies so slowly, so methodically, that I needed some Maalox to relieve the acid in my stomach that the anxiety caused in those few seconds as they came up to annihilate the foam.

[pcuser]

Those photos are amazing. Are you a professional photographer or is the beauty so intense it's hard to take a bad picture. In any case, it sounds like a great vacation, fishing and otherwise. Thanks for posting...

[DarkShadow]

Those photos are amazing. Are you a professional photographer or is the beauty so intense it's hard to take a bad picture. In any case, it sounds like a great vacation, fishing and otherwise. Thanks for posting...

I'm not a professional photographer. But I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night.

[old pudd fisher]

I have to know?? Photography is my main hobby. Is it cell phone or camera ? Which ever they are great work.

[basshole1]

WOW...those are some really amazing photos. That last one you took is INCREDIBLE. What kind of camera were you using?

[simijab]

Awesome man. We were supposed to go there this last summer but didn't make it this year. I haven't been in 30 years and my wife has never been there. Hopefully next year

[DarkShadow]

I have to know?? Photography is my main hobby. Is it cell phone or camera ? Which ever they are great work.

OPF,

I am a big fan of the Canon AF1 and used that setup for decades, growing up taking photos back in the day. When you used to shoot film, it was very important to get your shots framed correctly, or else you'd be eating ramen having to get new 35mm film for your shots. That's the problem with digital. Any person can shoot 1000 shots and have 1 come out well, and that shot is enough to prevent them from learning the art. (Gotta love those dead fish sink shots.)

Having been forced to think before you snap a picture, my shots now are still based on the basic tenets of photography. The great thing is that now, I can make a mistake and still snap a second shot, or third. But the basics are still necessary, which is why I still love people who snap photos of fish in their sink, or dead on a stringer. Seriously? You couldn't snap a picture when it was still alive?

The problem now, is that even my belt buckle has a camera, so the shots of dead fish on a stringer are very easy to come by.

I try to do the opposite.

I'm using a mirrorless Nikon at this point, as DSLR is going the way of the dinosaur. (Yes, sorry for those who just bought one, but it is.) It's funny how a 500 dollar camera is doing the same thing as a 2000 dollar DSLR. Mirrorless is the way to go. If you are serious about your photo hobby, you should take a look at mirrorless cameras, as they are the new foundation to the future of cameras.

DSLRs are extinct, even though nobody wants to admit it. But I still love those sink and driveway shots! Keep 'em coming.

[shinbob]

DSLRs are extinct, even though nobody wants to admit it. But I still love those sink and driveway shots! Keep 'em coming.

No question DSLRs will *eventually* become surpassed by mirrorless, especially for consumer-grade cameras, but having played with a few mirrorless cameras, for now I'll stick to my T5i. Mirrorless cameras are just too slow for me, I like the instantaneous <CLICK> and knowing my photo has just been captured. Plus I like looking through optical viewfinders, though I recognize that's probably just a habit from the past.

[Piss on Myspace]

Absolutely stunning DS....maybe the best photos ive seen posted since I've registered... same thing happens when I go out backpacking, fishing oriented at first than forgotten when enjoying the beauty of ma nature....Thanks for taking us along. Cheers!!!

[DarkShadow]

WOW...those are some really amazing photos. That last one you took is INCREDIBLE. What kind of camera were you using?

basshole1,

My outfit consists of 2 cameras, one mirrorless, the other a DSLR

1. Nikon 1 J4 w/ 3 Nikkor 1 lenses, VR 10-30 mm, VR 30-110mm, 10-100mm f/4.0-5.6 VR
2. Canon OS 7D EF-S w/ 18-135mm IS Lens Kit

I used the Nikon more than the Canon, simply because it was easier to pack along during longer hikes, and for these scenic shots, it performed pretty well. The DSLR was used more shooting from the car since the shutter speed is faster than the mirrorless.

I still haven't downloaded the pictures from the Canon.


Absolutely stunning DS....maybe the best photos ive seen posted since I've registered... same thing happens when I go out backpacking, fishing oriented at first than forgotten when enjoying the beauty of ma nature....Thanks for taking us along. Cheers!!!

