Soft Tacos

A UNIVERSAL TREAT

Yellowstone Invention

please be bear aware

CARRY BEAR SPRAY

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.. This is the month of "Most Outdoor Camping," in Yellowstone National Park. Although it's too hot for most of the neighbors it is just right for visitors.
.. Of course many of the campers are also fishers. These are the folks that are savvy enough to pick a place near the best morning hatches.

PARACHUTE ANT

.. Slough Creek is in fine fettle and many fishers from far and wide are camping in the Lamar Valley.
.. The catching is good and the eating is as well.
.. There are gentleman's hatches and the terrestrial critters are active as well. Slough Creek has warmed rather quickly this year and it's best to schedule an early morning foray near the campground and lower meadow.

BEAD HEAD WHAATZITS

.. There are fish to be had on the surface - for the careful and stealthy fisher. Use little ants, small beetles, and maybe a midge or two.
.. Great success is being had by the neighbors that are fishing "bead head anythings." They should be small and either in the seam near the bank or way down deep and slow.
.. Fishers on both the Lamar River and Soda Butte Creek are being being treated to the Bison Olympics. If you are not in shape for the wader waddle sprints it is best to keep a weather eye out and walk a bit further than you have planned.

YELLOWSTONE BADGER

.. The poor sister of the north is the Gardner River. Both inside Yellowstone National Park and just outside the catching has been nearly spectacular this year. Nothing fancy is required.
.. Use your favorite small golden stone imitation or a nondescript nymph in the seams, pillows, slicks, etc.
.. The Rainbow trout are among the prettiest in the park. This is a stream with browns, cutts, white fish, rainbows and the occasional brookie down low.

FUZZY GOLDEN

.. Get yourself further into the park from the north entrance and there is a wonderful Brook Trout fishery just below and mostly above Osprey Falls.
.. Walk a little and fish a lot - catch bunches! Take the husband and kids. Have a trail side picnic. Take pictures. Enjoy the shade. Make a day of it.
.. Today is the festival of cars in West Yellowstone. The 46th annual rod run has been in town for a couple of days. This morning is the parade and show and shine in the city park. Music, food, and cartoon cars the way we wished they were 60 years ago.
.. We're headed to the crowded "downtown" of our village. It's a neighborhood tradition.

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WALLPAPER:  CHIPOTLE PULLED  PORK DOUBLE TORTILLA

Drizzle Determined

SOME DAYS PERFECT

Some Days Blown

watch the sky - - carefully

WALLPAPER: GATEWAY TO GLORY

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.. There are bison. There are bears. There are fish. And, there is rain. The weather wise know that between the heavy runoff and the blue bird fishing days there is a season in the northeast corner of Yellowstone National Park called the "Drip & Drown" season.
.. As the Lamar River and Soda Butte Creek clear and attract the park and fish crowd there comes, (over the truncated horizon,) thunderstorms - with rain.

.. The rain and it's freshly induced runoff can cloud the skies and the rivers. Watch the weather and watch your favorite weather service. Better yet check with Parks' Fly Shop.
.. Capricious as the storms can be, local knowledge is your best guide to where the color is and where catching is best.
.. There are many weather services. Many are generalized and rely on the individual on the stream to interpolate the predictions.
.. There is, on the other hand, one weather service that attempts to give information by the hour for your chosen location. As with any predictive model it is statistically based. The predictive models employed by this site are varied and all taken into account.
.. If you haven't tried FORECAST _DOT _ IO, you should give it a try. There is even an excellent cell phone app.
.. Right now there is a bit of a drizzle in some places. Not enough yet to stop the catching in that distant part of the park.

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PRETTY BROWN WATER

The Weather Sucks

A WEEK OF 50's LOOMS

Fair Weather Fishers Rejoice

runners in other places

Large River Dwelling Fish Run Up This River Too : courtesy Mike Cline

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.. We're enjoying a spell of very salubrious weather. It is just perfect for visiting Yellowstone National Park. The traffic is picking up and the gawker blocks are increasing. Fishers seem to figure it out quickly.

The Willows Are Finally Wilting

.. Lowland fishing on the Yellowstone River and the Gardner River is producing happy campers from both near and far. The BWO hatch is still a good bet. Streamers and giant streamers, and enormous rubber legs flies will gather in some fish for pictures.
.. The fishing is a bit better than the catching - but not much. The pleasant weather has impacted businesses in Livingston and Billings.
.. Should you need the tutelage from some savvy sages, visit with the folks at PARKS' FLY SHOP and they will point you in the right direction; even if you seek the running toads of the Gardiner River.

