Gardner River YNP

The Gardner River (sometimes referred to as the Gardiner River) starts as a small icy stream on the slopes of Joseph Peak in the Northwest section of the Yellowstone National Parkl and continues 25 miles in the Park to join the Yellowstone River near Gardiner, Montana.

After its tiny beginning, it adds the waters from Panther Creek, Indian Creek and other creeks before it approaches the Grand Loop Road. The upper reaches of the Gardner as well as Panther Creek, Indian Creek and Obsidian Creek contain large populations of small brook trout and some of these streams, are the only ones in the Park that may be fished by children twelve years and under with worms only. Caution, be sure to check the park’s regulations before letting any children use live bait anywhere within the park as the rules may change. An excellent campground located near the Obsidian Creek, which can be reached from the Grand Loop Road, provides access to this area.

From the Grand Loop Road down to Osprey Falls the stream is more moderate and easy to fish until it nears the falls. The trout increase in size with more rainbow and cutthroats as well as cutbows living in the pocket water below the Osprey Falls. However, some hiking upstream from Lave Trail will be necessary to reach the water. After reaching a point below the high bridge on the Mammoth-Tower Road and extending down to almost within one mile of the 45th Parallel Bridge a short hike will also be necessary to reach water.

The section just below the 45th Parallel Bridge downstream to Gardiner runs through some meadows but it is not normal meadow type water. The water is still heavy pocket water with large boulders, deep fast runs, short riffles and some long pools. This section is often overlooked by anglers; however, we feel that it is the best section to fish since it contains the largest trout and can be accessed easily. Also it can be noted that terrestrials are effective because the stream is bordered with high grass.

The North Entrance Road from Gardiner, Montana, to Mammoth Hot Springs, Wyoming, winds along the Gardner River meeting up with the Grand Loop Road which in turn intersects the Gardner River on two occasions. Much of the Gardner River is in rugged territory and as a result the fishing pressure is somewhat less.

Fishing the Gardner:

The upper reaches of the Gardner are home to the small brook trout and with the swift waters; you need not be as selective of the flies. A dry fly will usually entice the brookies into a strike. However, the brookies will usually run between 5 to 8 inches.

The middle and last sections of the Gardner has some larger browns and rainbows and as the angler continues down the river, cutthroat and cutbows will become more common after Osprey Falls. The important hatches of the Salmonfly and the Giant Stone Fly occur in June and July and the nymphs are in the water the entire year. The nymph pattern of these flies fished in tandem will do well in the middle and the lower sections of the river, but it may take some experience to accomplish this.

Late Spring/Early summer:

In the upper portions of the Gardner, the brookies will succumb to small dry flies in late May or June starting the season. Look for the trout to be along the seams in the pocket water. Unlike the browns that spawn in the fall, the brookies will be heading upstream to spawn. Further down the Gardner, use stonefly nymphs on a dropper with an attractor fly as the angler will experience some of the best Salmonfly, Giant Stonefly and Golden Stonefly hatches. Make short casts and be vigilant expecting a strike on your first cast.

Summer:

As summer starts, caddis flies will become an important hatch. As the summer progresses, change to the terrestrials like the larger hopper patterns. The fishing here on the Gardner will be better in the summer months than are some other Yellowstone National Park streams, so expect a little competition.

Fall:

The fall season will see some rainbows but the browns will be moving up from the Yellowstone River and they can be large, often running up to 20 inches in length. Use a 6 WT rod with 3X tippet which will be required to land a large brown in these fast waters. The usual stonefly nymphs or streamers will prove to be effective in these waters. Remember the brown will be spawning in late October.

Geographical Location:

Yellowstone National Park

Type of Stream:

Freestone

Species:

Brown, rainbow, brook, cutthroat and cutbows

Location:

Nothwest Corner Yellowstone National Park

Nearest Town:

Gardiner, Montana

Access:

An excellent campground located near the Obsidian Creek, can be reached from the Norris-Mammoth Road. From this campground the headwaters can be accessed by hiking one of the several trails in this area. The second big access area is near the Norris-Mammoth road bridge known as High Bridge where the Lave Creek Trail can also be accessed.

The last section is accessible from the Mammoth-Gardiner Road and by using trails like the Boiling River Trail. In this last section, the angler may need to compete with rafts from the local whitewater companies.

Recommended DVDs, Books, etc.:

Fly Fishing Yellowstone National Park by James Marsh

Trout and Their Habitat

Fly Fishing Small Stream Cutthroat

Stoneflies Imitating Aquatic Insects

More DVDs and Classes

Flies

License and Other Information:

Yellowstone National Park Regulations

Fishing License

Stream Flows

Weather