Of Bison, Drones, Fish, And Tubes

HERD INCREASES

Fly It Elsewhere

park rivers are dangerous

WALLPAPER:  ENORMOUS HERD OF HERBIVORES

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.. Here's a few quick notes about recent park happenings; some related to fishy stuff.
.. Some visitors, from afar and down low are pretending that it's Autumn - not yet - not now. Up here we're still waiting for Summer. That's not a complaint at all.

STUPID VISITORS FLY THESE ILLEGALLY

==> The bison herd in Yellowstone National Park is at or near record numbers. Thanks are given to the recent drought and recent mild winters, BISON LINK.
==> A camera equipped drone was illegally crashed into Grand Prismatic Spring in Yellowstone National Park, DRONE LINK.
==> A massive search is underway for a missing concession employee last seen being swept down the Yellowstone River, TUBE LINK 1, TUBE LINK 2.

SOON THE FISH WILL GOBBLE THESE

==> An Enormous Brown Trout was stuck and landed at, (or near,)  9-Mile Hole on the Madison River, in the evening, by our neighbor, a world famous fisher, using a mouse fly and some cagy tactics. Only the best fishers use flies appropriate to the situation and the quarry.
.. Although it's hopper time, the welcome and cool afternoon showers have kept the flights of hppers to a dull roar and the fish are only mildly interested - at the moment. This weekend there will be a warm-up and the trout should realize that graceries are raining down from above. Be prepared.
.. It's not quite like a PacMan game but, the Callibaetis are erupting on Hebgen Reservoir with regularity and it is currently possible to cast to sight-seen fish. Use flies just  bit larger than the hatch and cast to fish just a bit farther away than you normally would. They are hungry and looking up.

TRY A SIZE LARGER THAN THIS

..  The frequent afternoon showers have kept the northeast corner of Yellowstone National Park cool and pleasant. They have also produced a situation where local information will give you a better chance of fishing in clear water. Check with Parks Fly Shop for up to the minute information about where the murky water isn't. Some of our local feather merchants have recently sent expeditions to those far reaches of the park. Some quick phone calls and a bit of savvy questioning will help your catching success.
.. The honey holes on Quake Lake have proven to have a seemingly unlimited supply of very large fish this year. The gear guys and the worm fishers are gathering up bushel baskets full of fine fish. When our fly fishing neighbors enter the fray they are taking more than their fair share of the pretty lake fish. Please don't disturb the rusty green pickup truck - the dog will let you know.

NOT A HOPPER - BUT . . .

.. The Spruce Moth flights are still thick along those wooded portions of the Gallatin River in Yellowstone National Park. The poor things unwittingly find the water and the lucky trout leap upon them with a gusto befitting champion gobblers at Nathan's. Try a mashed caddis imitation and hold on.
.. The thin water of Nez Perce Creek is full of swimming tourists around the picnic area. The fish are bashful: they are avoiding the naked bodies and have moved upstream in a fit of modesty - where the cool water is. A mere 4,000 feet upstream from the Mary Mountain Trailhead will provide fishers with few elbows and willing fish.
.. The moose at Richard's Creek is not a friendly critter. Avoid this area for the moment. Even as big as a barn it's easy to hide in the dense willow thickets. We guarantee that she will fiercely protect her calf with surprise attacks and thunderous kicks and head butts.
.. Rumor has it that there are fewer mosquitoes this year down in the Bechler Region. Welts are few and the folks around Squirrel, Idaho have been enjoying the catching along Boundary Creek. The cutthroat trout of the Cascade Corner are among the most friendly in the neighborhood. This is probably because they are passed over for fishing on the glory waters so nearby. The park-and-fish crowd just love to fish within sight of their favorite feather merchant in this part of Idaho.
.. We're headed closer to home now.

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THE GREAT POOL ON BOUNDARY CREEK

Bombed In Bechler

A LONG DRIVE

many mosquitoes
skunked

it happens

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.. We heard the rumors. We drove over to see. The river is beautiful. Catching sucked.

Very short video below.

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..

A Brief Map Note

CASCADE CORNER
MAPPING STARTED

The Red Spots Are Dead Mosquitoes

.. We've added one more map. It's not on the map page yet but you can follow along at Yellowstoner's Places. The map is going to be confusing at first because the stream courses coupled with the State/Federal boundaries mean that you will need at least three tickets in your pocket -- Idaho, Wyoming, Yellowstone.
.. There are now 13 maps that have been visited over 150,000 times in just over a year. The information base is growing and the visitation rate is gratifying.

