Yellowstone River One Year After the Floods
With historic flooding behind us and high water beginning to drop, now is the time to make tracks for the longest free-flowing river in the lower 48 states.
Sport Hawk | 6.23.2023
In June 2022, epic flooding caused widespread damage to Yellowstone National Park. Raging water from last year’s rapid snowmelt and torrential rain destroyed roads, bridges, and infrastructure, forcing the park to close for several weeks.
A year later, the park is still recovering from the floods. But while damage remains visible, the ecosystem is slowly returning to normal.
One of the most affected areas of the park was the Yellowstone River. The river’s water levels rose to record heights, and the resulting floods altered or destroyed many of the river’s fishing spots.
Area fishing guides have had to learn a transformed river in the year since the floods. They’ve had to find new fishing spots and adapt previous techniques to the changed river conditions.
The good news is that the Yellowstone River is resilient, and the trout are still hungry this time of year. As of late June 2023, water levels are dropping, and the best fishing of the season is just around the corner. Because river levels are still fluctuating, the fishing is good but unpredictable.
As July approaches, look for initial fireworks from the Yellowstone’s salmonfly and golden stonefly hatches. Big puffy dry-fly patterns (Sofa Pillows, Stimulators, and similar foam-body imitations) in sizes 4 through 10 are the ticket.
Mid-month sees caddis and PMD mayfly hatches, and by the end of the month, grasshoppers and other terrestrials begin to show up.
With this year’s high water and the historic flooding behind us, now is the time to head for America’s first national park and the longest free-flowing river in the lower 48 states.
Here are a few resources to help you know what to expect:
NPR News
“A Year after Yellowstone Floods, Fishing Guides Have to Learn a ‘Whole New River’”
National Park Service
“Flood Recovery and Operations”
Montana Angler
“July Fishing on the Yellowstone”
Photo: Dramatic flooding at the Hellroaring Suspension Bridge on the Yellowstone River, June 2022. (NPS/Jacob W. Frank)