Self Defense

OUR ANNUAL
SNOWBOARD FASHION REVIEW

After All, It's Still 4' Deep UP HERE
P.S. THE FISHING IS HOT IN THE TAILWATER

.. Granted, fishing in the snow is not for everyone. Granted, the mind wanders toward the perfect day for fishing. Granted, the wanderings occasionally turn to the beauty and grace of women, (after all, it is still winter in West Yellowstone.) But, need our mind suffocate in 'BAGGIES' when other forms of fashion are available?
.. The good folks from Get Outdoors send us on a wild romp into the world of snowboard fashion. We must admit that this year's fashion collection from Future Snowboarding Magazine leaves all to the imagination, - (and, ours is weak.)
.. We do prefer the way that the Dallas Snowboarders approach the season, (main image above.) If you don't believe it you should check out their video for "BOOBIES IN THE HOT TUB."
.. And, lest we continue to be maligned by folks who believe that this is just pure fantasy, the good souls of South Korea have also discovered the joys of riding the boards in bikinis, (in Lapland - no less.) And these ladies are so good at it that they do it at night and admittedly drunk.
.. We're not about to go out and buy a board, but we will continue to watch the developments in this arena. We come down on the side of "Less Is More."
.. Snowboarding fashion is definitely retrogressing to the sixties look of baggy surf wear. We vote for the more streamlined approach. After all, as they used to say - Dood: "Let it all hang out."

---------

.. Meanwhile, down at the Hebgen Tailwater , there has been a resurgence of snow flies. Surface action is apparent, widespread, and frenzied --- BUT --- and it's a big but: it takes a genuine dry fly master to convince the fish to take a minuscule artificial on the surface. The best work is done by using a Griffith's Gnat -- start with size 20 and go smaller if necessary.
.. This action is just like the the action that the folks in Florida enjoy when they "Jump Tarpon." Skittish fish won't take a fly presented on a leader or hook that's big enough to hold them for a dance. So this is the time and place to jump some trout. Consider yourself a winner if they don't break you off in the first 30 seconds.
.. For the rest of us, nymphs will just about guarantee a dance of satisfying length and arousal. Our usual assortment of common, non-sexy, mundane, and pedestrian nymphs are shinning like the buffed bumper on a restored Bugatti.
.. You wont need a heavy vest, surgical instruments, miles and miles of gossamer tippet, or voodoo to take satisfying fish all day long. Put a couple dozen of your favorite nymphs in a 35mm film canister, (aside: are these gems about to become casualties of the digital age?)
.. Post-hole your way to the water below Campfire Lodge, (avoiding the tin hatch along the highway - otherwise you'll get tangled in the gossamer tippet,) and dance with some 12" - 18" pre-spawn trout. Any place that you can't see the bottom probably holds fish.
.. Our selection is determined by the fly box that we open first. It bewilders the sophisticated angler. A bit of this, a bit of that, and off we go.
.. Right now the canisters hold some Shop Vacs, Yellow Woolly Worms, some beat up Feather Dusters, and one lonesome Yellowstone Winter Grub.
.. Your assemblage might include some Prince Nymphs, very dark Hare's Ears, and a Jacklin's Rock Worm - you might even do better than we do; probably would. But it's not always about the catching.

------------
SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE