DAMNITALL

THAR SHE GOES

To The North Woods

ours is dry

THE PINEAPPLE EXPRESS HEADS NORTH AGAIN

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.. This is not the weather pattern that our fish desire. With our current Pacific Ocean temperatures this is what the Pineapple Express currently looks like. It has even subsumed our friendly Gulf of Alaska low.

.. Snowfall in the our neighborhood is sparse with small flakes and dry. Our snow water content is at 72% of normal for this time of year.  The east slope of the Rocky Mountains is in the shadow of these weak weather systems. We can say no more.

NEED SOME SNOW

.. By the way: ice fishing is well underway. Shacks at both the narrows and the dam are sprouting like mushrooms in the burned over areas.

-- Right now scuds and leaches are working well. Scuds with a small split shot and a thrumming rod appeals to the most successful catchers. As the subsurface temperatures cools the leeches will pill up and sink into the bottom muck.

-- Check this post for good information = CLICK HERE.

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WALLPAPER:  CHEESE OMELETTE WITH SAUSAGE

Embarrassing

 WE LIVE HERE

We Know Stupid

our attorney general sucks

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Bless Texas for showing the way to stupidity !

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WALLPAPER:  HOT BEEF SANDWICH

With A Vengence

COVID-19 RETURNS

Montana Alert

no mask mandate

WHY?

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.. Here it comes. Summer and visitors have brought COVID-19 to Montana. Our governor has declared a state of emergency [LINK.] We can say no more.

RESOURCES:

>> Governor's Task Force
>> 46 States Require Masks
>> Care Facility Cases
>> Deadly Weekend

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.. We urge you to contact your favorite feather merchant by phone. Ask about mask protocol and Covid-19 mitigation measures in the shop.
.. Gallatin County has the most cases of any county in the state.

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WALLPAPER:  AMPLE PARKING

Under The Radar

A DEEP DIVE

Trespass Or Not

private vs. public interest

PRIVATE LAND - PUBLIC TRAIL

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.. Percolating under the corona-time and, becoming more of local interest than it should be, is the ongoing battle for access to isolated public lands.

THE SHORE OF UPPER TWIN LAKE

.. A couple of years ago the concerns were of national interest. Now they have become submerged by the political climate, a pandemic and, the malaise/fear of our population. AND, in truth, all politics is local. But the access question is still national and urgent.
.. We refreshed our memory with a re-read of a seminal piece by Monte Reel. It details the continuing saga of access and ownership and development in the Crazy Mountains, [READ IT.]
.. The U.S. Forest Service just announced, in a news release,  that the Porcupine Ibex Trail will be open to hikers, horseback riders and mountain bikers on Friday, more than a year and a half after it was first proposed. The 2.7 miles of new trail will connect the Porcupine Cabin Trailhead to the North Fork Elk Creek Trail, [ READ IT - 2.]
.. Since last fall there has been development on private plots that use public access to facilitate construction ingress and egress, [READ IT - 3.]
.. In a rare, and mostly unseen, online letter, Kate Gervais reminds us all about the actions of out-of-state land owners and their hiding in the shadow of Greg Gianforte. Indeed, actions do speak louder than words, [READ IT - 4.]
.. As bad as it is - right now. And as bad as it is going to be - we should keep our eyes on the many balls we were juggling previously.

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.. Food prices are climbing. Gas prices are slowly dropping, (within the West Yellowstone Cartel.) Yes it's true all the prices are the same; after all only three families own all six gas stations. One family owns 3 -my, my, my. Just where is our FTC or ICC?

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WALLPAPER: JUST TOO PRETTY TO BURN !!

Neighbor Running

BULLOCK ANNOUNCES

Novel Approach

our loss

..

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.. Search the interwebs OR [READ IT HERE.] Announcement HERE.

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WALLPAPER:  SHORT STACK

Stand With The Best

YOUR RESPONSE ?

