The Mythic Firehole River, (part one)

"THE FISH PREFER"

No Big Fish Here

abandon your car

WALLPAPER:   DESTINATION BISCUIT

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.. It would be futile to debunk the myriad myths that appertain to the Firehole River. That said; there are a couple of popular myths that demand to be addressed.
.. The first myth that needs to be explored is that ". . . the trout prefer the warm temperatures of mid summer . . ."
.. The second myth that floats continuously is that ". . . there are no 'big' fish in the Firehole River . . ."

FIREHOLE BLACK SNAILS

..Aside from the anthropomorphic attribution of 'preference' to the little scallywags, the argument that they have lived for so many generations in the warm environs of the Firehole River that they have adapted to warmer water has some merit. BUT ONLY SOME!!
.. However, the first fish introduced to the Firehole River were Smallmouth Bass followed by Brook Trout. Neither of these species have taken to the warmth of the stream. The bass are gone and the brookies have migrated to colder waters and are very rarely taken in the river below Kepler Cascades.
.. Introduced Brown Trout and introduced Rainbow Trout are the two dominate species in the lower Firehole River.

FIREHOLE BLACK SNAILS

.. Although water temperature is a rough indicator of both Brown Trout and Rainbow Trout distribution, aerobic capacity is more meaningful. Dissolved oxygen is the key to survival and ability to thrive for these trout.
.. Wild trout, in their indigenous habitat, do show a wide range of temperature tolerance depending on their natural history and geographic constraints. The Rainbow Trout can be found within a range of 17.8–24.6°C [LINK-11.]

USE FOR "GOOD FISH"

.. Brown Trout seem to be a bit more tolerant of warmer waters and can be found in waters at 28°C. This oversimplification of thermal tolerance does not take account of other limiting factors such as: length of day, length of extreme temperature exposure, age of fish, dissolved oxygen, egg tolerance, smolt tolerance, etc.
.. Research from regions as diverse as from the Iberian Peninsula to Idaho to  Michigan to California to Germany to Australia suggest that these two trout do best, (survive and thrive,) in cooler rather than warmer water.
.. Given the opportunity, these fish will hang out, (prefer to be?) in more highly oxygenated cold water rather than less oxygenated warm water.

FOR TOPSIDERS

.. Not surprising then, the fish in the Firehole River will indeed, be mostly found in the cooler bits of the stream. We all knew that, right?
.. The Firehole River does have submerged cold water springs. We know a few. The river also is fed by warm streams as well as cold streams. We know a few of those too.
.. Should you be seeking to dance, a time or two, with the fish in the stream your best bet is to hire a guide. Should you want non stop catching seek the optimum fish locations: nearby shade, weeds and bugs, cooler water, dark holes and hides, etc. These are the spots that the guides keep for themselves.

NEED BIG FISH ??

.. As for the second myth; you must define big. A three or four pound trout is big in our book. Length varies depending on species and time of year. A spawned out buck at 22" may be big to some folks. But they look too much like a snake to us.
.. There are four pound trout to be had in the Firehole River. They are far less rare than you have been led to believe. They are in those places where optimum conditions exist for growth and survivability.

WANT BIG FISH?

..  Keep in mind that although big fish are opportunistic feeders, (as are all trout,) they eat little fish. A little fish can be defined as the "good fish" that your guide praises for your ego.
.. You will often see a fish skimming the surface, leaping in the air, charging the shore, and diving into weeds when chased by bigger fish. Got a fly that imitates a six inch trout? Use it. Be a myth buster!

RESOURCES:

>> Rainbow trout thermal tolerance,
>> Brown trout thermal niche,
>> Rainbow trout upper thermal tolerance,
>> Brown trout consevation,
>> Thermal Tolerance Limits for Trout,
>> Requirements and tolerances for Brown and Rainbow trout,
>> How hot is too hot?,
>> Henry's Fork trout requirements,
>>

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LISTEN TO THE JUNGLE DRUMS

.. The cool days and frequent rains have been a boon to fishers on the west side rivers. Not too much color, not too much discharge, not too many elbows, not too few bugs, and - - - great catching. Be here now.
.. Just dumped the wet poncho on the oriental rug, draped the wet jeans over the silk brocade on the Victorian Chaise, kicked the muddy boots into the corner by the giant Navajo baskets, and  settled down to scrawl type this.
.. Now for a late supper and some couch time.

