I had never seen the park as it made the mystical change from summer into what may be the shortest fall season in America. The area of West Yellowstone (A Montana town that is just outside the park on the northwest side) has one of the longest winters in the United States, and lowest winter temperature (lots of below zero days).

West Yellowstone is where we chose to stay this trip, and with more than 50 motels, there is a price range for every budget. We stayed at the Yellowstone Lodge, which is one of the newest lodges (three stories), and a place of excellent facilities. The lodge has one of the most complete complimentary breakfast facilities of any place I have stayed. No bacon and eggs (just a personal preference), but there is French (freedom toast) toast, fruit, cereal, pastries, waffles, juices and coffee, among other items. I found their rates to be very reasonable. The lodge information is: Yellowstone Lodge Toll Free: 877-239-9298 Phone: 406-646-0020 Fax: 406-646-0110 , 250 S. Electric Street, PO Box 607, West Yellowstone, MT 59758 email: ylodge@yellowstonelodge.com and the lodge can be ìchecked-outî at http://www.yellowstonelodge.com and Yellowstone National Park can be ìchecked-outî at http://wwwnps.gov/yell/home.htm online with your computer. The room prices double mid June to mid September and January to March.

I would go to West Yellowstone just to have the cappuccino or espresso at The Book Peddler (main street) and drink it at the outside  tables. I had enjoyed so many cups in the eight days there that I qualified for a free one on my day of departure! Food prices are about the same as "back home."

West Yellowstone is small, despite the 50 plus motels. Less than 1,000 population year-round. The popularity of the village as a place to stay is due to the proximity to the West Park Entrance, just a few hundred feet away. At 6,650 feet elevation, it is not all that high for the annual winter record temperatures.   AAA members get some very good rates on the rooms, and their travel book gives a good listings of the motels there. There are plenty of places to for a RV within the park, as well as West Yellowstone.  The park has beautiful places for those who like to pitch a tent (which I have done several times, and love to do). The current price for a week's pass to the park is $20, and fishing license (which they now charge for) is only $10.00 for ten days, or $20 for the season which is Memorial Day to the first Sunday in November, usually. Other than your marriage license, that is the second best buy you will ever make (I hope)! Camping and various other related fees are additional.

I have fished the Amazon more than 30 times, Argentina a number of times, Africa, Belize, Fiji, and other international destinations, but none is much better than what we have in the good-ole'-USA at Yellowstone. On the West side you are never more than about 30 minutes away from world-class fishing on some of the finest streams in the entire world! I had never fly fished Yellowstone Park in the starting of the fall season, but it was fantastic. The waters are gin clear . There are meadow streams, large rivers, fast rivers, slow rivers Ö you can make a daily choice. A beautifully brightly colored, fat, 18î brown trout was my best fish ... This trip, but the Firehole has been even better to me during spring fishing through the years.

I have found that the soft hackle flies work year around for me if there is some ìrippledî waterÖ when there is not;  I fish the appropriate fly for that water temperature and water type. There are soft hackle flies of most every type available now.  The local stores in West Yellowstone usually have a good selection, with the Blue Ribbon Fly Shop having the best selection,  my last visit.

I used to go into West Yellowstone and visit with Bud Lilly when he had his shop there. Bud, truly a master of fly fishing, and truly a master of Yellowstone fishing, as well as a being a gentleman and fly fishing scholar. 

The past trips, I mostly fish a #5 fly rod on the Firehole, Gibbon, and streams in that part of the park. I believe I could take the following books and be prepared for fishing Yellowstone Park if I had never been there: Fly Patterns of Yellowstone by Mathews/Juracek, Fly Fishing The Madison by Mathews/Lafontaine, The Montana Angling Guide by Fothergill/Sterling, Fly Patterns Of Yellowstone by Mathews/Juracek.  While the weather is cold, pick one up, sit beside the fire and let your mind take you to the great waters of Yellowstone Park.

Happy Fishing and Happy Traveling.

“To The Ends Of The Earth And Then Some.”
E-mail jones@photoandtravel.com
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