Montana Preserved ?

worth your time

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.. Thanks to the sharp eyes of Riffles and Slicks we have quickly learned about an impassioned response from our neighbors to a major threat to our way of life.
.. The threat is to our values, history, heritage, and our pride.
.. The threat is about the theft, sale, and give away of our public lands. Local, State, or, Federal: they are ours. It's time to TAKE A STAND!
.. Now, 40 of Montana's best loved and cherished writers have joined forces to take a stand to preserve our public lands and values.
.. It's worth your time to see this and read it. Here is a small sample:

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"Ryan Zinke knows better, has seen the glaciers shrink with his own eyes,  but he has entered a world where pandering is the coin of the realm, serving an administration virtually at war with the natural world."  . . .  Tom McGuane

 "In Montana, our right to step into a river or stream at all depends on access. Publicly owned and managed land provides most of that access." . . .  David Brooks 

 "I don’t worry so much about losing our wilderness areas and national parks. I don’t think the takers could stand up to the fight if they tried to grab those jewels. It’s the smaller chunks of land that I fear for, the places with scars and without fame or constituency." . . .  Scott McMillion

 "Our tea among secretive
Rocks — soak away the meanness
Of a year’s duplicity — no one can reach
Us here — no human noise — A river will gentle the cruelest voice" . . .  Sandra Alcosser

 "Word has reached me from a number of reliable sources, men and women who would sacrifice their lives for the right causes, that our illustrious chief executive is hatching some evil plans to sell off our birthright, that of public open spaces still pristine, to the highest bidders." . . .  Russell Chatham

 "It’s that kind of sneak attack that always gets us in the end. It’s the way they tell you what you want to hear, offer a few tokens while they’re drawing these lines behind your back. They’re clever that way, being able to create such beautiful lines. Lines you’d never think were possible." . . .  Russell Rowland

READ IT HERE

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THIS LAND WAS MADE FOR YOU AND ME . . . Woody Guthrie

QUICK !! -- Pay Up.

LEGISLATURE:
VERY GOOD SHOW

Bullock Signs Bill

excellent step forward

A CHANGE IN THE LAW

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.. Yesterday we received a positive step forward in the fight against invasive species. A mere $2 per resident fisher and $15 for non resident fishers will go toward the fight.
.. According to Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks: "This is not a license fee increase, but rather an additional requirement from the legislature to fund the fight against aquatic invasive species."
..  Added to an omnibus bill it is called an "AIS PASS." This can best be described as a user tax.
.. It's available today at all license providers and online. You do not need to be an angler to purchase the pass. For interested residents this is a small outlay to aid the fight against invasive species.
.. FWP is very specific about this: "To be very clear:  The new AIS prevention pass will be required for all anglers, including those who have purchased a license prior to May 19."
 .. For visitors planning to visit Yellowstone National Park this tax is not required -REPEAT: NOT REQUIRED FOR YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK.

RESOURCES

>> ON LINE APPLICATION
>> FWP ANNOUNCEMENT
>> SB 363
>>  INDEPENDENT RECORD

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.. Those folks of a certain age will recall the quasi technical term from the WWII era: "BM."

REALLY UGLY

..  It was an attempt to gentrify a most odorous bodily function. It was wildly parodied through the 1950's and became a standard bit of vernacular for the day.
.. It has been revived among those fishers, of that age, to refer to the current state of our local rivers.
.. With the magical, melting disappearance of yesterday's 4" of snow our rivers have risen rapidly and are now in "THE BM STAGE."
.. Such a color!

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WALLPAPER:  QUESADILLA Y FRIJOLES

Even In Montana

FENCE OFF ACCESS

Out Of New Jersey

a russian connection

ELECT ME - I'M RUSSIAN RICH

 

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.. The carpetbagger barrage from and, into Montana continues.
.. After sending our favorite Californian to Washington DC, we're being bombarded once again by Greg Gianforte from his throne in New Jersey.
.. This is just a short note here to point out what The Guardian just published, {LINK-G.}
.. This recurrant posier is trying get elected again and he's probably not even legally eligible.
.. Thanks to Montana Cowgirl for their post and the heads up to all of Montana - even fly fishers.