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WALLPAPER:  CHILI BURGER -- HOLD THE BUN

 

Game On

MADISON WORKING

Fish The Firehole Late

a tale of two canyons

WALLPAPER:  FIREHOLE SUNSET

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..We're not prone to hyperbole but, the classic and popular segments of the Firehole River are fishing just like the guidebooks and counter help explain it to you.

Shuckster   #1

.. We'll mention a few flies but the truth of the matter is that just about any fly of the right size will gall a fish - quickly and successfully, (given a gentle presentation and sharp hook.)
.. We visited with a few visitors on the rivers and came away with one interesting observation that they had made: the hooks from the feather merchants are amazingly dull this year. A few swipes with a diamond sharpener will go a long way to insuring your success.

Shuckster #2

..  Better than good numbers of Baetids and some PMD's have been coming off.
.. The super dry fishing has been just O.K. but, the emergers, (slightly drowned or in the film,) have been what many of the neighbors have been using.
.. These combined with the standard drowned soft hackle or "Dry Soft Hackle" Are becoming, (more than usual,) the go to choices.
.. It's  good to enter Yellowstone National Park early: it's better to stay late. The caddis are already prolific in the afternoon and there have been some late evening spinner falls of the mayflies. Lots of noses in the air in the early evening.

Lots of eager and lonely fish here

.. The Madison River is alive with eager and ravenous fish. They are feeling very lonely.
.. Ignoring the Madison River early in the season is a tradition of feather merchants, guides, and guide book readers.

Here too

.. Many folks would rather gather up fifteen to twenty 10" fish instead of ten or fifteen 19" fish. It's a strokes and folks thing.
.. Of course, by the time they get to the Madison River the best of the catching has moved on and they spread stories about how the river really isn't worth fishing. Some of the strange stuff you hear from the establishment rumor mill.

Gibon River coming on early

.. The Gibbon River Canyon has a nice assortment of rainbow trout and some wily brown trout, should you need to gather up more than a handful of fish in a morning or afternoon break.
.. This is one of the most rewarding of nymphing rivers at this time of year.

King Prince

.. We use the King Prince or just a large Prince nymph.
.. There are also regular and consistent hatches of mayflies that the fish seem to discover before the fishers. Floating a dry in the appropriate places can surprise even the most expectant fisher.
.. We gathered some intelligence from a couple of fishers that fished the big meadows and the Brook Trout Paradise above the cascades. Recruitment of Brookies has been exceptional over the last few years and it's becoming commonplace to take a few 10" or 12" specimens in couple of hours. The crowds have found this water but the fish seem to be very cooperative and not too skittish right now.

Firehole Canyon

.. The Firehole Canyon is being visited by some savvy fishers and  a covey of the neighbors.
.. Stoneflies of several sorts are in both canyons. Pick your poison and hang on.
.. There are even some large salmonflies on the Madison River between Madison Junction and 7-mile bridge.
.. The neighbors are using sparsely tied black nymphs in both canyons and on the Madison River.

Sparse

.. The big bugs are beginning their contrary appearance along the Firehole River. They are crawling along the shore above Firehole Falls - but not in any great numbers.
.. Firehole Canyon has a few early fliers as well. This is a good time to use a floater/dropper combination. Put your best "mature" floater up high and a dark, (sparsely dressed,) nymph ten to fifteen inches down at the tip. No need for weight, just cover a lot of water.

Portrait

.. Should you be feeling adventurous a double nymph of yellow or golden stones along with the big honker can provide near constant action in the right place.
.. Soon you won't have to cover any water - the fish will willingly jump in your waders.

.. Our days and nights have tried to fool us into believing that Summer is really here. The days have been partly cloudy and bright, (too bright for some.)
.. The nights have been warmer than "sleeping weather."  Days will continue in the 70's - approaching the 80's, (egad!)
.. This is about to change. Hatch chasing for the dryfliest should become exceptional over the next five or six days as the gray and gloom and drizzle return.
.. There should still be enough afternoon sun and brightness for the caddis and white miller visitations. Hopefully the nights will cool off some.
.. Get thee to the Firehole River right now. Discharge on the little stream is a few hundred cfs below median rates for this time of year. It is also approaching historic minimums.
.. Temperatures have already spiked to 75° F.  Official closure may or may not happen but, it's soon going to be very hard on the fish if you stab one in the snout.
.. We are loath to say it but, catching has gotten off to a fantastic start. We hope that there is a guide book writer in the house.
.. Better get out the 10 weight two handed rod.

