Filthy Lucre Wins

MSU DOWNWARD SPIRAL

Dark Ages Continue

get what you pay for

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.. As long as football clouds the minds of the Montana State University community, and as long as CTE appears to be migrating from football players to the university administration, Montana residents will continue to get their money's worth.
.. Waded Cruzado, president of MSU, has a salary ranked 167 out of 212 college presidents surveyed by the Chronicle of Higher Education, (LINK-1.)
.. Now she and her board and the state sponsored blind eye are allowing money, (again,) to win the battle against integrity that MSU continues to wage.
.. Greg Gianforte, (who believes dinosaurs lived with Adam and Eve just 4,000 years ago,) a candidate for governor of Montana has bought his name on a building at MSU for $8,000,000.00.
.. Students have challenged this action based on his support for hate groups, (LINK-2.) They feel that the naming would violate the values of the university and amount to an institutional level of acceptance of discrimination and hatred.
.. Cruzado and the board reject the students concerns out of hand and opt for money rather than integrity and the moral high ground.
.. This action is just the latest in a long list of how money rules over sanity and integrity in Montana. It seems that Gianforte and the citizens of Montana are both getting what they pay for.
.. See the video HERE. ==> The comments are worth the time!

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FISH SLAYER

Post Scriptum: Rain, on and off, continues along with slowly falling temperatures.
.. This is a sure sign that the faithful will enjoy good catching on both the Madison River and the Firehole River come Saturday.
.. Top water fishers will persist in the madness of seeking fish with specks of stuff that are invisible at a distance of twenty feet. Others will use the tried and true fish slayers of the Firehole.

MORNING GLORY

.. Connoisseurship and guru worship continue to govern the mindset of the hoards as they stream to the streams. With any luck at all there will be hatches of itty bittys to exploit. They shall be rewarded.
.. Hard as it is to distinguish a sipping trout from rain and hail pelting the water, it will serve the visitor well to pause and survey the stream before galumphing into the water - weather be damned.

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WALLPAPER:  BAD 4 U

Really ?

MONTANA BLOGCON

We're The Token Fisher

a pleasant escape to luxury

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.. So then; we've been invited.
.. We accepted. We're not sure what it's all about but we'll let you know.
.. Right now it's raining and we're headed out the door for some catching.

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Preview

THE COMING SUPER MOON

Where Will You Be ??

where will the fish be ??

Near Full: August 9, 2014 - 21:08:19 - West Yellowstone

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.. Depending upon where you are tomorrow night and the way that you set your clock, and depending on the cloud cover and local horizon, the moon should rise around seven or eight of the clock.
.. Here in West Yellowstone it's liable to be cloudy at the time of moon rise which is 8:23 PM, (7:23 PM for Luddites.) so we grabbed a quick snap of tonight's view.
.. Of all the super moons this year the one tomorrow night is rare in that it will be overhead coincident with it's absolute perigee.

TROUT MUNCHIES

.. It will look biggest when near the horizon and probably should best be photographed with a few trees or a building or two for accent. The twilight of dusk should provide some exceptional views for those shutter bugs who occasionally fly fish and take hero shots.
.. Native Americans of the upper Midwest and Northeast called this moon the "Sturgeon Moon." A good sign for catching that great fish. Closer to home the Lakota, Dakota, and Nakota named this the "Moon When All Things Ripen."
.. The neighbors that fish at night call it all manner of names depending on whether it helps or hurts the catching. Right now it is the blessed hopper moon or the great big beetle moon or the 'gonna' get 'em with a mouse moon.
.. Fishing in Yellowstone National Park is forbidden after sundown, (we certainly do miss the 10:00 PM closure.) There are nearby, happily, bits and pieces of good water that are in the State of Montana - with no closures for light or dark.
-- That's where we'll be tomorrow night.

