The Gardner River begins in the mountains west of Mammoth, at Joseph Peak. Fishermen will find a variety of fish including brown trout, rainbow trout, cutthroat trout and brook trout here. The river can provide up to two weeks of good stonefly fishing before the caddis take over. Starting in the Gardners Hole, just southwest of Mammoth Hot Springs, anglers will enjoy the confluence of the Gardner with four small creeks (Fawn, Panther, Indian and Obsidian). Maximize your time on the water and make great memories on one of our deluxe overnight river camping trips. This gives the angler a shot at some Browns up to 20”, an impressive feat for such a small river. The Gardner River really comes to life in the fall season, which is when we focus this trip. The two lower sections below Osprey Falls, a 150 foot high natural fish migration barrier, amount to only about 1/3 rd of the river’s length. Lots of runs, riffles and some pools are found on the lower Gardner River. Below the falls, the Gardner hosts quite the variety with Brook, Rainbow, Brown, and Cutthroat Trout present, along with Mountain Whitefish. Many avid anglers, however, enjoy bringing their own gear. Gardner River Video Fishing Report - YouTube Yesterday, Paul Weamer and I checked out a stretch of the Gardner River in Yellowstone National Park that we hadn't fished before. The Gardner River: Fall brown run will begin soon, big fish from the Yellowstone will make their way up into its tributaries, the Gardner included. It should be noted that the lower stretches of the river has a quick current and lots of slippery rocks. Montana is home to some of the most productive wild trout rivers on the planet. In the fall, Brown Trout from the Yellowstone make their spawning run up the Gardner, giving anglers a shot at larger fish. The Gardner is a prototypical pocket water fishery, with many boulder gardens and few deep, slow pools. Boat accesses are abundant. The Gardner River's pocket water, bouldered pools and runs offer good dry fly and nymph fishing, especially in the late summer and fall. Spring creeks offer the ultimate challenge in the fly fishing world. This section of river is a reliable producer in July, August, and September. Hatches are possible, especially in the 100 yards below the Gardner mouth. Evenings in late July and August bring rising fish all the way until dark. Fish over 20 legendary Montana rivers across multiple valleys or get off the beaten path on our exclusive private access ranch leases, Plan for your Montana fishing trip. The Yellowstone River: Right through town is actually the best stretch this time of year. The Yellowstone River, which flows through town, and the various rivers inside Yellowstone National Park, offer ample opportunities for fly-fishing. The hatch remains strong for 2 to 3 weeks and has the full attention of the fish. Alternate names for this stream include Warm Stream Creek, Gardiner River and Warm Spring Creek. To be perfectly honest, it is also one of our favorites because it is so easily accessed, especially if you are staying in the little town of Gardiner. The river offers something for everyone-meadow water for the dry-fly angler, and rough-and-tumble stretches for the nymph fisher. The river here is fishable each month of the Yellowstone Park season most years. At the town Indian Creek the river makes an about-face and turns northward toward the town of Gardiner. During the midday hours, attractors and terrestrials become important as the summer warms. The best fly fishing on the Gardner River will be found in its lower stretches, just upstream from the Yellowstone Park Boundary. For pricing on lodging packages visit each individual package for rates, inclusions and exclusions. The Gardner is a smaller river located in the north-western corner of Yellowstone National Park. Let us help you build the perfect lodging and fishing package. Options include all inclusive fishing lodges, convenient hotel packages and unique river front vacation cabins and homes. Gardner River | Fishing The Gardner River begins in the mountains west of Mammoth, at Joseph Peak. Or if they don't they should be. Weather in the Northern Rockies can be fickle and it is always a good idea to come prepared regardless of the season. Your nymph rigs should feature a stonefly with a caddis dropper, while evenings bring consistent dry fly fishing over rising fish. Find out when to come, what equipment to bring, browse blog articles, and more. Cloudy days see exceptional hatches of Blue Winged Olives, and you will see noses greedily grabbing bugs everywhere. In August, this section of river can become too warm for fishing some summers. The Mammoth-Norris road crosses this stretch of river and provides access. Gardner River Rising on the northeast slope of Joseph Peak in the northwest corner of Yellowstone Park, the Gardner is first seen by most anglers in Gardner's Hole. Below, the river is more pocketwater and starts to cut its way into the canyon that defines much of its length. At Osprey Falls, the river is in a deep, rugged canyon. The Gardner is a fairly small river located in the extreme northwestern corner of Yellowstone National Park. Get away from it all on our extensive network of private access waters. Along its southerly direction, near Gardner Hole (a subalpine basin), four small creeks join the main river. Fly fishing pressure on the Gardner River in Yellowstone National Park is quite low compared to other major rivers in the park. Choose from over 20 fabled blue ribbon rivers that we target. Solitude is easily found just off the road or by hiking a short distance up the many trails that parallel the river. The lower Gardner River area is very arid, with trees only found on the upper mountains. The water is still high in early July so focus on the softer water along the banks and behind the numerous boulders in the stream. Montana Angler guides fish the famous Livingston creeks in addition to several other spring creeks on some of our exclusive ranch leases. Lodge packages include all meals and guided fishing so you can sit back, relax and enjoy a great fly fishing vacation, Enjoy great fishing and keep your costs in check with one of our hotel packages. Streamers, bead hair and copper, and other small nymphs will get the job done. In between, much of the Gardner rushes through canyons and rapids. This technical match the hatch fishing produces big results. Our blog offers a vast collection of useful articles that include topics related to hatches, seasons, rivers, destination trip reports and more, Helpful checklists to make sure you include the proper clothing and gear for your Montana fishing trip, Information on rates for Montana and Yellowstone National Park fishing licenses. Fishing: Although the Gardner River only flows for about 25 river miles, there are numerous sections that are superb for fishing. Although high runoff can impair early summer fishing, the Gardner does get a reliable hatch of large stoneflies in June and July. We take care of all the gear and you just sit back and relax after arriving in camp. Look for midges and tiny BWO. Gardner River. Due to the rivers’ swift nature, precise patterns are not typically required; this is a place to fish attractors. The Gardner drainage is short, steep, and lacks major tributaries, allowing the water to rise and fall rapidly. Gardiner is centrally located near some of the best fly-fishing in the world. Summer is the best time for fly fishing the Gardner River due to the hatches of aquatic insects. This section of river, home to a robust population of small Brook Trout, is great for beginners or anyone looking for a high catch rate. Rates and terms for some of our standard trips. Come enjoy a day on the river and experience the finest in Montana fishing trips. A light, 3 or 4wt rod is nice on the upper river, while a 9ft 5wt is ideal on the lower water. This section of the Gardner holds up until the very last day of the fishing season, and would fish well even later if the Park would allow it. The upper sections of the Gardner River, upstream from the Mammoth-Tower bridge near Mammoth Hot Springs, offers only limited fishing possibilities, with small brook trout the primary resident. While the spawning fish generally eschew rising, it is hard to pass up dry fly fishing so late in the season. It rises on the slope of Joseph Peak, Gallatin Range in the northwestern part of the park, and winds southeast through Gardner's Hole, a broad subalpine basin which is a popular trout fishing location. The upper sections of the Gardner River, upstream from the Mammoth-Tower bridge near Mammoth Hot Springs, offers only limited fishing possibilities, with small brook trout the primary resident. One of the special aspects of the Gardiner River is the ability to catch six species of fish in one day: Rainbows, Cutthroat, Brookies, Browns, Hybrids, and Whitefish. Above the spring, the Gardner remains cold in the spring and cool in the summer and fall. Due to the large thermal influence of the Boiling River, this section of the Gardner takes on a different character than the waters above. Farther down the Gardner River towards the Mammoth-Tower Road, the fish are a mixture of rainbows and brown trout. The Gardner River is often overlooked in favor of more publicized waters, and local anglers like to keep it under their hats. As a result, productive dry fly fishing can occur in June if favorable conditions occur. The Yellowstone River is one of the most gorgeous fishing rivers in all of Montana. More reliable fishing on this section comes in the last 10 days of June as runoff