Brave Souls

STRIDING INTO THE MAW

Hot: With Elbows And Ring Tones

few folks will catch a fish or two

WALLPAPER:  THE FIREHOLE FOURTH

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.. Come Friday the intrepid fishers of the fly will descend with clanking gear to the edge of the Firehole River - no matter what. There they will find many others of the same mindset.

.. They will also find some bathing beauties of all sizes, shapes, colors, and languages. They will whine and cry and bemoan the fact that normal people are in "their water."
.. It will be the Fourth of July: the very day that most Americans consider a grand time of fun and frivolity, a celebration of independence.
.. There will be very little frivolity in the countenance of the fishers. They will be serious about gathering stories about the fabled fishing on the the fabled river.

.. They will have traveled leagues and leagues from their comfortable abodes. They will have braved the turmoil of long waits for bison, elk, ground squirrels, and parking spots. They will have searched for a small bit of open water. Water where neither their backcast nor their forecast will tangle the line of another fisher.
.. They will be either happy, frustrated, determined, or exasperated at the crowded conditions of the supposed wilderness of Yellowstone National Park. Of course there is some semblance of wilderness in Yellowstone National Park. It's just not along the circus parade routes that parallel the west side rivers.
.. As the holiday falls on a Friday, this will be an extraordinarily long weekend. Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday are all off days. The careful will have planned for a travel day or two and, presto; it's here now.
.. Starting tomorrow, on many other rivers, there will be lonely fish with no dance partners. They will have been neglected for the fish in the glory waters. We're going to help them feel less neglected. We're going to sneak to a few places that will have parking spaces.

.. Those places may have an old pickup truck with local plates. They will be on dusty gravel roads that discourage shiny sedans and new SUV's. They will require a gentle walk along a poorly trodden trail. We may even fish where we cannot see our car.
.. A quick telephone call to a local feather merchant could put visitors in touch with angry and eagar fish away from the crowds. Ask a few cogent questions and you will have a wonderful holiday fishing experience away from the maddening crowds. Ask where the crowds won't be. Ask where the fish are willing and eagar. Ask the person you are talking to when they last fished where they are recommending that you fish.

.. A couple of years ago we posted some hints about what could be attractive places to tickle a fish and not get tangled up in another fishers tailing loop. Those posts are still pretty accurate and can be scanned RIGHT HERE or EVEN HERE.
.. We're headed down a long road to a little canyon in the northeast of the park. The road is terrible. The fish are small. The bears are still prowling and the water is crystal clear, cool, swift, and full of hungry fish. A few of the neighbors know the water where we're headed. The counter help at our feather merchant emporia probably haven't heard of it.

.. What ever your choice for fishing be sure to pause several times and rejoice in the freedom to make the wrong choice. Rejoice in the freedom to elect wing nuts to public office. Rejoice in the freedom to burden your offspring with enormous debt. And certainly, rejoice in the situation that allows you to fish with companions, elbow to elbow, in the wilds of Yellowstone National Park.
.. We will be rejoicing in the ability to burn some flesh, sip a beverage of our choice, tell lies to the neighbors, and giggle about the fish caught out of sight of the road with no ring tones or elbows to avoid.

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WALLPAPER: CHARRED, PINK, AND FORK TENDER RIB EYE

The Perils Of Bikini Fishing

OOPS


via -->> TC

The Baby New Year

FLY FISHER IN TRAINING
HAPPY NEW YEAR !

Snow Bunny

SKI OR FISH ?

.. My how the mind does wander!

Happy Yellowstone Fourth

YELLOWSTONE RIVERS
IN GREAT SHAPE

Yellowstone Roads Crowded

yellowstone fish hungry

.. The weekend will be a bit warm. The crowds will be a bit dense. The rivers will be a bit crowded. The fish stories will be a bit exaggerated. And, a good time will be had by all.
.. Places where fishing will be good -- AND crowded:
-- Firehole River
-- Madison River
-- Gardiner River
-- Gibbon River, (below Norris Campground)
-- Trout Lake
.. Places where fishing will be good -- AND less crowded:
-- Firehole River, (along the Lone Star Geyser trail)
-- Firehole River, (between Firehole Falls & Madison River)
-- Little Firehole River
-- Iron Spring Creek
-- Nez Perce Creek
-- Gibbon River, (between Norris Campground and Virginia Cascade)
-- Obsidian Creek
-- Solfaterra Creek
.. Places where fishing will be good -- AND nearly empty:
-- Gibbon River, (along the Grebe Lake trail)
-- Fan Creek
-- Duck Creek
-- Grayling Creek
-- Bacon Rind Creek
-- Gallatin River, (above the Fan Creek Confluence)
-- Bechler River
-- Falls River
-- Boundary Creek
-- Heart Lake
-- Grebe Lake
-- Snake River, (in the Thorofare)
-- Hellroaring Creek
-- Trail Creek
-- Mountain Creek
-- Pebble Creek
-- Slough Creek, (along the sagebrush flats)

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.. The weather is going to cooperate for the long weekend. Clouds, thunder storms, wind, and mild temperatures are predicted for the weekend. Not necessarily good picnic weather - but great fishing weather.
.. By Monday the Summer weather will hit its stride. July promises to be a bit hotter than in recent years. This weekend looks like the last of the Spring fishing weather -- and it's going to be great.

