A Stab In The Back

LOCAL WATERS CLEAR

Austin Knudsen Betrayal

zinke working hard

WALLPAPER:  THE BLUE ICE OF HEBGEN RESERVOIR

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.. All of our local tributaries to Hebgen Reservoir are clear of ice and eroding the ice of the reservoir.
.. The Madison River and it's South Fork have pushed far enough into the ice to provide legal fishing beyond the estuaries. Cougar Creek, Duck Creek, Grayling Creek, and Notellum Creek are building open water at a rapid clip. Soon all will have pushed far enough into the reservoir to provide legal fishing.

Helobdella stagnalis

.. The kids with sleds have been successful beyond the South Fork estuary with midges, blond leeches, (Helobdella stagnalis,) small streamers, and a few secret patterns from the winter experimentation's.
.. It seems that the blond leeches have experienced a population explosion, (along with midges and lowland skwalas.)

COPPER TAIL

.. This makes for pudgy trout and happy fishers around here.
.. The leeches are a real surprise since they are rare and seldom seen in numbers of any kind.
.. Water from our warm rains and drizzles is still puddling on the surface of the ice of the reservoir.

NOTELLUM BRANCH

.. The blue hue is sparkling and twinkling. The ice is getting very thin.
.. We're looking forward to ice out this year. We're also noticing that the snow is disappearing at a rapid rate and we're watching the stream flows and anticipating the runoff rates. Planning for early fishing is going to be tricky.

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.. Montana House Speaker Austin Knudsen has stabbed his constituents in the back.

THE KNUDSEN GATE

.. After receiving 75% of the votes in his district he has blocked access to the American Legion Park in Culbertson, Montana.
.. The 35 acre park was donated to the American Legion in 1944 and is a scenic strip of land along the Missouri River.
.. Access was granted by the donating owners and used continually since 1944. When Knudsen bought the land he relocated the road and put up a gate.
.. The matter is in the courts now with both a suit and counter suit. KEEP 'EM OUT? That's loyalty and representation Montana style, [LINK-1, LINK-2, LINK-3.]
.. Our pretend Montanan Secretary Of Interior Hinky Zinke has just announced a gift to the deserving residents of the Gulf Coast.
.. Newly proposed and enacted oil exploration and lease tracts are about to be; or have been let. The only indication of the actions was a pair of news releases. Sort of like the stealth approach to all of the current administrations ministrations to the citizens of our democracy, [LINK-A, LINK-B.]

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FAN WING FUN

.. We are staring at no less than two weeks of above average daytime temperatures.
.. There will be some rain, some drizzle, some soft flurries, a bit of hail and bunches of bluster in the upcoming 18 to 20 days.
.. Temperatures at mid day will range from 40°F to 50°F and precipitation from nil to light with plenty of clouds and overcast skies. Absolutely perfect fishing weather. The lowlands may get to be too warm to fish - HUH?
.. We'd best hustle along before the lowlanders get up here to avoid the heat!

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The Great Glaze = Balsamic Vinegar + Brown Sugar + Ketchup + Worcestershire Sauce

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

Smoky Fire Day

THREE HEREABOUTS

Cougar, Duck, Fan Area

inversion: wind shift

FAWN FIRE: NPS PHOTO

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.. There are three fires on the west side of Yellowstone National Park that are smoky and could affect your fishing plans.
.. The Fawn Fire, the Buffalo Fire, and the Boundary Fire are currently dumping smoke and ash on West Yellowstone. This is due to an inversion and wind shift. The winds are currently from the north and are light and variable. It was first noticed about mid day yesterday and has continued through mid morning today.
.. There are some signs that the winds will shift again during the rest of today.
.. The Fawn Fire is a mountain top fire caused by lightning and is currently approaching 1,000 acres. It's a slow growing fire due to the cool temperatures and cloud cover of recent days, (LINK-F.)
.. The Buffalo Fire is also slow growing and is approaching 400 acres. It has given its' name to the complex of the current three fires in the west of the park, (LINK-B.)
.. The Boundary Fire was reported last night along the park boundary between Cougar Creek and West Yellowstone. The fire is just four miles north of West Yellowstone and 1/4 mile inside the park boundary. It is growing at a moderate rate and is about 200 acres. It is being actively monitored and fought with helicopters, airplanes, and fire crews. The ground crews have worked through the night. (LINK-CC.)

