Notes From The Far Side

SELDOM VISITED

Should Do It More

oh to fish it now !!

FLY OVER

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..On a lark, (it happens about this time each year,) we buzzed over to the far reaches of Yellowstone National Park.
.. The Springtime bluster followed us for two days. It was typically "Springtime in the Rockies."

BLUSTER ON THE LAMAR RIVER

.. The bears are out in force and the Lamar River is at perfect fishing flow - a bit cold but beautiful. Runoff is just starting but the water is still clear and twinkly. It will be far different on May 27, 2017.
.. The road from Gardiner to Silver Gate is open all year. In our youth we would visit in Winter and sled off into the wilderness. No such beans now. But, a Springtime jaunt is equally rewarding.

SPRING AT BUFFALO RANCH

.. We get to see the Lamar River Valley, look at the river and see the exuberance of the wildlife. It's not as fine as the Fall but it gets us off the mountain.
.. We also take this opportunity to visit the premier fly shop at the north entrance to the park.
.. This year Parks' Fly Shop has outdone themselves with their seasonal prognostication. Their blog is notable for timely and accurate reporting throughout the season.
.. If you plan to visit Yellowstone National Park for a fishing soiree this coming summer check out the current, (and of course future,) reports.
.. PARKS' FLY SHOP GENERAL FISHING REPORT is well worth a click. Do it now.

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.. Up late today after the journey. Still buzzing and thinking. Coffee for sure. Breakfast maybe.

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WALLPAPER:  BEANS AND FRIED MUSH

Touché

ROD TO THE RESCUE

Just A Nine Footer

t & t wins

BE BEAR AWARE

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.. We often caution: "carry the bear spray." We're pleased to report that it works.
.. Just two days ago a Bozeman, Montana fisher and his wife fended off a food guarding grizzly in the Lamar Valley.
.. We need not expand the story. To read the whole story of the husband and wife defense - READ IT HERE. And HERE.
.. We do suggest that the bear spray be carried in  hand.

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WALLPAPER: BEST HOMEMADE TORTILLAS

It's Here

THE UP SIDE

Cooling Rains Exit

neighbors migrating

WALLPAPER: OVER THE TOP

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.. We traveled to the far reaches of interior Yellowstone National Park.
.. It's a trek we make a couple of times each year. It's part of the neighborhood migration. As our west side rivers heat up and the fish need a break from the lather whipped froth of fly flingers we join the neighbors for brief forrays into the other bits of the park.
.. The migration is a little late this year. We've been blessed with more cool days than we deserve and the exceptional catching has held on far longer than we anticipated.
..The weather forecast for the near term, however, suggests that a bit of warmness is blasting toward us. It's overdue.

ANT COLONY

.. 80's and maybe 90's are about to visit us. The ants like it. The hoppers like it. The beetles like it. Fish hide from it. Cloudless skies are tough on a fish looking to hide from the eagles and ospreys.
.. This is the time of year we look toward the Lamar River and the Yellowstone River.

.. Those drainage basins are currently full of cool water, many bugs, many fish and many tributaries that often go overlooked.

FUN WATER

.. A couple of our favorite small streams are on the way to the big rivers.
.. We stopped and looked. They are still busy with friendly fish and eager fishers. Pass!
.. The end of the salmon fly hatch is hanging on in the Lamar River Canyon.
.. Nymph and soft hackle flies hold the day for the moment. Very soon now the mayflies will be everywhere, (just not all at once.) We smashed a couple with our predatory windshield wipers but not the density that should happen any day now.

JUST FOR FUN

.. The hoppers are mature and, on warm days, they will practice their breast stroke along the grassy parts of the rivers.
.. Take a couple hopper imitations for bobbers and fish either a 'hopper dropper' or 'hopper dry' combination. You may be surprised with  a double up - it happens.

GOOD BOBBER

.. If you are into watching your fly swirl along the surface it would also be good to carry a box full of PMD imitations.
.. If you're real lucky a giant Green Drake will tickle your ear and it's time to find them on the water.

