Yellowstone River Reopens After Parasite Killed Thousands Of Fish

"CODY, Wyo. -- Montana reopened a stretch of the Yellowstone River to fishing and other recreational activities on Friday after a month-long closure prompted by the spread of a deadly aquatic parasite that killed thousands of whitefish and sapped the local economy.

Hot, dry conditions and low stream flows had exacerbated the spread of the microbial bug along the most heavily fished river system in a state where fly fishing is a cherished pastime for residents, and a key draw for visiting anglers who spend millions of dollars casting for trout in pristine waters.

The 17-mile (27-km) section of river upstream from the small tourist town of Livingston was the last to be reopened after an August 19 order closed 183 miles (295 km) of the river from Gardiner, near the northern boundary of Yellowstone National Park."

Ruffin Prevost reports for Reuters September 23, 2016.