OH DAMN !

NEIGHBORS PISSED

Sudden Growth

moving toward highway

BACON RIND FIRE AREA MAP

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.. We have fires every year. It's a fact of life since we live in the lodgepole desert. They are caused by lightning and by humans. They come and they go. We're accustomed to them.
.. The lightning caused Bacon Rind Fire has been sputtering for about a month now with very little attention.
.. Over the last few days and, with the intemperate - unusually high temperatures it has rapidly flared up and moved from the sagebrush flanks of the valley and into the  lodgepole pine forest.
.. The fire is currently sized at near 2,000 acres and:

". . . has been spreading by group torching, short crown runs, and long-range spotting. The fire is continually flanking and backing towards Hwy 191.
     Fire growth was seen to the south towards Bacon Rind drainage on 8/15. There were no delays on Highway 191 yesterday. Fire growth is expected to continue today as temperatures continue to increase."

GROUP TREE TORCHING

.. Both the USFS and the NPS have issued closures. So far Highway 191 has remained open with some delays and pilot car traffic allowed.
.. Yellowstone National Park has closed most of the northwest corner of the park's back country trails.
.. Currently some Gallatin River access is allowed. Check the resources below for updated access and closure information.
.. This is the time of year when we fish the Gallatin River, Fan Creek, and Bacon Rind Creek. Access to many of the catching areas is restricted  --  double damn.
.. With the increased wind and continuing heat wave we should anticipate that this fire will continue to spot and grow.

DON'T FISH HERE

RESOURCES:

>> INCIWEB  INCIDENT PAGE,
>> FIRE CLOSURES WEB PAGE,
>> YELLOWSTONE CLOSURES,
>> FOREST CLOSURES.

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.. Happily there is no closure anticipated for Notellum Creek, nor any for the Notellum Beaver Ponds.  We're headed there with a fresh canister of bear spray. Left the neighbors to tend the ribs!

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WALLPAPER:  GREAT BEGINNINGS

Up To 500

SWARM GOING STRONG

Not unusual Yet

fishing; pretty good

THE LATEST SWARM MAP

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.. Seismologists at the University of Utah note that our current extensive earthquake swarm is a bit unusual but no cause for worry, [LINK-EQ.]   We're up to 500 over the last couple of weeks.
.. Back in 1985 there was a swarm of more than 3,000 temblors over a three month period. In 2010 we saw 2,000 shakers in about three weeks. Folks don't much talk about them because they don't feel them. That's that !!

.. Same to report once again. Bright sun most of the day is followed by overcast and widely scattered afternoon and evening thunder showers.

TRY IT -  LIKE IT

.. The usual suspects are being flung through the air - and then some.
.. Soft hackles are working on the Firehole River, (yawn.) The same, plus caddis on the Madison River, (big yawn.)
.. Up at the Fan Creek Meadows on the Gallatin River there are finally some visitors = even catching fish.

SELDOM SEEN HEREABOUTS

.. We slogged through the thick willows up in the meadows of Bacon Rind Creek.
.. The traffic was slight on the dusty track and the trails are not yet worn down to the 'easy' stage.
.. Scared several fish clean out of their scales.
.. Danced with and captured a monster ten-incher. Bless it's air bladder, it landed itself by jumping on the grassy bank. It took a pretty messy Sierra Bright Dot.

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.. The neighbors have this strange notion that entering the park early today might be a clever tactic. Off we go - they have a mission to perform.

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WALLPAPER:  VEGETABLE SOUP

Some Fish - Some Fire

WEST SIDE BURNOUTS

Runners Present

please plan carefully

WALLPAPER:  BARNS HOLES BURNOUT

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.. We used to call them 'backfires' and 'backburns.' Now they are called "BURNOUTS."

BAKERS' HOLE BURNOUT

.. These are controlled fires that are set to burn out areas where major wildfires may use fuel to spread in unwanted directions.
.. The most recent burnouts in our area were near the Barns Holes and the Bakers' Hole Campground.
.. The road access to the Barns Holes is closed. Currently it is still possible to access the Madison River through the Bakers' Hole Campground.
 .. These actions were taken in advance of forecast cooler weather and light rain. Duration of the closures is dependent on local conditions at the southwestern corner of the MAPLE FIRE.

HIGHWAY 89, BERRY FIRE

.. Additionally, the South Entrance Road is closed due to increased activity of the BERRY FIRE.
.. Now that the spawn has started it is important to carefully plan your fishing access in the pursuit of the wily runners from Hebgen Reservoir.
.. Use the following resources to be informed about fire activity, area closures, and road closures:
>> INCIWEB MAPLE FIRE,
>> INCIWEB BERRY FIRE,
>> NPS CURRENT FIRE ACTIVITY,
>> YNP ROAD INFORMATION PHONE;  307-344-2117,
>> YNP INTERACTIVE FIRE MAP,
>> YNP FACEBOOK PAGE,
>> YNP TWITTER.

