It's that time of year. Time for those much-anticipated opening dates for the famous waters around the West. California's Eastern Sierra just opened with waters like the East Walker fully available to anglers. Montana's general opener just kicked in and more waters open this weekend. It won't be long before Memorial Day and Yellowstone's waters open up to add to the fray.
"It's a typical Montana opener this weekend with high, off-color water and the forecast is full of rain and snow showers with highs in the upper 40s to upper 50s," said Dick Greene at Bud Lilly's Fly Shop in West Yellowstone. "The ice is now off most of Hebgen now, but there is still some ice from Kirkwood down to the dam."
On the Madison River below the dam, Greene says flow are at 1370 cfs and is a bit crowded. Feeders like Cabin and Beaver creeks are pumping chocolate milk into the Madison so not only is the flow a bit higher, but it is off color. Quake Lake is green and action below Quake gets going this Saturday.
"There is probably a foot of visability and there won't be much wading, but drifting a bugger or stone fly along the bank should produce results," said Greene. "Yellowstone Park opens May 28, but the lake doesn't open until June 15 and the Upper Yellowstone River opens July 25. Pelican Creek will be open to fishing this year, but it is a popular spot for wildlife too, so carry Counter Assault pepper spray and watch for bears."
Keep in mind, there are many special regulations to consider for fishing the national park. For one, anglers can only fish with tungsten, lead is not allowed. Also, barbless artificials are required. There are only a few spots where kids can fish with worms, so consult a Yellowstone fisheries brochure. Yes, there will be road construction as usual. This time its the Lamar River Bridge. Expect 30-minute delays if you head to fish the Lamar, or Slough Creek.
The good news as for Yellowstone, when the season opens, the west side is where you want to be. Flows will be up, but if anything is "fishable" it will be the Firehole and maybe the Upper Madison. Water levels will be high and off color, but streamers like slump busters and zonkers will produce. The author's favorite is a Stay Hungry steamer or a Stanley streamer. On the smaller bug scene, Greene suggests CDC emergers and blue winged olives.
When it comes to permits and fees to fish in Yellowstone, a week's pass will run $20, but a season pass runs $35. Anglers 15 or under can get a free permit to be signed by a parent. They can also fish permit free if under direct supervision of a permitted parent.
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