Thanks for the kind words! It was a trip of a lifetime, and there will be PLENTY more of those in my life. With what I know now, I can craft a legitimate itinerary instead of just winging it like I did.


No question DSLRs will *eventually* become surpassed by mirrorless, especially for consumer-grade cameras, but having played with a few mirrorless cameras, for now I'll stick to my T5i. Mirrorless cameras are just too slow for me, I like the instantaneous <CLICK> and knowing my photo has just been captured. Plus I like looking through optical viewfinders, though I recognize that's probably just a habit from the past.

shinbob,

I should've added that DSLRs will still be used by professional photographers unless something drastically changes in the technology, mostly for the reason you mention above. Nothing can beat their FPS, autofocus and read/write speeds. What I meant to say is that DSLRs will move towards a more demanding niche market, as opposed to a general common-man consumer item. You'll still see DSLRs (and all their glass) dominating the sidelines at sports events, and quite honesty, if the market continues to trend towards a cheaper full-frame DSLR, I probably will be buying one for certain type of shooting.

I carried both the Nikon mirrorless and my trusty Canon during the trip, and you should've seen the glances I got from both the Nikon camp and the Canon camp, as apparently having a Nikon and a Canon strapped to me was heresy.

I actually didn't mind the EVF on the Nikon to tell you the truth. It is kinda weird not looking through the glass like my Canon, but I found it easier to frame my shots.

[old pudd fisher]

I Have two Nikons, a D7100 and a full frame D610 they are both so fast. Just got a new Nikkor 24-70 mm lens f/2.8 that lens kicks butt. Thanks for the reply DS.

[DarkShadow]

... and a full frame D610.

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[old pudd fisher]

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Yeah! They are both awesome But $$$$

[City Dad]

This whole report is bull$h!+! I call Photoshop!!! Everyone knows trouts that size don't exist anywheres any more!!!

[cutbait]

What color power bait was working the best? Did you use sauce?

Any jig fish?

[DarkShadow]

This whole report is bull$h!+! I call Photoshop!!! Everyone knows trouts that size don't exist anywheres any more!!!

CD, I had a fish take me into my backing. MY BACKING. I haven't seen my backing since I put it on in 1985. I must have hooked a bear that was swimming in search of fish.


What color power bait was working the best? Did you use sauce?

Any jig fish?

Hatchery dust was applied on all my PowerBait™ flies. They were focusing on the chartreuse, although the orange salmon flavored with glitter was also getting looks. The trick is to enlarge your PowerBait™ ball if you keep getting refusals. No trout can resist a golf ball chunk size of PB. If they do, go up to a baseball size chunk. And, in Yellowstone, the trout are huge so you may need to increase the size of your PowerBait™ ball to something resembling a softball. The softball hatch was full on, and you needed to match the hatch.

There were no jig fish, because I forgot to bring my specialized and customized Phenix 9' jig rod with me. The Pro Staff will be disappointed and I might lose sponsorship.

[cutbait]

That Phenix jigstick paired with the stradic is unmatched. I'm surprised you would leave home without it.

With the sensitivity and yet back bone the rod has and the smooth drag of the stradic, well let's just say its an unfair advantage against the fullest of full tails


On a side note. Vidal Sassoon has been producing for me way more than the "sauces"

Mix in some garlic salt, anise oil with the Sassoon gel and HOLD ON!

[City Dad]

how crowded was it?

[DarkShadow]

On a side note. Vidal Sassoon has been producing for me way more than the "sauces"

Mix in some garlic salt, anise oil with the Sassoon gel and HOLD ON!

Nothing beats The Dust, bro. The only sauce that was being passed around was in a flask.


how crowded was it?

If you're the type to drive on the 91 and get off on Katella, and walk 5 feet from your car to wet a line, then yes, it was crowded.

If you're the type that can't see their parked car from where you're fishing, the park was wide open.

And, I've never seen so many AARP members concentrated in one place at once. You could've made a killing selling Geritol and Fixodent on the side of the road. Too bad I didn't get any cell service or else I would've had a sign saying, "CALL YOUR GRANDKIDS HERE FOR $2 A MINUTE."

[City Dad]

Nothing beats The Dust, bro. The only sauce that was being passed around was in a flask.