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.. The Gallatin River is where many of the neighbors are hanging out nowadays. There is a large assemblage of trout food in the offing.
.. Terrestrials include ants, flying ants, hoppers, beetles, and small sticks.
.. There are spruce moths along with some white miller caddis. There are other caddis flies and an occasional mayfly.
.. The lovely nymphic zoo includes big and little stoneflies, caddis, and the occasional small fry. The trout are loving it.

TRAIL CLOSURES: FAWN PASS BIGHORN PASS

.. The higher elevations of both the Fawn Pass Trail and the Bighorn Pass Trail are closed. For the moment fishing access to the Gallatin River and Fan Creek is available. It's smoky up there but the fish are ravenous: especially the ones in the willows and meadow of the upper Gallatin River.

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NEIGHBORHOOD FALL FLIES

.. We'll only whisper this once: fish in their current sex-crazed state ascend creeks other than the Madison River.
.. The neighbors will ostracize me for a week or so but, there are some giant fish in the Duck Creek Estuary, Cougar Creek Estuary, Grayling Creek, Bacon Rind Creek, and some other bits of water leading into Hebgen Reservoir. Of course a map is required.

FIREHOLE ABOVE OLD FAITHFUL

.. The Firehole River above Old Faithful is attracting quite a bit of attention from foreign visitors. It's amazing what the local counter help ignores.
.. Water temperatures up there are hanging out in the 50's with lows overnight in the mid 40's. At least some fishers are dancing with the brightly colored and feisty Brook Trout on this inviting stretch of water. JEEZE, even the grass is still green!

NEON WHAMME

.. The glory waters of the famous Firehole River are still spiking to the 70's by noon.
.. A few of our neighbors arise early and catch the fish while the water is cool, the fog is low,  and the shadows are long.
.. It's still mostly a soft hackle game but large green nymph patterns are also galling some of the  larger fish.
.. It's late and time for a midnight snack. Something light will do.

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WALLPAPER:   MIDNIGHT SNACK

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

The Roller Coaster

JULY IS THE NEW JUNE

Fishers Confused

less glory more fish

THE SECRET GALLATIN

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.. July in the neighborhood has not warmed up the way the optimists usually expect. It hasn't warmed up the way the almanac predicts. It hasn't warmed up the way it historically has.
.. We were a single degree above the historic low in the village last night. As a matter of fact - so far July looks like June looked in the recent past. That's not all bad.
..Fish along the Firehole River have retreated to cooler water in tributaries, dark holes and subsurface spring holes.
.. The Upper Firehole River, (above Old Faithful,) is at record low discharge rates.   Temperature is rising more rapidly than we would've guessed. It's still in the high 60's and the friendly Brook trout are concentrated under the banks and behind sweepers and snags.

ROYAL SOFT HACKLE

.. Below Old Faithful the river is setting low discharge rate records daily. The temperatures are poking the 80°F mark and a bit above. It's even too warm for tourist splashing.
.. Iron Spring Creek has fish in unexpected numbers right now. The lower reaches of Nez Perce Creek are almost fishless but by the time you reach the old bridge the catching is excellent.

S. S.  STIMULATOR

.. The good thing about this retreat is that the bug eruptions are also prolific where the fish are. Or are the fish where the bug eruptions are?
.. The other good thing is that all these places can be successfully fished with a Royal Soft Hackle.
.. It is also a good fly for the Upper Firehole River along the Lone Star Geyser Trail, (If you get  there soon.) Float it, sink it, jerk it, dap it, or swing it on the surface on a tight line where the heads of pools deepen. It all works and it catches fish.
.. For the fly fiddler we suggest that the short shank Stimulator is a fly to switch to. Double them up and you may not need to fiddle with your flies all day.

NOT GLORY WATER - JUST FISHY

.. The infrequently visited bits of Fan Creek, Bacon Rind Creek, and the Gallatin River above the confluence meadows deserve your attention at the moment.
.. The hoppers haven't fully matured along these highland tributaries but there are eager fish that will take just about any properly presented fly: on top or underneath - still or wiggly.

CHAMOIS WORM

.. One fly that the neighbors keep returning to is the Chamois Worm. This little wiggler, along with the Chamois Leech are fairly popular with the neighbors.
.. You won't find these flies in the fancy feather merchant bins. Then again our neighbors wash their own cars.

