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Firehole River in YNP now open for fishing May 1

January 28, 2026/0 Comments/in Latest/by Nathan Bennett

Good news for all the folks coming to Jackson in early May and want to fly fish. Yellowstone National Park yesterday issued a press release confirming that the Firehole River, as well as the Madison and Gibbon will open for fly fishing anglers on May 1st this year. Per the park’s webpage:

Yellowstone National Park to extend fishing season on three rivers

2026 Yellowstone Fishing Season Map: Madison, Gibbon, and Firehole Rivers NPS

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News Release Date: January 27, 2026

Contact: Yellowstone Public Affairs, (307) 344-2015

MAMMOTH HOT SPRINGS, WY – Starting this year, Yellowstone National Park will extend the fishing season on three rivers in the park. The following waterways, located in the west side of the park, will open May 1 for fishing access, weeks in advance of the standard fishing season:

Firehole River (see map): The Firehole River and all associated tributaries downstream to the confluence with the Gibbon River at Madison Junction.
Gibbon River (see map): The Gibbon River and all associated tributaries from the bridge on the Grand Loop Road at the Norris Campground entrance downstream to the confluence with the Firehole River at Madison Junction.
Madison River (see map): The Madison River and all associated tributaries from the Montana-Wyoming state line upstream to the confluence with the Gibbon and Firehole rivers at Madison Junction.
- The Madison River from the Montana-Wyoming state line downstream to the park boundary near the West Entrance in West Yellowstone, Montana, is open to fishing year-round (see map).

The fishing season on these sections of the Firehole, Gibbon, and Madison rivers will end Oct. 31, the same date as the standard fishing season in the park. Temporary, partial, or full fishing closures typically occur later in the fishing season on these three waterways due to warm water temperatures and low river flows. The earlier opening date of May 1 will align fishing access with more optimal angling and water conditions. No adverse impacts to the fisheries are anticipated with this extension. Water temperature and flow data for park waterways is available at Water Data for the Nation.

Most other fishing areas in the park will continue to be available during the standard fishing season, which is from the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend through Oct. 31 each year. Learn more about fishing in Yellowstone, including information about fishing areas, regulations, and permits.

Winter Fly Fishing is Beginning

December 8, 2025/0 Comments/in Latest/by Nathan Bennett

Just completed the first proper winter fly fishing trip of the season. I had the pleasure of taking Ray out while he and his wife visited Jackson this past week. We managed to get a couple hours in on the water before a much needed snow storm swept into the region. As we fished, winds picked up and temperatures dropped. This didn’t stop Ray from landing a few hard fishing mountain whitefish! He had a blast and is determined to come back during prime fishing season.

Winter fishing is always an adventure around here in Jackson Hole. It’s a great activity for those who want to get out and try to fool a few fish during our winter months. The next week looks pretty good with valley temperatures predicted to be in the 40s. If you’re coming in for the holidays and are interested, you can learn more here.

*Ray shows off his first winter fly fishing catch; a mountain whitefish from the Snake River*

*Ray working a slowly stripped nymph on the Snake River*

That’s a wrap

November 19, 2025/0 Comments/in Latest/by Nathan Bennett

It’s mid November here in Jackson Hole and another busy fishing season has come to an end. I put the drift boat away for the winter and did a couple afternoon wade fishing trips. Now I find myself back in the classroom, substitute teaching, while also getting back into creating art. Jamie and I spent two weeks road tripping it through southern Utah, visiting all the national parks.

Looking back on the fishing season, I’m thankful to all of guests and friends that I got to fish with. We survived a pretty hot and dry summer. Area rivers and streams ran lower than normal but the fishing was still pretty good. The fish made us work, demanding different fly patterns on a daily basis but we were always (usually) able to figure out what would make them bite. Below are a few pictures from the fall.

In the months to come, I expect to do some winter wade fishing trips with guests. These wade fishing adventures are always fun, allowing guests to experience some winter fly fishing on the Snake River. While the fishing is unpredictable, it’s peaceful being out on the river in the snow, observing eagles, moose, etc. I will also be heading back to the Bahamas for two weeks to get my bonefishing fix.

Hope folks are well and have a happy thanksgiving!

*George and I working a plunge pool in Yellowstone National Park*

*Beautiful fall float down the Snake River*

*Friend and client, Craig with a nice Yellowstone Cutthroat trout.*

*Bill working the inside of a riffle. We had some spectacularly beau*tiful days on the water this fall!

*Rich showing off a nice Snake River Cutthroat trout in October. BWOs starting hatching around 3pm and fishing turned on!*

*End of season vacation in southern Utah. I traded the oars for my paints. Great time!*

Summer fishing

July 28, 2025/0 Comments/in Latest/by Nathan Bennett

I’ve been busy guiding folks and finally have a day off so i thought I’d do a quick fishing blog post on what I’ve been up to around here in Jackson Hole. The summer has been going by quickly (can’t believe it’s just about August)! Our waters in Jackson are fishing pretty well. Tributaries this year seemed to drop quicker than normal but there is still water in them holding hungry cutthroat trout.

After many a day fishing folks up in Yellowstone earlier this season, I’ve now found myself most days floating our area rivers, with the occasional walk/wade trip thrown in the mix for good measure. Guest and I have been having fun fishing dry flies primarily on the Snake and Salt Rivers. Lately, hoppers are out and about and the fish are looking up for them. Yesterday we had some awesome eats on twitched foam flies. One thing to note, being that it’s the hottest part of the summer, warm temperatures are warming up in the afternoons. Best to get out on the water early, fish with heavier tippet, play your fish quickly and finish up by 3 or so (or when your water thermometer hits 67 degrees). The trout will thank you. Here’s a few pictures from recent weeks…..

