Sounds like it was a great trip. I won't be in the park, but will shortly be nearby for some elk hunting and cutthroat fishing.

Thanks for the post. Pics next time please,

Seems like it was a pretty doggone good trip indeed.

. Some afternoons on the Madison you'd have somebody fishing every 100 yards, though I didn't see a lot of fish hooked. [/quote]

Yep, the Madison is well known but it can be very tough at times since everyone wants to fish it. Since it is so easily accessible and so close to W. Yellowstone it tends to be filled with tourist and educated trout.

Though when you get it all to yourself because everybody is on the Firehole and the fish are rising to some PMDs, it can be great. Especially if you forget the sketchy river crossing and the fried camera.

There are times that I enjoy the challenge of educated fish. Not those that sit and brood in the bottom of a pool, but those that are smart and wary enough to actively feed in ones face. Even if they break off, I still feel successful if I got a take and hookup.

I'm curious what time of year is "best" for fishing the park. By best, I mean # of decent sized fish that are "accessible". My guess would be early season as soon as the water clears from the snowmelt.

Fall, the bugs are bigger and the fish are hungry. September to October. Not as many tourist but still alot of fisherman.

First week of October has always been great! Especially around the 6th. If I'm not antelope hunting that week, I try to make it to the Cooke City area. Awesome fishing and scenery.

Bob

Next time, and there will be a next time, I'll go a week or two later and chance getting some snow.

At that elevation, one can get significant snow any day of the year.