Dietary Necessity

PURELY VEGAN

Purely Organic

purely satisfactory

WALLPAPER:  PERFECT VEGAN MEAL

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.. We've decided to join the wave. It's sweeping our neighborhood. Many folks are professing their veganism. Many are proclaiming the benefits of a vegan diet.
.. We are now joining the movement. Beer and french fries for us: forever!

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.. Well now, the snow has come and, is coming. Our annual precipitation statistics are in good shape for now, [LINK-A].
.. We are still on the warm side. Yesterday NOAA proclaimed the official recognition of "EL NIÑO," [LINK-1  LINK-2.]
.. The warm mass of Pacific Ocean warm water is a bit further north than the typical placement. It is also more concentrated in the  western Pacific Ocean than usually seen.
.. Persistence will depend on too many variables for our gray matter to comprehend but, the expectation is that it could last through summer, (or there about.)
.. Should you care to follow the official monitoring and to receive an e-mail notification when the monthly ENSO Diagnostic Discussions are released, just send an e-mail message to: ncep.list.enso-update@noaa.gov. 

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.. The neighbors have tromped down a pseudo trail to the water at the Hebgen Dam Tailwater. Parking is hazardous on the blind curve.

OLIVE DOUBLE MIDGE

.. Citations are being gifted to cars that impede the normal flow of traffic.
.. There are a few safe places to park. Walking is involved. Only the brave should undertake this journey to the eager fish that are lit up with sexual energy.
.. We may ride along tomorrow to view the redds. We suggest that a bit of discretion and gentility be used with these fish. Perhaps just leave them alone.

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WALLPAPER:  AS GOOD AS IT GETS: USE LARD

Roller Coaster Spring

THE WARM, THE COOL

Little Rain, Little Snow

it's all so good

WALLPAPER: FOGGY SNOW AND RUN OFF

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.. This time of year we're allowed the privalige of experiencing three season days - no real Summer yet.
.. We've had a couple during the last week. However, it looks like the roller coaster is slowing. The coming week is looking like a real Spring week. We may hit 60° F once more.
.. The Gallatin River seems to know that Spring time is here. It is displaying the warm hues of pre runoff in a fine fashion. We took a couple of fish at Snowflake Springs yesterday. We then trundled down the canyon to investigate some spots where the snow has recently receded and allowed fair access. No dice.

GALLATIN COLORS

.. Taylor Fork is not churning too wildly yet but, there is enough sediment to see a color line and silt plume. Took a baby flying fish there and continued down canyon. Reminiscences of changing baby diapers.
.. The further down canyon we trundled the more glorious the brown hues of the water grew.

AND SO IT BEGINS

.. In-water visibility is down to about two or three feet in the main current. It's a little better near shore.
.. Honking and squiggling giant streamers should work for a few more days.

.. Lateral line fishing can awaken the denizens of the deep if done correctly.
.. Dark, (like black and deep purple or olive,) with just a hint of flash, Herky-jerkey strip downstream near shore is what the neighbors do.
.. The sun should shine a little today and we are headed to Hebgen Reservoir. We'll pass on the Hebgen Tailwater. The migrant fishers have tromped down most of the redds and are calling it good sport.

HEAVY FEATHERS

.. The disturbance of the spawning run in the tailwater does more to diminish the downstream trout population than does any malfunction of Hebgen Dam.
.. Local guides and feather merchants turn a blind eye to this merchandising opportunity while hurling scathing remarks about the problems with the dam. Lucre wins.
.. It's a good thing for the redd stomping population that the lowland Madison River fishers are only concerned with their favorite fishing hole. The whole river never enters into their cerebral cortex.
.. We're headed out in search of some easily accessible shoreline with a bit of open water and ravenous fish. Perhaps this is the week.

