I'm taking the family on a trip to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks next summer, and will also travel around close by to the parks, including staying on the Gros Ventre river for a few days. I'm a relatively inexperienced fly fisher (just one year, mostly on small still waters), but intend to take some gear and fish whenever I can.

Obviously I've read as much as I can on here and elsewhere, but I'd welcome any recommendations those who've done this have on where is good for a relative beginner to fish, what gear to take along (eg what would be a good travel rod to take for these rivers?), and where to shop for gear in or near Jackson Hole or Cody.

Thanks

When exactly?
Have you heard of spring runoff?
Here is a useful website Montana Fly Fishing Information at Big Sky Fishing.Com
I would take a 9' 5 or 6 weight 4 piece.
You will be spoilt for the fishing but the family do get in the way!
Cheers
Richard

__________________
Richard Jackson
Fly fishing instruction and guiding in the heart of Devon
www.devonflyfisher.com

Richard, thanks, I'm going last week of July, first two weeks of August.
David

You will be fine then, should be getting into hopper time.
So much fishing and so much too see, you will have a great time.
If you go into the back country buy some bear spray for piece of mind.
Cheers
Richard

__________________
Richard Jackson
Fly fishing instruction and guiding in the heart of Devon
www.devonflyfisher.com

Bear will walk up and ask you to spray a bit behind both ears .. just before he chomps on your butt. I'll spare you the running joke about pepper spray and bells as we've all heard/read it before.

Welcome to my corner of the earth ... and I live in the City of Ashland, Oregon and the Fish and Game department took a bear (Black) out of one of my close neighbors trees a couple of months back. Man, was he one lost Puppie.
fae

Want to see Deer? Walk around (just) out side of the 'down town' area; place is over run with the buggers. Too bad we can't 'hunt' in the City limits. Want to see a Coyote? Or hear (personally I've not seen one) a Cougar?** Just take a short trip to the north side of Medford 15 miles to the north, and slightly west of me. Mt Roxie Ann is over run with the bloody things.

** I haven't seen one but a good friend was Mountain Biking up there a few years back. Wizzing down a road and one jumps out in front of him ... and CRASH. Cat was fine, but Wayne (actually the gravel, not the cat) made a fine mess of him as he was coming to a stop. Cell phone call from him, I'm in my car driving like hell up to where he was and then off to the Emergency Room at a local hospital.

"Tell me again Sir ... how did you get these injuries????" **** you can't make up, even if you wanted too.
fae

I've got a friend who works in Yellowstone in the summer months as a Fly Fishing Volunteer.
If you want to get a glimpse of what that's all about, check out the Yellowstone NPS web site and type in “fly-fishing volunteer program.
There's loads of info available from the Fisheries dept at Yellowstone.
Visiting Yellowstone and Grand Teton is something I've intended to do for several years, I hope you enjoy your trip. It's the mountain lions you need to watch out for!!

As far as water, you're spoiled for choice to be sure. To say there is endless fishing available is almost an understatement. But that doesn't mean it's easy fishing. The water can be quite challenging and despite the seemingly remote location, any water that's relatively accessible can see a good bit of fishing pressure and therefore the fish can be very shy.

I'd say buy a guidebook like Fishing Yellowstone National Park. These guides save a lot of time because they help you find access points and the prime stretches. It's no good just knowing what's a good river, in order to make the best use of your time you'll have to balance good fishing with fast access so you don't waste all your fishing time walking.

There'll be a lot of talk about bears, but I think the "threat" is overplayed. But any ranger will tell you, the bison are far, far more lethal and where bears need to be respected, bison should be feared. Especially by anglers because bison tend to congregate in the meadows and river valleys which is where the anglers spend their time. Stay far, far away from bison, while they look very placid like cattle, their motto is "The best defense is a good offense" and if they feel threatened, they will close ranks and attack.

Grouse

Better to have it and not need it, than to not have it and need it!
And you are correct Fred i have heard the joke.
Although we never spent our time worrying about bears when we were fishing we did see plenty of black bears and came across 1 grizzly during our 2 week trip.
Its just something we need to be made aware of as there is nothing in the UK to eat us anymore!

Try a visit to Slough Creek (might be too far north for you),it fished very well when we went there, the Lamar looked a great river but it was still milky after the run off.
Not sure what others find, but the fish tend to hug the sides of the rivers, often you need to cast within the first 3' of the bank, i used the NZ method to start but soon changed to a single dry fly but presentation is paramount.

Cheers

Richard

__________________
Richard Jackson
Fly fishing instruction and guiding in the heart of Devon
www.devonflyfisher.com

Many thanks for your advice and contributions, feel free to give more if you have any...after more research and family seeming very keen over Xmas it's all now booked, so roll on July....

Best wishes for 2010

David

Bison are a bit of a worry! there i was, last june, stood in the middle of the Firehole river,up to my waist, feet firmly planted in the soft mud,all alone, except for a lone Pereguine sat atop a post, casting happily to the free rising brownies, when down the bank and across not 20 yards in front of me was a herd of Bison, about 25 in number, with calves!! i was a little unnerved to say the least! for up to the minute info, go to Bud Lilys website and register for their weekly update email. it doesnt start until late may- but its the most up to date and informative info you'll get on this planet! flow rates, hotspots fish numbers, times of rises!! flies, size of flies- they keep no secrets. the shop is based in west yellowstone, and covers the whole yellowstone area- tell 'em Dave sent you!