bgood
Go outside and do something constructive!
Just back from a trip to Yellowstone and I promised some folks on this site a trip report so here it is. We flew in early from NJ on 7/9 in time to get to Bozeman, hit the shop and get on the Gallatin for some great brown and rainbow action. The fishing was really good. My buddy lives nearby and it was a nice warmup for the days to come. We fished the Gallatin Gateway area until early evening and then headed back for some dinner and a good night's sleep.
Up the next morning and in the truck to Yellowstone with our fishing guide (Chad Olsen of Greater Yellowstone Fly Fishers). We met our outfitter (Ken Stepanik of Yellowstone Llama Trips) at the Blacktail Creek trail head, did the shuttle run to our takeout at Hellroaring Creek trail head and off we went. Approx 4 miles later we hit the suspension bridge over the Yellowstone were we got our gear rigged up and hit the water. The salmon fly hatch was on and the fish were all over the drys we were tossing. Our group split up and I went upriver for about a mile rockhopping and wading as I went. Had a great day and caught tons of fish. A nice hike back to the bridge, across and up the other side to camp ended the day with some nice grilled salmon steaks and beer.
Up day 2 we hiked about 6 miles down river below Knowles Falls (came across two rattlesnakes, one of which was way too close) and began fishing back up toward camp. Once again we did great. Around lunch time a pretty heavy lightning storm ripped up the canyon we were in so we all scrambled for cover. I hid among some boulders the size of small RV's and had some lunch while waiting for the lightning to pass. Afterward more fishing and hiking back up river. We continued to nail cuts and bows on salmon flies until we quit for the day and hiked back up to camp. Dinner of marinated elk backstrap and other good stuff, cigars, more beer and wine.
Up day 3 we started fishing from camp and fished our way up river a few miles. Great fishing continued on the salmon and golden imitations. As time got later we wrapped it up for the long uphill hike to our second camp site. This was a tough hike up hill to a gorgeous open meadow area with Aspens and great views. We camped there and in the morning hiked down to our final fishing location, Hellroaring Creek.
Up day 4, we broke camp and started the long hike to Hellroaring. Forunately most of it was downhill. We got to the creek and water temps were on the cold side - around 48 and the water was high. We starting fishing up stream and got into fish immediately, some decent cuts. After about 1/2 mile the fishing really shut down a bit so we took it easy and just enjoyed the scenery and some food. Fished a bit more and it was time to get prepared for the long hike out. We filled up the water bottles and started our trip out to the trail head. This was a really nice hike through varying terrain, back to the Yellowstone, over the bridge and then up. Last mile or so was quite intense as the trail switchbacked up toward the trail head. Finally at the top we celebrated a great trip with some cold beer that we had packed in the cooler on day 1, drove out for dinner in Gardiner and then back to Gallatin Gateway for a shower and some sleep. Flight out next morning back to NJ.
I can't say enough about this trip and our outfitter and guide. I have fished with Chad before and he's awesome but so was Ken and his crew. This was a trip that came together exactly as planned we wanted a somewhat physical camping/hiking/fishing experience that would take us to some beautiful backcountry and scenery. WE GOT IT. Catching the salmon fly hatch didn't hurt either!!!! I'll try to figure out how to get some pictures up. I highly recommend it!!!
Up the next morning and in the truck to Yellowstone with our fishing guide (Chad Olsen of Greater Yellowstone Fly Fishers). We met our outfitter (Ken Stepanik of Yellowstone Llama Trips) at the Blacktail Creek trail head, did the shuttle run to our takeout at Hellroaring Creek trail head and off we went. Approx 4 miles later we hit the suspension bridge over the Yellowstone were we got our gear rigged up and hit the water. The salmon fly hatch was on and the fish were all over the drys we were tossing. Our group split up and I went upriver for about a mile rockhopping and wading as I went. Had a great day and caught tons of fish. A nice hike back to the bridge, across and up the other side to camp ended the day with some nice grilled salmon steaks and beer.
Up day 2 we hiked about 6 miles down river below Knowles Falls (came across two rattlesnakes, one of which was way too close) and began fishing back up toward camp. Once again we did great. Around lunch time a pretty heavy lightning storm ripped up the canyon we were in so we all scrambled for cover. I hid among some boulders the size of small RV's and had some lunch while waiting for the lightning to pass. Afterward more fishing and hiking back up river. We continued to nail cuts and bows on salmon flies until we quit for the day and hiked back up to camp. Dinner of marinated elk backstrap and other good stuff, cigars, more beer and wine.
Up day 3 we started fishing from camp and fished our way up river a few miles. Great fishing continued on the salmon and golden imitations. As time got later we wrapped it up for the long uphill hike to our second camp site. This was a tough hike up hill to a gorgeous open meadow area with Aspens and great views. We camped there and in the morning hiked down to our final fishing location, Hellroaring Creek.
Up day 4, we broke camp and started the long hike to Hellroaring. Forunately most of it was downhill. We got to the creek and water temps were on the cold side - around 48 and the water was high. We starting fishing up stream and got into fish immediately, some decent cuts. After about 1/2 mile the fishing really shut down a bit so we took it easy and just enjoyed the scenery and some food. Fished a bit more and it was time to get prepared for the long hike out. We filled up the water bottles and started our trip out to the trail head. This was a really nice hike through varying terrain, back to the Yellowstone, over the bridge and then up. Last mile or so was quite intense as the trail switchbacked up toward the trail head. Finally at the top we celebrated a great trip with some cold beer that we had packed in the cooler on day 1, drove out for dinner in Gardiner and then back to Gallatin Gateway for a shower and some sleep. Flight out next morning back to NJ.
I can't say enough about this trip and our outfitter and guide. I have fished with Chad before and he's awesome but so was Ken and his crew. This was a trip that came together exactly as planned we wanted a somewhat physical camping/hiking/fishing experience that would take us to some beautiful backcountry and scenery. WE GOT IT. Catching the salmon fly hatch didn't hurt either!!!! I'll try to figure out how to get some pictures up. I highly recommend it!!!