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WALLPAPER: THE OTHER COLORS OF SPRING

Currently

SLOW MELT

Slow Breakup

neighbors to neighbors

WALLPAPER:  GREAT SPRINGS BAY

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.. It's a bit odd for this time of year. Yellowstone Lake is breaking up nicely and the outlet is full of icebergs chugging down the Yellowstone River.
.. Quake Lake has some clear and fishable water at both the inlet and outlet. The boulder field above the debauchery is still a bit treacherous for aged legs to navigate. The inlet is seeing some heavy visitation clear down to Beaver Creek which is finally flowing nicely.
.. The surprise is that only bits of the inflow estuaries at Hebgen Reservoir are clear enough to legally fish. All of the major tributaries to the reservoir are flowing nicely. There is a good, (read dangerous,) slushy layer across most of the water BUT, the shoreline is being stingy about giving up open water.
.. The fishing neighbors among us are busy renewing congenial relations with other neighbors for access to those small bits of the reservoir that need ingress through private property.
.. There are, (not so secret - but seldom exploited.) warm springs that debauch along the shoreline of the reservoir. All but one, (that we know of,) require the traversing of private property. It's usually quite a long trek through mushy and messy snow.
.. The open water at the Great Springs Embayment is concentrating both fish and waterfowl in a glorious Spring extravaganza. Catching is spectacular as this is the largest non-estuary chunk of open water on the reservoir and, the birds and fish are gorging themselves. Know thy neighbor.

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WALLPAPER:   HEBGEN RESERVOIR

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.. There are some early bison on the roads around town and along the north side of the reservoir - one dead so far, (car totaled but no human causalities - please drive carefully.)
.. Some of the neighbors are making a morning pilgrimage to the culvert on the highway at Duck Creek. There is a good run of fish in the air as they enter the culvert on their way to Yellowstone National Park. The fish ladder is on private property and the stream is closed for another month or so but the entertainment value is fairly high.
.. The flats at the east end of the reservoir and along Duck Creek are still untrammeled snow. The bison will mess it up soon but for now the kite skiers and kite boarders are having a grand time in the clear and warm days.

YEE  HAW  !!!

.. Catching in the Hebgen Tailwater is better than acceptable for those folks willing to torment the fish during their annual orgy.
.. There are even some folks that believe that they can see all the redds as they slosh through the crystal bedroom of the trout. Our eyes are not that good- neither is our egomaniacal need to disturb those fish.
.. We're about to exercise our cheap gas and head down the canyon. Snowflake Springs and the Taylor Fork are prime locations on the Gallatin River at the moment.

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WALLPAPER: GRAYLING CREEK

The Coming - The Going

IT'S HERE NOW

It's Entertaining

it'll be gone monday

WALLPAPER: FACTORY TEAM-(parts and machine shop)

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.. Lately, (during the recent drought, & warm winters,) the "WORLD SNOWMOBILE EXPO" has enjoyed bare streets, rain, (yesterday and last night,) freezing rain, warm temperatures, (45° F now & 50° F tomorrow,) and diminishing attendance.

FREEZING RAIN

.. There is a trade show, vintage sleds, snowcross races, big concerts, new model unveiling's, bingo, raffles, etc.
.. At night the sparks from carbide skegs light up the town as the sleds roar from bar to bar across the bare streets.
.. It's an entertaining spectacle to behold. The aerobatics show and the vintage races gather up their fair share of spectators.

TOY HAULER

.. It used to be that the folks on sleds were those that could not afford a Harley Davidson motorcycle. Now the folks that can't afford a sled drive the Harley.
.. Big sleds are now in the stratospheric range of 18 - 22 thousand dollars. Some discounts on 2017 models are available during the three days of the EXPO .

PARTY TIME !!

.. At night the pubs and restaurants get a workout just like it was mid July. More so, indeed.
.. With Yellowstone National Park closed and seasonal employees pausing in the village there is an interesting mix of conversations to eavesdrop upon.
.. The local constabulary has every officer on alert and some covering double shifts. Search and rescue is very busy, (only one death so far this year.) Some of the town merchants that have been closed all winter open for the five or six days around this time of year.

GREAT FUN

.. Every few years St. Patrick's Day coincides with the EXPO and the pubs and police get an extra workout. Missed it by a couple of days this year.
.. The neighbors do their grocery shopping, Post Officing, and other 'town chores' early or tomorrow. A few capture dark tables or booths in the pubs a bit earlier than usual and nurse the brews through the visiting entertainment. Not too late, mind you; it does change from entertainment to rowdy. After all: "MY SLED IS FASTER THAN YOUR SLED !"