Three Post Pool
On The Notellum River

.. Closer to home it seems that the invasion of head hunting fishers has increased. It's not nearly scientific - but - it looks like very many license plates from exotic countries are now in the neighborhood. We've seen quite a few from as far away as Bozeman, Idaho Falls, Pocatello, Salt Lake City, and Jackson. There must be an underground telegraph of some sort.
.. Catching the runners has been pretty good this year. There appears to be a bulge in the curve at about 21" over the expected size distribution.
.. Good records are hard to come by but some interested fishologists have weir records that seem to verify this. It would seem that the tail of the curve is skewed toward the enormous end this year.
.. The neighbors split into three distinct tribes this time of year. Some chase runners and endure the crowds and fraternal "rightness" of the seasonal frenzy along the Madison River and Gibbon River.
.. Some continue fishing smaller streams with fewer elbows and make an occasional jaunt to the Firehole River for amusement.
.. Some concentrate on Montana's Mountain Whitefish for the smoker and tasty tidbits for the coming winter.
.. Our failure to have the fraternal mentality keeps us out of the crowds and the sanctioned yuppie shops. Our neighbors have smokers and we never suffer for want of winter tidbits.  We do, however, enjoy the sight of a 14-foot two-handed rod on a river that is 35' wide.
.. The catching on neighborhood water, (both inside the park and on it's periphery,) has been rewarding. The flows are down a little, the fish are bunched up and easy to find, the bugs are popping and the Gallatin River is not too cold to fish.
.. The nymph box is doing fine and we even float a few. Fish on.

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EASY TO READ: PLOP IT NEXT TO THE  CURRENT  AS IT HITS THE BANK - YIKES

A Point Belabored

NOT HOPPERS BUT,

Beetles, Ants, Worms, Sticks,

sometimes the trout eat it all

PRETTY PINK BOW TIE ON FOAM FUZZY BEETLE

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.. It's not that we are angry at the mayflies. It's not that we are angry at the stoneflies. It's not that we are angry at the caddisflies. Nor do we hate the spruce moth, or damselfly, or dragonfly.

THE HUMBLE ANT

.. Right now, however, as we speak, the wee little land dwellers are beginning to fall into the water and serve themselves up as food for trout. It's not a roaring parade to the water - yet; but trout are eating terrestrials.
.. For a nearly perfect combination of flies on the Gardner River try floating a foam beetle above a trailing golden stonefly nymph.
.. Should you be in the mood for the opening of the Yellowstone River there just may be some terrestrial action as well.
.. This year the river is running at a good 1,200 fps below seasonal norms. That might allow access to some  early season wading localities that have not been seen in decades.

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.. And, that's about all there is to that story.

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FLOATS HIGH -- CATCHES TROUT

Go Low

IT'S STILL SUMMER

Down In The Valley

hoppers & droppers reign

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.. Up toward Mammoth in the lower elevations of  rivers, that we seldom visit, there are eager fish waiting for adventurous anglers willing to wander among cobbles and boulders in order to dance with trout.

.. The Trout Whisperers of the civilized corner of Yellowstone National Park are dragging in fish with conventional rigs and no secret flies.
.. By avoiding the big fish syndrome and fishing on the Gardner River or Yellowstone River anglers are having great catching success.
.. Depending on the locale, it's hopper-dropper or attractor or big-n-ugly. Fish are moving around and upstream. They eat and run and it is useful to cover a lot of water and fish all the apparent and less apparent places. The little darlings are very active right now.
.. Closer to home, the Madison River is seeing an influx of head hunters and submarine chasers. There are even folks with huge Spey Rods seeking the denizens from Hebgen Lake.
.. Some of these fishers are just getting an aerobic workout - others are catching a few fish. One thing for sure, they move the elbows out of the way with their flailing on the river.

.. The resident fish are taking some of the big flies and disappointed expletives are ringing through the incised stream courses as fishers set themselves up for disappointment by targeting the very few runners in the system. They'll be here in numbers soon enough.
.. Big-n-ugly seems to be on the end of most rods along the Madison right now. The mindset seems to be that it can do no harm.
.. Meanwhile the caddis have fired up on the Firehole River and also on the Gallatin River. Neither of these two rivers require a Spey Rod and neither is crowded right now.
..It's time for huevos rancheros and some hot chocolate - the second pot of coffee is gone. The neighbors make a killer salsa and we're invited.

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The Ides Of July

NOT ALL WATER IS MUD

But Much Of It Is

seek and ye shall find

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.. It's impossible to see the fish under Fishing Bridge. We're not even sure that they are under the bridge. Boaters on the lake report that there is a silt plume that describes a river course through much of the lake. Pelican Island looks like several clumps of trees in the water.