LAMAR RUN

.. We spoke with some folks exiting the dusty Slough Creek Road. It seems that catching is picking up and that streamers, nymphs, and even some dry flies are fooling the famously wily trout.
.. Jump on it now, (if you're so inclined,) because the campground still has open spaces and it's not too overly crowded.
.. The sporadic rains have clouded both Soda Butte Creek and the Lamar River. No real mud plugs to speak of but it's still possible at any time.  Soda Butte Creek is getting crowded from Trout Lake to the confluence with the Lamar River.
.. The small stretches between giant boulders above the lower meadow are full of fish. This is water that is a nuisance to reach and is often overlooked. Just about any ol' floater and quite a few sinkers will gather up a storied day of 10" to 12" fish. Try it you'll like it, (even if you have to walk through a tangle of vegetation.)

LONELY STREAM

.. We enjoyed Pebble Creek, (above the campground and the picnic tables.) The fish are smaller but the elbows are fewer.
.. There are some deep meanders in this shallow stream that hold monster, (up to 15",) fish. This is bragging size for this little wonder of a stream.

WORKS GOOD

.. Generally guides and visiting fishers concentrate on the water below the road and into Soda Butte Creek. Have at it.
.. Right now there are plenty of fish to be fooled and the little stream is clear as crystal and cold.
..  There are some reports of bears and even wolves, (my my,) so carry your bear spray and sing silly songs in chorus with your fishing partners. It lets the bears know you are coming!
.. Big water Yellowstone River report coming up. Stay tuned. It's coming on daylight and we're still digesting last night's dinner.

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WALLPAPER:  SEARED AND READY

WALLPAPER:  BOILED IN REAL LARD

WALLPAPER:  CRISP AND TENDER CARNITAS

WALLPAPER:  CARNITAS TACOS

Weather's Coming

NEIGHBORHOOD INDICATORS

NFS ROADS GETTING WORKOUT

runners getting ready

WALLPAPER:   NEIGHBORHOOD INDICATOR TREE

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.. Around the neighborhood there are a few trees, and other signs that consistently signal the time to switch flies and fishing locations.
.. The buzz in our visitors vocabulary is about the waters in Yellowstone National Park and  the presence of migrating Brown Trout on their annual run to sexual encounters.

SEASONAL INDICATOR

.. We encourage all of our visiting fishers to visit their favorite feather merchant and get some advice about where to fish during the early stages of the run.
.. The absolute best rumors and stories will be found amongst their dusty aisles and from their counter help.
.. Right now staging behavior is dominant among the trout migrants. They are sniffing and tasting the water for cues: temperature, turbidity, trace elements and volatile compounds, among others.
.. This behavior concentrates pods of pre-spawn fish in the estuaries and mouths of the tributary rivers that feed the Madison River Drainage. Many of the neighborhood tributary streams are now truncated by the water in Hebgen Reservoir. The fish wait until the cues overwhelm their complacent lifestyle in the reservoir.

A VICTORIAN TREASURE

.. A few fish start up the tributaries early. A few fish lag behind the general population, (a selective advantage or disadvantage that only time will reveal.)
.. During the pre-spawn and 'early run' the fish are tentative when they enter the tributaries. They mill around and make false starts from the reservoir to the rivers and then back.
.. They are hungry and hormone driven. The population density varies with time and distance up the various tributaries.
.. Right now, as you read this, the fish density in the estuaries of Gryaling Creek, Duck Creek, South Fork Madison River, Madison River and others is increasing by the day  -- some more than others.
-- Right now the pre-spawn population density is greater in the estuaries and lower reaches of the tributaries than in the upper reaches.

A VICTORIAN TREASURE - TOO

-- Right now visitors are fishing the upper reaches of the various tributaries. Right now the neighbors are still fishing in the reservoir and the estuaries. Wonder why that is?
.. The giant soft hackle fly seems to be in the forefront of our neighbor's selection for the estuarine fish.
.. Streamers aimed at the dark holes near the banks in the lower river segments are a close second to the soft hackles.
.. One key to finding the fish is to pay attention to the sun and shadows within each river segment.
.. This is particularly true of the sinuous Madison River course as it parallels and transects the park line just prior to debauching into Hebgen Reservoir. The fish from the reservoir are in bright shallow water. It is a foreign environment for reservoir dwellers.

