Gardner Confluence to Yankee Jim Canyon Report
Rating
/5
*Parks Fly Shop guides have personally surveyed the waters and given a rating.
Weather
78°F
Water Temp
FLOW
Wind
Map
Hatch Chart
Current Report
Peak float season is upon us, and the fishing is excellent. However, with air and water temperatures rising, we recommend starting early and ending early to catch the best fishing window. In the morning, we’re seeing some Nocturnal Stoneflies, Yellow Sallies, Caddis, and some sporadic PMDs. Once the day heats up, fishing with big hoppers and Perdigon-style droppers has been most productive. Streamer fishing has also been good, primarily with white flies. Be kind to your fellow ramp users!
USGS Flow Chart
River Descriptions: Yellowstone River
General Characteristics
- Banks: Steep, crumbly, mix of dirt, boulders, bushes, and sagebrush.
- Water: Fast-moving, whitewater sections.
- Wade Accessibility: Challenging for on-foot fishing, requires some scrambling and physical fitness. Lots of private lands following the river corridor.
- Float Accessibility: Sections of class II-III whitewater mixed in throughout the section with mellow flat water & riffle-y gravel bars in between.
- Bottom: gravel/cobble, large and small boulders, geothermal features.
- Susceptible to blow out due to rains all summer.
Fishery
- Most diverse trout selection on float-able section of the Yellowstone River.
- Most prolific Salmonfly Hatch on the float-able section of the Yellowstone River.
- Far less commercial traffic due to hard to obtain permitting.
Fishing Season
- Fishes very well nine months out of the year.
- Stoneflies (July), caddis & hoppers (August), mayflies (cooler temps).
- Best dry section on the float-able sections of the Yellowstone River.
Recommended Access points
- Town Access
- Queen of the Waters
- McConnel Landing
- Brogan’s Landing
- Cinnabar
- Slip and Slide
- Yankee Jim
Skill Level & FIsh Size
- Suitable for all skill levels.
- Average fish: 12-16 inches, potential for low 20s.
additional notes
- Consider mud impact throughout the season.
- Run off is fairly considerable on this river.
- Beware of the large number of rafting groups while floating, the concentration of whitewater enthusiasts are higher in this section than any other part of the Yellowstone River.
Explore Our Guided Trips
Walk & Wade Trips
Explore Yellowstone National Park’s largest expanse of public trout water in the lower 48.
Float Trips
Great for those looking to relax, catch fish, and cover miles on the Yellowstone River.
Private Waters
Dive into exclusive angling experience through private ranch lakes and spring creeks.
Beginner Trips
Discover beginner friendly fly fishing–ideal for families and first time anglers!