I am heading out to Yellowstone on Friday morning to do some fishing (as much as the gf will allow) and am camping on the Madison near West Yellowstone. I plan on stoping in one of the fly shops in West Yellowstone on the way in to pick up some flys and hopefully get some advice on where to fish. The only places I plan on fishing now are the Madison near the campsite and Slough Creek. I already know a few members who fished out there but just looking for some recommendations on what fly shop would be the most helpful. I imagine they are tight lipped on most info if they are not guiding but hopefully one of you has had a postive experience with one. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks - Jeff

Arricks fly shop!!!!! hands down. If there is a scraggly bearded younger guy work (which there probbly is) talk to him. His name is Donovan. the whole fly shop is great and the people are super awesome. its the one I use always. Too bad you didnt have more time. Im at school 1 hour south and coulda taken you on the Henrys Fork. Grey drakes are everywhere currently.

Tell Donovan ( the young beared guy)Josh Binkley sent you. He will take care of you.

I've always been happy with Blue Ribbon Fly Shop in West Yellowstone.

I was just there last summer and if you spend a little money even if it's just a couple flies they'll give you all the info you need!! Slough creek was awesome if you like hiking got to the third meadow the fishing was as amazing as the scenery. We were there in aug and my buddies did great with hopper dropper sets and/or stimulators. I fished a John coffers sparkle minnow (small streamer) brown and gold and the cutties couldn't resist! Have fun.... Don't forget the bear spray!

You got a couple to pick from
1) Blue ribbon fly shop
2) Arricks
3) west Yellowstone fly shop
4) Bud Lilly's
5) Madison river outfitters
6) Bob Jacklin's

I went thru West Yellowstone fly shop for my float trip on the Madison. I would go with Justin again

Arricks is a good all round fishing shop

Bob Jacklin's good fly shop

Madison River, Bud Lilly's and Blue ribbon are a catalog shops. You can buy anything in there. You could spend hour in each one and not see everything.

If you are fishing the Madison below Quake lake 25 miles northwest of West Y. I would highly recommend the slide inn. (streamer heaven)

As an FYI the Madison, lower Gibbon and Firehole water temps in the park may be pushing the thermal envelope by the time you get there. The shops can fill in more exactly.

Good luck. If you like science and geology you are in for a treat--and even if you don't.

West has the best concentration of excellent fly shops on the planet. I hit them all, multiple times, since each one has inventory that differs from each other.

Firehole and other in-the-park waters are definitely pushing it for temps already. But lake levels are normal so tailwaters should be just fine. Yellowstone River in the park doesn't open till mid July.

Hopefully there won't be the kind of forest fires you see in drought years that end up closing off canyons. Definitely listen to the news every day to stay out of trouble.

tl
les

Thanks for all the info guys. Josh- we are driving in from salt lake Saturday morning and would be driving through where your at but not sure if the gf would be ok with stopping and fishing. I'll talk to her tonight about it if you would be around on Saturday.

This saturday I will be floating the Henrys fork at 7 am and wont be back till dark. So that more than likely will not work.

Thats alright. I appreciate the info on the fly shop. If you venture towards the park let me know..Will be camping at the madison campground.

fish soda butte creek ! its right there with slough and you are missing out on fantastic fishing if you don't.

I go to blue ribbon.

The Madison above hebgen and its tribs, the firehole and gibbon will probably be too warm, as was mentioned. They drain geyser basins. You are about a month late for them, but they fished well then. Drove to cooke city last weekend, and soda butte isn't quite in shape yet. Would imagine slough is the same story.

I personally like the blue ribbon fly shop. They were very helpful to us and also I had found a very large fly (kinda looked like a small mouse). One of the employees there identified it for me and also retied it and touched it up for free, told me when and where to fish it on the madison. I will always return there when we go back.

I have never fished out there, but a friend of mine who is out there regularly always talks about Blue ribbon.

+1 on Blue Ribbon. Craig Matthews is a great guy. For some good action fish right below the dam at Hebgen. Some nice spots to wade and alot of really nice browns and rainbows.