Follow-on Work Continues

 DAM TROUBLES CONTINUE

FERC Report Filed

cold weather slows catching

HEBGEN SPILLWAY PROVIDES SOME RELIEF

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.. Northwestern Energy has filed a report with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. The report details the problems with Hebgen Dam and the failure of contracted water flow in the Madison River.

.. Thanks to Anaconda Foundry Fabrication Company, {LINK,} The failed part in the dam was quickly fabricated and delivered to Northwestern Energy within 24 hours.

.. The flow in the Madison River is within contract specification at present - HOWEVER - additional work is anticipated on the dam gates and other internal structures. We will keep you informed.

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.. Our gentle transition to winter has kept catching on the lowland Madison River at a good clip. 

.. All good things must come to an end and the snow is beginning to pile up. Temperatures have finally fallen to seasonal norms and the school kids have grudgingly put on their long pants. Our snow pack is not where we would like it.

.. As previously noted {LINK,} La Niña is upon us. We are hoping that the anticipated warmer and wetter winter will ensue.

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WALLPAPER:  STANDARD SALAMI SANDWICH

Dodging Bullets

BOMBER SENTENCED

Murder Trial

covid-19 arrives

KILLER GRANDMOTHER ?   . . .  courtesy Bozeman Daily Chronicle

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PIPE BOMBS FOR COYOTES ??

.. Our remote village location is no guarantee of safety nor of serene existence.
.. Violence exists in the heads of some. Extreme violence exists in hearts of some. Flaunting of safe health practices exists in the psyche of some selfish folks.

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..  The long drawn out trial of a suspected terrorist with illegal bombs and guns has reached the sentencing stage. Charles Gibson Bailey, 33, was sentenced Friday to 40 months in jail. He previously pleaded guilty in January 2020 to possession of unregistered explosive devices. He claimed the pipe bombs were for killing coyotes. [ LOOK-1.]

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.. The murder case of a family beating to death their 12-year-old grandson is progressing slowly. The case is mired in technical aspects. Negligent homicide vs deliberate homicide vs juvenile status and, flight to avoid prosecution are all in contention. Prosecutors have filed motions for the death penalty, [LOOK-2, LOOK-3, LOOK-4.]

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HBFD

.. A couple returned from recreational out of state travel bearing the gift of Covid-19 to our village. Contact with other village members was curtailed prior to the discovery of symptoms and diagnosis of the virus infection.
.. As these things go, there is no guarantee that these two cases will be contained. The resources of the county health system, our first responders and, the fire department have been mobilized. Isolation facilities and extensive testing by the staff of our clinic are underway.
.. The plans for a viral triage clinic are progressing in spite of no currently available funding. The city council, business owners associations and, the chamber of commerce are still planning to open our village on the state schedule and are waiting for Yellowstone National Park declare safety and open. [COVID-A, COVID-B, COVID-C.]
.. Our fire department webpage includes on line resource links, [SEE HERE.]

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TRY THIS ONE NOW

.. The neighborhood fishers are now wearing bandanas fashioned after the outlaws of bygone days - very appropriate. The counter help is wearing fancy neck gaiters.
.. Most of the neighbors are bemoaning he closed park and no access to the upcoming fantastic salmonfly hatch in the Firehole Canyon.
.. Mythic skwala flies are tickling the fancy of fishers in Missoula. Water temperatures are now above 43°F up there.
.. The lowland Madison River fishers are hoping that the little yellow nymphs they have been fishing will bring forth a stampede of the big black and orange flies dwelling in the deep.  Discharge temperature from Hebgen Dam is 40°F.  We'll see.

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WALLPAPER:  SPRING VISITATION

Road Work

STARTS NOW

Be Very Careful

an essential service

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.. In the midst of our current trials the Montana Department Of Transportation is continuing with extensive improvements to Highway 191 north of West Yellowstone.
.. This is the most significant, (and disruptive,) of the recent  work on this section of highway. We take this opportunity to post the entire notice for our highway department.