.. This is the time to NOT FISH the Yellowstone River. But folks will!
.. The discharge from Yellowstone Lake is leveling at about 9,300 cfs. That's right at 5,000 cfs above the seasonal norm. It's nearly 2,000 cfs above historically record rates for the last week. That's a lot of water!
.. Discharge on the Firehole River is descending toward it's seasonal flow. Temperatures are ascending toward their seasonal highs.  Mid day spikes are already at 74° F.
.. The Gibbon River is a mere 120 cfs above seasonal rates and is clearing rapidly. There are still some large bugs around and some mid day caddis. The big meadows are drying, the bison are grazing, and the mosquitoes are buzzing. Stalking and crawling is better than wading --  but only if you want to catch fish.
.. The Lamar River is at it's seasonal high and is continuing it's Jekyll & Hyde phase by responding to local thunderstorms with lovely colors of brown and puce mud. Soda Butte Creek is slowing just a tad but is still best fished above Ice Box Canyon.
.. The Madison River is high, quick, and clear. 300 cfs above seasonal discharge is easily handled by the moderately incised channel of the river and fishing is good and some fishers report that it's as good as it gets.
.. The Gallatin River is still a rampaging storm of water but is clearing. Some of the higher tributaries that we usually look to this time of year are still muddy - or worse. Above the Bighorn Trailhead there are some "Ant-Eating Fish." Bacon Rind Creek is still high and colored, but the first meadow is holding some hold-over spawners. We have it on good authority that it's a good seven mile walk to get out of the chocolate milk on Fan Creek.
.. The Gardner River is high, roiling, & surprisingly clear below Boiling River: the catching is good. There are big bugs and hearty souls that fish among the boulders.
.. Grebe Lake is doing nicely, thank you. Take a leech and find some Grayling. These pretty little fish are very willing right now. The mosquitoes are not too bad. If you weigh more than about 200 pounds they won't be able to carry you home to the kids for a snack.

.. The Lewis River can be had. It's still big for this time of year but the bank-holding fish right at the plunge pool are starved for attention and for food. Help them out. Just above the falls is doing pretty well too.
.. So, on the Ides of July, where's a fisher to go? What's a fisher to use? Fish the Madison River all day. Slow water and foam-line drift a spinner in the morning, fish big and ugly down deep in the noon day sun. Carry your caddis / miller / hopper-box for late afternoon and evening. The little hoppers have entered their second molt and don't fly real good yet.
.. Fish the Firehole River from sun up 'til 11:00 AM, if you must. A double nymph rig with the upper floating and fuzzy will be all you need. In the evening the caddis are becoming overwhelming. You can get on the river about 5:00 PM and wander around. Watch the banks and sink one too.
.. There's bears and moose all over Duck Creek. If they don't get you the mosquitoes will. There are fish. There are willing fish. There are easily caught fish. There are hazards. You should have two canisters of bear spray and sharp eyes. Please obey the closure rules if you try this.
.. The bodacious and willing Brook Trout of the upper Firehole River have come alive. The are "getting air" as would a 14-year-old skateboard champ. They eat anything and everything that will fit in their mouth. They will strike at much bigger offerings. This section of the river should be banned for fishing - it's too easy. Just above the southern closure bridge, down in that little canyon that you said you'd fish someday, is a population of unmolested logs. Its only a 1/4 mile down to the fish. It's about 3 miles back up the steep sides. Legs are required to score here.
.. We say this quietly: Nez Perce Creek is full of fish that have run away from the high water in the Firehole River. Walk just a bit, beware of bears, wolves, moose and mosquitoes. Stay on the trails and don't fall through the thin crust of the thermal areas. Catch a few fish on anything that floats, or sinks.
.. The Little Firehole River, Iron Spring Creek, and the plunge pool at Fairy Falls all have fish waiting for your visitation. Treat them gently in this time of stress.

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We've Been Remiss

GOOD READS ELSEWHERE

Nice Clouds Visiting Us

brief yellowstone report

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.. The blossoming catching opportunities in the neighborhood have kept us from scanning the animated electrons. There's some good stuff out there.
.. Fishing Jones goes all high-tech and gives some flies the U.V. treatment. No more glue sniffing for Pete. Now his heads are done in a flash. This falls into the category of "Why didn't we think of that?"
.. HDW - mobile is on the go again and having a fine time wondering about the possibility of contaminated airline cabins. First class is no guarantee of safety.
.. Talk about attitude! The Horse's Mouth has provided us with an image that screams competence and confidence. Click on over for the full-sized view.
.. Jeff Kennedy, over at Drawing Flies 365, is taking advantage of his painful surgery to discover how to drink wine with his other hand. He's doing it while enjoying his very own collector wine series.
.. The wine may or may not be worth the tariff, (we haven't tried it yet,) but the art work certainly is.
.. Fujioka's Web Site, at Trouts and the season's of the mountain village, was just updated. There are some new paper trout and, a new stream profile has been added.
.. John Montana over at Carp on the fly, has a couple of days with JJ. This guy knows how to live. The kid has it made!

