Yellowstone 2026 Volunteer Fly Fishing Program

Yellowstone National Park Volunteer Fly Fishing Program - 2026

Note that this is not a sponsored TVFF trip; it is notification for those interested in volunteering their service and working for YNP during the program.  All expenses are the responsibility of each participant.

This opportunity is for high level intermediate and advanced fly fishers only.  It requires considerable hiking, backcountry, and deeply skilled fly fishing experience. The skills to assist the Native Fisheries Program Manager and Park biologists with native fish restoration and sustainability in Yellowstone National Park waters are critical elements to the success of the program.

We are fortunate once again to have been invited back to participate in the Yellowstone National Park Native Fisheries program for 2026, based on our past successful efforts and concern for the Park’s native fisheries.  This conservation work program will provide opportunities for up to six (6) individuals to participate from August 14 -20, 2026.

 Registration on the TVFF website will open at 8:00 PM on January 6^th for one (1)  available participant for 2026.  

Waitlist registration will close on January 16, 2026 due to YVFFP needs to complete volunteer program staffing, so please register by the 16th to be considered.

The Park ultimately determines each year's participants and personally invited each of last year's six attendees based on last years experience.  This is not a sanctioned TVFF outing and focuses on specific volunteer conservation work.  Currently we have five (5) of last year's participants committed to return in 2026, however we have one open slot to add an individual who meets the rigorous requirements for the trip.   If you are interested in 2026 you must register on the waitlist to be considered and selected for the remaining slot.  As we know, “life happens” and there can be cancellations, so please register on the waitlist if the registration list appears full (like Rob throwing his back out again).

Please carefully read the following necessities to participate in the trip if you are interested, as they will be the determining factor on who will be selected to attend.  The additional individual for 2026 will be selected and recommended by last year's team consisting of the previous attendees with final validation and acceptance by the Yellowstone Volunteer Fly Fishing Program Manager.

Once again the volunteer program will is anticipated to return to Grebe and Wolf lakes in the Yellowstone backcountry where we will be camping for four days.  It is not for the faint of heart, and will involve significant hiking of up to 30 miles total over the four days.     We are not sure of exactly where we will be fishing each day in support of the program, so strong familiarity with all types and styles of fly fishing are a necessity (creeks, large rivers, lakes, dry, dry dropper, euro, indicator, and streamer, etc.).  Also please be aware that you will be fishing in areas heavily populated with wildlife including bison, bears, wolves, moose, nasty badgers, mountain lions, and others so familiarity with safety requirements and bear spray is a must.

Program Requirements:

This is a very rigorous trip, and you should think carefully about whether it is suitable for you this summer.  The following are some key elements to evaluate in your consideration as to whether to register for this trip:

• This year's trip will also encompass a three day high elevation pre-backcountry training session for acclimation and lakes training.  You will need to commit to a total of 7 days for this program, without travel.
• This includes a 4-day back-country hiking trip of over 30 miles, and although the Park animals will carry our camping gear in and out, you are responsible for carrying your fishing gear including the extended hiking trip to Wolf Lake.  Each day will require about 6-8 miles of total hiking and about ten hours of fishing before returning to camp for the evening.
• The trip takes place in country frequented by bears, elk, moose, “bad badgers” and wolves.  This requires everyone to be “bear aware” and experienced with carrying bear spray and animal avoidance.  Training on this is provided before the trip.
• Due to its location, we only enjoy (lol!) dehydrated meals (with light snacks) and carry only toiletries that are odorless.  Weight loss is an expected benefit.  Food and toiletries must be hung from the bear crossbars at night with no food or snacks allowed in the tents.
• You will need to be fully self-sufficient and experienced with back-country camping (no Airbnb facilities available for many, many miles…, sorry!).
• You will also need to be fully competent and experienced in all fly-fishing styles including dry fly, dry droppers, indicator nymphing, naked nymphing, potentially euro nymphing, and streamers.  This is not a “guided” trip, so you are expected to be fully capable in searching, determining proper setups, selecting your own flies, and completing the day’s activities on your own while maximizing safe catch and release processes.  While our trip is scheduled for the lakes, it may be relocated to other non-stillwaters for trip re-adjustments due to weather, wildlife issues, fire, Park demands and biologist requests, etc. and hence the need for accomplishment with multiple fly fishing styles and skills.
• You should very strongly consider an intensive program of winter and spring conditioning to equip yourself for the rigors of this trip.  Be aware that all locations are from 7-8,000 feet in elevation, and you should be prepared for frequent weather changes including heat, cold, rain, wind, and potentially snow at that altitude.
• This year’s trip will also require a 3-day pre-backcountry session to participate in high elevation conditioning as a group.  We will fish similar lake situations with appropriate hiking as “spring training” in Yellowstone for the outing.  This means that the trip will be for a minimum of eleven (11) days, although we all usually extend for post-trip fishing around the Park, or in the Grand Tetons based upon individual desire.
• Each individual is responsible for all transportation, lodging, licenses, and food expenses for the trip as this is a full volunteer effort.  In addition to those confirmed to participate a fee of $51.50 per individual is required and is donated to Yellowstone Forever.