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.. The Madison River is free of ice and flowing free and clear and cold into the Madison Arm of Hebgen Reservoir.
.. There has been a pretty good midge hatch on these bright warm days. Fishing is closed on the river proper but there are some midges to be found in the estuary.
.. There is also good catching to be had at the edge of the ice with leeches and nondescript junk flies that resemble the debris rain from the melting ice.
.. Ice out should start very soon. Right now the estuaries are legal but it's hard to get there.

MADISON RIVER FREE FLOWING AND RIPE

..The trails to the Hebgen Tailwater are getting close to mud and the catching has picked up for the pre spawn fish. A few redds are visible up near the road - stay out of the water and practice your L.D.R. techniques if you can. Keep the fish in the water - in the net - release quickly. Better yet stay away and let them have their orgy in peace.
..Both the inlet and outlet to Quake Lake are exciting fishing and catching right now. Even the discharge from Beaver Creek is producing submarines of the first water. Dark Black or Purple Leeches and Woolly Buggers are the ticket.
.. If you are any good at stealth techniques you can sight fish to the monsters in shallow water at the edge of the ice or even near shore. Be gentle - it's a tough life under the ice.
.. We're headed to a dark corner for some early entertainment and the best gossip.

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WALLPAPER: FRESH SOURDOUGH

Golly Gee Whiz

WE'RE CALLIN' IT

Close On To Spring

some fish are savvy

WALLPAPER:  VISIT TO THE OUTSIDE WORLD

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..With a three week forecast calling for day time temperatures in the 30's and 40's we anticipate that 'Official Spring' and 'Real Spring' may arrive together this year.
.. It seldom happens this high up and, it doesn't mean an end to snow, sleet, graupel, thunder snows, high winds or rain.
.. It does mean, however, that the low and mid level snow pack is beginning to melt at a more rapid clip and that there may be a runoff event this year that could produce some flooding and some chocolate colored water that persists for some time. We'll know in a few weeks.
.. The last time it was this persistently warm prior to the 'Official Spring' was in 2011 -12 and 2013 came close with a two week spike.

OH NO: NOT AGAIN

.. The Discharge of the Madison River in Yellowstone National Park is about 30 cfs below the median daily statistic. Downstream things are different: +200 cfs below Hebgen Dam, +80 cfs near Kirby, +100 cfs near Cameron.
.. The high snow pack is holding at between 85% and 99% in both the Upper Gallatin River and Upper Madison River drainage's. That's good  - for now.

WIRED

.. Bits of open water along the shoreline around Beer Bay and Whiskey Bay on Hebgen Reservoir are beginning to get attention from some neighbors with snowmachines. Not a high score rate yet but soon!
.. The Hebgen Tailwater has a good crop of spawning fish and only a moderate amount of foreign fishers tromping the redds. The best catching has been at the head of Quake Lake and the sweeping meanders just above the debauchery.
.. Nymphs just below the surface seem to be the ticket right now. You really don't need more than six feet of leader and tippet if your line floats the way it should.

LOTS OF WIGGLE

.. The fish are hiding in the sun near the shore. Approach with your best duck waddle and exercise the polarized lenses. Small binoculars are a near necessity.
.. Down canyon on the Gallatin River catching is still doing well below Big Sky. The big bug brigade is still touting the giant and wiggly dark nymphs.
.. We're headed to the north shore in search of open water. It will be here before we know it.

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WALLPAPER:  RACHEL OR REUBEN ?

Busy Times

LOTS TO DO

Neighborhood Stuff

if the world only knew

FISH NOW

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.. Wintertime in this neck of the woods is frequently as busy as summertime.

PARKING PROBLEMS

.. Traffic jams of snowmobiles, long lines of pushy tour coaches headed into and out of Yellowstone National Park, queues at the grocery for BBQ supplies, skiers in the middle of the street doing combat with slednecks, contractor trucks whizzing around between the hardware store and all the interior remodels: all just in a days work.