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WALLPAPER: MOUSE FLY WITH RUSTY HOOK (OOPS)

Winter Wear

Annual Visitation

GOOD TO HAVE FRIENDS

Observing The Other Half

a day full of compromises

HEADED INTO THE FIREHOLE RIVER CANYON

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.. Yellowstone National Park is a fantastic place to visit. It's even more spectacular in winter. The sad thing is that the National Park Service limits visitation to the rich people of the world. It's not a place for leisurely enjoyment. It's a place for scripted tours in crowded vehicles. Or in groups of snowmobiles - pausing periodically to remove their helmets for a brief speech at a glorious location, (decided upon by the guide and the time available.)
.. Each tour costs $100.00 or more each day, (seven or so hours, plus park admission fees,) for each person in the family. Imagine the costs for a family of four from Cedar Rapid Iowa that would like to see Old Faithful, the falls at Canyon, and Mammoth Hot Springs = each one is a separate tour - plus transportation, lodging and food!

PERFECT TEMPERATURE

.. There is a stench of "Scalp Collecting" among many of the entitled visitors. There is recitations of the various other parks visited. Retelling of how many in the last week. How many in the next week. Strokes and folks - so be it.
.. The guides collect scalps too: "We saw a bobcat," "We saw 15 elk," "We saw some otters," "Giant erupted," etc. In this instance the seeing is the success. What would they do if they had to watch? Observe?
.. The tours can be a wonderful first experience for those who need an introduction to the park. It's not for in-depth enjoyment. It's not for contemplating the scenery or surroundings. It's not for waiting for the sun or animals to properly position themselves for photography or optimal viewing. It's certainly not for following your own interests or wanderlust.
.. We'd love to visit frequently in the winter. But at a hundred dollars per day, on a tour, it's just not feasible - or sensible - or a very attractive proposition. We are lucky enough to have some friends who guide the "swells" that  come to sample Yellowstone. On occasion they let us tag along. When we can; we do.

TOOK A COUPLE OF FISH HERE LAST YEAR

.. We like it when the temperatures become the topic of all-day conversations among the shivering visitors.
.. We take a few snapshots, look at places too far to visit on the "tour," and wonder at the policies of the NPS.
.. They seem to be held captive by the concessionaires making the $$$$ showing the elite a quick glimpse the park.
.. By the way, there are fish rising on the Gibbon River, Madison River, and the Firehole River. There are places where spawning activity is still happening and visible. The snow pack is not far below normal and the continued mild winter has the critters looking fit and healthy - unless they are being eaten by other critters.
.. We enjoy any opportunity to visit in the winter. We try hard not to be morose about the wasted opportunities to pause and reflect upon the place. We do our best to understand the compromises necessary to make money and not dally among the "lesser" wonders. We watch the rich folks at their "leisure" and listen to the various canned spiels delivered, with NPS tutelage,  by the guides leading their flocks through the approved attraction list.
.. We do heartily recommend that any first time winter visitor take a tour: if they can afford it. Otherwise there are other destinations in the winter where your time is your own and your experience is not sacrificed to that scripted by commercial interests.

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HEADED TO THE BARN - THE END OF A FRENETIC DAY

Another World

YOUR GEAR TOO EXPENSIVE ?

Frivolity Got You Down ?