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KING PRINCE NYMPH

.. The Firehole River is about right for early and late fishing. Through the coming week we will have nearly perfect catching weather. The temperatures will fall in the evening. Scattered clouds and showers will dot the west side of the park. The elbow density will not have reached epidemic proportions. The school-aged mobs will be mostly gone.
.. Watch the noses for hints about the flies. The neighborhood faithful are using Scarlet Ibis wet flies, King Prince nymphs, and the usual assortment of flymphs and soft hackles with both regularity and success.
.. If you need to see your fly as it floats the baetids are becoming more regular as are the caddis.

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.. Over yonder, the Lamar River has been blessed with only occasional mud plugs. Catching is good and the transition from terrestrials to floaters is in full bloom.

WALLPAPER: GOOD MORNING LAMAR RIVER

.. It's not often mentioned but, fish run up the tributaries of the Lamar River in the Fall. They move back and forth through the winter and into the Spring.
.. The confluences of the Lamar River with: Slough Creek, Soda Butte Creek, Cache Creek, Calfee Creek, and Miller Creek, are full of fish at this time of year.
.. if, on the other hand,  you would like to have exceptional water to yourself right now get a back country guide to take you to  Mist Creek and the Little Lamar River. Be advised that head hunters and hero photographers will be disappointed with the size of the fish above Cache Creek. The beauty, solitude, and grandure however, could make you look more and fish less.

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.. This afternoon the fish are holding a convention along the shoreline near Spring Creek Campground. We'll head that way in an hour or two. With the anticipated weather coming in a day or two we'll wait until Wednesday to join the neighbors where the runners are thickest.

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WALLPAPER: WHERE ARE YOU FISHING TODAY  ?

Quickies

SODA BUTTE . . FLUSHED

Lamar In Good Shape

madison cooling

WALLPAPER: A POOL ON THE LAMAR

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.. According to the National Park Service the poison has been flushed from Soda Butte Creek.
.. The 3,000 refugee Cutthroat Trout have been returned to the river. Should you be in that stretch above Ice Box Canyon we suggest that you say high to the fish and don't ask for a dance. Down low in the meadows and little prairies catching is progressing apace with the onslaught of Autumn.

SHUCKS TO YOU

.. With our last bit of atmospheric stability the Lamar River has blossomed into a wonderful destination. Terrestrials are first choice, followed by your favorite small and large mayflies. Baetids of a couple of sorts are the ticket on cloudy days.
.. The meadows above Virgina Cascades are attracting fishers to the colorful and willing Brook Trout. This segment of the Gibbon River is a catchers paradise and is entering the Fall with a good supply of ants, hoppers, and tromped down grass.

LOW AND SLOW

.. The cooling atmosphere and lowering of the sun has cooled off the Gibbon River in the big meadows. It's not at it's peak Fall condition, (at this moment,) but should be in the next week or two.
.. The Firehole River is cooling but not quickly enough for the neighborhood faithful. Patience is a virtue and the river should be ready in a few weeks. The fish should be well rested and ready for a Tango about September 23: solstice time.
.. The Madison River has managed a week of lowering temperatures. Folks are fishing in the mid 60° water. There are better choices on the west side of Yellowstone National Park. 
.. If you know where the cold springs are, and choose to fish the Madison River,  please use a short stout leader and horse the fish in and, release them quickly. No hero pictures necessary.
.. Duck Creek from the Highway 191 bridge to Hebgen Reservoir is attracting the attention of more than a few of our neighbors. Access is a little difficult along this short stretch and it is often overlooked by visiting head hunters.
.. Right now there are a few spruce moths swimming in the low and slow waters. Hoppers and beetles are enjoying the cool respite of a quick dip as well.
.. The estuarine waters of Grayling Creek, and up through the willow jungle below the historic old Post Office site is getting some attention from mature trout coming out of Hebgen Reservoir. Of course the trout are getting some attention from fishers coming out of West Yellowstone.
.. The catchers of fish are streaming to the Gallatin River. The ever cool water of this friendly little stream has an abundance of fish that are easy to find and will occasionally agree to dance with fishers.

