Hatch-chart pattern list
Best Flies for Firehole River (Wyoming)
The Firehole River in Wyoming is primarily a wade fishery. It is a spring creek fishery for Brown Trout and Rainbow Trout, with the most reliable window in May, June, September. The patterns below are matched to the hatch chart we publish for this water. They are not a live report of what other anglers caught this week.
What's hatching now
Month, insect, size, and pattern from the Firehole River hatch chart. August is highlighted when that month exists in the chart. We do not invent a hatch that is not on the chart.
| Month | Insect | Size | Pattern |
|---|---|---|---|
| May | Blue-winged Olive | #16-20 | Parachute BWO, Sparkle Dun, RS2 |
| Caddis | #14-16 | Elk Hair Caddis, X-Caddis | |
| June | Pale Morning Dun | #14-18 | PMD Sparkle Dun, PMD Cripple |
| Green Drake | #10-12 | Green Drake Paradrake, Extended Body Drake | |
| October | Blue-winged Olive | #18-22 | Parachute BWO, RS2, WD-40 |
| Midges | #20-24 | Griffith's Gnat, Zebra Midge |
Nymphs
Subsurface patterns matched to this river's chart and catalog. Fish them at the size the chart lists, not the size that looks good in the bin.
Dries
Dries and terrestrials for the Firehole River. If the chart says a size 18 PMD, do not start with a 12.
Streamers
Streamers and wets for stained water, banks, and low light. This is not a claim that streamers are "on" today.
No catalog patterns in this group yet. Use the hatch chart and the river guide.
Setup
5X and 6X fluorocarbon on nymphs, 5X on dries unless the fish are on Tricos, then 6X or 7X. A 3.0–3.8mm tungsten on the point and a lighter dropper is a default until you see the water. Tight-line the near bank and the heads of pockets. Use an indicator only when you need to search water you cannot euro.
FAQ
- What flies work on the Firehole River?
- Start with BWO Sparkle Dun and BWO Parachute, then match size to the hatch chart for the month you are standing in. The Firehole River does not need a 40-pattern box. It needs the right size on the insect that is actually in the drift.
- When is the best time to fly fish the Firehole River?
- The editorial window we list is May, June, September, October, November. That is a planning month range, not a guarantee. Shoulder months can fish well if flows and water temperature cooperate.
- Do I need a guide on the Firehole River?
- Wyoming has walk-up wade water and, on some sections, float water. A guide is worth it for a first float or a technical tailwater. A hatch chart and a gauge are enough for a first wade if you already nymph. We list local guides and shops on this page when we have them.
- Where can I see live flow for the Firehole River?
- Open the Firehole River river page for the USGS gauge, access notes, and the same hatch chart this fly list is built from. We do not publish other people's spots or fish counts.
- Is this a report of what's working now on the Firehole River?
- No. Executive Angler does not publish other anglers' catches, GPS, or a crowdsourced hot fly. This page is hatch-chart patterns plus catalog flies. Presence on the river page is gauge and weather only.
Related
Firehole River
Access, hatch chart, USGS gauge.
Wyoming
Trip planning for this region.
BWO Sparkle Dun
Dry
BWO Parachute
Dry
Sparkle Dun
Dry
Trent Kirkpatrick — Jackson Hole Anglers
Grand Teton Fly Fishing
565 N Cache St, Unit 2, Jackson, WY 83001
Jack Dennis Outdoor Shop
50 E Broadway Ave, Jackson, WY 83001
Bighorn River (Wyoming)
Open the river guide, then its fly list.
Gibbon River
Open the river guide, then its fly list.
Green River
Open the river guide, then its fly list.
Lamar River
Open the river guide, then its fly list.