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.. We note that Jeff Kennedy has featured the Feather Duster in his post for yesterday. This is most apropos. The Eagle family celebrated 100 years in business, in West Yellowstone, last week.
.. An open house, 300 former employees, and nearly 100 family and relatives graced West Yellowstone with their presence. The stories were rich and varied -- you should have been here.
.. Sam Eagle was the first licensed guide in Yellowstone, Wally Eagle developed the Feather Duster using ostrich plumes from the store's dusters. The fly shop has been in continuous operation for just over 90 years. It features both fly fishing gear and tackle for other disciplines as well.
.. Icons and legends such as Bob Jacklin, Bud Lilly, and Craig Mathews have all worked in the shop.
.. In honor of the Eagle's anniversary, and our nation's independence we're going to fish only Feather Duster's for the next week.
.. They are an amazingly versatile fly. Big and sunken they work wonders in the spring and through the salmonfly hatch. Little and sunken they are just as effective as a Prince Nymph or a Yellowstone Badger. They can be greased and floated through a whole cycle of either caddis or mayfly hatches. The color variants can imitate eggs, and other groceries that a trout is interested in.
.. Thanks to Jeff Kennedy for the wonderful rendition. And special thanks to the Eagle family for giving us an enduring fly fishing tradition and a wonderful fly.

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.. Jack Dennis Sports has revamped their web site and it is very comprehensive. Click HERE for the report.
.. Fishing is continuing apace in the northern part of Yellowstone National Park. For the latest information keep an eye on Parks Fly Shop Reports.
.. West side reports at Blue Ribbon Flies and Madison River Outfitters are current and very informative. Bud Lilly's has been keeping track of Hebgen Lake. The fishing is just shy of stupendous.

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.. Time to kiss a fish!

Brevity

A FINE SOFT SPRING

can you say thundersnow ?

.. Last night's soaking rain and this morning's constant drizzle is sure to cloud the rivers a bit more. The thundersnow over the weekend melted rapidly in the warm deluge that followed in its aftermath. This produced a bit of color in the rivers as well. The beauty of the rose colored water is a wonder to behold.
.. Briefly: the Gallatin River is cold, cloudy, and fishable above the Taylor Fork, productivity should be low; the Madison River is a portrait in mud and silt, catching will be done with a bit of tinsel and white - down and deep; the Gibbon River is roaring again but is mostly in-bank, (a rainbow of earth colors swirl through its froth;) the Firehole River is holding its own and in the meadows around Biscuit Basin clarity and visibility is surprisingly good.
.. Despite the optimism of the intrepid fishers in our neighborhood, both the flows and colors of the rivers mitigate against spectacular catching. The apparent discharge peak of June 5 - 6, and the two day down-turn thereafter brought joy to the neighbors' hearts. Short lived it was.
.. Flows are again on the upswing. The Madison River is at 950 cfs, still 100 cfs above its 81 year average and climbing once again. The Gibbon River is nearing 400 cfs, about 200 cfs above its seasonal average and raising rapidly. The Firehole River is currently at 600 cfs, a full 200 cfs above its seasonal average.
.. Rain, snow, sleet, and cooler temperatures are in the forecast for the next four days. Temperatures will hover around the 40's and 50's for highs. This is just enough to slow the rivers a bit. Warmer temperatures on the coming weekend will increase the flows again - there's still snow to be melted.
.. The Gallatin River has finally reached seasonal flows, but is very cold and slightly turbid. The discharge from the Taylor Fork can be distinguished for a good two miles before it dissipates into the full width of the stream. Fish the edge of the silt plume and there will be fish to dance with. This is strong water despite its appearance. The wade to the east bank can be treacherous. Take a stick or staff or have a native porter carry you across. You will be rewarded.

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.. Weather be damned, bugs and genes have their own calendar; and persistence of emergence will out! There are some hatches, and they are fishable. The fish have found them and so have the observant fishers.
.. Despite the color on the Madison River there are Stonefly Nymphs actively moving underwater. A Yellowstone Sally will be your best bet as the top fly in a two fly rig. The trailer might be a soft hackle or a flashback Prince Nymph. Size 8 for the Sally, 12 - 14 for the trailer.
.. Fishers looking for surface action can find it on the Firehole River. The cool temperatures and afternoon drizzles have brought forth the PMD and Baetis hatches. Mid -afternoon to dusk is good for the hatches.
.. Caddis hatches are now appearing but they are spotty and intermittent. These are all flies that trend toward the SMALL! Sizes 16 and 18 will be a good place to start.
.. The spinner float has been excellent. For those of you that don't need a second cup of coffee, (or even a first,) try the Yellowstone Morning Glory. These can be fished in reasonable sizes of 12 - 14. They can even be drowned and will produce well.
.. The Firehole River also has a bit of Stonefly activity. If you're interested in some larger fish try the Yellowstone Winter Grub, or your favorite rubber legs pattern.
.. Many of the neighbors are having success with the Silli-Legs stoneflies, (every feather merchant has a version or two - choose by color, size, aesthetics, or ugliness: they all work.) Just be sure that you let the drift carry the fly to the deepest part of the water. Pockets near the bank and undercut areas will be your best bet.
.. There are excellent and detailed reports, along with prognostications at Madison River Outfitters, and Blue Ribbon Flies.