ONE OF MANY

.. Then there's the truck plows clearing driveways and sidewalks, as well as biathletes skiing around with rifles strapped to their backs. Of course we should not fail to mention the sled dog rides and the wildlife photographers chasing rare winter birds both in and out of town.
.. By the way quite a few fishers mull about when the temperatures climb above -5°F. We do that occasionally too. Day after day this continues apace with the fun times of winter.

POPULAR PASTIME

.. There's a weird misconception among those poor folks trapped in the warmer climes of the nation that we all live in igloos and that there's nothing to do in the winter time - poor folks.
.. We don't want to dissuade them of their cloistered attitudes; it's crowded and busy enough already.

A WINTER FRIEND

.. So then, the sun has recently come out for a couple of days and, some foehn winds blew down the mountain and, the midges did frolic between the lakes.
.. Quite a few of the neighbors rushed to the water's edge and slammed 'em during the first black speck hatch of the winter. Damn if it didn't top 20° F yesterday!

NOTHING LIKE SUCCESS

.. Great catching success is usually celebrated in the neighborhood with a gathering and some tale-telling. It's always better at home than it is in the pubs, (that happens too.)
.. Therefore, a grand time was had by all yesterday evening. The pre-spawn fish in the Hebgen Dam Tailwater are both earlier and larger than usual - judging by the stories.

FAJITAS GLORIOSO

.. Flank steak fajitas, burgers, dogs, and what ever you brung were charred to perfection and the revelry lasted, (mostly indoors,) until the wee hours - as we post this.
.. Catching down canyon on the Gallatin River has been spotty but not too dismal. Large streamers drifted rather than stripped have been working well, as have large, (size 8 - 10,) non-bead head nymphs.

GOOD OL' HARE'S EAR

.. Streamers of the black or olive persuasion are usually preferred by the neighbors, and nymphs of the hare's ear sort are being used, (and lost,) in abundance.
.. We, up here in the dreary and sullen north woods, will do it again tomorrow. And, the weekends, so be it,  are much more busy than the weekdays.

WORKS ALL WINTER

.. The lowlanders from Bozeman, Ennis, Idaho  Falls, Pocatello, and other foreign venues will be up here for their immersion in the igloo culture of boredom and depression.
.. We enjoy the winter. Unlike the folks who enjoy shorts, cutoffs, bikini garb, and the uniform weather sameness of the beach, we take pleasure in the seasons.
.. Besides that, El Niño has dampened many of the snowbirds destinations this year. Warm and wet is not our idea of escape in wintertime.

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TYPICAL  TRANSPORTATION

ALMOST

ALMOST AS COLD AS JUNE

Almost Ice Out

almost visitor invasion

WALLPAPER:  HEBGEN RESERVOIR - SPRING

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.. The Föhn winds rake our village and the trees groan and squeal. Neighborhood fishers squiggle into their breezy gear and rush to the recently revealed catching water on Hebgen Reservoir.
.. Whisky Bay and Beer Bay are both ice-free. The estuaries of the South Fork and the Madison River are bright blue and inviting.
.. Many of the neighborhood fly fishers ignore this early opportunity. They are busy hobnobbing with the early arriving summer residents and the big talking counter help at the feather merchants. It's easier to talk about the upcoming warmer days than it is to get out and fish in the wind on a day that is warmer than some in June: but very windy.

KASTMASTER

.. Postcards, outdoor catalogs, and other mysterious influences have convinced many folks that fly fishing is a riverine activity. They have ignored or demeaned the lacustrine aspects of the pastime.
.. Of course the gear and worm folks are not easily impressed by the snooty attitudes of the elite fraternity of fur flingers. Worms are enticing fish to the hook right now. Panther Martin and Mepps and Kastmaster are in the mix as well.
.. Some of the neighbors, (unimpressed by fair weather rhetoric,) are taking fish at this very moment - with all manner of terminal tackle. In our village there are the neighborhood fishing friends and the other kinds. Friends go fishing. Gear and style are secondary to catching. Catching is secondary to "getting out." And so it goes.
.. Worm fishers and fly fishers share the same bit of open water with each other. Gear folks and fly fishers brave the mud puddles together and quaff some liquid together as they take turns on the limited open water.

