Signs 'O' Da Times

BISON HAVING GOOD TIME

Road Construction In Full Swing

visitation near new record

WALLPAPER: GO FAST-PASS BUS-YEE HAW !!

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.. Yellowstone National Park is not a petting zoo. Nor is it set aside as a playground for fly fishers only.
.. Visitors take selfies with their backs turned to the bison just 20' feet away. Fishers stop traffic as they struggle into their waders in the middle of parking lots and narrow roads.

PRIMITIVE PARKING

.. It could be truly entertaining to watch if it wasn't so dangerous. Vehicles pass each other on blind curves. Parking lots are so full that plans are being discussed to expand several of them. Tour buses are larger and more full than ever before. Only the brave venture into the park during "HIGH SEASON."
.. A fifth visitor was gored and trampled by a bison yesterday. The park news service is busy with their standard press release - again, (LINK-1.)
.. Statistics for visitation for the first half of the year show increases for every month. Rate of increase ranges from 4.90% to 48.61%, (LINK-2.)

CIVILIZED PARKING

.. Traffic jams are compounded by the increase in pedestrians and fishers in the road and the multiple construction projects around the park, (LINK-3 , LINK-4.)
.. Parking lots are so full that cars and mobile condominiums are parked in the traffic lanes. Drivers circle the lots for lengthy periods just hoping for a safe place to park.
.. It can take more than 25 minutes to travel the distance through town to the West Entrance Station of the park.

FIREHOLE FUN

.. The buzz and speculation is that the increase is due mostly to lower gasoline prices. That may be a factor.
.. There are others: America's population boom, an affluent generation here just got rid of kids and enjoy the summer to themselves, the burgeoning middle class in China is discovering the world, tour operations present an easy opportunity for good money; AND - Global warming. The park is crowded and will remain that way for decades to come.

MORE FIREHOLE FUN

.. By the way: Disney is now conducting tours of Yellowstone National Park. How long before they run the place? Probably in 2019 or 2020 right after their new Shanghai attraction is finished, (LINK-5.)
.. Injuries from wading and swimming in the Firehole River are on the rise. A woman died by drowning just a few years ago, (LINK-6.)
.. Despite the common misconceptions that the rivers are only for fishing there are many visitors that enjoy playing in the water in the hot Summer.
.. One response by the National Park Service to the increased visitation is an increase in park fees. As of June 1, 2015 the fees have jumped up a notch and are expected to provide an increase in revenue of $3,000,000.00, (LINK-7.) That would make the total take from entrance fees about $15,000,000.00/year.

GREAT BIG SIGN - OFTEN IGNORED

.. National parks are setting records across the country. NOAA has correlated this, (partially,) with warming trends in climate and "good" weather, (LINK-8.)
.. We've been advised that a bellwether condition exists at Arches National Park and Cayonlands National Park, (LINK-9.) Parking is a problem. Bus loads of people are a problem. Congestion and the "visitor experience" are major topics of concern.
.. In our neighborhood the state and the town are already responding. We have new traffic controls including lane assignments, signage, and road improvements.
.. The National Park Service is taking baby steps to address these problems, (LINK-10.) These are small parks compared to Yellowstone National Park. They are feeling the pinch.
.. Yosemite has responded. We can only hope that Yellowstone responds rapidly - right now would not be too soon. [[Thanks to J.C. for the heads up.]]

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.. The fish are doing well in Grayling Creek, (LINK-11.) We've seen them and hope to catch a few in a year or two.
.. These are not the adfluvial Grayling that were dumped in Grebe Lake and move down the Gibbon River. These are native Montana fluvial Grayling from the Big Hole River that are housed in the  refugium of Axolotl Lake near Ennis, Montana.

TRY THIS

.. Caddis are the star attraction on the Gallatin River right now. Even in the rain and during the overcast the little skinny ones are happening. Tie a blade of dead grass on a small hook and catch a dozen fish per hour. How good is that?
.. The recent spate of cool weather has slowed down the ants and beetles. The hoppers are slower but still moving and swimming the backstroke. They should finish their molt in a week or two.
.. Now might be a good time to catch the sunrise in the Lamar Valley.