If you're the type to drive on the 91 and get off on Katella, and walk 5 feet from your car to wet a line, then yes, it was crowded.

If you're the type that can't see their parked car from where you're fishing, the park was wide open.

And, I've never seen so many AARP members concentrated in one place at once. You could've made a killing selling Geritol and Fixodent on the side of the road. Too bad I didn't get any cell service or else I would've had a sign saying, "CALL YOUR GRANDKIDS HERE FOR $2 A MINUTE."

nice! Lots of space and lots of silver foxes for eye candy.

what patterns produced? (for trout)

[Fishingdachronarch201E7]

Wow!! amazing!!! real beautiful!!! awesome colors and pictures Darkshadow!!!!! awesome report, good stuff! WTG

Tony G

[DarkShadow]

nice! Lots of space and lots of silver foxes for eye candy.

what patterns produced? (for trout)

CityDad,

On the Yellowstone, there was a full on grasshopper exodus so chucking big foam did the trick. I looked at some of the patterns and they looked like the arts and crafts projects I used to make my mom during summer camp.

http://www.easy-child-crafts.com/image-files/preschool-craft-projects-grasshopper-9.jpg

Just add a hook, crimp the barbs, and you'll be catching fish in no time.

Although Dave's Hoppers, Letort's Hopper, and Chubbys were all producing. I've never seen so many grasshoppers in my life. "White hoppers, black hoppers, Spanish hoppers, yellow hoppers, hot hoppers, cold hoppers, wet hoppers, tight hoppers, big hoppers, bloody hoppers, fat hoppers, hairy hoppers, smelly hoppers, velvet hoppers, silk hoppers, Naugahyde hoppers, snappin’ hoppers, horse hoppers, dog hoppers, chicken hoppers, fake hoppers! If we don’t have it, you don’t want it!”

To add to the fun, I dropped another terrestrial behind the hunk of foam, and got several moments were multiple fish would rise to each.

Then the weather ruined that fun.

In the Northeast section, your BWO, PMDs and PEDs (size 14s to 18s, depending on the species) were all producing, you just needed to know when to throw them. Purple Haze got a few looks as well as did the trusty rusty spinner. As far as the nymphs went, you didn't have to be too particular and literally throw your attractor patterns (Hares Ear, Prince, etc) but, you had to throw some pretty larger sized ones (12s, 14s). Now I know why people suggested I swing a 5 and 6 weight. Ever try to roll over a Green Drake pattern in a size 12 with a size 12 Tungsten BH Prince Nymph behind it? It was a lesson in futility.

The killer was a size 18 Pale Evening Dun, which resulted in a 2 hour session where I wish I hadn't forgotten my GoPro in the cabin. Ever had 100 rises from 12" cutthroat in a 2 hour period? I must have landed 60+. All on the PED.

I'm glad I spent months researching the different types of species of food that these guys would be eating, because matching the hatch was somewhat important in the more pressured areas. In those areas (Lamar, Slough, parts of Soda Butte) you need not make one mistake, or else you'd be wondering what you were doing wrong. Any type of unnatural drag and it was curtains. Mending was important, as was a lengthy leader and thin tippet.

[tacklejunkie]

Dinks.
Go big or go home.

(It my jealousy obvious enough?)

killer fish, those are some beautiful Heffers. Gonna have to scroll through those pics a few more times. Lots of colors. Looks like I took some... Oh yeah n/m.

[fishfrenzy]

What an amazing trip! Thanks for sharing!

[DarkShadow]

What an amazing trip! Thanks for sharing!

No prob, fishfrenzy.

I expect next year's trip to be even more epic, this time with more fishing and less sight seeing.

(Old Faithful is great, but seeing it once is enough)

[seal]

You brought back some great memories! Well with the exception of the last time I was there was with the ex wife. Think maybe you and I were out of town at the same time, I'd make a report too but think PETA might have a problem with mine.

Must have been a great trip, the photos were fantastic!

[Poxy Boggards]

Wow beautiful pictures! DS acutally does fish...

[DarkShadow]

Wow beautiful pictures! DS acutally does fish...

I fish all the time. :-)

Photography just happened because I fish.

[CrouchingNinjaHiddenFish]

wow , amazing

[troutdog]

Nice report DS, thanks for sharing the adventure!


