Just A Little Bit . . .

OF RAIN

Of Snow

of catching fish

FINALLY: EMERGENCE OF THE KITCHEN GARDEN

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.. Our typical Spring mix of rain and snow and hail and graupel is continuing. The kitchen garden is exposed and there is some green from new rhubarb leaves and old strawberry plants.

NEARLY CONVERTIBLE WEATHER

.. Cleanup will wait for another 10 days or so depending on Zeus. The onion sets and other seeds are here and bursting their packets to get in the ground.
.. The neighbors, (those with multiple vehicles,) have rolled out the summer cars and are anticipating the opening of Yellowstone National Park.
.. By the bye: opening day for the West Entrance is April 19, 2019. You can watch the hoards on the West Entrance webcam HERE. The OLD FAITHFUL streaming webcam is RIGHT HERE.

URINE STAINED WOLF

.. For some strange reason the Madison River between Quake Lake and Ennis is surprisingly clear. Even the silt plumes from the West Fork are only lightly stained.
.. Fishers of the lowland river are floating and wading and doing well. With subsurface visibility up to 4' the big nymphs with heavy leaders are choking the gullible trout.

THE SNORTLE

.. This is the time of year that fisher folk begin to think of some salmon flies. They really should be fishing the nymphs. As the water warms and rises the triggers for movement are engaged.
.. Both the Rosy Wolfee and the Snortle have been excellent producers with a deep drift from the boat.

GREEN GOLD MATUKA

.. The wade fishers are still doing well with rapidly , (downstream,) stripped streamers. Aim for the eddy water by large rocks and boulders. A Matuka of your favorite dark olive color is a good bet.

SPARSE DARK SPRUCE

.. Up here there is still a bit of snow on the ground. It has not stopped the energetic neighbors from testing the waters of Quake Lake near the outlet.
.. Gingerly navigate the boulder field to the water's edge. Rig up a short stout leader and sink tip. Big streamers with big nymph followers will jiggle your chain and clicker.

BEAD BELLY WORM

.. San Juan Worms are excellent in the protected current swirls near the shoreline right at the outlet. WATCH YOUR FOOTING!
.. Two of the strong legged neighbors took sleds close to the South Fork Estuary and post holed their way to the water's edge.
.. Snakes of the spawned out variety were encountered. A couple were brought to hand and quickly released. There is still some color left in the fish but not much fight. Wait a couple of weeks for this part of the neighborhood.

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.. The Post Office is crowded with the folks of the dalliance persuasion. Today's postmark is required or your tax filing is deemed late.
.. The coffee is gone. The dishes are done. The errands are run. The couch and a day of binge watching beckon. Just what, will come to us.

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WALLPAPER:  FOLD OR, ROLL YOUR OWN CREPES

Be Bear Aware

ON THE MADISON

Or Near Enough

escaped one

RIGHT THAARRRE !

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.. It's in the news. You can read about a summer resident that was attacked by a grizzle bear. Knocked down. Used a quick draw technique for bear spray while face down with the bear on his back.
.. Sprayed the bear. The bear left.

NEWS RELEASE . . .  courtesy FWP

  A 17 year-old male was attacked by a bear south of Ennis on Sunday. He fortunately survived the attack with relatively minor injuries.
  The teen and his family were visiting their cabin in Wolf Creek, about 30 miles south of Ennis, on the east side of the Madison Valley. He was out looking for shed antlers in the area.
  According to the teen, he was walking down a hill around 2 p.m. when he heard a “thump” behind him.
  He turned around to see a bear charging at him. The teen was carrying bear spray, but he was unable to deploy it immediately because of the bear’s rapid approach. The bear pushed him up against a tree and held him there momentarily.
  When the bear let go, the teen fell over and attempted to crawl between two trees and protect his head and vitals. The bear then pinned him face-down on the ground.
  The teen, who was wearing a hoodie and a backpack, said he was able to reach over his shoulder and spray the bear with bear spray, and the bear left.
  The young man began walking out and made radio contact with his family. He was treated for his injuries at Madison Valley Medical Center and later released.

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.. We're under a "Hydrologic Alert." & a "Winter Storm Warning."That just means that the current wet stuff coming down is warm enough to enable some downstream flooding. Check it out HERE.

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WALLPAPER:  CINNAMON BREAD WITH ZANTE CURRANTS

A Lowland Migration

NEIGHBORS FLEEING

Runoff Increasing

green up progressing

WALLPAPER:  GREEN UP

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.. Way down yonder on the lowland Madison River, just as the runoff color becomes marginal, BWO's, Caddis, and Midges are frolicking like mad. It must be the weather.
.. This note has to be brief. Soon the rate of discharge and the color will turn the fishing to somewhere between normal & hit and miss.