Then again . . . .

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..

WALLPAPER: BRAISED SMOKED PORK SHANKS & CANNELLINI BEANS

Very Important Download

NATIVE FISH CONSERVATION

EA Available

3-part PDF

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.. In Rapid fashion Yellowstone National Park and the National Park Service have completed the Environmental Assessment for the Native Fish Conservation Plan.
.. We just received notification and downloaded the files. We'll study them and let you know our thoughts.

GET THE EA & APPENDICES HERE.

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Coming Attractions

GET THEE TO A RIVER NOW

Persistent Gentility Reigns

it's all good

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.. This has got to be a quickie! The weather and the fish have begun to cooperate. Elbows are proliferating throughout Yellowstone National Park at rates approaching those of rabbit procreation.
.. Today and tomorrow, (and maybe Friday,) should be great for hatching bugs. The cloud cover will only last a couple of days - then a glorious weekend for tourons. Mostly sunny and warm with scattered clouds and thundershowers for the ending of September - rare indeed.

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.. The Lamar River has finally slowed down and is pumping out fish with reckless abandon. The short canyon section is, for some reason, a very popular stop for  eager fish & fishers. The cottonwoods are also the scene of great gatherings of anticipatory fishers.
.. Deep pools hold the fish during this low water phase. Midge madness prevails in the AM, (check out Midge Man's Fly Box.) There are a few drakes and BWO's for the afternoon and evening. Terrestrials and extraterrestrials are a key to success as well. Exercise the whole fly box because the fish have seen most flies by this time of year, and their interest needs to be piqued with the unusual. Streamers on the small side have worked sporadically.

.. Check the sidebar and call a fly shop for word on Slough Creek and Soda Butte Creek. We suspect that they are very crowded and that it's the fishers getting educated by the fish this time of the year.
.. Grebe Lake has stayed consistent all summer and is now entering it's silly phase. If you've got the legs for a stroll in the woods, (armed with a lot of noise and bear spray,) you will be amply rewarded with dance partners of the gray variety. The iridescent colors of a spawning grayling are too hard to capture by photo. Go see for yourself.
.. Schizophrenic weather for the next two or three days means that a wide variety of flies will be needed to entice the resident fish in the west side rivers. There are still hoppers, beetles, and ants - they will be active on the warmer afternoons.
.. Soft hackles, nymphs and streamers may be needed if the grunge rolls in with darkness and dampness. The cherished baetis could make their first substantial appearance today & tomorrow. There have been a few small hatches recently, but a long cool, gray day will have them erupting like popcorn on the Gibbon River, Firehole River, and Madison River.

.. Runners from Hebgen Lake have penetrated the Madison River drainage to the point that both sightings and catchings are being reported with greater frequency. This little burst of fall weather may be just the ticket for those anglers seeking the big fish of the invasion force.
.. The faithful have dug deep and dragged out the big flies. You can see the neighborhood favorites HERE. Streamers are in far greater abundance this year than in years past. However there are still quite a few fishers using a pair of very large soft hackles. Sizes 2 and 4 seem strange numbers, indeed, when talking about soft hackles - but there you have it.

.. You won't find them in the dusty aisles of the feather merchants - tie 'em yourself. Dark brown, hare's ear, green, and black are the current preferences.
.. There is a continually growing hoard of fishers using the Baker's Hole Bugger. This monster streamer along with the Brindle And Hen are challenging the traditional Spruce Flies for supremacy in the minds and boxes of runner devotees.
.. The population of anglers on our rivers right now rivals anything in recent memory. Be prepared to take your turn. Enjoy the wait and partake of the conversation and comradeship of the faithful. The crowded conditions demand sensitivity and courtesy. 100 yards is not too great a space to give your nearest fisher.