just buy a $33,000,000.00 rug

THIS RUG ONCE LIVED IN MONTANA

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.. So your ancient bamboo rod cost $10,000 and it's only been lawn cast because you think you may damage it?
.. What if you had a hunk of cotton, wool, silk, goat berries, and camel dung on the floor of your palace? Would you walk on it? Even if it cost $33,700,00.00?
.. This Persian rug from the 17th century went for about $600,000.00 per square foot. That's about three times as much as the previous record for a rug at auction. The auction was held at Sotheby’s.
.. The rug is known as the Clark Sickle-Leaf Carpet and was once owned by Montana Billionaire industrialist and U.S. Senator William Clark. He got to Washington in the time-honored tradition of bribing the state legislature and was reputed to have said: "I never bought a man who wasn't for sale."
.. Mark Twain once said of Clark: "He is as rotten a human being as can be found anywhere under the flag; he is a shame to the American nation, and no one has helped to send him to the Senate who did not know that his proper place was the penitentiary, with a ball and chain on his legs. To my mind he is the most disgusting creature that the republic has produced since Tweed's time."
..Clark bought the rug on a trip to the Orient in the early 1900's and donated it, (posthumously,) to the Corcoran Museum in the US capital, Washington DC, in 1925.
.. The auction was won by a telephone bid and the suspicion is that the rug is about to be repatriated to the Orient.
.. This is a world absolutely unfamiliar to us. We fish our $100.00 rods, walk on our rugs, and have little to leave to any museum.
.. Then, again, there are "Fly Fishing Properties" going for that sum and more - perhaps some of the celebrity anglers that own them will leave them to the Museum of the Rockies in Bozeman for us all to enjoy.
Read about it:
-- William Andrews Clark,
-- Mail Online,
-- Washington Post, Valley News,
-- Nomad Rugs,
-- Nazmiyal Collection,

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WATCH THE BIDDING

..

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WALLPAPER: ORIENTAL RUG

Upland Float Trip

SOMETIMES THESE KIDS FISH

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It's Time For Ice

PUT ON THE WOOLIES

Hide Your Auger & Cooler

just a couple of prospecting days left

PREVIEW OF COMING ATTRACTIONS

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.. So it begins! The West Yellowstone/Hebgen Lake Tournament, is a NAIFC qualifier. It is a three-day event - February 1st through 3rd, 2013. Two-thirds education and one-third competition with a maximum entry of 150 two-persons teams. This year the WY/Hebgen Lake Tournament will have an anticipated prize pool of at least $14,000.00 and could be as high as $21,000.00. Plus there are cash payouts from the Calcutta Saturday night.

.. The town pubs have all gotten their teams preped and lubricated. One of the main features for the neighbors is the "BATTLE OF THE BARS." Prestige and quaffing rights will last until next year's tournament.
.. Local merchants are sponsoring teams from the neighborhood. Please note: a local team beat all the national contenders in last year's tourney. It may happen again this year. Wives and girlfriends, husbands and boyfriends, lovers and companions, are all being scorned and neglected during the final days of prospecting and preparation for the big event.

.. Scerecy is the big key. The neighbors borrow trucks so that they will not be recognized. They are wearing different clothing and hats that haven't been seen in decades. Some have shaved. Others have grown beards. Wigs and bandanas are used in the clandestine efforts to disguise who is fishing where. High-powered binoculars are essential equipment right now.
.. On a less furtive note: It's a big event for the neighborhood kids. The KIDS ICE FISHING CAMP provides instruction and free fishing gear for all the kids that show up on Saturday.

FROM THE POOP SHEET

Ice Camp consists of in-class and on-ice fishing tutorials delivered by experienced, DNR certified NAIFC Pro-Staff instructors. In addition to demonstrations of the latest techniques and sponsor provided equipment, the curriculum promotes safety, conservation and environmental stewardship. Sponsors provide equipment and prizes for the activity, and kids who sign up and participate receive complimentary ice rods and tackle (HT Enterprises supplied over 1,100 “free” rods to kids last year). Although Ice Camp is geared toward kids, all family members are encouraged to attend regardless of age. Introduction to the newest technology coupled with professional guidance gives both the parent and child a memorable ice fishing experience.
 

.. In the evening our village "KIDS 'N' SNOW" program includes 'smores 'n' more.' Ice Skating, Sledding on the sled hill, great music and gneral revelry.
.. Should you be in the neighborhood stop in over the weekend; there's bound to be something that you will find interesting and enjoyable.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