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US Highway 191 near West Yellowstone draws thousands of drivers each year, many on their way to witness the beauty of Yellowstone National Park. Roads in this region are seeing increasing usage on top of wear-and-tear from harsh winters and frequent underground geologic activity. As a result, US Highway 191 between Big Sky and West Yellowstone has degraded, showing numerous cracks and potholes. It needs to be rehabilitated.
To ensure this roadway remains safe and smooth for the thousands of drivers on this route for years to come, the Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) will complete the Highway 191 – North of West Yellowstone project.
23 miles of roadway improvements will include:

• Creation of a northbound left turn lane at Rainbow Point Road
• Bridge crossing repairs over Specimen Creek and the Gallatin River
• Installation of new guardrail
• Road resurfacing

What to Expect

The project is split into two, with a roughly five-mile gap between construction areas: 1.) A turn lane will be constructed at Rainbow Point Road, north of West Yellowstone, to provide safer access for the growing communities along the roadway. 2.) The road will be repaved from Grayling Creek by US Forest Service Road 986 to Tepee Creek Trailhead by Elk Horn Ranch Road.
Work for both projects is expected to begin early May and last through August 2020. Traffic will be limited to one lane. Work on the turn lane at Rainbow Point Road will be slightly delayed until June to allow for bison herd migration in the spring. These timelines are all weather dependent.
Drivers can expect delays of up to 15 minutes in each construction zone from early May through August. Work is expected to occur in daylight hours, Monday through Saturday, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. 5-minute delays should be expected during non-work hours.

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Weekly updates are available throughout construction. To sign up:

• Email: Takami
• SMS Text Update: HIGHWAY191 to 41411
• Project hotline: 406-207-4484 during business hours

Recycling Pavement

MDT recognizes that for many Montanans, our environment is key to our wellbeing. As part of each project, we identify ways to limit our impacts as much as possible. For this project, we are utilizing an environmentally-friendly technique called "hot-in-place recycling" to improve the road.
During the warmest months of the year, July and August, conditions are best for repaving. This process involves three main steps:

1. Crews align equipment in a "train." The first driver manages a heater that heats the roadway to the point where the top layer becomes soft and removable.
2. A second worker assists in removing the surface layer of asphalt. They mix it with rejuvenator which helps restore the asphalt to a like-new condition.
3. The “caboose” works on laying the asphalt back down on the road, as if they were laying new asphalt.

This technique reduces the amount of mining needed and requires fewer asphalt trucks, making it more environmentally friendly. Crews use the existing asphalt and recycle it to prolong the life of the road. Through this recycling, we continue to keep good roads good and our state beautiful.

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.. Our village continues to show increased activity as shops show signs of life. The Post Office has cars and bicycles clustered around it. The hardware store has cautious activity and, correctly parked pickumups, (how unusual.)

LIMITED CHOICES

.. The grocery stores still have empty shelf sections but there are small amounts of toilet paper on display. Product limits are still in place and "spit, (sneeze,) guards" have made their appearance around the checker stations.
.. Interestingly some excellent produce and meat cuts have made their appearance. Shopping early has it's rewards. Avocados are still grossly oerpriced as are the excellent rib eye steaks. Such is life.
.. A few more of the neighbors are venturing to the nearby fishing locations. Big Grizzle Bears and giant Black Bears have been reported close to town. Even the South Fork Moose Family is close to the bridge:  AND = even on the road west of town.

THE ORIGINAL BLUE BOTTOM

.. Sneaky fisher folks have invaded the mushy, slushy, gooey, bottoms of Grayling Creek, Cabin Creek and, even Beaver Creek at the Quake Lake estuary. They have ignored the water below Hebgen Dam to allow the spawners a rest and, avoid trampling the redds. Also, there are too many Lexus and 'TRD' pickups from Utah.
.. Some surface action on Cabin Creek and in the Grayling Creek bottoms is being reported. The neighbors fly of choice is the Original Blue Bottom which can be fished on top or underneath - such fun.
.. We apologize for the erratic schedule of our posts. It has something to do with couch time and, garden time and, streaming 'B' movies from the 50's.

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WALLPAPER:  STANDARD AMERICAN BREAKFAST

Tepid

A WEEK'S WORTH

What's Up ?

winter's slow start

WALLPAPER:  WET SPOTS

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.. Even the sledheads are concerned. Yes Lilibeth, there is snow on the ground.
.. Yes Rodney, there is some powder up high, (along with avalanches: avalanche map here.)
.. For sure, Gastone, the alps are getting our snow and Big Sky is making their own.

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JUST LOOK AT THOSE NUMBERS

.. We marvel at the variety of weather that winter has thrown at us so far this year. We've had a genuine deep freeze and a few days of heavy melting. Roof slides seem frequent so far and, even some spitting rain has dripped in the warm afternoons.