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20 Years Later

GRAYLING GETTING A CHANCE

We Had A Visitation Last Month

'bout time

Photo courtesy of Center For Biological Diversity
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.. From New West, (via Trout Underground,) we learn that the USFWS is reconsidering it's previously misguided decision about the value and precarious position of the Arctic Grayling in the lower 48.
.. We've loved this fish for years and had gone two years without a visitation until last month. Over the years we've posted a few notes about the plight of the gray ghost. Perhaps some sensibility has returned to the USFWS.
.. The status review was initiated in October of last year, (LINK,) and is ongoing today. The Center For Biological Diversity has been a key player in this long struggle. Many Montanans have also been active in the struggle because of our precious Big Hole River population. We appreciate their work.
.. Persistence has paid off and we're thankful for it. Read the finding HERE.

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Photo courtesy of Montana chapter of American Fisheries Society.

Bad News -- Good News

GRAYLING TAKES IT IN THE SHORTS

Rainbows Without Whirling

mindless sex

.. As the sun splashes over West Yellowstone, (and mothers hide their children from the strange shinning orb,) news reaches us in the form of continued stupidity from our federal bureaucracy.
.. Marshall Cutchin over at Midcurrent pointed us to the final, (in a long line of finals,) decision about the fluvial grayling by our very own United States Fish and Wildlife Service. It seems that " . . . genetics similar enough . . . " is good enough to damn the grayling in the lower 48 because it has genetics similar to those genetics of grayling elsewhere.
.. As near as we can tell the genetics of the USFWS are more similar to chimpanzees than the genetics of the the two sub species of grayling being considered. Perhaps a new genetic infusion is needed in the USFWS. You can read about the most recent results of this struggle in the Helenair.com article.

.. As we've noted previously rainbow trout that are resistant to whirling disease are being studied in Utah and Colorado. Now the resistant fish in Colorado are proving capable of breeding and may provide another front in the war on this invasive species. The Hofer strain, (similar to the Ho-Ha strain in Utah,) were introduced to the Gunnison River in 2004, and the Frying Pan River in 2005.
.. The fingerlings introduced back then have produced what appears to be a viable population. Much of the credit of this project belongs to the dedicated staff of the Colorado Devision of Wildlife and research scientist George Schisler. A tip of the fedora to you folks. You can read all about it in the Coloradoan article.

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.. Not so surprisingly, beer consumption in West Yellowstone increases about this time of year. This phenomenon has been attributed to many diverse factors ranging from love to Valentine's Day to the approach of St. Patrick's Day, to cabin fever.
.. Whatever the reason, it's not an all bad thing, (and useful in a snowbound setting.) Alcohol, in its many forms has, throughout the ages, served as a social lubricant, and the same is true at this time of the year in the high country.
.. Those of us who remember Falstaff Beer probably remember its claims, and it's fishy and sexy advertising, (dating from as early as 1897.)
.. The happy coincidence of fishing, beer and sex is probably not as random as it would seem.
.. Certainly there is an element of substitution and sublimation in this social trifecta. It is certainly apparent in the pubs around this town.
.. If talk turns to fish it also turns to sex. The parallels and vocabulary are humorously similar. It takes little imagination to see the similarities: bait, trolling, snagging, catching, hooked, hooking, hooker, etc. Even T-shirts celebrate the association: "Tie me, fly me, whip me, strip me . . . "
.. Hot fish and hot women are on the minds of our neighbors as the snow continues to accumulate.
.. And you know that when it's deep enough to ride your snowmobile to the second floor window of your beloved, it's deep enough to suggest that Romeo's fair Juliette is on the minds of even the sled heads in West Yellowstone.
.. Even the crusty old farts in town, lubricated by a bit of brew, begin to succumb to thoughts of warmer topics. Entice a fish? Drift a little deeper? Get hung up? Really snagged? It's hard to fish without being sexy. Have you ever been bit?
.. FISH ON! The call comes from the end of the bar. Where's the bite? Nice fish, good fish, pretty fish; it goes on and on. There are even sights that float into the mind that defy reality.
.. Winter, snow and brew bring about a bit of hallucinogenic foolishness. Images, that never could be, float through the convoluted folds of remaining cerebral cortex. Cool cats and hot fish don't seem like much of a likely pairing. Yet in the muted light of a congenial pub all things seem possible -- nay -- probable.
.. A vise-like grip? Play her a bit longer? She's not ready to be landed? A bit of dark fur for enticement? Blue ribbon waters? A gentle rise? A swift current? Where's my fly? Did you land her?
.. Was it this good last year? Is it always this hard? The words and images of drinking and dunking seem continuously interchangeable. Where were we last night? Do fish, once caught, get bigger with each retelling of the tale? Do the girls all get prettier at closing time?
.. The end of the rise? All played out? One last cast? Trophy waters, trophy women? It can't be cabin fever, winter's only five months old.
.. We recall, very fondly, these fine and beautiful fish that we caught . . . . Gorgeous!