1. "Your Health and Conditioning:  You must be able to hike at least 3 miles with moderate elevation gains, at a moderate pace.  If you volunteer and cannot do this, you'll force the rest of our group to proceed more slowly, causing us to take more time to reach our fishing destinations and therefore leaving us with less time to fish and to collect our data. 
2. Your Fly-Fishing Ability: YFFVP volunteers will, ideally, be proficient fly fishers with all-around skills.  This program is not intended for fly-fishing beginners.  And it is not a "guided" fly fishing trip.  Are you competent fishing dry flies, wet flies, nymphs, and streamers both in still-water environments as well as rivers and creeks?  We need to catch as many as possible, to provide Yellowstone's biologists with as much data as possible.  So, if you're a fly fisher who only fishes dry flies, you won't be able to contribute if the fish are only eating nymphs.  And vice versa.  This is true for all the fly-fishing disciplines.   
3. The YFFVP is Not a Normal Fly-Fishing Trip: We often fish designated sections of rivers and creeks which are shorter in length than we'd normally fish with a group of anglers outside the program.  We will fish very close to each other (spatial etiquette is not important among members of our YFFVP group).  We will be limited to where we can fish, so you can't decide to leave our beat or move to another location without the group.   
4. You're Donating to Yellowstone's Native Fish: The YFFVP's budget is small.  We cannot provide or pay for housing for our volunteers.  You must pay for your own lodging to participate in the program.  YFFVP volunteers are also expected to pay for their Yellowstone National Park entrance fees, fishing license, food, drinks, and any other expenses incurred while participating in the program. 
5. You need to Be Flexible: The YFFVP is constrained by many factors:  weather, water conditions, dealing with wild animals, safety concerns, and other things.  While we do our best to provide you with as much information as possible at the earliest dates possible, things that are beyond our control will force us to change plans.   
6. You need to Be Committed to the Program:  None of us know with certainty what will be occurring in our lives during the summer of 2026.  Plans change.  Life happens.  But please do not apply for next year's program unless you are sure, with the information you have at this time, that you'll be able to participate.  Some volunteers with the best of intentions will most likely have to cancel next year.  That's ok.  But no one should apply unless they are planning to participate. “ 

Registration and Costs:

Registration is currently open for qualified fly fishers for 2026 and those on the waitlist.  Your final selection and registration secures your working position for the program once your non-refundable deposit is submitted ($51.50) Our trip costs will be donated to the Native Trout program with Yellowstone Forever at the conclusion of the program.

Contacts:

For more information please contact Rob Farris, (925)286-5502; RFFarris@comcast.net

TVFF Cancellation Policy

To sign-up for a TVFF Event  that is currently open for registration and chargeable (as set by the Fishmeister), you must both register and pay online, or via check or cash, within two weeks of registering (sent to the TVFF Treasurer) whatever fee is described for that particular Event (trip) at the time of registration. There may be multiple payments required before the trip is actually taken (usually in the case of expensive trips), but it is necessary that you do make payment in the above timely fashion for the initial amount to secure your position on the trip.  However, please note that you are still responsible for the entire amount of the trip if you should need to cancel. 

Once you are registered, there are no refunds for chargeable Events and trips.  In the situation that a member is, for any reason unable to attend, they may resell their registration slot to another TVFF member (by first pulling from the waitlist if one exists).  New participants must come first from the waitlist in the order they signed up.  The member cancelling is fully and solely responsible for contacting potential members to replace them and notifying the appropriate Fishmeister.

If an event/trip is fully registered and closed to registration, you may still sign up on the Wait List to be notified if there are any cancellations.  In such a case of registering provisionally on the Wait List, you do not have to pay until such time that you clear the Wait List and are confirmed for participation.