CDC BWO   =   JUST RIGHT

.. Right now is prime catching time from Reynold's Pass all the way to Ennis, Montana. Best get your catch on and follow our neighbors to the Madison River.
.. Quake Lake to Lyon's is BWO country: not too big and not too small, (not too fat and not too thin,)  this is an A.M. thing right now, but not too early, (and not too late.)
.. All day for midges and stonefly nymphs. And, as we saw last week, the caddis are on time in the afternoon.

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.. Into the fray go the neighbors. We'll follow with a modicum of dignity = somewhat slothfully and wade some around the pass this afternoon.

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Skwala Sightings ??

HOW LOW TO GO ?

How High To Start ?

do you want them ?

WALLPAPER:  ENNIS:  A BUSTLING METROPOLIS

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.. Every now and again a bewildered visitor slides into the neighborhood pub.
.. Most are mercifully ignored. Some, on the other hand, 'squish' as they saunter around the smaller spaces and darker corners.

from MONTANA FIELD GUIDE

.. The 'squishers' are invited to a seat and are usually bought a beer. It's always a good thing to welcome exotic fisher folks.
.. How are things in the outside world? How did you get here? Why here and now? Bud Light? Oh well!
.. Our fishing prognostications are limited at this time of year to a few first hand reports from adventurous younger neighbors, fake news, and local gossip. Squishers are always most welcome.

.. This time we found out that the lowland rivers are clearing nicely and that the mysterious skwala has been sighted in Missoula, Bozeman, and just a bit south of Ennis. (Quite a bit ?)
.. Of course with the weekend coming up the young hearty group is gearing up for a safari into the warmth of the valley.  The Madison River valley that is.
.. The only species of skwala recognized in Montana is Skwala americana (American Springfly.)

from MONTANA FIELD GUIDE

.. There are two other recognized species in the U.S.A. They are sort of the red headed stepchild of entomologists and keep getting their names and classifications switched around.
.. They are less social than the giant salmonflies, (Pteronarcys californica,) but look similar in their adult form - just smaller.
.. Right now the nymph is of great interest to fly fishers. These are carnivorous nymphs. They prey on other neoteneous forms: caddis, midges, mayfly, etc.

GLITTER SHIMMER NYMPH

.. The midges have been especially prolific for the last couple of years.
.. The skwala population has profited from this. Get the right nymph imitation and catch a few fish.
.. The neighbors use a couple of favorite nymphs that we have mentioned before. The Snortle Nymph, (snortel, snortal, etc.,) and the Glitter Shimmer Nymph. Both of these are easy to tie. They can be weighted or not weighted. They can float if you like.
.. If you want to hedge your bets, tie your standard big stonefly nymph pattern in dark brown. It should do just fine.

SNORTLE NYMPH

.. The skwala safari is planned for tomorrow. Early enough to avoid a second pot of coffee is a good time. Late enough to fish the skwala migration is probably best.
.. Nymphal forms, (after a year long hemimetabolism,)  begin to move when the water temperature is warmed by the sun and is in the low to mid 40's.
.. They migrate to the shore and hang out for a spell, (dry wings and other such, don'tchaknow?)
.. By late afternoon all shenanigans have been completed: sometimes in flights but mostly in the fringe of veggies along the shore and in crevices and shingles.

MADAME  X

.. The females will fly to preferred water and lay their eggs on the water. Then they die and bob along enticing trout.
.. Should you choose to fish the females a squished flat, (darker the better,) Madame X will do wonders. Cast long and wiggly upstream and twitch a little on the way back home. Hang on.
.. It's quite a trek to the lower Madison River from this refuge up here. But, all of the ice is mostly gone and the sightings can't be just rumors  --  can they?

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.. We're going to have the second pot of coffee and some breakfast right after the safari departs.

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WALLPAPER:   CHORIZO CON PAPAS Y QUESO

A Week Of Warm

MOM, IT'S FEBRUARY

Slush Becomes You

fish hard now !!

WALLPAPER:  DEEP AND DRY

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.. The weather forecast has thrown us a snow slow ball. We're looking forward to a week of daytime temperatures in the mid, to upper 30's.
.. Around town the streets are either dry or full of slush. The town crews are finally cleaning up after the recent dump.
.. Within a day or two there will be roller skis and skateboards on the streets.

THE NEIGHBORS' RED WORM

.. Over the next week it will be tough for the tracked and skied tour buses to reach the West Entrance of Yellowstone National Park.
.. By Wednesday there will be a steady stream of our neighbors headed out of town to pester some fish. During the coming week there may be some flurries.
.. There may be some drizzle or real rain or sleet - YEE HAW. It will be warm!

