Being from back east, I learned how to trout fish on what we in Yellowstone Country refer to as small streams. In my mind they are just trout streams, and my love affair with them continues still. The beauty here in Yellowstone is that almost every small stream that looks like it should hold trout in fact usually does. Plus, you don’t always have to hike a long distance to get into some fine fishing and solitude. From mid-July through September, one can take a small box of dries, a spool of tippet, a lanyard of nippers, floatant, and hemos and enjoy a warm afternoon of wonderful dry fly fishing.

For fly patterns, here are some of my personal favorites. A Royal Wulff Cripple and a yellow Stimulator, both in a size 16. A tan Iris Caddis in a size 17 and a tan X Caddis in a size 16. For Mayflies, a PMD Cripple and Flav Cripple, both in a size 16 and an ICU Baetis or Baetis Sparkle Dun both in a size 20. For terrestrials, our Tiger Beetle in a size 16 is hard to beat along with a size 10 Enhanced Chaos Hopper. If one would like to include a few nymphs or streamers, I would keep it simple ad sparse. A Crystal Serendipity and Shop Vac in size 16 and a black Wooly Bugger in a size 10 should be all one needs.

Here are five excellent small streams in Yellowstone National Park that are just a short walk from the vehicle. Tower Creek above the Tower Creek Campground has plenty of feisty rainbows and brook trout. This is classic pocket water with plenty of large boulders to place a high floating wulff behind. Access is gained via the Tower Creek Campground parking area. Lava Creek. This tributary to the Gardner River is full of beautiful brook trout. The area to fish is upstream of the road bridge. The fires of ’88 make it a bit diggicult to get around, but the number of fish make it well worth the effort. Access is gained via the Lava Creek Picnic Area. Grayling Creek follows Highway 191 on its way to Hebgen Lake. The water in the park stretch is classic riffle-run-pool trout water. Brown trout, rainbows, and cutthroat all inhabit its flows. Soda Butte Creek. Most of us know Soda Butte Creek below the Ice Box Canyon to the confluence of the Lamar. But there is some beautiful water from Ice Box Canyon to the park boundary with very few other anglers. Plenty of eager cutthroats and rainbows can be found throughout its pools and riffles. Access can be gained by a host of pulloffs and a few picnic areas along the road. Nez Perce Creek joins the Firehole River at the Nez Perce Picnic Area just off the Madison-Old Faithful highway. Nez Perce Creek is primarily a brown trout fishery but does hold few rainbows and brook trout. There is a small parking area where Nez Perce flows under the highway about a half mile up from the picnic area.

These are just five out of a multitude of other possibilities. Craig and Clayton’s book The Yellowstone Fly Fishing Guide, lists all the waters within Yellowstone National Park. I highly recommend this book for many other options.

Since I do most of my small stream fishing from late morning to early evening, I almost always wet wade. A pair of light weight, quick drying pants and my wading boots keep me very comfortable and the cool water feels great on a hot summer afternoon. A long sleeve fishing shirt keeps sunburn and bugs at bay. I’ve been using a Patagonia Hip Chest Pack for the last 4-5 years now. It holds all the tackle I need and is light weight so at the end of the day I don’t feel the need for a neck massage and chiropractor.

Bring water! Most visiting anglers are from a much lower elevation and staying hydrated will help keep you from being as negatively effected. Mountain sickness can be serious. Drink plenty of water and do not over exert yourself.

Most of us here carry bear spray when venturing into the backcountry. I have never seen a bear out of my vehicle but it is certainly a possibility. I go by the better safe than sorry idea. Also carry bug dope. Nothing will stop a trip short like biting bugs.

If I am venturing a little farther a field, I will bring a small day pack with a rain jacket and a snack. Snickers are my favorite. I also do not like to fish alone if I am going well into the backcountry. Having a friend along is a much safer bet. Make plenty of noise so the animals can hear you coming. I like to sing, which is more than likely the reason I have not seen a bear yet.

Most of the trout in these smaller waters will be from 8-12 inches in length with a few larger to keep things interesting. The surroundings will be spectacular from tight rocky canyons to wide open meadows and everything in between. On your next trip to Yellowstone, be sure to give one of these little gems a try or take a hike and find your own favorite.