RESOURCES:

InciWeb (LINK-W)
Yellowstone Park Fire Activity (LINK-P)

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.. The smoke is affecting folks with respiratory problems and those with sensitivity to suspended particulates. Runny eyes and noses are common. Dry hacking coughing is also common.
.. Fishers are urged to avoid the fire areas and roads leading to them. Emergency vehicles have the right of way.
.. Avoid Duck Creek and Cougar Creek. Fish the Gallatin River - the fish are friendly and active. They even are looking up due to the ash and debris fall from the two northern most fires.
.. We're headed toward the little known meadow meanders of the South Fork of the Madison River. You won't see it mentioned by the counter help in this town - happily.

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WALLPAPER:  LIGHT LUNCH - RIB EYE

Upcoming

FOR THE WEEKEND

Got Your Reservation ?

good news  --  bad news

WALLPAPER:  WADING IN THE FIREHOLE

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.. Uniformly bad news: all west side rivers are running below seasonal discharge averages, (LINK-1.) They are also on the marginal side of temperatures for fish health.
.. The Firehole River above Old Faithful on the trail to Lone Star Geyser is cold, clear, and low. The grass is still green and the fish are lonesome.

UPPER FIREHOLE RIVER GRANDEUR

.. The water temperature in Nez Perce Creek, (above the thermal features,) near the old bridge, is surprisingly cool. Guess where the fish are? Beware the Mary Mountain bear!
.. The faithful are already fishing the Firehole River in the mornings. Even with the mid day temperatures still in the high 70's they are at it. Poor fish, (LINK-2.)
.. A few prospectors are dashing around the too warm Madison River looking for heroic fish, (LINK-3.)
.. The big ones are still in Hebgen Reservoir and staging in the Madison Arm.
.. Below the dam the water is cold and the fish are anxious for dance partners. All you need to do is elbow your way in and fight for a beauty, (LINK-4.)

GOOD FOR BROOKIES

.. Unbeknownst to so many experts is the giant willow thicket of Cougar Creek.
.. Both above and below the highway the water is low and slow and cooler than most creeks in the neighborhood. The fish are few but sprightly and larger than this little bit of water would seem to warrant.
.. The estuary and lower portions of Grayling Creek are being visited by a few of our neighbors. The fishing and catching must be pretty good because they are quite quiet about their adventures.
.. The Gallatin River in Yellowstone National Park is just where it ought to be for this time of year, (LINK-5.) The discharge is on the low side but, the water is cold and clear. All the usual suspects, (neighbors and bugs,) are present and accounted for.

A PLACE FOR MADISON FISH

.. Finally, the Gibbon River, (LINK-6,) is in reasonable shape and the plunge pool below the falls has yielded some heroic fish of late. It's worth the scramble.
.. The good news for the weekend is: enjoy the park. Attendance continues to climb and visitation should provide you with many opportunities to experience international driving habits and practices.
.. Mobile condominium traffic is at an all time high and so too is tour bus travel.
.. The available cool water will provide fish to catch. The warmer waters will provide stories, elbows, cell phone numbers and excellent photo opportunities.
.. Sunrises and sunsets should be colorful if the drizzle abates long enough for the sun to peek through.
.. It just may be 25° F on Saturday night and Sunday night, so the waters in the warm sections may finally drop into the safe zone.
.. We're going to visit the mosquitoes down in Bechler country. It seems that it's been so dry that they are both few and  lonely and, the fish in Boundary Creek (around the park line,) are hosting a mosquito farewell party.

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WALLPAPER:   HOMEMADE CRUMPETS

Here & There

FISH: BIG, LITTLE, ANY

All The Pretty Fishes

anglers getting it done

THE COLORS FADE - THE WINTER COMES

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.. With just a couple of weeks left before the park closes, anglers are rediscovering just how good the catching can be.
.. The Firehole River is still producing a small caddis hatch on the rare bright sunny evenings after the thunder snows. Most afternoons and evenings there are prolific flights of Baetids. All offerings, from realistic imitations to soft hackles are taking fish with ease.
.. The elbow quotient is down a little bit from previous years at this time and general park visitation is a little slow as well. This makes travel and parking in Yellowstone National Park almost pleasant.
.. The Brookie Playground of the Way-Up Firehole River is seeing some increased activity of both the catching and fishing variety. It's less abandoned than usual for late Autumn.
.. The willow morass of Cougar Creek at the park line and at it's confluence with Duck Creek is getting some pressure from guided visitors. Attractors of various small varieties are the frequent choice - including emergers and floating nymphs.
.. Despite the absolute disappearance of all fish from Nez Perce Creek there continue to be reports and cell phone pictures of the fish being taken there.