WINTER MIDGE

.. Now we're faced with some persistent warm numbers and wet snow for the coming week;  of course the neighbors are bemoaning the overcast and lack of midges below Hebgen Dam.
.. We are pleased to see the snow in the forecast. We need it. But, the wet snow combined with the warm weather, (into the 40's,) only means that most of the low and mid level deposits will accelerate their melt.
.. It's not too early to look at the snotel pages. Right now the snow water equivalency is not too good.
.. As part of a generalized northwestern dry spell we are in the -30% to -75% of the 1981 to 2010 normal,  ['SNO LINK HERE.]
.. As winter moves along it's merry way we'll keep you informed. Looks to be a roller coaster few months. Hopefully there is a net gain in snow water equivalent for the fish during the summer.

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.. The neighbors are gearing up for the West Yellowstone ukulele celebration. it will be a week later this year. Mark your calendar for February 8-11 and come enjoy the revelry.
.. Some of our neighborhood guitar players have taken to the ukulele for messing around in the snow. No sense dragging a $4,000 wood box around in the snow when a $40 dollar plastic ukulele will do.

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WALLPAPER:  "WE SHOULD"  BREAKFAST

Spring Mix

PICK YOUR POISON

Weather For One And All

catching improving by the day

If you have a large screen you can read on the sign who once lived here.

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.. Estuary fishing is good: estuary catching is great. Those with the guts get the glory. A bit of local knowledge and a willingness to post hole, snowshoe, or ride a sled to the open waters will yield some of the best catching ever. Hebgen Reservoir is the destination of choice for many of the neighbors. Ice out is not officially here but the expanding tributary estuaries are giving it a nudge.
.. Some neighbors are exercising their petrol ration and visiting the lowland Madison River, Missouri River, Yellowstone River, and Big Spring Creek. Lowland fishing and catching is in full swing; as it were. Check the sidebar for links to the reports of folks already deep in Montana's waters.
.. The weather has given us everything from wet snow to hail. A bit of rain and some graupel always keep the mix interesting. The fish don't seem to mind: the fishers usually do. Rare, however, is the empty pub parking lot syndrome. Folks have bailed out of town with a whoosh that was heard as far away as the Varney Bridge.


Reversed Parachute Midge Emerger

.. Up here it's still midge time and the fish are enjoying it. The bright, dead still, gentle snows of mid day are perfect times to tie on a midge pattern.
.. Some of the "REVERSE" midge emergers from across the pond have been used by the world traveliing fly fishers in the neighborhood. You'll have to tie them yourself - no local feather merchant has them at this time.
.. You can read about their success rate and use HERE. We like fishing midges Between The Lakes because there is no need to enter the water and disturb the redds of the spawning trout. Cavitation slicks and back eddy swirls are prime places, (and they ocure near the shore.)
.. The midge is a staple of the trout in many areas - not the least of which is the Madison River tailwater, or the edge of the weed beds in the just now opening estuaries.. The wonderful video by Ralph Cutter, (below,) is highly instructive for fly fishers that wish to indulge themselves in this sublime form of torture - and exaultation.

..

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.. If dinky flies are not your cup of hooch, try some streamers. The ones with a stinger hook seem to be becoming fashionable right now. There may be something to it. Little fish nip at the tails of their food. Big fish attack the head. If you'd like to hook up with a small  16" trout for a dance or two try a streamer with a stinger hook. If you are looking for normal sized fish stick 'em with a traditional streamer.


Scleech, image courtesy of Parks Fly Shop

.. Stinger hooks are a staple of salt water fishing but seem to have never caught on with the inland fly fisher.
.. One of the best in our region is the SCLEECH, that has been tied in Gardiner for a long time and is now available from the MONTANA FLY COMPANY. It should be available at a retail feather merchant near you.
.. It's not our practice but, some of the neighbors fling a streamer toward the over-sexed trout and aggrivate them into taking the offering. Some very big fish are stuck this way.
.. The outlet of Quake Lake is ice-free and access through the boulder field is negotiable by younger legs than ours.
.. The Devil Worm and it's relative the GOB 'O' are each being used currently, with more than moderate success, at the edge of the ice at Quake Lake, both at the outlet and at the boat ramp near it's head.
.. That's it for now. We're headed to an empty parking lot that we know of.

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Parking lot sucked dry, (and empty,) by folks leaving our village

D Minus One

WHAT'S THE FUSS ABOUT ?

As If You Don't Know

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.. Here are the "official" maps of the Madison River that will be discussed tomorrow evening at 6:00 PM in a plush conference room just 200' from our front door. We'll let you know if anything new crops up.

NEWS FLASH !