Quick And Dirty

MADISON FISHING WELL

Moose Enjoying Madison

gibbon, gallatin, grebe too

.. Forget the Firehole River. The Madison River is Hot, (the hoppers are just 1/4 inch long, flightless and into their second molt.) The Gallatin River has gone crazy. Grebe Lake is high cold and crowded.
.. We haven't caught ours yet, but the Grayling catch on the upper Gibbon River is higher this year than in recent memory. Even the meadows below the falls are continuing to fish and catch well.
.. The footpaths along Obsidian Creek are dusty and the elbow density is definitely up. The Gardiner River has come into it's own and the busy roadside sections are pocked with visitors - must be the hoppers.
.. Slough Creek has picked up and visitors know it. Pebble Creek is the sleeper. Soda Butte Creek is better than ever. The Lamar River is just slightly colored. Even the Yellowstone River is yielding to the persistent fish hunters, (just stroll along the bank and cast to a rising fish - the fish density is way down but the sizes are approaching enormous.) Summer is late and all is right with the world.
.. Recluse fishers have abandoned Duck Creek for the Gallatin River and the willow meadows of Fan Creek. Where is there to be found a bit of solitude? - - nowhere!
.. The phenomenal density of mosquitoes in the Cascade Corner of Yellowstone National Park is justly famous and is on time this year. Interestingly, Boundary Creek, Bechler River, and Falls River are yielding gobs of fish to eager anglers with head nets and gallons of DEET.
.. The roadside stretch of the Lewis River, the Snake River, and the 'hidden tirbs' are enjoying immense popularity. And, the little bit of water between Shoshone Lake and Lewis Lake is full of canoes and float tubes. We wonder why?
.. This is what has made Yellowstone National Park such an exciting place to fish. Right now, (this very instant,) you can fish most anywhere and take home stories to fill a lifetime. The diversity is enormous. The catching success is gratifying.
.. You can check the fly shop reports, blog about it, or go fishing . . . we're doing the latter.

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.. Jeff Kennedy over at Drawing Flies is back at it. We won't spoil the joy, but it's worth a daily click. We want to see just what he gathered up on his Yellowstone adventure.

Brief Reports

FISH NOW

IT'S GETTING WARM

Plan Ahead - Use The Weather

Stat Pack

.. This has to be quick; visitors, don'tcha know. The rivers and streams on the west side of Yellowstone National Park are full of fish, bugs, fishers, and elbows. Summer is in full stride. This is typical. The roads have made it so.
.. Summer weather has set in. The forecast shows a few days during the coming week that will probably still provide some excellent catching opportunities:.. Visitors have choked the pullouts and parking lots, and although there are still some unimpeded stretches of water to fish, solitude is not to be found near the road.
..Be prepared to meet new people and to share any beat on the west side streams. Evening is the most salubrious time, (save for the occasional mosquito,) and spinner falls combined with caddis are the food of choice for the trout on the Madison River and the Firehole River.
.. There are still some long empty stretches of water on the Firehole River - try the trail to Lone Star Geyser for some hot action and nearly a fish per cast with just about any well presented fly in the size 14 - 16 range.
.. There are BIG BUGS around Snowflake Springs on the Gallatin River. They are invading our space - good on 'em. Barring any local deluges the Gallatin River should be the place to be for a few days. Small Sofa Pillows, large Elk Hair Caddis or Marcella's Trout Fly will bring normally shy giants to the surface. Yellowstone Sally, Prince, and Yellowstone Badger nymphs will take more fish, (sizes in the 8 - 12 range.)
.. The Gibbon River canyon is a real delight. Right now the flows are quick but gentle and the fish are beginning to look up. The riffles are still showing some white water, but the slicks are becoming more pronounced. This is the time to put a fly in any bit of water where you can not see the bottom.
.. A few places are beginning to see anglers where there were none just a few weeks ago. The Bechler River, Boundary Creek, and a couple of unnamed tributaries in the area are worth a visit. The mosquitoes shouldn't have this beautiful corner of the park to themselves.
.. Slough Creek has bugs, (mosquitoes, PMD's and some nice sized Drakes,) and the fish are eating everything that they can get to. Don't forget the midges, (clusters and such,) they are prolific right now.
.. Even the big pool at the pull out is dimpled with rising monsters. Visitors just stand and stare.
.. Soda Butte Creek is colored but very attractive. Remember: "FISH GOT'TA EAT." Try a Royal Humpy in the seams.
.. We are pleased to see that the MRO BLOG is persistent in it's first person reports. There is a note about moonlight fishing that we suggest you check out. Do you want to see what lurks in the night?
.. The good folks at Parks Fly Shop let us know that the Gardner River is in fine shape and that catching is almost as good as the fishing. Check out their recommended flies.
.. The expanded site for Jack Dennis Sports is settling down and approaching stability. The podcasts have slowed down, but the reports, and other good sources of information are very current and accurate. Take some time to explore the site. We like it.
.. Want to fish the Brooklyn Bridge? Check out the summer patterns for stripers over at Fishing Jones. Pete sure gets around; interesting comments too.
.. Kiss me baby. How appropriate for THE HORSE'S MOUTH. There seem to be advantages for stripers caught by wahines.
.. In the "SWIM AT YOUR OWN RISK" department: jumping sharks and surfers enjoy the same space at New Smyrna Beach. This is the same place where there have been 12 shark-bitten folks this year -- so far!

