Got Some

AND SO IT GOES

Dusting Arrives

a large elk down

WALLPAPER:  MUSH OF THE MOMENT

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.. It seems a bit early: not for the snow but, for a trophy elk. We have an elk tradition in our village that is most interesting.
.. The hunter's pickup truck, with the elk draped all over the bed and, hanging over the sides and out the open tailgate, is treated to a bit of gasoline at three or four of our gas stations - this takes several hours of lies and secrets.

THAT'S A GOOD FISH

.. Some tongue pulling, rack wiggling, wound inspection and other conversation starters are the stuff of social lubricity. The news is spread around our village - rapidly indeed! Comparisons with monsters past are brought forth. Critiques of the coat, antlers, hooves, etc. are voiced.
.. Talk of bears and gut piles filter through the village and, into the dusty aisles of the feather merchants. Unfortunately the hardware store is closed or, word would spread faster. Yet, there is still the post office, grocery store, pizza store, coffee roaster and, such.
.. The traditional ritual ends in a tin quonset hut with a winch, spreaders, hose, and clean trimming. Decapitation plus cape removal is required and, a glance at the check book - big head mounts are expensive. At least it's early and the wait should not be too long.

SOME GALLATIN SNOW

.. It will be a month or two before the ritual ends. At that time sharing of meat will follow. Depending on neighborhood hierarchy and social connections some get ground elk, some get sausage or a roast and, a few will get a steak. We can hardly wait!

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.. Runners are being stabbed and tormented both inside and outside of Yellowstone National Park.
.. On the Madison River join the crowds at 7-mile Bridge,  nine mile hole, barns holes and, Baker's Hole.

THE ROYAL PURPLE

.. On the Firehole River hike up to the big pools on the Little Firehole or Iron Spring Creek.
.. The Gallatin River is way too cold to fish: ignore the reports of large fish in the braided channels among the willows at the confluence with Fan Creek.
.. You should also ignore the reports of "good fish" on Bacon Rind Creek. Those reports are just compensatory bravado from the local wags.
.. A couple of better than good fish were taken at the mouth of the Taylor Fork, HAH! - more silly talk from the neighbors.

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WALLPAPER:  SIMPLE SEARED SALMON

Smoke And Moon

MAPLE FIRE HOT

West Entrance Attraction

fish the 6 am moon

MAPLE FIRE AT 7-MILE  BRIDGE

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.. The Maple Fire, (LINK 1,) has grown to 14,000 acres and is less than a mile from the West Entrance Road. It is moving toward Grasshopper Bank and 7-mile bridge.
.. It has become a Yellowstone National Park attraction for visitors. It is in an old burn area from the 1988 fires and produces quite a bit of smoke.
.. Visitors are warned to use headlights and drive very cautiously when the smoke covers the road. Rangers are along the road to assist with traffic and crowd control.
.. The inversion and the north winds are back for the day and smoke and ash are visiting West Yellowstone. Cool nights and low fuel content have kept the fire in its current slow progress mood. A wind shift later today or tomorrow along with higher temperatures should push the fire back to the north and east.

EARLY BUFFALO FIRE

.. The Buffalo Fire is impacting fishing at SLOUGH CREEK, (LINK 2.)

 Closures:

Campsites: 2S1, 2S2, 2S3, 2S4, 2S6, 2S7, 2S8
• Existing reservations will be allowed to finish their stays, however no new reservations
Trails
• Buffalo Fork Trail from the trailhead at Slough Creek north to the Park boundary.
• The Slough Creek trail is open for day-use and thru travel

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..We've been remiss in reporting the last few days. The catching on the GALLATIN RIVER has been just too good.

LOOKS LIKE THIS

.. There have been some ant swarms reported - we haven't been lucky enough to see them but, the bounty is on the water.
.. Near the park boundary and three to four miles upstream, (or down to TAYLOR FORK,) your favorite ant pattern will gather up the fish.
.. It is useful to arise with the setting  moon, (hard as that may be.) It's a lovely orange at 6:00 AM and by the time you're on the water the fish will be more than happy to entertain you.
.. The FAN CREEK trail is still open, (for now,) and the trout have recently come alive with boisterous behavior. It's smokey and eye watering. This is a grand place to use up your winter fly tying experiments. Float 'em or sink them - the fish won't care.

JUST THE TICKET

.. Catching on the SOUTH FORK OF THE MADISON RIVER has slowed just a bit. The thin water along the road still holds some heroic fish of the 8" to 10" variety. These are "one cast" fish and demand a modicum of stealth and observation. Have at it - there are oodles and boodles of them.
.. There has been an interesting hatch of caddisflies on the little branch and the neighbors have found it delightful. It's not in the park but, hey it's easy catching.

WAY UP BACON RIND CREEK

.. Bacon Rind Creek continues to be popular with day hikers, photographers, and the occasional fisher.
.. The willows in the long meadow have become thick and the trails beat by fishers are a genuine nuisance to follow - however, a three foot cast with five feet of line and an 18" leader will do you well for fooling the fish.

ORANGE GOOFUS

.. Beetles, ants, hoppers, and other curious flies will be readily accepted as an invitation to dance. Walk softly, point you rod behind you, sneak to the water and whoop with joy at the gullibility of the 6"  to 10" jewels.
.. Time to tend the BBQ. Our smoke, the fires' smoke, the neighbors' smoke and the still days have created an overwhelming olfactory sensation the last couple of days.

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WALLPAPER: PINEAPPLE RIBS - REAL BBQ