Wyoming ·
Firehole River Fly Fishing Report - January 1/4/2026
FIREHOLE RIVER FLY FISHING REPORT
Yellowstone National Park — Winter Conditions
Report Date: January 4, 2026 | Next Update: January 11, 2026
Current River Conditions
Winter window: Expect cold mornings, possible icy bank conditions, and short mid-day windows where fishing is best. The Firehole's geothermal sections keep water usable for trout throughout winter, but dress for sudden weather changes and check park access rules before you head in.
Flows & Clarity
Winter flows are lower and steadier than spring runoff — look for classic Firehole clarity in many stretches, with slightly tea-colored, tannic sections below drain inputs. Geothermal inflows can create localized warmth and hold fish.
Tip: fish the warmer, slower seams around geothermal inflows — trout concentrate there in cold weather.
Winter flows are lower and steadier than spring runoff — look for classic Firehole clarity in many stretches, with slightly tea-colored, tannic sections below drain inputs. Geothermal inflows can create localized warmth and hold fish.
Tip: fish the warmer, slower seams around geothermal inflows — trout concentrate there in cold weather.
Water Temperature
Typical range: mid-30s to mid-40s °F (1–8°C) depending on geothermal influence and air temp.
Cold mornings, milder mid-day slush — plan shorter leaders and slower presentations.
Typical range: mid-30s to mid-40s °F (1–8°C) depending on geothermal influence and air temp.
Cold mornings, milder mid-day slush — plan shorter leaders and slower presentations.
Weather & Access
Expect cold and breezy conditions. Some parking areas and approaches may be icy or snow-covered; wear traction and layer for warmth. Verify Yellowstone National Park road and fishing access updates before travel.
Expect cold and breezy conditions. Some parking areas and approaches may be icy or snow-covered; wear traction and layer for warmth. Verify Yellowstone National Park road and fishing access updates before travel.
Fishing Pressure
Lower than peak season — a few dedicated winter anglers and guides concentrate on the warm-water reaches. You can enjoy quieter water but respect park rules and closures.
Lower than peak season — a few dedicated winter anglers and guides concentrate on the warm-water reaches. You can enjoy quieter water but respect park rules and closures.
Hatch Chart & Insect Activity (Early January)
| Insect | Size | Activity | When to Fish |
|---|---|---|---|
| Midges | #18–24 | Primary food source this time of year — consistent emergences and pupae throughout the day | Mornings through dusk; best on calm, mild windows |
| Blue-winged Olives (Baetis) | #18–22 | Occasional rises on milder days — sporadic but important when present | Midday on marginally warmer, overcast spells |
| Small caddis (and caddis pupae) | #16–20 | Low activity — watch edges at dusk | Late afternoon to evening when calmer |
| Stoneflies / Salmonflies | #4–8 | Not expected in January; save heavy stonefly patterns for spring/early summer | N/A |
Recommended Flies (matched to in-stock patterns)
Dry flies & emergers (match winter BWO / PMD / caddis activity)
- Parachute - Blue Wing Olive — dependable BWO/parachute for picky rises.
- Stealth Link Mercer - PMD — thin-bodied emerger/dun for low-contrast midge/PMD activity.
- Corn-fed Caddis (CDC) - Tan — excellent for late-winter caddis and picky surface takes.
- Sparkle Dun - PMD (Cream/Yellow) — high-visibility emerger/dun for marginal conditions.
Nymphs & euro patterns (for the subsurface game)
- Egan's Thread Frenchie Jig - Olive — a go-to tungsten jig for precise euro nymphing in riffles.
- Roza's World Spain Perdigon - Barbless — slick, dense Perdigon for deep, picky trout.
- Pheasant Tail Tungsten — classic PT profile with weight for holding bottom contact.
- Egan's Silver Bullet - Baetis — compact tungsten nymph to match winter Baetis nymphs.
Streamers & baitfish / sculpin imitations (fish active; cold water predators)
- Coffey's CH Sparkle Minnow Sculpin — sculpin profile that triggers winter strikes in deeper runs.
- Sculpzilla - Olive — articulated / bulk profile for slower retrieves.
- Galloup's Slick Willy - Whitefish — effective baitfish imitation for larger trout.
- Near Nuff Sculpin - Olive — compact sculpin for short-strike presentations.