BEAD HEAD SOFT HACKLE

.. We've gathered up a fine stash of flies that the neighbors have sent this way.
.. Some are experiments. Some are failures. Some are pretty flies that are readily recognizable. All will catch fish  --  especially in the winter.
.. Down canyon the Gallatin River is still giving up fish to some wildly stripped small streamers. Properly placed nymphs are becoming the standard fare. Fish the border areas between dark and bright water or, fish the undercut bank near bright water.

GRAY HAIRED PRINCE NYMPH

.. Way down low on the lowland Madison River there have been some errant winter hatches. Around Reynolds Pass and Three Dollar Bridge nymphs hold the day. The bright cloudless skies mitigate against success on the surface. Take a large assortment of your favorite soft hackle flies. Take a few classic nymphs and you can't go wrong.

THE SHUCKSTER

.. Off and on during the next week there will be gray days and your favorite midge cluster with a trailing cripple should be fun for folks that need to see their fly.
.. The fish are podded up and it takes some hoofing-it to find them. When you do, hold on, there could be a dozen within easy casting range.
.. Even during the blinding blizzard last week a couple of stalwart dudes went down between the lakes.

BULLHEAD DEER HAIR EGG

.. The spawners are up to Hebgen Dam and in a feisty mood. Giant flies are used and either floated through the dark water or, plunked down deep in the good gravels.
.. Redds are beginning to appear and should be avoided. Should you choose to fish this water please use heavy leaders, horse in the fish, scoop with a net, release quickly and forego the hero shots.
.. As soon as our wader patches dry we're off to the gentle and easily accessible Notellum Creek. First some chow.

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WALLPAPER:  DOUBLE DECK BLT & FRIES

Bucket List

THE LIFE LIST

We See It Each Summer

better get started 

Welcome to Montana

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.. It's most illuminating when the neighbors have a drop at the locals' pub.
.. Summer is on their minds and observations of visitors and their priorities become the entertaining fodder for conversation.
.. The following is the result:

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THE LIFE LIST

X - Graduate college
X - Get Masters degree
X - Job at Citigroup
X - Buy club membership
X - Buy BMW
X - Join church
X - Job at Wells Fargo
X - Buy wife a BMW
X - Send kids to private school
X - Buy summer home
X - Buy matched pair English shotguns
X - Job at Bank of America
X - Buy .416 Weatherby Magnum
X - Hunt Deer in Mexico
X - Buy house in Malibu
X - Buy yacht
X - Buy Mercedes
X - Hire chauffeur
X - Summit Kilimanjaro
X - Buy townhouse for work
X - Learn polo
X - Join third golf club
X - Summit Tetons
X - Buy ranch in Montana
X - Board position at JPMorgan Chase
X - Hunt doves in Mexico
X - Summit Everest
X - Buy ranch near Crawford Texas
X - Give kids houses
X - Buy Rolls Royce
X - Retire to Montana & Texas
X - Buy new pickup trucks
__- Learn fly fishing

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WALLPAPER:  COME SUMMER . . .

Diversions & Plans

ABOUT ONE WEEK TO GO

Indy 500

yellowstone opens for fishing

BEST WITH BUDS - OF BOTH KINDS

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.. It's that time of year. Hoards of visitors are already arriving in the neighborhood. They bemoan the gentle drizzle as if they would melt. We're loving it to death.
.. The Firehole River is cooling with the overcast and the manna from above. The runoff event, in the other neighborhood rivers, is slowly building to the supposedly "unfishable" stage.

PHEASANT AND BLUE

.. We've got some very large dark flies that cast both a shadow and produce a fine silhouette. It's not a secret. It takes fish. It takes time, patience, covering lots of water and lowered expectations in the numbers department. Size of fish is no problem.
.. The lowland Madison River is coloring up nicely and it takes a sage fisher and/or savvy guide to gather in the trout.
.. Right this instant there is about 3/4 mile of perfect conditions on the Gallatin River. It snuggles in between the northern boundary of Yellowstone National Park and the Taylor Fork. This is that section that the gentleman fishers in the region call too cold to fish. So be it.

Gift From Da Kids

.. The neighbors have migrated from the lake edge to the weed beds of the estuaries and the prominent points along the periphery of Horse Butte. Leeches and midges may seem to be a pair of strange bedfellows - works though!
.. We visited the relatives and caught a few fish on the Madison River below the dam at Ennis Reservoir. Burned up some high dollar beef, fortified ourselves with some vitamin "B", and soaked a bit in the drizzle. Not your typical tourist attraction day in the neighborhood.
.. We're planning for the exuberance of next weekend. A bit of couch time, some more grilled beef, additional vitamin enhancement, fish a little, watch the parade of automotive sameness, fish a bit more, and snooze some.
.. A blindingly strenuous weekend looms. We'll use this one to relax: fish a bit more and rest up for the foray into the social fishing scene on opening day in Yellowstone National Park.

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STILL MOTHER'S DAY ??