CHAMOIS LEECH

.. The chamois worm is an all 'round fly. It's good for rivers, streams, and Hebgen Reservoir, (on the shore side of the weeds.)
.. The chamois leech is mostly used this time of year on the deep side of the weeds in the reservoir.
.. The leeches in the reservoir are out of their pill and sleep stage and fairly active. Fish the leech near the bottom and near, (or in the edges of,) the weeds.
.. Many a giant trout is known to be fond of these suckers. When you color the chamois be sure to use a pigment that is waterproof and doesn't harden leather and inhibit the motion of the fly.
.. Just inside the north boundary of Yellowstone National Park on the Gallatin River there is still some good catching going on with various salmonfly nymphs. Pick your poison and have at it.
.. When the Taylor Fork gets a bit of color it's possible to have a banner day along the edge of the silt plume in the Gallatin River.
.. Debris and flotsam is a mixed bag for the fish and they become genuine munching machines.
.. Seldom is the dry fly purist able to entice the trout from their sub surface conveyor belt of goodies. Drowned terrestrials, various nymphs, (always a Prince Nymph,) smashed dry flies, San Juan Worms, and even big ugly flies attract attention of the fish.
.. It's cool right now and just enough time to wash the car before the evening bite. See you where we're not.

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WALLPAPER:  HOMEMADE AND GOOEY

Just Delightful

UPPER GALLATIN SMOKIN'

Fish Seeking Dance Partners

all bugs seem to be present

WALLPAPER: THE VALLEY OF PERFECTION

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.. So when it's good it's just too good. That's the haps on the Gallatin River. It's easy to tell when the fishing and catching warm weather calendar has about run it's course.

IT'S TRUE -THEY'RE THAT SMALL

.. The catching becomes almost mindless. The breezes are gentle. The clouds are dense. The afternoon showers are right on time. Temperatures climb all the way into the 70's.
.. Every bug in our box is present and, alive and. on the water or, in the air or, in the weeds. What more could you want?
.. The low hopper count seems to have improved. It's even flying ant time. There are still, (or increasing,) spruce moths along the wooded sections and the beetles are big enough that you need to watch your step or trip over them. The neighbors are favoring the old fashioned Hopper/Dropper combination of a size 10 hopper and a size 16 ant.

HOPPERS LEICA THIS LENS

.. There has not been the anticipated heavy rains that scared some fishers to the lowlands.
.. Intermittent and wildly dispersed showers in the afternoon and heavy fog in the morning seems to have wrung some moisture from the air.
.. Some folks still insist that the drive to the northeast corner of Yellowstone National Park is where you will find that the fishing and catching is best. Farm out - have at it!
.. While you're over there look for the pretty colors in Soda Butte Creek. Flow testing with dye infusions started yesterday. Some sections of Soda Butte Creek will remain open. Some sections will be closed.
.. The electrofishing for cutthroat salvage will begin about mid week, (around the 19th of August.) Poison dumping is scheduled to happen on the 24, 25, and maybe 26 of August. Check with your favorite feather merchant for exact dates and stream section closures.

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PREVIEWS OF COMING ATTRACTIONS

.. Our weather continues to be a pub topic with the neighbors. One of our well educated fisher friends explains that we are already feeling the effects of this coming monster El Niño.
.. It seems that the persistent light precipitation around here is in response to the Jet Stream doing a hula as it moves north and south in response to warm air pulses from the eastern Pacific Ocean around Peru.
.. Of course it has to dodge the Great Basin High and slip underneath the polar vertexes. Hearing the jargon of explanation makes our head spin.
.. We have a better time with pictures and simple arithmetic.
.. In the simplest terms the current, rapidly building, El Niño has a better than nine in ten chance of being the biggest in the last 50 years.
.. We'll let you know come next April or May. Right now we're headed to Specimen Creek. Or maybe Bacon Rind Creek. Or maybe even the perfect Gallatin River.
.. We suggest that you avoid the noisy gulpers on Hebgen Reservoir.

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WALLPAPER:   FLAUTAS CON MACHACA

Clear Today . . . BUT

COOLNESS AND DAMPNESS

Springs Running Clear & Cold

enjoy it for itself

WALLPAPER: COLD SPRING BANK ON NOTELLUM CREEK

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.. Recent arrivals to our village have been heard to comment that persistent evening drizzle with gray days does not constitute Summer.
.. Memories are short. Perceptions are colored by expectations. We're on the edge of the high country and just about anything can happen: even snow.

Green Thing - A Caddis Look Alike

.. Today is clear and warming. Tomorrow will be warmer. Then back to the damp, cool, and gray days that visitors decry and short term memories have forgotten are not atypical.
.. Water temperature of the west side rivers has not ameliorated by much but the stream side spring discharge has increased and locally cold cooler pockets have been expanding. The fish are concentrated, the fishers are dispersed.
.. We suggest that you continue to avoid the Firehole River, (Temps in the high 70's,) and the Madison River, (Temps in the mid 70's.) Fish, instead, the Gallatin River. Fish Hebgen Reservoir. Fish Between The Lakes.
.. Stroll the banks of Fan Creek or penetrate the willows of Bacon Rind Creek meadows. Enjoy the scenery with bear spray at the ready. Catch a few fish in the afternoon drizzle and call it good.

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WALLPAPER: SUMMER BEEF PADDY DONE RIGHT