Not sure which came first.  Did fly fishers fall in love with West Yellowstone and then the community respond, or was it the other way around?  In fact, it doesn’t matter because the result is the same.  West Yellowstone LOVES fly fishers and I couldn’t be more pleased that we will be hosting the Federation of Fly Fishers here in August for your annual Conclave and Fair.  We are eager to greet old friends and make new ones!

At the doorstep of Yellowstone National Park, this area has long been a favorite fishing “hole” whether it’s name is the Firehole, Henrys Fork, Madison, Gallatin or Slough Creek; Henrys, Hebgen, ‘Quake and Yellowstone lakes.  I’m going to bet that at least one of these is on your personal “bucket” list.

Let me tell you just a little about this place we call home—and hopefully those who come often will just bear with me.

First, we’ve plenty of places to stay.  These range from full-service hotels to small and cozy owner-operated lodgings.  There are cabins, condos and vacation rentals.  Then, the eating’s pretty darn varied, too.  Fine dining to fast food and everything in-between. 

And isn’t it great to be coming to a place that has so much to offer for the (gasp….but I must say it!) non-anglers you love?  We’re confident we can please most everyone.  The Grizzly & Wolf Discover Center is home to live bears and wolves (birds of prey, too!) and displays that will keep you busy for hours; the Yellowstone IMAX Theatre offers three different features daily and the Yellowstone Historic Center Museum has its own special fly fishing display.  Did I mention the Wild West Yellowstone Rodeo?

And activities?  Kayak, hike, bike, ride a horse, tour Yellowstone, visit the old gold mining towns of  Nevada & Virginia Cities and then there’s the Earthquake Visitors Center sitting high on the boulders of the 1959 ‘quake site.  Follow the birding trail, enjoy the four-legged kind of wildlife (with luck, the elk may have begun to bugle), look for the painted buffalo around town and just enjoy our great shops.

I’m looking forward to greeting you all personally on behalf of our community!  Until then,