>> February 1: Evening social hour and ice fishing seminar at the Holiday Inn, 5:00 PM,
>> February 2: Kids Ice camp at Kirkwood Resort & Marina Boathouse, 10:00 AM, all day fishing and prospecting and instructional seminars. KIDS 'N' SNOW weekend in the evening at the ice rink in town.
>> February 2: Saturday Night Mandatory Rules Meeting. Registration for the Tournament runs from 4:30-6:45 pm at the Holiday Inn in West Yellowstone, where the Social Hour begins at 5:00 pm, including a complimentary dinner for all registered team members with cash bar. The Rules Meeting, which is mandatory for at least one member of each team, starts at 7 pm. At the Rules Meeting, the exact starting time for the contest the following morning will be announced.
>> February 3: Morning, (starting time to be announced.) until 1:00 PM - THE TOURNAMENT!
>> February 3: 2:00 PM, weigh in starts, at High Country Tavern & Grill.
>> February 3: Evening, Revelry and Super Bowl Parties - all around the lake and in town.

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 ..

Winter Entertainment

THE THINGS WE DO

It Helps Pass The Time

watching the snow plows

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.. At 36 below zero it's hard to convince ourselves to get down to the river and molest some fish. So we join the neighbors in several deep-deep-cold activities. One of the most popular is watching the snow plows.
.. The excitement is underwhelming. They come by in a whoosh. The fine powder billows up and settles along the edge of the road. Fantastic fun. We can do it for hours - mostly because our feet are frozen to the ground. Try it, you'll like it!

World's End

Wader Friendly Lodging

FISHERS INVADE WEST

Stay For A Spell

torment a fish or two

Built in wader hangers.

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.. 'Tis a real pleasure, (and just a mite entertaining,) to have visitors from around the globe in town to catch some fish. These are single-minded folks with a pleasant and determined attitude. "Serious" does not go far enough toward describing those involved in the Fall Fishing Frenzy.
.. Of course, (this year anyway,) the salubrious weather has made them just a bit grouchy. They seem to prefer sleet, rain, snow, wind, and fog. Hang on, you'll soon have to dry your waders inside!

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JUST A SKIFF  --  FOR NOW!

Try It - You'll like it

CHECK THIS OUT

Choices

SUPER SUNDAY ?

How About Ice Fishing ?

commercials - shamercials

FLAT OUT FAST  !!!

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.. Too much happening to blink at 120 cycles. We'll catch the second half - maybe.
.. The pubs and theater will be full; so too the neighbor's couches.
.. Spent last evening with the kids and snow program at the hockey rink.

Thanks Dad.

.. The evening was another in the series of  "S'mores & More" events: great fun.
.. Fearless 4-yearolds vs. timid adults always results in cathartic confrontations.
.. We're constantly confounded by visitors and the belief that winter is something to be feared.
.. With open arms our neighbors embrace the opportunities of the season. No great fear here.
.. Not even fishing is ignored. The "post card" images of idyllic pools and inviting riffles are lost in the frenzy of preparations for a daily outing on the ice: with augers, coolers, tackle, warmers, (for the hands, feet, and innards,) and all the necessary impedimenta for a grand time.
.. The NAIFC regional Ice Fishing Tournement kicks off on Hebgen Lake in about an hour. Temperatures have warmed up to about -13° F: the sun is bright and the breeze is below 5mph - PERFECT !
.. We may fish. We may officiate. We may just watch. It's a big deal around here. There's a $21,000 pay out.
.. It's a simple thing: you get five hours to catch and keep five fish; top weight wins. Only Rainbow Trout count.
.. Every entry, (2-person team,) is carefully searched at the start, (there's plenty of places to hide a big fish in the gear, clothing, snowmobile, etc.) the gun sounds and if everything goes well you can be at home for the kick-off.  OR NOT !
.. We tried laying on the beach for a year or two. Sum Fun !

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Scrumptious.

Just Push A Bit Harder.

Skates Or Shoes - Your Choice.

YIKES,  IT EXPLODES !

.

IGNOBILITY

OF RODENTS AND BOATS

RE-POST

UPDATE TOMORROW

BUT

giant stoneflies on the Firehole right now!