PSEUDO HOPPER

.. The waters of Yellowstone National Park beckon the Autumn fishers of the world. They have heard the call are arriving by the busload.
.. We welcome them to our village. We direct them to the local feather merchants and tell them to heed the advice of the counter help.
.. They will buy a handful of flies. They will fish the glory waters. They will catch a fish. Have at it.
.. Motel rooms, for the Fall, are being reserved at a record pace. Hotels with international ownership are rising from the vacant lots around the village. Restaurants with honest international fare and chefs are making their presence felt. Goodbye to steak and eggs. Goodbye to biscuits and gravy. Hello to tapas with a Spanish owner. Hello to Tao's place. What an interesting time.
.. Tomorrow morning we're going to have a plate of baozi, a bowl of congee, some chicken feet and a glass of soy milk with our tea.
.. Then, after battling the willows of Notellum Creek, we're coming home to pulled pork and BBQ beans. Tradition will out.

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WALLPAPER:  DOWN HOME PLATE

Briefs

DEATH IN YELLOWSTONE

Spruce Moths Working

hoppers have wings and legs

THESE ARE NOT JUST FOR DECORATION

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.. The partially eaten body of a seasonal employee of Medcore was discovered near Elephant Back Loop Trail. The body was found about noon on Friday, (LINK-1.) The involvement of Grizzly Bears was announced yesterday, (LINK-2.)
.. We've said it before and we say it again: walk, stroll, hike, or meander with your bear spray in hand and sing loudly to the bears. Two or three companions is usually a good number for bear fishing. 
.. The man was described as "an experienced hiker," and was known to frequent the area where his body was found.

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ADULT MOTH

.. Spruce moths have been reported along the wooded sections of the Gallatin River near the northern boundary of Yellowstone National Park. They now add their flavor to the miscellaneous smorgasbord available for the eager trout.
.. It might be worth mentioning that the neotanous form is also edible and does, in fact, fall from trees into the awater.
.. Ants, beetles, caddis, hoppers, and sporadic mayflies provide a balanced diet for our scaly friends. Certainly you have something that will work.

BABY MOTH

.. The best advice for now is to take the whole box, (or two or three,) and fish with a friend to share information with. Covering a lot of water is always a good idea. Trigger finger on the bear spray and take time to look around at the scenery above the water.

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.. It's not known as a streamer fishery but, there have been some genuine hogs jerked from the Madison River Between The Lakes. The last few deep meander bends before Quake Lake have been, of late, persistently haunted by a couple of the neighbors.

GOOD OL' OLIVE MATUKA

.. Once a gigantic fish takes a streamer it's hard to fish elsewhere for awhile. Nothing fancy going on here: no two handed rods, no 10' nine weights, no exotic flies with endangered fluff. Matuka is the name of the game. Fling, mend, strip, wait, strip again, hang on.

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.. A steady stream of the young neighbors are traveling to far reaches of the northeast corner of the park on a regular basis. They get up early and arrive in time to see long shadows across the confluence of Slough Creek with the Lamar River.

TROUT CANDY

.. These sage rats ignore the lush meadows of the famous creek. They don't fish where trees obscure the view and snag a cast or where the grass is so deep that it tickles their nether regions. They are allergic to guide books and famous fisheries.
.. Right now they are using unfashionable San Juan Worms, Black Deer Hair Beetles, monster Woolly Buggers, Hoppers, and the occasional small stone fly nymph or ant imitations. The cell phone pictures are convincing.

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.. Whispers abound in the least used tables in the pubs. Winter Creek, Gibbon River between the cascades and Greebe Lake, Firehole River on the trail to Lone Star Geyser, and weed beds with leeches on Hebgen Lake.
.. We'd be remiss if we failed to mention the whispers. We'd be garroted if told you more.