subsides and the Golden Stones and Salmonflys begin to emerge. Let us answer all of your questions and help you choose exceptional lodges in Chile, Argentina, Alaska and the Bahamas, Enjoy unique accommodations right on the water. There's a carry-down raft access right at the mouth of the Gardner River in the town of Gardiner, a rough access suitable for rafts season-long and drift boats when flows are 3,000 to 12,000 cubic feet per second 2 miles north of town, and good boat amps at … Rainbow and brown trout are both found in the lower river, averaging around 12 inches, although occasional large fish are taken. Mostly Brook Trout fishing, with dry flies, to fish averaging 6 to 10 inches, Lots of fun! The water will still be high, so plan on high sticking stonefly nymphs in the slower water along the riverbank. Learn the best ... more techniques for fishing the Yellowstone River and gain the angling tools you need for fishing success. The same flies work in August as well, but a small hopper pattern will also be good choice. Copyright 2002 - 2020 Big Sky Fishing.Com, Yellowstone National Park Photographs | Gallery #1, Yellowstone National Park Photographs | Gallery #2, View Yellowstone Fishing & Travel Guidebooks. The valley itself is quite arid with extensive meadows and sagebrush. Read about average temperatures and weather patterns month by month. Build lasting relationships with your best clients or reward your key employees with one of our custom built corporate fishing retreats. Here are our recommendations for rods, lines, flies, tippet, waders and more. The Gardner has excellent nymph fishing early and late in season, with frequent hatches and good dry fly fishing in the summer months. Here is evidence of Native American hunting/fishing camps. Enjoy lightly fished streams and trophy lakes on one our exclusive ranch leases. The Gardner fishes well throughout most of the Yellowstone Park season and is one of the more consistent fisheries in the Park. Yellowstone Lake Fly Fishing Guide to the Gardner River - Yellowstone National Park As mentioned in the introduction, the upper section of the Gardner River, shown on your upper left; the middle section, shown on your upper right and the lower section shown in the first three thumbnails below, all fish differently. Salmonflys and Golden Stones begin to appear above the Boiling River during the first week of July. The main difference is the species and the size of Read about the seasonal patterns in our fisheries. Gardner Tackle has been manufacturing quality carp fishing and specialist fishing tackle for 40 years. Introduction to Fly Fishing the Gardner River The Gardner is the closest river to the town which took its name (the river's name is spelled right, well-meaning cartographers added the "i" in the name of the town). Popular dry flies for the lower Gardner River include the Elk Hair Caddis and the Parachute Adams (sized 14-18). Aquatic plants are common and the gradient eases slightly. Information related to travelling to Montana: which airports to fly into, major towns, etc. During cooler weather, look for hoppers by day with caddis continuing in the evenings. Not all locations fish well every month but there is always something peaking on any given week. All whitefish and cutthroat trout caught in the Gardner River must be released. Gardner River is a stream located just 32.2 miles from West Yellowstone, in Park County, in the state of Montana, United States, near Calamity Janes Trailer Court, MT. Due to the broken nature of the water, you will mostly be blind fishing your dries rather than casting to risers. Above the bridge, the Gardner flows through large meadows but retains its swift character. Don’t count on the Gardner at this time of year, but don’t pass it up if you happen to encounter cold weather during this timeframe. Read what our guests have to say about our trips and learn why we are rated #1 in Trip Advisor and have a 5 star average on our Orvis reviews, This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google. Fly Fishing the Gardner River - Fishing Tales - Part 1 The Gardner River is one of our favorite stream simply because we like fast pocket water. Catching at least one of each in single day is possible and is considered a "grand slam". We pick you up each day at the hotel and in the evenings you can enjoy fun western towns like Bozeman and Livingston, Browse our large network of vacation homes and cabins that are either on the water or centrally located to great fishing. The Gardner River in Yellowstone National Park is the place to make this dream become reality. Below Osprey Falls, the average fish is in the 8-12” range with fish in the 14-15” range starting to show up further downstream around the Boiling River. 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