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.. We haven't forgotten those of you that like to view a bit of pleasant scenery. The Horse's Mouth brought us a bit of unseasonable decoration. Football instead of fish? We'll take it!

The Real Yellowstone Spring

ROTTEN SNOW & POST HOLES

Rewards For The Hardy

SPRING?

.. After a brief hallucination that the warmth had arrived, and that winter may have passed, (see posts about bicycling: Bear Mountain Point Blog, Yellowstone Park News,) the REAL YELLOWSTONE SPRING has returned. The wind is blowing, the snow is snowing, and the sun is being bashful.
.. The weather is back to normal and it's 18 degrees and blustery. There's a nice picture of the current state of the Madison River over at Bear Mountain Point Blog. The hallucination was brief and encouraging.
.. The neighbors are on their way to the most treacherous bit of snow, hereabout, for a shot at some Brown Trout 'schoolies.'
.. Go up the highway about 8 mies, (slow down for the bison,) turn left, cruise past Hebgen Lake, (wave at the folks from Utah,) then through the Beaver Creek Pass, past the Beaver Ponds, and sneak through the avalanche area and park where you can near the outlet to Quake Lake.
.. Bingo! You've arrived at the thirty feet - or so - of open water that produces energetic Brown Trout for those willing to post-hole their way down a steep embankment. It's only about 300 or so feet. The snow is rotten from the recent sunshine and it covers a treacherous boulder field - sort of!
.. Even snowshoes sink. It's deep and full of voids. It's inviting; there are some tracks on top from when the snow was firm. You'll sink to your waist in some places. The joy of fishing never fails to amaze. There are some tracks, however, that you may not want to follow.
.. Should you choose to fish here you may find some intrepid worm-dunkers. Don't despair, they won't bite and they'll let you know where, (and how deep,) the fish are. Success comes to those with a sink tip line, a double dropper and a slow twitch technique.
.. Put a small black or dark brown San Juan Worm, (size 12, or even 14,) on the end and, up tight to the leader-line junction a dark olive or even black Hare's Ear Nymph, (size 14 - 16 - 18.) Some folks, (ourselves included,) use a pair of Yellowstone Badger flies -- seems to work just fine. Use a lot of bear grease on the line and hope that it keeps the sink tip from bombing to the bottom.
.. A well placed double roll cast, or a Spey-flip will put the rig on the ice across the water. Let it rest there for 30 seconds or a bit more; then slowly drag it off the ice and let it sink to the appropriate depth - yesterday it was about 5 feet.
.. Keep your rod tip low; even in the water. With a very slow, steady retrieve; give a small twitch and pause - twitch and pause - twitch and pause.
.. SLAMMO !!! Eager brown trout in the 14" to 16" range love this rig and technique. Don't mind the worm dunkers. They'll laugh and understand why you threw back the pygmy. They've got some three pounders floppin' and freezin' next to them. We'll pass.
.. Our annual "opening of the park day" comes this Friday and promises to be eventful. The new entrance station is not fully functional. At last report, (yesterday at 5:00 PM,) one kiosk was operational and there were problems with the others. It seems the winter construction schedule was delayed by a small amount of snow.
.. Friday morning will see scads of lookie-loos and some intrepid visitors.
.. The weather forecast is for a one day return of the hallusination . . . we'll let you know.

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SORRY CHARLIE !!

via The HORSE'S MOUTH

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."

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.. 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.

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SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE

Dr. Julie Ball Rocks

HERE'S YOUR WINTER ENTERTAINMENT

Read Her Blog

see her in the news

get her calendar
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.. Or, you can visit THE HORSES MOUTH on Friday, and the six other days too: we do. The site is evolving nicely and has a growing list of fishing links . . . . . yee-ha!

Where have all the salmon gone?
Long time passing
Where have all the salmon gone?
Long time ago
Where have all the salmon gone?
Girls have fished them every one
When will they ever learn?
When will they ever learn?

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.. Or, try Angie's SHRINE TO THE FISHING GODDESS site. Check out the growing gallery on the LOVELY LADIES PAGE. OR - - - - MY PMS PAGE.

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.. For the visually oriented that demand live action try fishin n chicks. Sample below.

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.. We're having sausage and eggs before going to Cameron.