Fall Fishing

Fall fishing is just around the corner and offers some of the best fishing of the season.
 

So when does fall begin? From our perspective in the northern Rockies, at an elevation of roughly 6,200 feet, fall starts to make itself known around Labor Day. It's one of our favorite times of the year, when the rivers settle into a rhythm that consistently produces excellent fishing.
 

One of the first changes we notice is the dramatic decrease in fishing pressure. Kids are back in school, summer vacations have ended, and Yellowstone's crowds begin to thin. With the endless variety of waters across eastern Idaho, southwest Montana, and Yellowstone National Park, our guests enjoy miles of peaceful rivers and some of the quietest fishing of the year.
 

The natural conditions improve as well. Cooler days and crisp evenings narrow the temperature swing that often creates afternoon winds during the summer months. Calmer conditions make for easier casting, while the softer fall light creates an ideal environment for both anglers and trout.
 

As the season progresses, the rivers come alive with late-season mayfly hatches; baetis (Blue-Winged Olives), tricos, and mahogany duns. Though these insects are small, they emerge with remarkable consistency and in impressive numbers. On cool, overcast fall days, the hatches can be spectacular, bringing trout to the surface in numbers that seem almost impossible.
 

Fall is also the season when brown trout and brook trout begin their spawning migrations. Their instinct to move upstream concentrates larger fish below dams, at tributary mouths, and along gravel-bottom runs. Knowing where and when to fish these waters is one of the great advantages of fishing with experienced local guides, who look forward to this season as much as our guests do.
 

Beyond the fishing itself, fall brings a special beauty to the Greater Yellowstone region. Aspens glow in shades of gold, migrating waterfowl fill the skies, wildlife becomes more active, and the pace of life slows as summer gives way to a quieter season.
 

We look forward to this time every year. We hope you'll join us for a few unforgettable days on the water this fall.