DRY FLY EVENING ON NEZ PERCE CREEK

..The Madison River is seeing two groups of headhunters: standard and informed varieties are visiting in equal numbers. "FISH THE SPLIT," has become the watchword of highly successful catchers on the river.
.. Where islands, gravel bars, and dense weed beds split the river into two or more streams the enlightened head hunter seeks the submarines in the most gentle flow. Reasoning seems to be that the out of the way places are good for resting after a migration of a dozen miles or so. Seems to produce.
.. Yesterdays snow melted even before most of it reached the ground. Pity! We're off to enjoy some creative parking and post rut elk shenanigans.
.. More coming soon.

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FISH THE SPLITS  -- ADVICE FROM ON HIGH

Find 'Em, Fish 'Em

THE FINAL HOPPER MOLT

All Waters Are Go

t.c. strikes again

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.. Just caught a review of Carr's work "The Shallows" by that sneaky and relaxingly absent blogger of underground troutenalia  T.C. (LINK). We suspect that there is a message for us in it.

.. Rather than fight it, we're going with the flow. Here's our possible new  fishing report format.

THE HOPPER HATCH

==> Hoppers are hopping.

==> They're everywhere.

==> Gallatin River = size 6 to 10, bigger soon.

==> Madison River = same as above, in conflict with caddis.

==> Nez Perce Creek = walk a 1/2 mile / sizes 8 to 10.

==> Lamar River = yellow belly, sizes 6 & 8.

==> Slough Creek = just starting to get good.

==> Gibbon River = same as always.

==> Bechler River = being carried home to baby mosquitoes.

==> Hebgen Lake = chironomids now, callibaetis as it warms.

==> Quake Lake = same as above but less so.

==> Cougar Creek = nearly dry but lots of hoppers.

.. Due to the new format we've had to omit times for optimum catching, hot spots of hopper activity, primary and secondary hatches, effective fly patterns, rigging, killer techniques, and fish porn. We'll be condensing this format even more for the rewired fishers. Click on!

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Estuaries Now

ICE OUT - NOT QUITE !

Estuaries Clear

walk some fish some

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.. The major estuaries on Hebgan Reservoir have begun to clear to the point that fish are having trouble finding elbow room at the edge of the ice. The mergansers love it.
.. Ice out for the shoreline is still a few weeks away, but the neighbors with a sense for where the fish are, are now fishing the estuaries. Access is by shanks mare or snowmachine and the fishing is spectacular. Worm fishers outnumber fly fishers about 4 to 1. Catching is good for both fraternities.
.. The Madison River Arm of the reservoir has about a mile of clear water. Both Duck Creek and Cougar Creek are flowing well and that estuary has pods of 20" fish eating just about everything that sloughs off the edge of the melting ice.
.. Flow on the South Fork of the Madison River is up again and the estuary is wide open and contains both lake fish and river fish.
.. The trickles at Spring Creek and near Rumbaugh Bay are surprisingly warm and shoreline fishing is dredging up fish to 18" with small streamers and dark nymphs.
.. The snow is crumbling and access is only for the stout of leg and lung. Snowshoes are useful, skis and skins work, snowmachines are necessary in some localities, while the young spirits just post-hole their way in and out.
.. Game trails lead to both the best and worst catching spots. Just ask the neighbors.

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Cougar In The Willows

VERY LOW THIS YEAR

Hunt For Fish

find a few-------

.. For some reason the flows in Cougar Creek are down a bit for this time of year. Point bars are exposed and the current is confined to the shallow main channel.
.. The willows and thistles are thick and the stream side game trails are bright green between the thickets.
.. Access to these willow bottoms is becoming a genuine problem. Continued closures of trails and tracks mean that many time-honored access points are not available.
.. Motorized access, (motorcycle, 4-wheeler, SUV, truck, car, etc.,) is frowned upon by the USFS. Walking to many of the "good" places is beyond these old legs.
.. Fishing upstream from the confluence with Duck Creek is as tough as it gets. Casting, happily, is a bit easier this Fall with the stream confined to it's deeper portions and more distance from the willows.
.. Crossing is also easier. Still, there are deep holes and the mud is soft and spongy. On the other hand, the crumbly banks are higher and still a treacherous proposition.
.. Terrestrials and caddis are the standard fare, (until a genuine cold spell hits.) Just about any attractor, or a hopper, or beetle will draw fish. Short casts to snags and overhanging brush can find fish. Shade is important and should not be overlooked.
.. The numerous back eddies that Cougar Creek is famous for have become shallow and stale. These areas will also suck you down to your knees.
.. We'll have to wait and see if the Fall rains freshen the upper creek. Right now anything between the confluence and the park line is an exercise in bird and cloud watching - with very small resident trout added for spice.