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{{This is our post from last year. It's still the same with a couple of interesting changes. The weather will be pleasant instead of hot. The rivers will be a bit higher. The hike to Grebe Lake will be a bit more sloppy. The stoneflies of three types will all be active. Thunderstorms and overcast will improve the fishing. Updates coming!}}

.. It's an absolutely wonderful thing.
.. Fishing in Yellowstone National Park on the Fourth Of July is an epic endeavor for all. Everyone in the world will be in the park - and, they will all be fishing.
.. For those that still don't know where they will be wetting their line, here's some thoughts:
==> You might catch a fish on the Firehole River if you fish in the morning,
==> You will catch a fish on the Madison River  if you use a Bead Head Caddis,
==> You will catch a fish on Trout Lake,
==>  You will catch a fish on Obsidian Creek,
==> You will Catch a fish on Joffee Lake,
==> You will catch a fish on Grebe Lake.

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.. This weekend will be a bit warm. The crowds will be a bit dense. The rivers will be a bit crowded. The fish stories will be a bit exaggerated. And, a good time will be had by all.
.. By all accounts, there will be enormous visitation numbers for this weekend.
.. In addition to the attractions and beauty of Yellowstone in early July, West Yellowstone is planning the largest fireworks display in Montana.
.. The West Yellowstone "WILD WEST RODEO" has grown to the point that it's not just a 'show' rodeo - but it's become a stop on the rodeo circuit. The bulls usually win!
.. The Dairy Queen has added 45 extra staff persons for the weekend.
.. The police department has given all officers the day off.

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WHERE TO FISH ??

.. Places where fishing will be good  --  AND crowded:
-- Firehole River,
-- Madison River,
-- Gardiner River,
-- Gibbon River, (below Norris Campground, the road construction will have no closures for the weekend!,)
-- Trout Lake,
-- Solfaterra Creek,
.. Places where fishing will be good  --  AND less crowded:
-- Firehole River, (along the Lone Star Geyser trail,)
-- Firehole River, (between Firehole Falls & Madison River,)
-- Little Firehole River,
-- Iron Spring Creek,
-- Nez Perce Creek,
-- Gibbon River, (between Norris Campground and Virginia Cascade,)
-- Obsidian Creek.
.. Places where fishing will be good  --  AND nearly empty:
-- Gibbon River, (along the Grebe  Lake trail,)
-- Fan Creek, (above the beaver pond,)
-- Duck Creek, (observe the bear closures,)
-- Grayling Creek, (please park  safely,)
-- Bacon Rind Creek, (beware of the moose,)
-- Gallatin River, (above the Fan Creek Confluence,)
-- Bechler River, (it's a banner year for mosquitoes,)
-- Boundary Creek, (if you walk more than 300 yards,)
-- Heart Lake,
-- Snake River, (in the Thorofare,)
-- Hellroaring Creek,
-- Trail Creek,
-- Mountain Creek.

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.. The weather is going to cooperate for the long weekend, (sorta - kinda.) Clouds, thunder storms, wind, and hot temperatures are predicted for the weekend.

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.. There are some distinct advantages to fishing in Yellowstone on the Fourth of July:
==> Compare ring tones while exercising your waders,
==> Meet folks with pink fishing vests,
==> Catch flies with flies, (under water,)
==> Observe casting form worse than your own,
==> Delight in fishers festooned in gear worth the price of your BMW,
==> Practice creative parking & master rapid rigging,
==> Exchange insurance information with celebrity chauffeur's,
==> Find and explore alternate fishing locations 'cause the good ones are full of turons,
==> Enjoy bathing beauties in your favorite riffles,
==> Discover the many and varied paint jobs on tour buses,
==> Pose for pictures taken by 90,000 digital cameras.

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.. Time to kiss a fish!

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With apologies to Stevekale - thanks.

.. P.S. If you's scanned this far you deserve a reward: There is a wonderful site about bugs that is making waves in the "BUGOLOGY WORLD" and the "FLY FLAILING WORLD." CHECK IT OUR HERE. (There is an English version for the non-Francorphhile.)