Saturday was an "on again" day for a long hike, but planning to repeat one that's become a favorite we planned ahead for the end of the hike -- we stopped in Roosevelt and bought beer. Three years ago, we'd discovered the Hellroaring Creek hike. By comparing our fly-fishing guide with our day-hike guide, we pieced together bits of information that is apparently little known.
The hike to the confluence of the Yellowstone River and Hellroaring Creek begins easily -- all downhill along switchbacks for about one mile, dropping 600 feet to a foot/stock bridge over the Yellowstone. Then, on through fairly gentle sage hills to the site.
Prior to arriving at the confluence, we wondered if the registered campers would still be occupying the backcountry site there. As we arrived, they were leaving so we (as in 2006) had the entire place to ourselves.
River waters in the Yellowstone were higher than we'd expected, so we were unable to fish that area as we had in 2006. I took a little clamber upstream on the Hellroaring and spotted a pool that looked promising. . . if you were a mountain goat, that is. I brought Glenn over (my skills as a pool spotter are better than my fishing skills) and he took a look; decided to try. In the photo above, he's difficult to see. I wish I'd had a camera of high quality and photography skills to match. The pool, we decided, was the most beautiful we can remember seeing. The waters were maybe 25-30 feet deep, crystal clear. We could see the fish in it. But what made it truly amazing were the rock formations. Pillars of beautifully colored rocks rose in spires beneath the surface. Eventually, I clambered over near Glenn as well. He pulled two cutthroats and a rainbow from the rippling waters. Just as we decided to climb back away, Glenn said "Just tie on a grasshopper and throw it in one time." He tied the hopper, I tossed it in and a sight to behold. . . we could see this big trout in the depths spot the hopper and head right to it --GULP! -- and he was mine!
The photo immediately above was taken during our 2006 hike to the confluence of Hellroaring Creek and the Yellowstone River. 
After spending some time fishing the Hellroaring, we walked back to the black-sand beach along the Yellowstone. We'd already dived into its cold, clear waters to refresh ourselves from the hike. Now, we'd snack on our lunch and enjoy the serenity of the place. Before we left for the hike back, I asked Glenn to snap the picture above in the same spot as in 2006. It's easy to see the higher water levels by comparing the two.
The trek back was long, hot and the final bit (as described earlier) mightily uphill. The previously purchased six pack of cold beer motivated us beyond words.
The fishing regulations in Yellowstone can be described for the most part as "barbless hooks, catch and release." However, the park officials not only allow, but encourage fishers to keep non-native fish -- which include rainbow trout. Since Glenn had previously netted a 'bow, we also kept the one he caught in the Hellroaring. In the picture above, he's cooking in foil our two wild rainbows from the waters of Yellowstone!
Dinner in our camper: Mandarin salad, fresh broccoli, noodles Alfredo, Chardonnay -- and Yellowstone rainbow trout roasted over a wood fire. How much would that cost in a restaurant?
The fishing regulations in Yellowstone can be described for the most part as "barbless hooks, catch and release." However, the park officials not only allow, but encourage fishers to keep non-native fish -- which include rainbow trout. Since Glenn had previously netted a 'bow, we also kept the one he caught in the Hellroaring. In the picture above, he's cooking in foil our two wild rainbows from the waters of Yellowstone! 
Dinner in our camper: Mandarin salad, fresh broccoli, noodles Alfredo, Chardonnay -- and Yellowstone rainbow trout roasted over a wood fire. How much would that cost in a restaurant? 
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