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WALLPAPER:   NICE TRY

The Window Of Opportunity

IT'S OPEN NOW

Favorable Conditions 

little bugs are prolific

WALLPAPER:  THE WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY

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.. Each Spring and Fall all the things hoped for by fly fishers occasionally come together and provide opportunities for epic fishing, (and catching,) in Yellowstone National Park.

TRY THIS FLAVOR

.. Low cool water to concentrate the fish, overcast and drizzly days, salubrious temperatures, gentle breezes, slow visitation days, hungry fish, bugs aplenty, and other fleeting factors conspire to make fishing worthwhile for even the least of fishers.
.. Right now, (and for the next few days,) everything is in place. Head hunters of the runner denomination, faithful fishers of the surface, disciples of the flymph, and double nymph & bobber folks, all can be satisfied on the west side rivers.
.. The Firehhole River is giving forth with prolific hatches of a couple of kinds of small mayflies, (check with your favorite feather merchant for the Latin.) Presentation, size, and silhouette are keys to sore wrists and a multitude of hero photos right now. As to flies: the flavor of the month and others will do just fine.

MY WHAT LONG LEGS YOU HAVE

.. The Madison River has lost some fair weather fishers. It's still crowded but there are ample empty fishy places.
.. Ugly flies with obnoxious legs, red rubber bands, woolly buggers, and leaches are dragging in the pudgy fish from Hebgen Reservoir.
.. Many fish in 12" to 16" range also are being taken. Some are resident fish, some are precocious migrants. Whatever the case, they are willing and hungry.

MORE LEGS AND HACKLES

.. The Madison River has seen both BWO hatches and, surprisingly an ant fall. Surface fishers will do as good as possible on the Madison River right now. Spinner falls are even visible from the shore early in the day.
.. Beyond the Junction Pools and clear to the falls, the Gibbon River is seeing activity by the fish and fishers reminiscent of the corybantic days of the 50's and 60's.
.. Reports, (and cell phone photos,) for this stretch of river suggest that the flymph and indigenous bugs are the keys to constant catching. Stonefly nymphs of all stripes and colors, (in generous sizes,) are raking in the Browns, (and Rainbows.)

THE FUR BALL IS A SUCCESS

.. Down the road on the "way too cold" Gallatin River the fish are looking up; but not to the surface. The neighbors are fishing with a double dropper and bobber rig. From the bobber to the trailer is no more than 18". A pair of Prince Nymph flies or a BH Prince on point with GRHE up top is a common rig.
.. No hoppers have been reported for a week or two but, a drowned hopper is still taking good fish in the deep riffles.
.. Given the current conditions and mood of the trout it is possible to fish all day and continue to catch fish. A hearty breakfast will carry the dedicated clear through to an early dinner. Back at it in time for the late day frenzy. Have at it!

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WALLPAPER:  DESAYUNO, CHORIZO CON PAPAS Y HUEVOS

It's All Atypical

DIFFERENT STROKES

Not Soup To Nuts

but cheese to ice to flies

NOT A CORK BUT, A $500.00 ROUND OF BLUE STILTON CHEESE

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.. “Though this be madness, yet there is method in't.” . . . Thanks Will.
.. The growing midwinter madness is becoming very apparent in our little village. It's a time when diversions reach proportions seldom seen in rational humans.

RICH FOLKS VISIT YELLOWSTOME

.. Visitors are strewn from pub to pub. The most popular watering holes are those most easily accessed by snowmobiles.
.. Dog sled teams are running the trails and their enthusiastic yapping punctuates both day and night.
.. The very wealthy and very affluent visitors with large amounts of discretionary cash have reserved their guided visit to Yellowstone National Park.
.. At over $125.00/day/each person, (not counting food, lodging, souvenirs, or a night out with the family,) the park becomes an elitist retreat during the snow season.
.. On the other hand, our frozen reservoir is now populated with little clusters of dark specks. No, not penguins, but ice fishers: normal folks enjoying the outdoors and the bounty of introduced fish. There are tracks and trails frozen in the surface from snomachines on their errant travels. There are bits of humpy color that delineate shelters of all kinds: - tents to tarps to shanty's.