MADISON MAULER

.. The other kinds of fishers are still at their tying benches or, casting aspersions at their customers from behind the counter of their comfy, feather merchant, warm dens. They seem to chant in unison: "just wait."
.. In this part of the high country waiting means missing some spectacular catching opportunities. The fisher folk amongst us chant in unison: "why wait?" Off they go. Wind, ice, mud, snow, or difficulty aside; there's fish to be caught. The others are still waiting and smirking.
.. For the non smirkers and non waiters flies of a giant size or a miniscule size are the rule for the bits of water available at the reservoir.
.. There is a symbiosis between the gear flingers and fluff floaters that goes unnoticed and unmentioned by "purists" of either fraternity. Fish, despite our rhetoric, are capricious, wily, and opportunistic feeders. They are curious and investigative. Their food memory is ephemeral and focused. Reject the fly - take the spoon. Shun the spinner - gobble the streamer. Just what was most recently eaten? Our neighbors know this.

FURNACE AND RED

.. In addition to the bays and estuaries there are some other beats and seats that are producing fish right now. Spawning is in full swing between the lakes in the Hebgen Dam Tailwater. Those that must catch fish the easy way are elbowing each other out of the way to tromp on redds and gall a hormone laden trout. We'll pass.
.. The boat ramps and the outlet of Quake Lake present some fine opportunities for taking large and gullible trout. There are some midges amongst the trees next to the highway. Precision casting is the rule.
.. The upcoming few days promise to provide us with excellent catching opportunities. There will be a bit of rain, a bit of snow, some sun, some wind, some clouds and other mixtures of Spring weather.
.. We're going to call-in sick - or some such.

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WALLPAPER:  BUTTERED CRUMPETS

The E Z Stuff

THE BOXES ARE FULL

The Rivers Are Near

breakfast is served

WALLPAPER:  SOURDOUGH PANCAKES AND  . . .

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FULL BOX

.. There are those that spend the winter in anticipation of summer fishing. There are those that would rather tie flies and fill their boxes. We tie our flies and anticipate fishing all year long.
..  Montana has fantastic access laws and liberal fishing regulations. Most rivers and streams are open most of the time, for most of the year.  Only fair weather fishers wait for summer.
.. We're more lucky than most. There are only two ways out of town and both lead to fine fishing - quickly. The roads are used by interstate trucking all year and the finest plow crews in the state keep them open. So, when the time is available, we go fishing rather than moaning about the weather.

RAFIA-BACKED HARE'S EAR NYMPH

.. This year there has been even less cause for moaning than usual. The winter has been mild and our neighborhood rivers have become destination fisheries for aliens from such foreign countries as Utah, Idaho, Wyoming, and California. We smile. We fish.
.. Right now the Gallatin River just north of Yellowstone National Park is providing some very fine catching on these mild days. Nymphs are the rule and it's just fine to allow the counter help at any feather merchant to sell you some. They all work perfectly. We're lost when it comes to new inventions and fancy materials. We use the stuff that the neighbors use. They work too, and are easy to tie - or "borrow."

YELLOWSTONE BADGER

.. There are bits of open water on Hebgen Reservoir and Quake Lake. The neighbors, "worm or fly," are moving down the secret trails to these choice spots. The fish are happy to see them and enjoy the workout.
.. It's coming on time to abandon the barrel of a tailwater below Hebgen Dam. The spawning trout are very thick and it's time to leave them to their revelry and debauchery.
.. There may be a week or two left and then the density of redds will demand that the pestering of fish be curtailed. Sad but true, it is seldom the case.

HELLIFIKNOW

.. This week the neighbors are using small streamers and wiggly flies with rubber legs and scraggly bits of fluff that animate the flies. The fish are becoming angry: they are not yet aggressive - or are they?
.. Over on the South Fork of the Madison River there is still a small snowpack. Neighborhood sled-heads and sled-doggers are still using the trails for access to the South Plateau.
.. Where the South Fork meets with Hebgen Reservoir the ice has slipped away with no notice by the invading fishers from afar. The trails and tracks to this bit of water are through the trees. The trees have saved some snow - and allowed some puddles as well. Snowmobile access is messy but - - - - - VERY REWARDING!
.. We're borrowing a sled.

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WALLPAPER:  THE SOUTH FORK IN LATE WINTER