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WALLPAPER:   SODA BUTTE

The Other Park

THE RIVERS ARE DIFFERENT

There's Different Scenery

the fish are similar

WALLPAPER:  LAMAR POCKET

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.. Expect the Lamar River to be smaller than you remember it. It's still plenty big but, the sparse snow pack, capricious rainfall patterns and warm, (except for the last two weeks,) weather have conspired to keep the flows down low.
..  In fact all the famous waters of the great northeast of Yellowstone National Park are down just a bit. The fishing ranges from good to very good. And as usual, in this corner of Yellowstone National Park, the fishing is every bit as good as the fisher.
.. The ground-dwelling bugs are further along than in the west side river valleys. Hoppers are a skosh larger and have wings. Ants are on your feet and little black beetles are easy to see in the dust.

Clearing Lamar waters demand probing the structure and covering lots of water.

.. Temperatures in the high 70's through the mid 80's will persist through the middle of next week and the waters should be clear and cool. This is an open  secret. The fishers are as thick as the buffalo and it's strange to have to plan for alternate parking spots.
.. There are some "No Stopping" zones and the bison are active in the morning and evening - they usually take a mid-day nap. Watch for them.

No Room At The Inn.

.. The campgrounds are fully booked and this has caused additional crowding, both on the road and on the rivers.
.. The mayfly hatches have been adequate and sporadic. Be prepared with the surface box but exercise the terrestrial box if the little fliers are not readily visible. A hopper dropper combination is what those in-the-know fishers start with. Use small hoppers, (or even a stimulator as the top fly.) The point fly can be an ant or beetle or even a bead head something - keep it on the small side too.

Fish where the fish are - just find them.

.. The braided stream channels at the confluence of the Lamar River and Soda Butte Creek look like gravel pits. There are, (indeed,) fishy nooks and crannies in this low water wasteland. There are even fish here.
.. Look for little streams of quick water dumping into - or - skirting around dark mini-pools, The shadows are friends of fishes in this section of the valley. Mid day is tough but, still crowded. Carry and use sun block.
.. Soda Butte Creek is both on fire and a popular elbow watching venue. The famous water, (from Trout Lake to the confluence meadows,) is a display of gear and license plates from near and far. This is for good reason. The creek has moved away from it's banks and is providing novel catching opportunities.

Welcome to Slough Creek.

.. Use your best small hoppers with beetles or ants. The caddis have been kind of shy but, a small caddis imitation will bring noses to the hook - if you see the noses first.
.. If you have the right fishing license you can gather up some dance partners in beautiful downtown Silver Gate. There are even occasionally available rooms to let in both Silver Gate and Cooke City.
.. The welcome sign is out on the road to Slough Creek. The celebrity  and spooky trout are beginning to be closed mouth when it comes to artificial flies. Catching, from the sagebrush through the second meadow, requires hunting skills as well as fishing skills.

Damsel

.. Gentle strolling along the bank and keen observation are keys to galling a fish. This is one place where it is most important to fish the fish rather than the water. The trout don't have lock jaw yet but it's getting to be that time of year. Fish wise and fish slow.

Grunt in - Slide out.

.. Even little  Trout Lake, (with trout the size of watermelons,) is crowded. This little destination requires a small grunt to get to.
.. Coming out, down the hill, should be a breeze - unless you are exhausted from catching all those willing, yet shy fish.
.. There is an abundance of damsel flies on the water right now. Don't forget the weeds - use your best larval imitation.

Pebble Creek classroom.

.. Pebble Creek, from the camp ground to the Soda Butte Creek confluence has some fish of the willing variety. Practice your stalking skills in the brambles that the other fishers avoid and walk around.
.. There are some gently undercut banks that hold large and lazy fish. These critters can feel you coming. They are just hangin' out and waiting for some groceries. Don't telegraph your presence and you will fill your dance card. Try a pair of nymphs with a bobber. You shouldn't have to cast far.
.. If you are brave enough to negotiate the campground at Pebble Creek, (avoiding the educational seminars, creative parking, and family fun,) you will find some excellent catching opportunities in the willow meadows.
.. This is one of those places that has few fishers: lots of hikers, photographers, and families, but few fishers.
.. What's happening on the Gardner River? How about Obsidian Creek or Winter Creek? Could there be fish in the Yellowstone River?
.. What a place !!

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WALLPAPER: THE SODA SIGN