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.. Catching is picking up on the Firehole River. The spotty hatches are making themselves known in discrete and definable terms. PMD's are now happening with some density and the friendly drizzle & overcast sky is a beautiful thing to behold. This is 'gentlemanly' fishing so have a second cup of coffee and enter the park about the time that others are leaving for lunch.
.. The Madison River has cleared remarkably in the last two days and is running at just above seasonal averages. The neighbors just left with boxes of streamers, some caddis and even some baetis. They will report their tales of woe tomorrow.
.. The good folks at Parks' Fly Shop report that the Gardner River is doing well and suggest that it's every bit as fishable as anything in the park. Big nymphs and boulder hopping is the order of the day for some fine catching.

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Salmons vs. Lemmings

STANDARD SUMMER FISHING

It's A Social Event

text message me for dinner

.. All reports are a go. Go to Slough Creek. Go to the Lamar River. Go to the Yellowstone River. Go to the Gibbon River. Go to Iron Spring Creek. Go to the Gallatin River. Go to Nez Perce Creek. Go to the Little Firehole River. Go to Pebble Creek. Go to Soda Butte Creek. Go to the Gardner River. Go to the Bechler River. Go to Boundary Creek. Go to the Snake River. Go to Elk Creek. Go to Blacktail Deer Creek. Go to Cache Creek. Go to the Lewis River. Go to the Madison River. Go to Tower Creek. Go to . . . Go to . . . .
.. Enjoy watching your neighbors cast. Meet new friends and enemies. Exchange stories and fly patterns. Meet for dinner in town. Share a brew. Invent and embellish stories. Take home memories of Yellowstone National Park.
.. We suggest that you pick your location with care, and that you read all the reports from feather merchants and blogs. Just before you leave we suggest that you click over to the Trout Underground and answer the questions posed by TOM THE SAGE.

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SALMON: The salmons ascend rivers in large groups or age classes and penetrate to their head streams to spawn. They are remarkably strong fishes, and will even leap over considerable falls which lie in the way of their communal progress.
LEMMING: Any of various small, mouselike rodents of the genera Lemmus, Myopus, and Dicrostonyx, of far northern regions, as L. lemmus, of Norway, Sweden, etc., noted for periodic mass migrations that sometimes result in mass drownings.
contrary: Resistant to guidance or discipline; "Mary Mary quite contrary"; "an obstinate child with a violent temper"; "a perverse mood"; "wayward behavior"

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.. We're going to a lake close by and not in the park. Here's a bit of what happened there yesterday.

Quick And Dirty

MADISON FISHING WELL

Moose Enjoying Madison

gibbon, gallatin, grebe too

.. Forget the Firehole River. The Madison River is Hot, (the hoppers are just 1/4 inch long, flightless and into their second molt.) The Gallatin River has gone crazy. Grebe Lake is high cold and crowded.
.. We haven't caught ours yet, but the Grayling catch on the upper Gibbon River is higher this year than in recent memory. Even the meadows below the falls are continuing to fish and catch well.
.. The footpaths along Obsidian Creek are dusty and the elbow density is definitely up. The Gardiner River has come into it's own and the busy roadside sections are pocked with visitors - must be the hoppers.
.. Slough Creek has picked up and visitors know it. Pebble Creek is the sleeper. Soda Butte Creek is better than ever. The Lamar River is just slightly colored. Even the Yellowstone River is yielding to the persistent fish hunters, (just stroll along the bank and cast to a rising fish - the fish density is way down but the sizes are approaching enormous.) Summer is late and all is right with the world.
.. Recluse fishers have abandoned Duck Creek for the Gallatin River and the willow meadows of Fan Creek. Where is there to be found a bit of solitude? - - nowhere!
.. The phenomenal density of mosquitoes in the Cascade Corner of Yellowstone National Park is justly famous and is on time this year. Interestingly, Boundary Creek, Bechler River, and Falls River are yielding gobs of fish to eager anglers with head nets and gallons of DEET.
.. The roadside stretch of the Lewis River, the Snake River, and the 'hidden tirbs' are enjoying immense popularity. And, the little bit of water between Shoshone Lake and Lewis Lake is full of canoes and float tubes. We wonder why?
.. This is what has made Yellowstone National Park such an exciting place to fish. Right now, (this very instant,) you can fish most anywhere and take home stories to fill a lifetime. The diversity is enormous. The catching success is gratifying.
.. You can check the fly shop reports, blog about it, or go fishing . . . we're doing the latter.

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.. Jeff Kennedy over at Drawing Flies is back at it. We won't spoil the joy, but it's worth a daily click. We want to see just what he gathered up on his Yellowstone adventure.