Back In Action

THE ELECTRIC DRAGON WINS AGAIN
Bikini Wars & Taste
Extreme Aerial Bowfishing
fishing report too

.. We resorted to in-home repair and fumigation to return our electric dragon to prime condition. However, that's no guarantee that the posting will improve.
.. We are a bit surprised that the Bikini Wars are returning. Get Outdoors is all weepy because an obscure post at MarineNetwork.net selected three babes that were not in keeping with the high cultural and aesthetic standards of the Bay Area.
.. We note that physical attributes and beer seem to cloud their minds as well as ours. Interestingly, the finest assortment of real-live-fishing-wahinies is in their backyard. Each Friday, and frequently more often, there are gorgeous women posted at The Horses Mouth.
..We've done the research for you; just click here to see real fishing, (and other types of,) wahinies. It makes our day; it's become a Friday ritual - just before biscuits and gravy.
.. We are aghast to learn that the new 'sport' of EXTREME AERIAL BOWFISHING is rapidly gaining adherents along the Illinois River. Just what are those poor invasive Asian Carp going to do? For a video clip of just how they do it in the Midwest visit the CHICAGOBOYZ site.
.. Steve Carson at THE FISH SNIFFER has discovered an excellent fishery in Northern California. It seems that the Sacramento River holds trout - "who'd'a thunk it?" We wonder if there are any fly fishers in the vast underpopulated wasteland of Norcal. We'll search the web and report back.

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.. Hebgan Lake is still fishing well near the shore. Just about any location with some structure and a bit of mud nearby will produce trout to 14" with ease and if you're good with a streamer, (the neighbors are using dark purple Woolly Buggers - size 4 - 10,) there are still some giants in the 16" - 18" range at The Narrows, and the South Fork Estuary.
.. Between The Lakes there are still a few large fish and some late spawners. We'd leave them alone for one more week, and then fish from shore.
.. Cabin Creek is down a bit with a bit of color. Use general attractors for these fish in the shallow riffles and try caddis nymphs, (Jacklin's Rock Worm, Hare's Ear, Prince,) in the deeper pools.
.. There are still a few nice fish in Beaver Creek. Discharge has slowed and the water is clear from Quake Lake to about 1/2 mile above the road. Caddis can be found hatching in the warm evenings, (sizes 10 - 16,) and on the cool days try a small brown or yellow Woolly Worm, (size 12 or 14 - sink it or float it.)
.. The weather and dirty water are making the Yellowstone River near Gardiner an iffy proposition right now. Check with Park's Fly Shop for updates. Fishing should bust loose there by next week, or shortly thereafter.
.. Unlike the west side of Yellowstone, the south side is still having a near normal runoff event. The Snake River is it's normal rambunctious self and fishing will be difficult for another week or 10 days.
.. Visit Jack Dennis' Shop for first hand information and tips on flies and locations. Right now the best Snake River fishing is right below Jackson Lake dam. Attractors like Humpies and Elk Hair Caddis will work to rising fish, use Prince or Pheasant Tail nymphs if you're of that persuasion.

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.. The Firehole River continues to perform admirably and predictably. When the clouds are low and the morning fair PMD's are on the menu. As the day brightens surface action continues to just about any size 12 - 16 fly. Nymphs are working in the riffles and, if floated through the shallow pools. Stoneflies are present but not overwhelming yet, use a Yellowstone Cinch or a Yellowstone Morning Glory on the top, and a Yellowstone Winter Grub down below. Spice things up with a Feather Duster or one of it's variants and you should do fine. The Canyon Section is heating up to Salmonflies, and the meadows below Biscuit Basin are producing good evening caddis hatches.
.. Nez Perce Creek is fishing very good from the confluence with the Firehole River to about the Bridge Ford. Walking along the faintly visible Mary Mountain Army Road is pleasant and salubrious. Few people go as far as the ford, and the eager fish along here are most happy to please. During this stroll it is advisable to keep fingering your bear spray as you sing the most off-tune song you know.
.. The fish in this stretch are not big, and a 12" fish will seem like a giant compared to the usual offerings of eight-incher's, (despair not; on a good day it's lightening fast action.) The section above the road is running a bit cool for this time of year but is fishing well. The Hotel Run has some nice fish to 16" and the PMD's have been later in the day than on the Firehole River. There is a very heavy caddis hatch starting about 5:30 - 6:30 PM and continuing until dark:30, (about 9:45.) By the time most of the visitors have hit the pub, the surface of this stretch is dimpled with eager fish - don't let on that we said anything.
.. The Madison River continues to shine. Because of the low runoff this river has fished better - earlier, than recent memory recalls. Just about any stretch is fishy. From 7-mile Bridge to National Park Meadows the Salmonflies are popping - but probably not for long. Consistent hatches of PMD's are still in the offing on gray mornings, the Caddis seem to be an all day and most of the night affair right now. A few BWO's are present if you're lucky enough to bump into them. Below 7-mile bridge the long riffles continue to fish well to generalized stonefly imitations, many of the neighbors are using Rubber Legs and Woolly Buggers to good advantage. Large, (size 6 - 10,) bead head Prince Nymphs are also worth flinging.
.. The Gibbon River is still a bit cold, but warming rapidly. It's just perfect for our annual Grayling quest. Right now the Brookies around Virginia Cascade are very hungry. There are Grayling here too. We're on our way now. Report on this and Obsidian Creek to follow.