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.. Some housekeeping chores:

>> This blog is searchable: box at upper left,
>> Many links have evaporated, we're working on it,
>> Some images are no longer available, = free hosting,
>> We're still covered by creative commons,
>> New IRL = Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers,

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.. Madison River now pumped up to more than 100cfs above seasonal norm. The color has finally arrived and the bankfull waters are being augmented by our recent wet snow and rain during the last few warm days. The temperature is warmer than usual for this time of year but is still holding below 60°F.
.. Down canyon on the Gallatin River discharge is about 200cfs above seasonal norms. Color is finally being added by the Taylor Fork.
.. There are bugs both above and below the surface. Clarity hasn't yet been reduced to the point of stupidity and a large dark nymph or enormous Woolly Bugger is the way to go above Big Sky.

CASUAL DRESS

.. Hebgen Reservoir is still producing largish fish near the shore. The pods are beginning to break up and a good pair of binoculars with polarized glasses should allow sight fishing for another 10 days or so.
.. Try floating a heavily greased Casual Dress trailed by a Prince Nymph.

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.. The coals need stirring, the slab needs adjusting, the end is in sight, and after seven hours we don't want to disappoint the neighbors.

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WALLPAPER:  CARNITAS Y MAYOCOBAS  BORACHOS

More Montana Politics

WHO? IN CONGRESS

Who Is Paying ?

who's money ?

..

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.. Now that Zinke has weedled his way into the national wrecking ball in Washington, D.C., folks from Montana have a chance to replace him back here in our special election.
.. Perhaps we'll do it right this time. Of course we will have to fight with our memories. Do you remember the devious plan to block fishers from the East Gallatin River? For a refresher course check out this link.

BRIGHT AND WARM

.. On another front we note that the carpetbaggers are back with their piles of money to meddle with our children's welfare and education. The bi-partisan pre-kindergarten bill is being opposed by Americans For Prosperity. That's the bunch funded by the Koch brothers. They want to keep our kids as poorly educated as possible. Then they will likely elect more of their buddies like Zinke and Gianforte.  Don't believe it? Try this other link.
.. Follow the progress of HB 593, "Revise Metal Mining Laws" - with a quick click here. Looks to be O.K. for now - but you never know!
..Our state is contemplating providing a $10,000,000.oo / year, low interest loan to Talen Energy of Colstrip, Montana. The idea is to lessen the economic impact to the town and to the Montana State Budget during the coming shutdown of the "old plant" in 2022. This is a bizarre plan to prop up a company that is losing $30,000,000.oo / year. Go figure - click away to read more.

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COULD IT BE ?

.. The slicker is still wet and the drip is still dripping. We hit 55° F and had a bit of a breeze but the fishing has been tolerable. The catching has been better. Water is puddling on the top of the ice at Hebgen Reservoir.
.. The estuary of the South Fork of the Madison River is open and the legal lake fishing there is just a few days away, Snowmobiles are still necessary. 
.. We went and closed the winter season in Yellowstone National Park.

YELLOW MITE

.. Too warm for winter - could it be Spring? We'll see.
.. Time for some breakfast and a cogitation about the day ahead. Fishing is still on the pencil list.

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WALLPAPER:  RIB STEAK & SMASHED

History Forgotten

DOOMED TO REPEAT

Montana Folks Know

theatrics for masses

ZINKE PRETENDING TO BE FROM MONTANA

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.. Montana is a place where theatrics cover up much in the service of self aggrandizement. It's how our new Interior Secretary has risen through the morass of our political quagmire.

SANTA BARBARA, MONTANA ??

.. By gosh and by guile he has flip-flopped on too many issues to have a valid position that can be counted on. Hell's Bells, he's doesn't even live in Montana. He owns no property in our state, [LINK-A.]
.. Like so many poor states in our nation carpetbaggers  prey upon citizens with their dark money and hidden agendas. It has been this way since the southern states were invaded after the Civil War. It is a fact of Montana politics.
.. Zinke has the same zeitgeist as the current administration and he fits right in. His funding is 90% from outside of Montana. He has called for the invasion of Mexico. He has hosted hate groups in his congressional office. He has praised Vladimir Putin’s authoritarian rule and Saddam Hussein’s use of draconian measures to control his population, [LINK-B.]

