Springtime: Gallatin Canyon

IT'S NOT THE PARK BUT IT'S FISHING
Snow Line At 320 Ranch
Whirling Disease Planted By Fish Pros

.. On a brief run down the Gallatin Canyon on Saturday, we stopped to visit with some neighbors at Red Cliff. It seems that they have been fishing the Gallatin River for over two weeks and said not a thing - true friends indeed.
.. The Gallatin River has enjoyed little publicity this year and is not experiencing heavy runoff yet; levels are up, and above average, but the water is still clear. Taylor Fork is running clear, (which is a key ingredient in less turbid water for the Gallatin,) and the fish are in a cooperative mood.
.. Fishing from the Bozeman Valley floor to the Yellowstone Park line is producing fish from mid morning to late afternoon, and is attracting fly fishers from the surrounding area.
.. Almost all reports are of nymph and streamer success, although the area around the West Fork has reported some early Baetis, &/or Caddis - (is this a spoof?)
.. We had taxes to finish and an important visit to make and didn't test the waters. Almost all of the 'fishing spots' were populated by fly folks, (or kayak trailers,) and we felt left out. There was a large crowd of neighbors and their families enjoying the sunny day around Taylor Fork. Mepps, worms, Panther Martins, and woolly buggers were all successful. We promised not to tell.

Gallatin Flows

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.. From Protect Your Waters comes a note about an accident in Accident. Maryland state biologists inadvertently moved some fish infected with Whirling Disease into a state facility. Read the accounts in the Baltimore Sun, and WJZ.com.

"The state should stop the practice of rearing and stocking infected fish," said Pavol, now a vice president of Trout Unlimited, a conservation group. "Now we have a problem that's more extensive than it was. It could have been contained."

.. March 31, is the start of "put-n-take" fishing and this will impact some stocking programs.
.. The historic Bear Creek Hatchery is well known in aquaculture circles. It participated in the distribution of fish across the United States by "FISH CAR," including some early transplants to Yellowstone National Park.