Mom's Hatch

TO THE LOWLANDS

Caddis Scarce

congestion abounds

MOM, HER DAY, TRAFFIC, ENNIS.

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.. We have heard about the prolific Mother's Day Caddis Hatch erupting on the lowland Madison River and, over the weekend, consumed some valuable petrol to investigate.
.. There were many fishers, (boats, tubes, wading.) Some caught fish. We caught fish. Saw a half dozen caddis flies in five hours. They are avoiding us.
.. Stopped to visit the feather merchants in Ennis. Elbows and knees punctuated the tight quarters and musty aisles. Information, conversation, and ambiance was dispensed freely. It was good.
.. Flows are picking up in the lowlands. Color is creeping into the water on the lowland Madison River. The silt load of the West Fork is beginning to make itself noticed. It brigs with it some fresh nutrients and bits of food. Fish figure it out about a week before the fishers. Flows have remained at seasonal levels.
.. It was one of our few excursions down below. It has it's rewards. It has it's drawbacks. The scenery is nice.

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.. Two weeks from today will have seen the hoards of fishers descend on the Firehole River in Yellowstone National Park.
.. The west side rivers in the park are just beginning to rise. Flows are up a bit and we are entering a runoff event. The Firehole River has spiked in the last two days to about 250 cfs above seasonal norms. It's still relatively clear and could be fished with success.
.. The Gibbon River has been running just above seasonal norms and just now is beginning to climb out of it's torpor. It is surprisingly clear, at the moment.
.. The Madison River has responded to the increase in flow by coming to the bank full stage. It's color is still on the light side and could be fished if it was open.
.. The next 15 days will find temperatures in the mid to high 60's and flows should increase on a daily basis. The warm weather will be accented by rain and even some overnight snows - all of which should contribute to the lovely colors in the rivers.
.. Over the last week the Gallatin River has gone from about 500 cfs to over 2,000 cfs. It will also climb over the next 15 days as well. It's upper reaches in Yellowstone National Park, and down to the Taylor Fork should remain clear enough to fish on opening day.
.. So far the rains have been scattered, ephemeral, light, and accompanied by scenic clouds and pleasant sunsets. We're enjoying it - for now.

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SPRING STORM OVER THE MADISON RIVER

Around Cameron - Or - Varney

BACK AT IT

Boyz Day Out

LOWLANDS HEATING UP

Real Baetids Sighted

pubs as crowded as fly shops

FLY SHOP SURROUNDED BY PUBS AND PICKUPS - HEAVEN?

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.. It's impossible to live in the high country and not envy the length of water-time availble to lowland fishers. We have heard rumors of the fun to be had: we went to investigate.
.. Right now the open portions of the lowland Madison River as well as the Gallatin River below Big Sky are providing storybook catching.

ON THE TOP

.. At even lower elevations the Yellowstone River, Missouri River and Big Spring Creek are about to enter the early season Valhalla, (the hall of the slain.)
.. Don't get your knickers in a bunch as you hurry to take advantage of the best kept open secret of the current weekend.
.. Yesterday gave forth with some perfect Spring weather. Snow, Hail, Graupel, and wind treated the high country while the lowlands enjoyed gray wet skies, variable breezes, occasional mixed precipitation, and stray beams of sunlight.
.. Who could ask for anything more? Certainly not the bugs or pub owners!


ON THE BOTTOM

.. There's no mystery here. Grab your spring fly box and head to the lowland river near you. Streamers will gather the big fellas on all the waters. Plonk them down and retrieve with rapid and intermittant strips. Three or four - wait - three or four more - you know how.
.. On the big water a Stonefly nymph can produce a submarine or two, (we find it hard to accept that it's early April and the folks down below are talking Stoneflies and Skwala's already.)

IN THE MIDDLE

.. On top and in the film you can pick your favorite spring mayfly. For the stealthy back eddy fisher there are midges galore and for those that would like to guess when the fish strikes, a bead head anything will grab the maw of trout in deep dark slicks and shadowed riffles. We don't say it often but, it's hard to miss right now.
.. Rubber pants and fingerless gloves seem to be de rigueur for the moment. The blustery weather can numb your various appendages rather quickly, (with all the catching to be had comes the attendant releasing.) For some appendages there's no suitable muff, however.
.. A couple of the neighbors have been plying the waters of Hebgen Reservoir. All of the tributary estuaries have pushed into the ice to the point that legal fishing can be had. Catching still runs hot and cold and is usually dependent on the intuition and experience of the angler. Right now the fish are podded-up along the edge of the ice and bits of flotsam are the general fare. A few reports of leaches are circulating in the pubs, (we do enjoy the gusto of pub tales.)
.. Tomorrow is another day. Back at it. The appendages have thawed.

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A WEE BIT OF GREEN ON THE BANKS OF THE LOWLAND MADISON RIVER