JIGGLE A STIFFY

.. The neighborhood fishers, (fly or otherwise,) are all checking their thrummin' rods, tip-ups, bobbles, and maggot supplies. Their taste buds are also undergoing a metamorphosis. Pizza, beer, burgers, and brats are giving way to Stilton cheese, mixed grills, quiche, and baked Alaska.
.. Two glorious rounds of Blue Stilton Cheese have arrived in our village. Wonderfully ripe and smelly as all get out, they are - yum! These will be shared at secret locations, augmented by sauteed pears, apples, walnuts, and shortbread - some Vintage Port and Tawny Port bottles have also made their appearance.
..This is the time of year when the rich folks pretend to be normal. The poor folks pretend to be rich. The average folks go about their business working hard and servicing both groups.
.. Ice hole fishing has been very good this year on Hebgen Reservoir. It has drawn quite a few of the neighbors. Even, it has indeed, sucked in a pile of normally sane fishers of the fly. Giant Whitefish are the prize. They smoke nicely and supplement the standard winter fare of canned fruits and vegetables.

HAPPY AND HEADED FOR HOME

.. Brown Trout and Rainbow Trout over 18" are also kept for the smoker.
.. Much of the ice hole fishing is targeted at finding good places for the upcoming Cabela's NAIFC Tournament. This years event takes place next weekend.
.. In addition to the standard rigs that include meal worms, maggots, and hamburger bits, there is one fly making a good showing on the frozen lake = chartreuse green stiff hackle flies have brought to hand some real trophies.
.. These flies are fished by the true experts. They demand a skilled hand to impart the enticing action required to stab a 22" Brown Trout in the lip.
.. Over the past few years the response to this tournament has been so overwhelming that there is a limit of 150 teams this year. In addition to the nationally sponsored teams, each pub is sponsoring a couple of teams. Some restaurants and motels are sponsoring teams. Interestingly there are no church-sponsored teams.
.. At this writing, (like right now,) there are a handful of spots still open for the $14,000.00 to $21,000.00 pay out anticipated for this year's tourney.

KIDS OF ALL AGES ATTEND THE FREE ACTIVITIES

.. Check the Official NAIFC Site for details. Continuing and up-to-date reports about conditions and techniques, and other stuff is available on the Official NAIFC Facebook Page. Even the Montana Outdoor Radio Show is getting in on the act.
.. Of course it's not enough to have just an ice fishing tournement on the weekend. The West Yellowstone Fun Run for sled dogs is also on tap. Check the Official Fun Run Page for details. National and International teams are entered and the local pubs, restaurants, motels, and no churches are sponsoring our neighborhood teams as well.
.. Throughout the weekend will also be activities for the very popular KIDS 'N' SNOW events. There are ice hole seminars for the kids and free fishing gear as well.
.. Bring the youngsters and enjoy all the happenings: ice fishing, sled dog rides, ice skating, snow sledding, etc. Attendance and observation is free for all ages and all events - including the churches.

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WALLPAPER (LOAF #9): FARMHOUSE RUSTIC WHITE

A Bit More Gentility

ONE DAY TO GO

Gentle Bluster In The Air

gobbling fish in the waters

WALLPAPER:  BISON HOLDING THE HOLDING WATER

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.. Here's the quote from the official NPS website:

Sunday November 3rd is the last full day of travel through most of Yellowstone — all park roads close to the public at 8 a.m., Monday November 4 to prepare for the oversnow, winter season, except from the North Entrance to Upper Mammoth Terrace Drive, and Mammoth via Tower Junction to the Northeast Entrance. Except for the roads between the North and Northeast entrances visitors must be off park roads and all through travel must be completed by 8 a.m. Monday November 4.

.. This has always been a source of amusement for the neighbors. They laugh that the NPS touts Yellowstone as being open 24 hours a day, 365 days per year, (citation.)
.. PARKSPEAK does not allow closing the park. Rather; some roads are closed and travel is restricted: giggle, giggle, giggle, they suck you in every way that they can!
.. Fishing and catching was great yesterday, (the next-to-the-last-day before road closures and no traveling on roads through the open park - huh?) Sounds like the NPS is taking lessons from the U.S. Congress.

DON'T BOTHER - THE EXPERTS DON'T EITHER

.. What's the bet if a visitor decides to take a hike up Fan Creek, (walking, mind you,) and spend a casual 12 hours bird watching on the 5th of November; is the park open? Are trails closed? How about a little trip to Monument Mountain? If there was snow the skiers would be allowed - how about hikers? Is the park open ?
.. That nonsense aside, there is just today left to dance with some fish in the park. If you are adventurous enough we suggest that The Biggest Brook Trout in the park may be holding an orgy up on the gravels of Solfatara Creek. A few big Brown Trout also engage in the spawing fun here too.
.. There are a couple of unnamed, (and other named,) tributaries to the Madison River that attract runners for the milt and egg party. Right this moment they don't look like much. Most are ignored by the supercilious secret holders of the neighborhood. These are the real secrets, (if any,) in the Fall fishing frenzy.
.. Trout buzz up these little rivulets when there is enough water and find gravel, food, sanctuary, and a cozy love nest for procreation. It's good that the self espoused experts don't bother to walk too far from the road.

