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.

Do Not Pass "GO" ! [Part II]

THE SUMMER SNOW IS UPON US
All Signs Point To Multiple Bug Hatches
bring the kitchen sink

.. Evening on opening day brought a bit of broken cloud cover and honest hatches. On the Firehole River the small Caddis of mid day, (sizes 14 - 16,) seemed to have grown up, and fish were taking size 10 - 12 Elk Hair Caddis in mid stream. The fisher density had not dwindled much, and it was so crowded that folks were standing where they should have been fishing - and of course fishing where they should have been fishing.
.. Sunday evening saw some light showers but the fabled Baetis hatch was sporadic. However, the snow that graced the west side of Yellowstone on Monday evening fell for only about an hour and then lifted to an overcast sky that was just above the tip of a 10' 4-weight. The Baetis made an appearance along the Freight Road.
.. The Madison River near West Yellowstone produced reliable reports that the Local Hole and Barns Holes saw a similar event - the fish stories in the pubs after dark were numerous and gratifying to hear.
.. Some Little Yellow Stone Flies were seen in National Park Meadows about sundown. They were flying and perfectly happy in the glow of the muted sunset.
.. So were the fisher folk that had tied on a Quick - n - Easy. There were some folks fishing a Yellowstone Sally, and others fishing Salmon Fly Nymphs. All were taking fish. We can only imagine what a squirming mess there must be on the bottom.
.. No reports of Salmon Flies on the wing have reached our ears yet - but they ought to happen soon if the weather warms up again.

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.. Suppose you went to college and had a class project that was to develop a business plan for an hypothetical business.
.. Suppose that you lived in West Yellowstone and developed that plan to open a fly shop.
.. Suppose your professor liked the work that you did in class and commended you for developing a plan that encompassed your passion and sound business sense.
.. What would you do then? - - - -
.. Of Course ! - - - -

OPEN A NEW FLY SHOP IN WEST YELLOWSTONE.

.. There are now seven, (7) fly shops in a town that may have 800 year-round residents. That's a pretty good ratio if you're a fly fisher. More than churches and just a bit less than the bars - about right as we see it.
.. The kids have no web address yet, but they are open for business at the corner of Madison and Dunraven, in beautiful downtown West Yellowstone.
.. The size of the building is small, (about the same size as Arrick's was 15 years ago. The enthusiasm is palpable, the humor high, the selection of equipment and supplies more than adequate, and the location is excellent: between a pizza-pub and the grocery store. Good luck guys.
.. Our neighbors to the south are having a great time on the Lewis River. Check with Jack Dennis Outdoor Shop for particulars. They are also on the Firehole River right now as well. Need more fly suggestions? - check out their Firehole Favorites.
.. Remember that a float tube can be used in the channel between Lewis and Shoshone Lakes. Remember too, that a float tube is a watercraft and must have a permit.
.. Up north, the Gardner River and the Yellowstone River, (outside of the park,) are still fishable. Check with Park's Fly Shop for particulars.
.. Three excellent local reports are also available for your perusal at: Madison River Outfitters, Bud Lilly's Fly Shop, and Blue Ribbon Flies.

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