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What A Terrible Place

SUZUKI SIZED
MOSQUITOES

Impenetrable Willow Jungles

bears & bison & moose

lots of fish too

(All images are 'clickable' - some are huge!)
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.. It's just not a wholesome place to visit. The Duck Creek Meadows are six or seven times the size of National Park Meadows.
.. They are closed right now because of bears. Bison haunt the pine and willow thickets. Moose gallop from bog to marsh. The flats are dusty. The road in to this place is dusty & full of tank traps.

.. There are dark pools in the rivers. Campanula Creek drains the uplands, Richards Creek drains the high meadows. Both join Gneiss Creek to form Duck Creek in the self-same tangle of mosquito bogs and dense willows. The meanders are so convoluted it's hard to tell which creek is which.

.. The neighbors want you to become mired in the muck and goo. They have even erected a sign so that you don't get lost. Just follow the arrow.
.. The NPS is vigilant in it's warnings. This is now & always has been, one of the most clearly marked boundaries in all of Yellowstone National Park. Enter at your own risk!
.. Despite the terrible road & despite the dust & despite the fact that the guides and feather merchants ignore this bit of paradise; the neighbors visit regularly.
.. Armed with bear spray, ribald songs and hoots like drunken owls they trudge the paths and game trails in search of fish. Some even catch fish. There are tagged fish to be caught and they should be reported.
.. There is "mouse water" right at the boundary between the forest and the park. It's best in the glow of twilight. That's when the trout turn into bass. They cavort in the darkness. They splash as would a brick dropped from a mosquito. They eat things full of calories and fur.
.. The scenery here is drab and mundane. The pedestrian surroundings have kept the gawkers and casual visitors from this vest-pocket wilderness. After all, it's necessary to leave your car behind. The best catching water is out of sight of your vehicle - horror of horrors!
.. Guides spurn the place. Internet forums tell and retell tales of once visited - twice shy experiences. After all, the glory of fishing in Yellowstone National Park is narrated in terms of waters adjacent to the roads. We're pleased that this is the case.
.. The cosmopolitan fishers write the books and articles. They go where others have gone. They relate the same stories of the same places and vicariously wade in the footfalls of long dead authors and current celebrities. [Hint: rivers do change!]
.. We catch hell every time we make mention of the neighborhood fishing holes. Rightly so! This is a bit of paradise that requires intimacy. It's not a simple fishery. You don't just show up and catch.
.. Walking is required, (a tough task for aged legs,) but it's worth it. Frequent visitation will allow an understanding of the personality of the meadows and their waters. Wet years are best - for fish, fishers, and mosquitoes. The holes are darker: the willows thicker, the visitors fewer.
.. Experts and authors become instant novices in the face of the six little creeks in this basin. After all they only have a few hours to visit. Guides can't brag about the number and size of their mosquito bites. Feather merchants haven't developed the "perfect fly" for these waters. It's just a wasteland.
.. Campanula, Cougar, Duck, Gneiss, Maple, & Richards Creeks are not storied in "THE LITERATURE."
.. The fish that are caught are small and few - so say the visiting fishers. They probably never caught a fish in Gneiss Creek or, for that matter, Maple Creek. Not in the legends! Too hard! Too small! How many springs dot the shores of the creeks? Not mentioned in the guide books! How about the beaver ponds on Richards Creek? Where?
.. We spent the weekend on the edge of the bear closure. There was rain each morning, and on & off all day each and every day. The mosquitoes loved it. We caught some fish. We reported a 13" tagged rainbow.
.. We can't wait until the September, 30th opening of Area "B": then we can visit the springs and swamps, and pools, and snags, and mosquitoes, along Richards Creek. It should be just in time for some submarines. But, you didn't hear it here!
.. Appearing below is a little video compiled in the dark of night. A warning to the adventurous: stay out of this wasteland. You have to abandon your car and walk to the catching!

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