Soft hackles & swing patterns (winter surface/sub-surface takes)
- Soft Hackle Pheasant Tail Jig - Barbless — soft-hackle action that reads well in cold water swings.
- Bead Head Soft Hackle Pheasant Tail — great as a dropper or single-swing pattern.
- Soft Hackle Hare's Ear - Barbless — classic springy profile that works when trout key on emergers.
- CDC Soft Hackle Tailwater Sowbug Jig - Rainbow — combines jig/sowbug with soft-hackle flash for winter nymphing.
Midges & winter micro patterns (the backbone of January fishing)
- Black Zebra Midge (TBH) — simple tungsten zebra for tight indicator work.
- Top Secret Midge — a solid small midge for sight and indicator rigs.
- Jujubee Midge - Zebra — versatile midge pattern for ultra-fine presentations.
- Higa's SOS - Black — one of the dependable winter midge/nymph offerings for cold days.
Tactics & Tips — Winter Firehole
Presentation
- Nymph-first: most winter fish take subsurface. Shorten leaders, downsize tippets to 5–7X for tiny midges/baetis. Use tungsten jig nymphs on Euro or indicator rigs to find depth quickly.
- Soft-hackle swing: swing soft hackles and PT-style soft-hackle jigs through seams adjacent to warmer water; fish will often take during slow swings.
- Streamers: slow strips near structure and drop-offs — target deeper runs and any geothermal-warmed pockets where trout are stacked.
- Dry fly: limited, but if you see selective rises to midges or Baetis, throw small parachutes and emergers and be ready to switch to a dead-drift emerger if refusals occur.
Rigging
- Euro kit or indicator: both work. When visibility is high and fish are deep, small Perdigons and jigs win; in shallow, clear water go with soft-hackles and emergers.
Safety & access
- Winter ice and snow can make approaches hazardous. Wear traction on boots and layer; park only in permitted lots and confirm YNP updates before traveling.
- Nymph-first: most winter fish take subsurface. Shorten leaders, downsize tippets to 5–7X for tiny midges/baetis. Use tungsten jig nymphs on Euro or indicator rigs to find depth quickly.
- Soft-hackle swing: swing soft hackles and PT-style soft-hackle jigs through seams adjacent to warmer water; fish will often take during slow swings.
- Streamers: slow strips near structure and drop-offs — target deeper runs and any geothermal-warmed pockets where trout are stacked.
- Dry fly: limited, but if you see selective rises to midges or Baetis, throw small parachutes and emergers and be ready to switch to a dead-drift emerger if refusals occur.
Rigging
- Euro kit or indicator: both work. When visibility is high and fish are deep, small Perdigons and jigs win; in shallow, clear water go with soft-hackles and emergers.
Safety & access
- Winter ice and snow can make approaches hazardous. Wear traction on boots and layer; park only in permitted lots and confirm YNP updates before traveling.
Quick-Reference Rig Setups
| Situation | Suggested Setup |
|---|---|
| Deep winter nymphing (holding trout) | Euro leader or indicator, 0.6–0.9 m tungsten Perdigon / jig + PT or silver bullet as trailer, 4–6 ft 5–6X tippet |
| Soft-hackle swing in riffles | 7–9 ft, floating line, short leader, 3–6 ft 4–6X tippet; swing a soft-hackle jig or soft-hackle PT across the seam |
| Streamer work on structure | Sink-tip or full-sinking line, 3–6 ft leader of 20–12 lb shock tippet, slow strips of sculpin or minnow streamer |
| Selective surface feeding | Floating line, Parachute BWO or small CDC caddis on 7.5–9 ft 5X leader, micro tippet to 6–7X |
What the Field Reports Are Saying (early Jan 2026)
Anglers and guides note steady winter fishing: midges and small Baetis remain the consistent menu in the Firehole's cooler reaches, while geothermal pockets hold active trout through cold snaps. Sight opportunities are rarer but rewarding on calm afternoons. Emphasis: subsurface tactics win the day.
Final Notes & Etiquette
- Check Yellowstone National Park regulations and road conditions before you go — closures and seasonal rules can change access points and parking.
- Practice gentle catch-and-release in winter to reduce stress on trout (short handling, wet hands, quick photos).
- Park respectfully and leave no trace — winter anglers benefit from others who keep access open.