TD

[Kobinator18]

Reviving an old thread, I guess, but awesome post. I recently returned from my first trip to Montana, and this post came up in a search for the same, so I had to comment. I took a day in Yellowstone but did not fish in the park...

Great pics! You can check out similar fishing in Big Sky, MT for anything from rivers (Gallatin, Madison, etc.) to small streams (Spanish Creek, Swan Creek, other tributaries to Gallatin). I'll be back for sure.

[DarkShadow]

Great pics! You can check out similar fishing in Big Sky, MT for anything from rivers (Gallatin, Madison, etc.) to small streams (Spanish Creek, Swan Creek, other tributaries to Gallatin). I'll be back for sure.

I'm focusing on some watersheds outside the park, even though there are some worthy pieces of water inside of it.

The best part is that even off the road, you still aren't throwing PowerBait™ shoulder to shoulder like some waterways in our side of town, chasing some fish that have been there for centuries and don't know what a hook in their mouth feels like.

Everyone should get a chance to visit Montana/Wyoming/Idaho. It may change their outlook on trout fishing.

[HuskerRod]

Just stumbled across this post.................awesome pics. That place is amazing. That cool mountain air, people wearing jackets.............that's what im talking about.....fella

[DarkShadow]

Just stumbled across this post.................awesome pics. That place is amazing. That cool mountain air, people wearing jackets.............that's what im talking about.....fella

Husker, definitely the best vacation that I've taken in the States. The place is surreal, and there is so much to do that 10 days feels like not enough. Last year when we left LA, the thermometer was near triple digits. 2 days later, it's a crisp 34º at 8 am in Montana. Gonna try to see different areas of the park this year and even venture over to Red Lodge and fish some waters outside the park.

And, because I now better know the layout of the park and the trails that lead to less pressured water, it should be a different experience than last year, when we mostly parked on the side of the road and wandered down 10 feet to the river/creek.

Late September can't get here soon enough...

[NFCD I]

I've been going up to Montana and Idaho every year for the past 10 years. Make sure you fish the Madison River between Hebgen and Quake Lake. In May, we caught 50+ Bow's and Brown's in less than 18" of water one afternoon.

[DarkShadow]

I've been going up to Montana and Idaho every year for the past 10 years. Make sure you fish the Madison River between Hebgen and Quake Lake. In May, we caught 50+ Bow's and Brown's in less than 18" of water one afternoon.

The problem with the park is the fact it is HUGE. The western part of the park, like what you mention above, just got off of "Hoot Owl" restrictions which means that the water was so hot that fishing was off limits from 2 pm till midnight.

But, apparently the season is ahead about 2 to 3 weeks, so this may open up some areas on the western side, and that specific stretch has been on my radar. Then again, 1000 other stretches have also been on my radar, so it's not saying much. I'm still debating entering from the South side of the park, and having my way with some of the watersheds in the Cascade Corner.

[lucky1]

Thanks for the report, lodging info and pictures Dark Shadow. I was there the around the second week of August in West Yellowstone. Most of the rivers on that side of the park were unfishable due to the water temp. I tried my luck on the Yellowstone inside the park and the Madison below the lakes but didn't catch anything.

[DarkShadow]

Thanks for the report, lodging info and pictures Dark Shadow. I was there the around the second week of August in West Yellowstone. Most of the rivers on that side of the park were unfishable due to the water temp. I tried my luck on the Yellowstone inside the park and the Madison below the lakes but didn't catch anything.

Yeah, the high water temps probably accounted for the slow fishing you may have experienced in August. If I had been in your shoes, I would've concentrated my efforts in the Northeast section of the park, which traditionally fishes well when the west side of the park is roasting. You have the Lamar, Soda Butte, and smaller tribs available.

I'm curious where you fished the Yellowstone inside the park. The one section I was lucky to run into fished amazing last year, and I had the chance to throw big terrestrials at the cutties. Nothing like seeing a hunk of foam drifting gingerly down river getting annihilated.

I'm hoping my late September planning gets the fish on the West side more active than they were during the heat of the summer. Regardless, it'll be great getting outta this 100 degree weather and into some real Fall temps.