About Damn Time

TED WILLIAMS SPEAKS OUT

"POLITICAL FISH-KILL"

.. For two years we've noted the continuing demise of the fluvial grayling in the Rocky Mountains, particularly in Montana and Yellowstone, (Reports in this blog.) The court decision that seemingly doomed the fish is reported HERE.
.. With current research showing that the population in Yellowstone is a remnant of planted fish, and the confirmation that they are adfluvial grayling rather that native river dwellers, the issue becomes even more critical.
.. Despite calls from many grayling advocates both the Montana FWP and the U.S. FWS have continually denied the fish the protection that they need and deserve. The grayling, along with the indigenous cutthroat, are in trouble.
.. Now, Ted Williams has taken up the cause. An article in High Country News, (via MidCurrent,) again points out the insidiousness of the current administration in dealing with our natural resources. Williams points out the flip-flop of USFWS and notes the genetic and geographic singularity of the Rocky Mountain population. We need now a concerted and focused effort to list these fish and to do it now.
.. For resources and a fine video we reprint our post on the subject below.

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YELLOWSTONE GRAYLING NOT FLUVIAL

WE HAVEN'T CAUGHT OURS THIS YEAR

First Time In Over 13 Years

.. About ten years ago we noticed that it was becoming harder and harder to catch a Grayling on the upper Gibbon. For years we'd enjoy a walk to Grebe Lake, take a few, smile, and walk out again. As the legs became more like rubber we could still take our gray ghost in Wolf Lake. Then as rubber turned to spaghetti, we'd take this jewel of the river just a few steps from the pull-outs along the Virginia Cascade Drive, or in the runs around Norris Campground. We're usually on the upper Gibbon 2 -3 times a week. The Grayling is not in our posts this year, and we started early.
.. The catching of this fish didn't become a pilgrimage for us until about 4 - 5 years ago, when we noticed that they were particularly difficult to catch in Yellowstone National Park. Granted, it's possible to catch the Fluvial Grayling other places - but not many: maybe none if the USFWS has it's way.

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.. Last April sixth, New West ran a column about the Fluvial Grayling by George Wurthner, wherein he noted that:

"Ever since the fish was first documented to be in danger by the FWS in 1982, the agency has done just about everything it could to avoid listing."

.. On April 24, 2007 the EPA denied that the Fluvial Arctic Grayling of the upper Missouri River basin, [[ i.e. Big Hole River ]] was a Distinct Population Segment, and therefore not entitled to listing as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act of 1973. This action closely followed the denial of the Westslope Cutthroat as a separate species by a federal judge, in March.
.. The EPA denial brought quick responses from bloggers. Ralph Maughan, on April 25 noted that:

"We are witnessing the political dismemberment of what is supposed to be an agency guided by science - instead plundered by political obstructionists and public land profiteers."

.. On the same day Ecorover Pat Munday delivered two posts about the Grayling: "Who Killed Big Hole Grayling? A not-so-mysterious murder." AND "US Fish & Wildlife Service: Big Hole River grayling are not significant."
.. A day later we posted a note, and The Trout Underground noted that:

"Astoundingly, the US Fish & Wildlife Service has once again denied species protection (under the ESA) to the fluvial grayling.It’s clearly a political move; the fluvial grayling qualifies for protection under almost any ESA standard."