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.. Visitors to West Yellowstone should avoid the south end of town at all costs. The new 300-unit time-share, and the new 80-room motel have construction debris strewn out all over the roads. Traffic is snarled in the vicinity of McDonald's and the Grizzly discovery center. Wander this way at your own peril.

Home From The Sea

WET IS FOR FISHES
The Tying Bench Looms
maggots are missing
blogs are blogging
it's good to be home

.. Precipitation in its whiter forms is far more salubrious than in its drenching forms. We enjoyed the fishing, the old friends and some new friends but the wet was as wet as anyone can remembered.
.. The old adage about rain and steelhead seems true, and there were some fine fish caught. But it's good to be home.
.. Thanks to all for the continued visits to the intermittent posts. The site statistics showed a constant dribble of visitors; and the votes for rivers show that we will fish some less glorified waters - come Spring. Just our Cup 'O Tea.
.. The sledhead season is in full swing in Yellowstone Country. Snarling snowmachines are buzzing around town like angry hornets, and running over each other and pedestrians. On a sadder note a couple of deaths have been noted in avalanches on the back side of Lionshead Mountain - and it's not yet January.
.. Fishing is good outside Yellowstone National Park. The Madison River between the lakes is producing some large fish for those willing to wade through belly deep snow.
..Ice fishing is just getting started on Hebgen Lake and the town is already suffering a maggot shortage. Meal worms are always in short supply given the large number of pet lizards in town so the folks with their ice augers are using bits of night crawler and red worms for the excitement of string-in-hole fishing.
.. Winter at the bench will include about 200 dozen flies of the mundane variety and a few orders for some classics. Materials are again available after the bird flu scare, and the kind folks in Reddich have sent us a couple gross of hooks.

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.. The ankle deep snow of the El Nino Winter, in and around the environs of Mt. Shasta, has prompted THE TROUT UNDERGROUND to provide us with a telling picture of some frost and a fly rod - NICE!

.. Here's one in a similar vein from the photographer's blog of Jim Levison.

.. There are also some very well done winter fly fishing photos at the Global FlyFisher about Danish Winter. The "Gallery" section presents us with an excellent picture-story about fishing in winter and its many rewards.
.. The "INNY OF THE YEAR AWARD" goes to Moldy Chum for their Flesh-O-Rama photo of "SKINNY WATER."
.. The Invasive Species Weblog reminds us that we should keep our minds on our soles. They posted a note about felt soles on waders being impossible to disinfect - thus posing a means of transport for invasive organisms.
.. The bay-area blog Get Outdoors has rediscovered fishing in the form of the "Rocket Fishing Rod." Just the thing for urban commandos and the wily gutter trout.
.. Protect Your Waters has been keeping us current with the latest in signage efforts by concerned citizens and government in Plum Lake, Wisconsin.

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A Gentle Firehole Day

FISH FOR FUN

ENJOY THE DAY
CATCH A FEW
California Dreamin' - The New Texas

.. We decided to take advantage of the warm day and visit the Firehole River and take care of some business at Old Faithful. The section of the river above Firehole Falls gets very little pressure this time of year and is well worth fishing. There are reliable Caddis hatches in the evening, and the fish are being a bit more cooperative than they were during the heat of summer.
.. The day was the stuff of postcards, and the sun was blindingly bright. There were fish every where but they were in a "bumping" mood. We took several fish on a size 14 Big Wing Sparkle Caddis but got more refusals by a large margin.
.. A switch to a floating Green Thing was far more interesting to the fish. The shadows are where these fish hide on the bright days. We fished the stretch around the confluence with Nez Perce Creek, then between the bridges in Biscuit Basin. The parking lots were full but there were only a few fishers for this mid-day foray.
.. The metropolis at Old Faithful was a-buzz with the recent news that the new visitor center was being delayed, (link.) The ice cream at the store was rock hard, and it looks like summer - it feels like fall.
.. The monster hunters are doing well in all the usual places: Madison River with Soft Hackles and Rubber Legs, Gallatin River - the same, Gibbon River, (above the campground,) with Humpies - below the falls with Spruce Flies and Soft Hackles.
.. Now is the time to get out of the park and try the Madison River below Hebgen Dam. Try the confluence with Cabin Creek, and the stretch just above Quake Lake. Big, (8 - 12,) bead head nymphs or a floating soft hackle will do just fine - big fish & Big Fun.

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.. For news about the new National Park Service Director visit National Parks Traveler, HERE.
.. Go to Get Outdoors for a view of California that bespeaks a lack of familiarity with Australia or South Africa or New Zealand, or elsewhere. You can surf - Mountain bike - ski - etc. in Hawaii, too, (and the coffee is better.)
.. It seems that marketing and gear are the most important aspect to enjoying the outdoors in the Golden State of Califia's garden. (Was Queen Califia Black?)
.. Jack of all - master of . . . . JEEZ - why leave all those elbows? Are shoes & boots more ubiquitous than mountain bikes? Different strokes.
.. More tomorrow - The sun has appeared again.

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GET OUTDOORS !

Before It's Too Late

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because we'd rather do than watch