ONLY 4" TO GO

Only 2899.2 Acre Feet Left

inflow = 1564.2 cfs

outflow = 1170.7 cfs

CLICK HERE FOR HEBGEN STATS

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.. It's true. The pool of Hebgen Reservoir is just 4" from being full.
.. Folks are skiing where they haven't skied in years. Fishers are fishing in wonderfully strange and unusual places. The weed beds are covered with more water than is usual for this time of year.
.. What's that mean for gulpers? Stay tuned.

Double Dealin' Mother

ICE GONE - RIVERS UP

What's A Fisher To Do?

the worst is just around the corner

THERE'S LAWN CHAIRS ON THE POINT
AND 300' OF ICE AT THE DAM

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.. Mom has been both loving and cruel this Spring. First she gives us a good snow year that promises to have our rivers running cold well into the summer. Then she throws us a warm spike that takes away a goodly amount of the snow pack. Then just as the ice begins to leave the shores Hebgen Lake she presents us with a rare east wind that pushes the thin ice out of the estuaries.
.. Lately she's been toying with us in a new and wonderfully sadistic manner. The diurnal temperatures have been in the high 40's, while the nocturnal degrees have not dipped much past the mid 30's. Afternoon on Saturday reached 50° F. So the rivers continue to flow freely and the clouds keep the sun from encouraging the bugs, (no it's not quite dreary enough for those other bugs either!)
.. The rivers were so high on Saturday that several roads were closed. The most significant was Highway 191 going to Bozeman. Greek Creek expanded to the point that it was not only out of bank, but out of control as well. It flooded the road and caused a road closure for most of the day and well into the evening.
.. The Madison River is running at a high seasonal average. The Firehole River has slowed to seasonal discharge. The Gibbon River, on the other hand, is being frisky and flows are all over the place.

It's not a fly but it's hot right now

.. So is there a place to fish? Certainly not down-canyon where the Gallatin River is hitting 3,000 cfs and growing. How about using a boat on the lake? It's still good near the ice, and just normal where you find the fish. Trolling a small Kastmaster has galled a couple of reported 24" Brown Trout, (cell phone picture verified.)
.. How's the fishing between the lakes? Glad you asked!
.. It's fair right now, (and crowded,) - BUT - Hebgen Reservoir's Flood Control Pool is full. Discharge is a moderate but fishable 1,250 cfs.
.. The "BUT" is that inflow is 2,200 cfs, and there's only 7 feet left to the spillway. Things are looking pretty bleak for the near future.
.. The only good news to be had is that with the rising lake levels the junction of tributary streams and the lake receeds upstream. Technically some places where the neighbors are fishing are illegal. Practically, if you wade the muddy willow bottoms of Grayling Creek, Duck Creek, Cougar Creek, or the South Fork, you deserve the catching - if there is any.

.. The lowland Madison River is fishing good. The catching is fair. The color is O.K. and bugs are available. Nymphs and streamers are still in play and shoreline catching is as good as drift boat catching.
.. Everything will go to hell quickly if they pull the plug at the dam. It could happen. Or, with current repair crews still working on the intake structure they may just let it fill to the spillway. That could happen about the time the Madison River discharge hits it's maximum: this year projected to be near 2,000+ cfs. That's double what it is now.
.. We're headed to a little stretch of the Gallatin River that is way too cold to fish. It's that little bit of water between the Yellowstone park-line and Taylor Fork Creek. It's so cold the fish are having trouble holding on to the flies. It's so cold that they are eating anything that seems eatable: sticks, leaves, flies, bare hooks, etc. It's so cold that everyone that fishes there tells you it's too cold to fish!

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THE VORTEX IN HEBGEN RESERVOIR IS CAUSED WHEN THEY PULL THE PLUG

.

Best Bar By A Dam Site

EVER TRIED

SWEET 'TATER FRIES ?

Good With Flame Broiled Beef

good food and good fun

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.. Now there's a change of pace. The Happy Hour Bar on the shores of Hebgen Lake is a haven in the winter time for folks that travel between the high country and the salubrious climes of the Madison River Valley down below.

.. This longtime favorite of local residents harbors good food, good drinks, and good fun.
.. It's a cozy place with "atmosphere" just dripping from the walls, (and ceiling.) This year-round watering hole is gathering place for the "LAKE PEOPLE." It's out here in the country where elbow room is more important than the minimal conveniences in the town of  West Yellowstone.
.. Sledheads find it in the winter as they cruise the vast expanses of a frozen Hebgen Lake.
.. Ice fishers call the place home, (and they can show you buckets of fish as proof that they really were fishing.). The adventurous cross country skiers willing to forgo the sweet and simple trails of Yellowstone National Park frequent the bar for a toddy or two.