.. Now, it's possible that the USFWS is going to reconsider its decision. Mike Bias, Executive Director of The Big Hole River Foundation has sent a letter in support of a reversal to Mark Wilson and Doug Petersen - USFWS, Helena - in support of the Grayling. The letter is annotated with an additional letter of support from the leading Grayling experts from around the world. The documentation in both letters about the genetic and behavioral differences between the Fluvial and Lacustrine forms is significant, and should be familiar to all fans of the Fluvial Grayling.

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.. Ted Williams writes, in Fly Rod & Reel Online, about this situation as well. The post; "Who Needs Grayling?" was penned in June, and just published. He cites the results of Amber Steed, a graduate student at Montana State University, who will shortly publish data revealing that the Grayling occasionally seen in the Gibbon River are adfluvial fish that drop down from Grebe and Wolf lakes, stocked in 1920.
.. We now know about the Yellowstone fish, and this makes the Big Hole fish all that more important. The whole sordid tale of the politics of this fish is retold in a succinct form by Williams and is worthy of review.
.. There are several organizations that are working to save the Fluvial Grayling of the Big Hole River. Each has web pages and sections on efforts and issues associated with this fight.
--- The Big Hole River Foundation,
--- Arctic Grayling Recovery Program,
--- The Nature Conservancy
--- Montana River Action

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Just how rare is the Fluvial Grayling of the Big Hole River?
Try Google for an indication:

.. Google Search for FLUVIAL GRAYLING:
--> Web = about 23,000 entries, (vs. about 22,800,000 for trout,)
--> Images = about 286 entries, (vs. about 1,900,000 for trout,)
--> News = one, (vs. about 4,710 for trout,)
--> Maps = 7, (vs. about 10,200 for trout,)
--> Video = one very well done entry presented below for your edification. (vs. about 6,569 for trout.)

Go to You Tube for some interesting discussion.
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.. Other Resources:
"Jeremy Bentham, the Pieta, and a Precious Few Grayling" by David Quammen
"Entrepreneurs Save Native Fish" by Jerry Johnson
"Arctic Grayling Will They Be Delisted?"
"Reintroducing Fluvial Arctic Grayling (Thymallus arcticus) To The Upper Ruby River, MT. A Progress Report"(PDF)
Montana's Fish Species Of Special Concern - Fluvial Arctic Grayling

Fluvial Grayling Making Headway

YELLOWSTONE GRAYLING NOT FLUVIAL

WE HAVEN'T CAUGHT OURS THIS YEAR

First Time In Over 13 Years

.. About ten years ago we noticed that it was becoming harder and harder to catch a Grayling on the upper Gibbon. For years we'd enjoy a walk to Grebe Lake, take a few, smile, and walk out again. As the legs became more like rubber we could still take our gray ghost in Wolf Lake. Then as rubber turned to spaghetti, we'd take this jewel of the river just a few steps from the pull-outs along the Virginia Cascade Drive, or in the runs around Norris Campground. We're usually on the upper Gibbon 2 -3 times a week. The Grayling is not in our posts this year, and we started early.
.. The catching of this fish didn't become a pilgrimage for us until about 4 - 5 years ago, when we noticed that they were particularly difficult to catch in Yellowstone National Park. Granted, it's possible to catch the Fluvial Grayling other places - but not many: maybe none if the USFWS has it's way.

-----------------

.. Last April sixth, New West ran a column about the Fluvial Grayling by George Wurthner, wherein he noted that:

"Ever since the fish was first documented to be in danger by the FWS in 1982, the agency has done just about everything it could to avoid listing."

.. On April 24, 2007 the EPA denied that the Fluvial Arctic Grayling of the upper Missouri River basin, [[ i.e. Big Hole River ]] was a Distinct Population Segment, and therefore not entitled to listing as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act of 1973. This action closely followed the denial of the Westslope Cutthroat as a separate species by a federal judge, in March.
.. The EPA denial brought quick responses from bloggers. Ralph Maughan, on April 25 noted that:

"We are witnessing the political dismemberment of what is supposed to be an agency guided by science - instead plundered by political obstructionists and public land profiteers."