*Jamie and I even got away for a quick camping trip! Alway nice to hang with my lady.*

Days in Yellowstone

June 2, 2025/0 Comments/in Latest/by Nathan Bennett

Last week Yellowstone Park opened for yet another fishing season. I’ve been up on the Firehole with guests having fun with its resident Brown and Rainbow trout. Days have been really nice- sunny, warm and hence the mayfly hatches haven’t been super heavy (usually cloudy weather gets the PMDs and BWOs really pouring off). Regardless, we’ve had fun swinging wet flies and fishing Miller Caddis’ to risers.

In the weeks to come fishing will continue to be good up in the Park! Other areas rivers are in full runoff mode with snow melt. I suspect mid to late June the upper Green River will start fishing and I look forward to floating folks on it. Then shortly after, everything comes into play. Looking forward to summer and it’s great to be out now!

*Jason got back in the swing of fly fishing*. *Here he is with one of his many Rainbow trout from the Firehole River*

*Savanah and her wife Brianna learned a lot, first working the *New* Perce then graduating to the Firehole*

*The Ladies (and me) are all smiles after a fun day of fishing in Yellowstone National Park*

*Patrick and Jeanie work the water. They were blown away by the wonders of Jellystone (and the fish!!)*

Fishing news, spring update, etc

April 10, 2025/0 Comments/in Latest/by Nathan Bennett

It’s April’s and the fly fishing here in Jackson Hole is really good. After a winter of cold temperatures and nymph fishing, I’m happy to report that our native cutthroat trout are feeding voraciously on the surface. Anglers will see pods of fish sipping emerging midges and small black stoneflies. Additionally with warmer temperatures forecasted, I suspect we’ll start seeing the emergence of Skwala stoneflies and Blue Wing Olives. It’s a great time to be dry fly fishing on the Snake!

Mike Shows off his first ever Snake River Finespotted Cutthroat trout. Caught on a dry fly non the less!

Dave experienced some great early season dry fly fishing

Friend Duncan, plays a nice cutthroat trout on a pretty early spring day

For those looking to fish this season, shoot me an email or call. Guided fishing trips are as follows: April- Snake, May- lakes, possible floats on the Snake and Green depending on runoff, End of May- June- Yellowstone Park wading the Firehole, etc. End of June-October- floating and wade fishing just about everything around here.

And finally, I’m sad to report that Lulu passed away last week. To those that knew here, Lulu was a sweetheart. She was always up for an adventure and was kind to all she met. While fishing wasn’t her strong suit (can’t blame a lab for wanting to retrieve fish) she was such a great companion; hiking, swimming, and living life to her fullest. Our house is quiet without her.

Lulu keeping an eye on the water while fishing this past October. Gonna miss her

Bahamas sketchbook journal

March 4, 2025/0 Comments/in Latest/by Nathan Bennett

Here’s a look at some of the sketchbook art I made while on our trip. I’ve begun trying to be better at keeping an art journal of trips I go on. It’s a great way to remember things and capture the trip. Sometimes while trout fishing I’ll carry a small sketchbook and watercolor kit in my vest and paint stream side. During this trip, I did most of my painting back at the house before or after fishing. I love the Bahamas; the colors, landscape, etc. Typically I carry a 5×7″ hardcover watercolor sketchbook and a small pouch with a metal watercolor palette, some brushes, pens and pencils.Hope you enjoy and I’ll try and do more posting of my art.

Bahamas, round 1

March 4, 2025/0 Comments/in Latest/by Nathan Bennett

Was able to get back to the Bahamas for a week of fishing with long time clients, Chris and Mark. It was a great week with fishing, good food and drink and fine company. As usual, we did a mix of guided boat trips and DIY wade fishing. The weather was fantastic and we caught some nice fish. Always great to see these guys and I can’t wait until next’s adventure!

*Hooked up on the flats. Mark battens down on a nice bone, attempting to bring it to hand before the sharks key in.*

*Probably my best bonefish of the trip. This single was feeding in super skinny water while wade fishing. It’s amazing the camouflage these fish have!*

*Chris on the bow while guide, Shervin poles.*

*Chris lands a nice bone on one of our favorite* flats. *The skinny water stalking made this fish that much more rewarding*

*Juvenile Tarpon aren’t common but having a secret spot helps increase the odds. I love these things!*

Some trips for the new year

January 13, 2025/0 Comments/in Latest/by Nathan Bennett

Despite the cold winter weather lately I’ve had fun guiding some hardy folks on winter walk in trips. While it hasn’t been easy, it’s been fun and fortunately we’ve found some fish. This time of year nymph fishing is best. Snowshoeing adds to the adventure and allows us to access water more easily. It’s always nice this time of year to get out on the water and enjoy the solitude and wildlife.

Jake shows off a nice whitefish. Despite temperatures never getting out of the teens, he managed quite a few on the nymphs

Katie and Jake wanted to snowshoe and fish despite the conditions. They got into some fish on nymphs and had great time. said it was the highlight of their trip to Jackson Hole!

Winter Fly Fishing

December 16, 2024/0 Comments/in Latest/by Nathan Bennett

After a fairly dry November and early December, we are finally seeing some snow around here. I was out on the water several days last week guiding visiting anglers. While winter fishing is more challenging, it offers folks a fun, unique activity to do while in Jackson Hole. Some days are harder than others, but we can usually fool a fish or two on dead drifted nymphs. If you’re interested in learning more about my guided winter fly fishing trips, click here.