.. In the summertime this is a popular destination for lake fishers, (both gear and fly,) who prefer the adventure of large trout taken from a boat. It's also a port of call for visitors meeting " . . . at the bar . . ."
.. Seasonal and local festivities center at the Happy Hour Bar. The Super Bowl Party was a scene of extreme gaiety. Through the year you may bump into Senators, Movie Stars, Famous Fly Fishers, and other not quite normal folks. Of course there are quite a few "not quite normal folks" that aren't famous and live right here too. You'll probably meet some of them as well.
.. This place just warms the soul and the toes if necessary. Grab a stool and order a burger done the way you like it and be sure to try the sweet 'tater fries.Let them know we sent you; but only when you're ready to leave!

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Only The Lonely

YO YO WEATHER CONTINUES

Ice Still "Iffy"

use extreme caution

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.. Construction workers repairing the head gate at Hebgen Dam report the disappearance of a moose that has been a daily visitor to the job site. They also report that a moose-sized hole has appeared in the ice near shore where the moose was last seen

.. Mom has been "playing goofy" with the temperature and precipitation lately. Everything from blizzards to rain have been seen in the last couple of weeks.
.. Yesterday reached a high temperature of 36 and it rained and snowed - at the same time.
.. Currently it's 39° F and rising with a predicted low tonight of only 11° F. Thursday night the low is predicted for -15° F. And the beat goes on.
.. Some of the neighbors have started to fish on the ice of Hebgen Reservoir. We're still a bit cautious, ('scared shitless' is the technical term,) about the conditions and the water on the surface. Walking through ankle deep slush on a partially frozen lake with crackling noises beneath our feet is not the sort of thing we choose to do right now.
.. As an aside: there have been bear warning signs posted on some of the local ski trails originating in town. If it ain't cold enough for hibernation, it ain't cold enough for ice fishing. Enough said.

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Courtesy Photo

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A Bit Of Weather

THE BUGS ARE HERE
The RUNNERS Are Here

the boats are here

the snow is here (kinda)

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.. Despite the ominous weather warnings fisher folk are crowding the Firehole River and the Madison River - and - many of the neighbors have taken to their boats to intercept the runners in the major estuaries of Hebgen Reservoir.
.. The Madison River and the Firehole River are jammed full of anticipatory fishers.
.. The total amount of fly gear entering the west entrance of Yellowstone National Park on any given day amounts to an estimated $4,769,123.00. This does not take into account the gasoline that powered each and every $40,000.00 SUV or $2,000.00 fish car.
.. Boat fishers on the reservoir are taking large fish on Kastmasters, Rapala Trout, and Rooster Tails. They are doing very well with aluminum boats and an "Old Pal" tackle box.
.. Fly fishers whine about the gear fishers. They forget that the Madison River Fishery in Yellowstone Park is artificially inflated by a man-made structure: Hebgen Dam.
.. PPL Montana is pleased to inflate the fishery and egos of the Madison River. They are busy repairing the dam right now.
.. Things on that front are progressing apace despite the lack of interest shown by fisher folk and the fly guys of the region. Despite the nation-wide realization of the harm that dams do: this is one dam adored by the fishers of the world.

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.. It would bring barf to their mouths to let the elite know that most of the gear fishers also troll with a streamer fly. They would curl up and whimper to know that many of the gear guys tie their own streamers. They would lose enormous amounts of vitriolic conversation to discover that catching fish does not require wading belly-deep in the holes where the fish were.
.. Can it be true that some of the neighbors can cast a fly rod accurately - and - place a worm precisely with a gear rig?

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.. The weather brings bugs and boats. It brings tales and tails. It brings a classic confrontation of Weltanschauungs. Do we torture fish for our own recreational pleasure and then release them to be tortured again - or - do we catch and kill them for food?
.. Seldom do the gear guys and the fly guys discuss this. They visit different pubs. They have different sorts of jobs. They each assume, (righteously so,) that their practice is proper and holy. Neither bothers to remember that they are partaking of an artificial situation.

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.. Well, the weather has changed. The boats and bugs are here. The runners are running. The Baetis are emerging. The fishers are fishing, and the construction continues on Hebgen Dam. May artificiality be forgotten and may the torture and killing begin.

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