Mid-Late September Yellowstone fishing trip gear and fly questions.

[Carpet Capital Shyster]

My annual guys backpacking and hunting trip has decided to go back to a very popular creek in the Lamar drainage and fish and camp the upper meadows; potentially even going as far as hiking beyond the park boundary if necessary. Unfortunately, the only time we could get everyone together was around sept 19-22 which is not ideal. I’ve been there several times but never that late in the season Couple of questions:

1. Keeping in mind that the weather is unpredictable out there, especially that time of year, can any of you locals provide me with the best guess as to what the weather will most likely be like?

2. Following up on that, I have a FL uncompaghre jacket and also a Kuiu superdown ultra. I’d really like to keep the weight out of the pack and take the superdown ultra. Am I crazy? Will this be enough insulation for any cold weather that hits out there or should I just suck it up and pack the Uncompaghre. N my pack, I will have a heavy FL furnace or Kiln that I like to sleep in so I can use that to add extra insulation. I will also have rain gear and maybe a softshell simply because I really like soft shells.

3. Will I need to pack in waders? I hate them.

4. Any idea on what the fishing is likely to be like. I know that this is past the ideal time but can we still look forward to getting into some terrestrial or other dry fly action? If not, any recommendation for other tactics? I don’t really like doing a double nymph bobber rig, especially there. Can we sling some mini leaches and buggers and hope to hook up?

Thanks in advance!

 

[hiker270]

I would give Blue Ribbon Flies a call. They are in West Yellowstone. I'm sure they would help with your questions. I fish the Madison river north of Yellowstone that time of year and It's certainly not an ideal time.

 

[Mackey]

Hey Carpet, how’d your trip go? I was up there with an outfitter on horses in early August for 5 days and the fishing was not good. I’m going to blame it on the massive flood in the early summer because it was the worst year ever for putting some trout in a net. We tried all the usual stuff but it seemed there were just no trout in the river.
We still had a great trip just enjoying the upper reaches of the creek. Here’s a few pics! Mackey

 

[Mackey]

Hey Carpet, how’d your trip go? I was up there with an outfitter on horses in early August for 5 days and the fishing was not good. I’m going to blame it on the massive flood in the early summer because it was the worst year ever for putting some trout in a net. We tried all the usual stuff but it seemed there were just no trout in the river.
We still had a great trip just enjoying the upper reaches of the creek. Here’s a few pics! Mackey

Carpet, just saw the date on your posts. You haven’t been yet. I’ve backpacked it a bunch but always in August. I can definitely help you with some info on some stuff outside of the Park. Getting those campsite reservations are always tough so I just walk the 11 miles to get out of the Park and camp in the National Forest. First day is tough carrying a pack but you’re free to camp wherever. PM me if you want to talk.
Mackey

 

[Carpet Capital Shyster]

Carpet, just saw the date on your posts. You haven’t been yet. I’ve backpacked it a bunch but always in August. I can definitely help you with some info on some stuff outside of the Park. Getting those campsite reservations are always tough so I just walk the 11 miles to get out of the Park and camp in the National Forest. First day is tough carrying a pack but you’re free to camp wherever. PM me if you want to talk.
Mackey

Those are great pics! Im a bit of a Luddite and have never attempted a pm before, but I think I managed to send you one. Thanks for any help in advance.

 

[Mackey]

I got your PM and responded back. Call me tomorrow.

Mackey.

 

[mlgc20]

I have been all over the Northern part of the park in mid-September. Mostly fishing the Lamar, Slough, and the Black Canyon of Yellowstone. I love that area. I have the Kuiu Superdown Ultra and Superdown Pro. For September, I always take the Ultra. Coupled with your Kiln and a shell, I think you'd be fine. I've never packed waders into that area. And I've never felt like I needed them. Although you will see a lot of guys day hiking the Slough and Lamar bringing waders. Seems like unnecessary weight to me. I'm mostly a spinning fisherman (don't judge me). I've had a lot of mid-September success in the Yellowstone River and Yellowstone Lake. Not so much on the Slough and Lamar. But, there are few better places to have an awesome fishing trip where you don't catch many fish. It's just incredible scenery.

 

[Okhotnik]

quake lake has some decent fishing if you're in the area as does Henrys lake

 

[Carpet Capital Shyster]

I would give Blue Ribbon Flies a call. They are in West Yellowstone. I'm sure they would help with your questions. I fish the Madison river north of Yellowstone that time of year and It's certainly not an ideal time.

I have been all over the Northern part of the park in mid-September. Mostly fishing the Lamar, Slough, and the Black Canyon of Yellowstone. I love that area. I have the Kuiu Superdown Ultra and Superdown Pro. For September, I always take the Ultra. Coupled with your Kiln and a shell, I think you'd be fine. I've never packed waders into that area. And I've never felt like I needed them. Although you will see a lot of guys day hiking the Slough and Lamar bringing waders. Seems like unnecessary weight to me. I'm mostly a spinning fisherman (don't judge me). I've had a lot of mid-September success in the Yellowstone River and Yellowstone Lake. Not so much on the Slough and Lamar. But, there are few better places to have an awesome fishing trip where you don't catch many fish. It's just incredible scenery.

Awesome! Thanks for the info. That was very helpful!

 

[Carpet Capital Shyster]

I got your PM and responded back. Call me tomorrow.

Mackey.

Thank you! I enjoyed chatting with you this afternoon.

 

[Carpet Capital Shyster]

I would give Blue Ribbon Flies a call. They are in West Yellowstone. I'm sure they would help with your questions. I fish the Madison river north of Yellowstone that time of year and It's certainly not an ideal time.

That was a great idea. I called them and they were very helpful.