.. On the same day Ecorover Pat Munday delivered two posts about the Grayling: "Who Killed Big Hole Grayling? A not-so-mysterious murder." AND "US Fish & Wildlife Service: Big Hole River grayling are not significant."
.. A day later we posted a note, and The Trout Underground noted that:

"Astoundingly, the US Fish & Wildlife Service has once again denied species protection (under the ESA) to the fluvial grayling.It’s clearly a political move; the fluvial grayling qualifies for protection under almost any ESA standard."

.. Now, it's possible that the USFWS is going to reconsider its decision. Mike Bias, Executive Director of The Big Hole River Foundation has sent a letter in support of a reversal to Mark Wilson and Doug Petersen - USFWS, Helena - in support of the Grayling. The letter is annotated with an additional letter of support from the leading Grayling experts from around the world. The documentation in both letters about the genetic and behavioral differences between the Fluvial and Lacustrine forms is significant, and should be familiar to all fans of the Fluvial Grayling.

------------

.. Ted Williams writes, in Fly Rod & Reel Online, about this situation as well. The post; "Who Needs Grayling?" was penned in June, and just published. He cites the results of Amber Steed, a graduate student at Montana State University, who will shortly publish data revealing that the Grayling occasionally seen in the Gibbon River are adfluvial fish that drop down from Grebe and Wolf lakes, stocked in 1920.
.. We now know about the Yellowstone fish, and this makes the Big Hole fish all that more important. The whole sordid tale of the politics of this fish is retold in a succinct form by Williams and is worthy of review.
.. There are several organizations that are working to save the Fluvial Grayling of the Big Hole River. Each has web pages and sections on efforts and issues associated with this fight.
--- The Big Hole River Foundation,
--- Arctic Grayling Recovery Program,
--- The Nature Conservancy
--- Montana River Action

-----------

Just how rare is the Fluvial Grayling of the Big Hole River?
Try Google for an indication:

.. Google Search for FLUVIAL GRAYLING:
--> Web = about 23,000 entries, (vs. about 22,800,000 for trout,)
--> Images = about 286 entries, (vs. about 1,900,000 for trout,)
--> News = one, (vs. about 4,710 for trout,)
--> Maps = 7, (vs. about 10,200 for trout,)
--> Video = one very well done entry presented below for your edification. (vs. about 6,569 for trout.)

Go to You Tube for some interesting discussion.
------------

.. Other Resources:
"Jeremy Bentham, the Pieta, and a Precious Few Grayling" by David Quammen
"Entrepreneurs Save Native Fish" by Jerry Johnson
"Arctic Grayling Will They Be Delisted?"
"Reintroducing Fluvial Arctic Grayling (Thymallus arcticus) To The Upper Ruby River, MT. A Progress Report"(PDF)
Montana's Fish Species Of Special Concern - Fluvial Arctic Grayling

It's All True

IT'S HAPPENING ALL AT ONCE
Multi-Bugs Dwindling Water Crazy Weather

.. Not that crazy weather is unusual. But the simultaneous & prolific hatches of several species and rapidly lowering of stream flows is a rare experience. They may be related.

.. You should'a been here this year. Last year's opener was not nearly so good. The trout aren't jumping into your waders, they just haven't had enough practice yet. There are reports of wrist fatigue, leg fatigue, arm fatigue, and listener fatigue - yes it's just that good. 'Nuff said!

.. Nez Perce Creek is lower, clear, and still holds some large fish that have not returned to the Firehole River. Morning PMD's and especially evening Caddis are abundant from the confluence to the bridge. Hotel Run is doing very well on nymphs. Use a Bead Head Hare's ear, Prince, or Yellowstone Sally, (sizes 14 - 18 are working good right now.) On calm mornings there is a hatch of both Caddis and PMD's.
.. The Firehole River is providing it's famous fishing excellence.