Eat Me Now You Big Brute

.. The Gibbon River has been yielding some dandy fish for those that can tear themselves away from the Madison River. Hell's Bells, it's the only smart, (if anti social,) thing to do.
.. You should have seen the crowd of cacklers at 9-mile Hole yesterday at 3:00 PM. There was nary a place to park and nary a fisher in the water. Social fly fishing is on a tear in Yellowstone National Park.
.. The darkest clouds have come and gone in waves. Bright and dark patches of sky alternately grace the fishing day. This unsettled weather is a blessing for the fisher. Little bugs like the dark overcast. Big fish like the parading shadows that give them the opportunity to move to the next hide. The fish that are not engaged in sex are moving. Moving through all the obvious and less obvious places. They are bunched up for a spell and then strung out as they move. Catching is good.
.. It's snowing a bit right now. We're headed back for some more. Right after another rasher of hickory smoked bacon, a gigantic chile relleno, and a couple jalapeño waffles.

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WALLPAPER:   MADISON RIVER HERD BULL

A Sun Day

SURPRISE OF THE WEEK

Rare Lazy Day

catching in the sun

WALLPAPER:    FISH THE BEND

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.. On occasion The sun pokes through the bluster of early winter. It removes the skiff of snow dropped yesterday and recalls the more gentle days of Fall.
.. It didn't last and, right now - in  the dark of dawn,  the clouds are spitting at us again as we finish our second cup of hot chocolate.

Casual Dress

.. Catching continues in Yellowstone National Park. A few of the faithful are still picking on fish in the Firehole River. Most fishers, however, are dotting the banks and shallows of the Madison River in the hopes of dancing with a trout of the brown persuasion.
.. After some rat killin' and a smidgen more breakfast we're headed in to the park for a peek at the waters. We'll take some of the requisite accoutrements along: fish pole, fly or two, FWG*, cigar, flask, sack o' luck, and a highly knowledgeable neighbor kid. Anticipation is always in the kit.
.. Full report tomorrow or Monday.

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WALLPAPER:   GOOD TOOL

* Foul Weather Gear

Nocturnal Brown

IT'S TIME FOR MICE

Quiet On Shore,

Splash In Water
wallpaper if you choose

THE GOBBLER

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.. The mice have made babies. The ground squirrels have made babies. The voles have made babies. The hoppers are big and cranky. The nocturnal bugs are still around.
.. The days have been hot. The days have been bright. The streams are warm.  The nights are cool. Some mornings are even more cool.
.. Both the fish and the mammals forage in the cool. The mice scurry. The hoppers are sluggish. The bugs are active. The ground squirrels are darting. The voles are scampering.

.. At the interface between darting, scurrying, scampering, and cool is the gobbler.
.. The gobbler has avoided activity through the warm and bright day.
.. The gobbler has ignored the miniscule tidbits of a spinner fall. The gobbler has been indifferent to the rising nymphs of the morning mayflies and the evening caddisflies.
.. The gobbler had a snack when a wayward hopper plopped in front of its panting maw as it worked to get oxygen-poor water through it's gills. It was not enough.

.. Very, very cold and very, very warm induce torpor in the gobbler. Cool and cold are where the action is. The nights are cool or occasionally cold.
.. This is action time and after a light and early dinner the fisher should be on the water fishing the shadows in the diminishing daylight.
.. Ignore the remaining caddisflies, prolific though they may be.
 Fish a mouse or fish a bomber or rapidly strip a giant streamer on the surface. Bass poppers are great if they are large enough.
.. The gobbler has senses that we are oblivious to. They are large fish. They have well developed lateral lines. They use them to find prey and avoid danger.
.. If the fisher goes galumphing along the shore the gobbler will not rise to the commotion in the water.
.. The fisher must be quiet. The fisher must be sneaky. The fisher need not cast too far. The fisher need not see the fly. The gobbler need not see the fly. Make sure that the hook is sharp and the leader is strong.
.. Green grass is fading to yellow. It's time for mice.

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MOUSE COUNTRY