Go Big or Go Home

MADISON RIVER SURPRISES

Monster Flies Taking Monster Fish

pick your poison

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.. A few of the neighbors, (in a desperate attempt to find casting room,) have abandoned the Firehole River and moved to the Madison River. They have been rewarded!
.. Rumors of surface action are as sparse as the hatches are - but - LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION. There are a few places where the BWO's are on top and there definitely are some small caddis during sunny periods in the early evening.

.. The big flies, on the other hand, are the ticket right now. Deep riffles, convergent currents below islands, and undercut banks are full of larger fish. They are stacked in these locations and gobbling large, subsurface offerings like naked men in Florida.
.. The bear closure signs have been removed from Nez Perce Creek. Read the regulations. Walk the banks, fish safe. Carry bear spray and catch a few fish - 300 to 400 yards upstream from the road.
.. If you don't mind the crowds join the fun on the Firehole River before it gets too hot and low. It's already hit 70°F once this year and is currently running at about 61°F. The conventional wisdom says that the current hatches are a couple of weeks early. Might be: but there they are!

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MADISON ??

.. Just a brief note:
-- Surprise of the early season: the Madison River is low, slow and clear  --  for now. Soft hackles, PMD's,(??,) and olive green Woolly Buggers, (rumors of very small caddis keep surfacing!) It's a good thing.

THANKS !

PERFECTION

FLOWS DOWN

Water Clear

trout frisky - bugs hatching

LOTS OF SNOW AND RAIN

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.. Get here now. The snow is sticking to the ground. The roads are clear and wet. There are smashed bugs on license plates from around the globe. Fishing in Yellowstone National Park opens tomorrow. The permit fees have jumped again - it's still a bargain.
.. Temperatures will be on the brisk side - they may hit 40° F in mid-afternoon. Snow will turn to rain but the catching promises to be so good you'll only have a runny nose to remind you of the weather.
.. Bring your bear spray! BRING YOUR BEAR SPRAY !! Do keep it in your hand. Don't keep it in your pack. Don't keep it in it's holster. Fish with and watch out for your buddies! Ignore this and die!
.. Check out just how fine the west side fishing is going to be:
==> FIREHOLE RIVER DATA,
==> MADISON RIVER DATA,
==> GALLATIN RIVER DATA,
==> GIBBON GAGE BACK ON LINE,
==> WEATHER.
.. We've got some new ring tones to trade - see you in the elbow jungle!

Grayling Creek Polluted

10,000 GALLONS

Fertilizer In Creek

truck destroyed on road

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.. You'll hear about it sooner or later. A double rig jack-knifed on the road next to Grayling Creek in Yellowstone National Park yesterday afternoon.
.. The tractor ended up headed the wrong way and the first trailer blocked both lanes of traffic. The "pup" trailer sheared it's kingpin and tumbled into Grayling Creek disgorging it's load of liquid fertilizer into the stream. Search the web if you're interested in the results. Read all about it on the neighborhood blogs.
.. We may just fish it on opening day. There will be very few elbows.

LOOK __ SEE !!!

PLEASE CHECK THIS OUT: (LINK) It's in your best interest!

Are You Set ??

MIXED BLESSING

Temps Down - Flows Up

trees and trouts happy

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.. So now, have you got your long johns back out of the mothballs?
.. The neighbors explain to visitors that this is the time of year when we get: "Summer by the day, Spring by the hour, and Winter in between."
.. Fishers looking to the Firehole River for Saturday's opener will note that the water temperature, (which had been hovering in the high 60's,) is now in the low 50's. The discharge rates are, however, a bit above seasonal average.
.. When you get to town check with one of the local fly shops for the very latest in weather and water conditions. They are easy to find, just follow the map below.

1. Blue Ribbon Flies
2. Madison River Outfitters
3. Bud Lilly's Fly Shop
4. Arrick's Fly Shop
5. Eagle's Fly Shop
6. Bob Jacklin's Fly Shop
7. West Yellowstone Fly shop
.. You can also check their fishing reports for the best current information by clicking on the links below:
==> Blue Ribbon Flies
==> Madison River Outfitters
==> Bud Lilly's Fly Shop
==> Arrick's Fly Shop
==> Eagle's Fly Shop
==> Bob Jacklin's Fly Shop
==> West Yellowstone Fly Shop
 .. These folks are fishing daily and know the neighborhood waters very well. If you are going to fish other than the west side rivers check the report at Parks' Fly Shop.
.. One thing we know for sure: Summer, Spring, and Winter will make their appearance during the next 72 hours. P.S. The Gibbon River Gage is working.

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