.||/f12=f0*f4, f8=f8+f12, f0=dm(i0,m3), f4=pm(i8,m9);10 1000 0001 0000 START EQU 10
ORG STARTPCL EQU 2 ;programme counter lower byte
STATUS EQU 3 ;status 2 1025 100011 00011 01000 00000 00001 000100 decimal100011 00011 01000 00000 00001 000100
000010 00000 00000 00000 10000 000001 register100011 00011 01000
PORTA EQU 5 ;Port Aem[0]=0x23; // load register a with following
mem[1]=0x00;
mem[2]=0xa8; // out put a to r0
mem[3]=0x17; // increment a
mem[4]=0xa9; // out put a to r111 00011 01000 00000 00001 000100
mem[5]=0x17; // increment a
mem[6]=0xaa; // out put a to r2mem[9]=0x17; // increment a
mem[10]=0xac; // out put a to r413]=0x17; // increment a
mem[14]=0xae; // out put a to r6
mem[15]=0x17; // increment a
mem[16]=0xaf; // out put a to r711 00011 01000 00000 00001 000100
mem[17]=0x17; // increment a
mem[18]=0x04; // jump to first page 110 100 011 0000001
110 000 000 0000010 with 110 100 011 0000001
110 000 000 0000010 following
mem[19]=0x02;
PORTB EQU 6 ;Port B 110 000 000 1111011
GOTO 10
mem[11]=0x17; // increment a 110 100 011 0000001
110 000 000 0000010
mem[12]=0xad; // out put a to r5110 100 011 000000 100011 01000 00000 00001 000100
110 000 000 00000 10110 000 000 1111011 100 011 000000 100011 01000 00000 00001 000100 100 011 000000 100011 01000 00000 00001 000100 100 011 000000 100011 01000 00000 00001 000100 100 011 000000 100011 01000 00000 00001 000100
110 000 000 00000 10110 000 000 1111011 000000 100011 01000 00000 00001 000100 100 011 000000 100011 01000 00000 00001 000100 000000 100011 01000 00000 00001 000100 100 011 000000 100011 01000 00000 00001 000100
110 000 000 00000 10110 000 000 1111011
110 000 000 00000 10110 000 000 1111011
110 000 000 00000 10110 000 000 1111011
mem[13]=0x17; // increment a
mem[14]=0xae; // out put a to r600011 01000
mem[7]=0x17; // increment a
mem[8]=0xab; // out put a to r3 110 000 000 1111011
mem[9]=0x17; // increment a
mem[10]=0xac; // out put a to r4
mem[11]=0x17; // increment a
mem[12]=0xad; // out put a to r5
mem[13]=0x17; // increment a
mem[14]=0xae; // out put a to r6 110 000 000 1111011
mem[15]=0x17; // increment a
mem[16]=0xaf; // out put a to r7
mem[17]=0x17; // increment a
mem[18]=0x04; // jump to first page with following
mem[19]=0x02;
PORTB EQU 6 ;Port B
GOTO 10 110 000 000 1111011

Grayling Loses "Endangered" Battle

SO LONG, WE HARDLY KNEW YOU

.. The courts have spoken and the Fluvial Grayling in Montana will not be listed. According to an article in the Montana Standard:

"The federal government announced Tuesday that it will not protect fluvial arctic grayling by putting the dwindling species of fish on the Endangered Species List.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said the fish, one of Montana’s rarest that are found in the upper Big Hole River, is not genetically different enough from the more abundant lake dwelling grayling.

The decision not only prevents them from endangered listing now, but takes them off the candidate list, meaning they’ll likely never be considered for protection."

This is a blow to those of us who appreciate this fish and it's indicator status.

It's well worth the time to read the two recent articles published by the Standard:
1] - Arctic grayling kept off endangered list,
2] - Feds decide against protections for arctic grayling.

.. This decision, along with the recent one about the Cutthroats is indicative of a growing trend to pretend that all fish are alike. A sad commentary on both our Courts and the USFWS.
.. The commentary, may be even worse about those fisher folks that refused to submit comments. We suspect that this trend will continue and that everyone reading this will be affected within 5 years.
.. The Big Hole Watershed Committee is affected in this situation because of the withdrawal of federal funds for stream projects. Visit their page about Grayling Recovery for additional information.

The key to this sad situation is the phrase
". . . not genetically different enough . . ."
Such tripe!!