DAY 1

WELCOME & ORIENTATION

The program starts with an evening orientation. Participants will get to know one another and be introduced to the program. Throughout the evening, the itinerary and seminar key concepts will be discussed, as well as what to expect to pack for the field each day.

DAY 2

Morning
Gear, casting basics and knots, flies, leaders, tippets, etc. Participants will then move to the river for on-the-water casting instruction

Field lunch

Afternoon
Aquatic insects sampling

Approaching the stream and fly fishing basics – fishing, casting and practice

Evening
Discussion, slides and videos

DAY 3

Morning
Insect life cycles, fly types and presentations. Participants will then move to the river for stream structure,
more casting techniques, and fishing!

Field lunch

Afternoon
Hooking, playing, landing, releasing, fly selection and fishing!

Evening
Quick after-dinner fishing or in class fly tying (TBD)

DAY 4

Morning
In-class putting it all together, then on-stream fishing, casting, ecosystem, and entomology.

Field lunch

Afternoon
Streams, fish and the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem -the future and challenges

More fishing and practice

5 p.m. Program ends

DAY 5

CHECK OUT & DEPARTURE

Dates & Times: The program begins at 7:00 PM on Friday, July 11, 2025 and goes through 5:00 PM on Monday, July 14, 2025.

Lodging Check-in & Check-out: Lodging check-in begins at 4:00 p.m. on Friday, July 11, 2025, and lodging check-out is at 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, July 15, 2025.

Meals: This course is not catered. Participants will need to bring their own food; lunch should be able to travel in the field.

ACTIVITY LEVEL 3

• Be prepared to hike up to 5 miles per day, comfortably, with occasional elevation gains up to 1000 feet in undulating terrain.
• For more information about our activity levels, please visit our Activity Level webpage here.
• Most activities will take place at elevations between 7,200 to 8,000 feet. Participants residing at lower elevations may want to arrive a day early to adjust to the altitude.
• To learn more about how specific medical conditions can be affected by Yellowstone’s environment and our activities, please visit our site page on health information.
• All field activities will be conducted as a group. If members of the group cannot participate in the day’s activities, they need to let the educator know in advance.
• To participate in this program, each participant must fill out and sign a health questionnaire and assumption of risk waiver. These forms must be completed and returned at least 30 days prior to the program start date.

EQUIPMENT SPECIFIC TO THIS COURSE:

Suggested Packing List located in General Information document under the ‘Whom to Contact’ tab.

• Yellowstone National Park Fishing License valid for all days
• Copy of the current Yellowstone Fishing regulations
• Fly rod – 5-6 wt recommended 4-7wt acceptable
• Fly Line – Double Taper or weight forward floating line matched to your rod
• Fly Reel – Capable of holding the complete fly line with adequate clearance for free spinning action. Your reel must have a functioning drag.
• Barbless Flies – suggested selection:
  • Royal Wulff (#12-16)f,
  • Elk hair caddis (#12-16)
  • Dave's Hopper (#10-14)
  • Ants & beetles (#14-16)
  • Para-Adams; PMD
  • Stimulators (royal/red/yellow )
  • Bead Head prince(#12-16)
  • Salmonfly(#4-6)
  • Golden stones; gray and/or green drake.
  • Note: We should strive to use natural materials where possible. Foam and plastic do not degrade and contribute to watershed pollution.
• Fly box
• Floatant
• Forceps/hemostat
• Polarized sun glasses: single vision if correction is needed
• Reading or correction glasses for tying knots and close work
• Nippers (on retractor)
• Strike indicators – biodegradable
• We prefer tools such as the Ketchum Release over landing nets and are happy to instruct you on their use.
• Knife- New YNP regulations REQUIRE killing any non-native (rainbow, brown, brook) trout caught in the Lamar drainage streams. It is illegal to return these fish to the water alive. Check the current YNP fishing regulations for details.
• Fly-fishing Vest, fishing shirt with multiple pockets, or pack
• Carry Device to carry any non-native trout killed if desired
• Wading system: Important! Clean all wading equipment that has been used outside the Lamar/Yellowstone drainage. Follow this link for simple guidelines.
• In midsummer I prefer to wet wade with neoprene wading socks, light wading shoes or boots and quick-drying synthetic pants.
• Full waist or chest waders can be necessary for cool weather fishing (as it is so often apt to do in the Park).
• Use your waders, boots or wading system several times prior to your visit to Yellowstone to ensure proper fit and comfort. We will be fishing for several hours each day in this gear and it is essential it is comfortable. (Honestly, walk around the house if that is your only option. Improper fit or comfort can spoil your experience.)
• Breathable (not neoprene or impermeable) waders are necessary as some days include significant walking or time in potentially hot weather.
• Aquaseal wader repair glue or equivalent
• Wading staff – highly recommended.

RECOMMENDED READINGS

• Anderson, Sheridan. The Curtis Creek Manifesto: A Fully Illustrated Guide to the Strategy, Finesse, Tactics and paraphernalia of Fly Fishing. Frank Amato, Pub.1978
• Schweber, Nate. Fly Fishing Yellowstone National Park: An Insiders Guide to the 50 Best Places. Headwater Books (Available from YA Bookstore). 2012
• Parks, Richard. Fishing Yellowstone National Park (Available from Yellowstone Forever Park Stores). The Lyons Press. 2007
• Wulff, Joan. Joan Wulff’s New Fly-Casting Techniques. 2016

Whom to Contact: For any questions, concerns, or additional information please contact the following:

Program itinerary, health forms, payment, and general program questions please contact Yellowstone Forever at [email protected] or 406-848-2400 extension 3

Road updates, park conditions, and general park information please contact Yellowstone National Park Service at https://www.nps.gov/yell/contacts.htm

If running late for a program, please contact 406-848-9128.

General Information: For general information about the facilities, preparation for classes, what to expect, cancellation policies, and more, please see the Lamar-Based Field Seminars – General Information document.

To review the cancellation policy for this program, please visit our webpage which outlines cancellation policies by program type here.