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.. Here's our second quarter, very brief, statistics report. This little ol' family and friends blog has settled down at the figures shown. Not very big as blogs go.

Just A Bit Cooler

QUICK COLOR - QUICK CLEAR

Catching Picking Up

Inventive Russian Rafting
invasives in spotlight
better late than never
(not inches - but pounds!)

.. A bit more rain; the pre-enrollment exodus; some cloudy days; and, bingo fish are on the bite! It looks like a break in the intense heat and the prolonged dry spell has finally blessed Yellowstone country. Of course there are still too many cars on the roads in the park, and there are still quite a few fishers in the usual spots - BUT - things are looking up. All restrictions have been lifted by the NPS.
.. The Madison River below 7-mile bridge is fishing well all day long. It colored up quick and cleared quick. Tricos are still the morning hatch. The 10:00 hour is about good for the leisurely anglers. Afternoon and evening can be productive with Caddis and terrestrials, (hoppers, ants, beetles - in that order are working just fine.)
.. The Firehole River is open but hardly worth the effort. The fish are still lethargic, the temperatures are still too high, and hatches have been sporadic. Give it a rest.
.. The Gallatin River is in prime shape and both fishing and catching are excellent. The mud filled the river for a couple of days but, right now, it is the prime destination on the west side of the park. A hopper-dropper rig is the all day favorite. Nymphs in the morning and spinners in the evening are the ticket for single fish stalking. If you're lucky enough to bump into an evening caddis hatch the action can be fast and furious. There seems to be a "jungle telegraph" this time of year for the caddis. Find one fish - you'll find many.
.. The Gibbon River has finally come to life in the big meadows on either side of the picnic area. It's a bit of a walk to some of the best bends and runs but well worth it. This is spot and stalk fishing at it's best. Be sure to wear your waders with double knees: these fish are very skittish with the low flows and clear water.
.. Above Solfaterra Creek the Gibbon River is fishing very well. There are a good many one and two year old fish. The deeper holes and dark undercut bends hold fish to 16" and they can be taken on terrestrials. This is an excellent place to float your favorite nymphs - we use very light Hare's Ear types in sizes 12 - 18.
.. Slough Creek is approaching perfect form. There are still a few hoppers around, and there are ants, beetles, and twigs that will take fish. The fish don't seem as skittish as usual this year and the numbers are good. This is an excellent place to fish early and often. PMD's are still worth a try. The upper meadows are almost without pressure and the campers have it their way in the mornings, (or most of the day for that matter.)
.. Soda Butte Creek is full of some very good fish, and when it's not full of sediment it's fishing excellent - considering the pressure. Terrestrials are always the ticket here. Keep them on the smallish side and use attractors for prospecting.
.. Boundry Creek and the Bechler River are enjoying a relatively mosquito-free late summer. The water is quite clear and low. There are still good numbers of hoppers and ants in this area. Take bear spray as this is one of the few parts of the park that has shown a good berry crop.
.. Hebgen Lake is low, low, low, and the fishing is good, good, good. Except for the slime and weeds and mud and wind in the afternoon there is no better gulper fishing than right now. The callabaetis are still prolific and there are some terrestrials in the backwaters near the points. Drop a very small, (18 - 20,) Feather duster or Hare's Ear nymph below your favorite spinner pattern - let it sit for a bit. Polarized glasses are a must. The Madison Arm is a very busy place right now, and the South Fork Estuary is abandoned - except for the neighbors that know!
.. If you can stand the mud and the walk, the extended bit of Grayling Creek is holding some nice fish - to 18" and they can be taken on a rig with a pair of floating flying ants.
.. As we've previously noted, Rock Snot is proliferating at a rapid pace. The Associated Press has an article that is being widely published and should make fishers aware of the problem, (Vindy.com, Azstarnet.com, Phillyburbs.com.)
.. The fish kill on the Fall River in the Deschutes National forest is finally getting the play that it deserves. As we noted in Fish or Forests?, The USFS has been dragging their feet on addressing the incident. Marshall Cutchin over at MidCurrent has cited a piece in the Bend Bulletin that points out the current response of the USFS.
.. We eagerly await the results, (due today,) of the SIX WORDS contest at Fishing Jones. Read the entrants' submissions HERE.
.. The Get Outdoors Blog informs us of a new form of entertainment with inflatable human dolls. We're not sure if it's legal or even fishing related but it's attractive to that small bit of humor that still inhabits these bones. (See the original article HERE. It's called "The Bubba Bubble Challenge.")

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.. Last July we noted the big fish that Bob Jacklin caught on his size 14 Rock Worm. Finally the video is available for all to see. It's on You Tube and shown below for your enjoyment.