FOR SALE OR RENT ??

.. Despite his rhetoric and the insults hurled at our Native American population he really wants to privatize &/or exploit public lands. He will do it on either the large scale or the small scale - what ever the opportunity, [LINK-C.]
.. Zinke is proud to boast about who he is. He is a perfect Trumptarian in this way. His self agrandizing history is there for all who care to see, [LINK-D.]
.. He, like most of the current white billionaire administration is a fanboy of Putin, [LINK-E.]

IRISH SPORT HORSE

.. Montana residents are generally honest. They presume to give others the benefit of the doubt.
.. Like good people around the world they make the mistaken assumption that others are like themselves.
.. They tend to believe that what they see is what they get.
.. They also allow you to fool them  only once.
.. Now they, and the rest of the country, are getting a California social climber on a fancy, Irish Sport Horse,  pretending to be from Montana.

TRY THAT ON THE POTOMAC

.. What's wrong with a good ol' Montana Quarter Horse? Or a local Paint that you can fish from?
.. He was born here and split as soon as he could.
.. We have watched this swell of pretense growing over the last decade or so.
.. Zinke has noted, rightly so, that Montanans are generally poor. "The Appalachia of the west," how sad.
.. Many other politicians from out of state have also observed this. The local political parties, (Republican, Democrat, Other,) can't compete in fund raising with dark money.
.. We need a sign at our border: "Carpetbaggers Welcome." It's happening more and more!
.. Folks that praise the image fail to understand the substance of the folks in the image. Zinke has flaunted his sexism, racism, and Russian sympathies. His history is clear, [LINK-F, LINK-G.]

ALL,  SOME,  NONE:   Lead Restrictions

.. Bless his heart, he pretends to care about the environment and preservation of fishing and hunting resources. That's probably why his first official act was to repeal the banned use of lead ammunition and fishing tackle in national parks and wildlife refuges, [LINK-H.]
.. Lead shot has been acknowledged to be an environmental hazzard and there are existing federal regulations to prohibit its use for migratory waterfowl. The current battle of lead bullets and lead fishing tackle is still ongoing. Line up with your favorite side, [LINK-I.]
.. Then there's the concern about our endangered species. What's the history there, [LINK-J?]
.. There is much more and you can, (if you really care to,) find out about the history of the new Interior Secretary. Here's a start: "Zinke Environmental History."
.. We can't fault folks that think the stunt of riding a horse to work is a sign of good ol' western values. They have not known this politician or his ways for the past decade or so.

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BEST MIDGE

.. Look, the snow is melting, the sun is out, the midges are frolicking, and the waters call.
.. We'd best get there before they get sold to some California interloper.

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WALLPAPER:  BBQ PORK CHOP & BEANS

.

.

All Past Is Prelude

CLANDESTINE MEETINGS ?

Grumping And Groaning

your license to whine

PUBLIC  MEETING

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.. So it comes down to this. The final public input meetings for the proposed Draft Madison River Recreation Environmental Assessment, (EA.)
.. This debate and proposed action started with conversations in the plush digs of wealthy Montana landowners way back in 2011 and 2012.
.. The EA will address the means, modes, and density of recreation on the upper Madison River and the regulation and enforcement of those means, modes, and densities.

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IN  HELENA

.. Although this is the least important public meeting from a public perspective, it is the most important meeting from the perspective of the Montana Department of Fish Wildlife and Parks, (FWP.) It signals the last public meeting prior to the release of the EA in November.
.. AND, unless FWP staff have been totally asleep, the EA is mostly complete.

RECREATION

.. Should you choose to attend one of the three scheduled meetings, (see below,) there are several things to keep in mind:
1, The waters of the state of Montana are owned by the citizens of the state. Not just fishing guides, not just fisher folks, not just landowners, not just float tube riders, not rafters, - all the citizens and their varied recreational predilections.

RECREATION

2, The FWP is a combined agency that is charged with multiple responsibilities. Rightly or wrongly the State Legislature and recent new constitution have lumped diverse responsibilities into a single agency.
3, Citizens of the state of Montana are the employers of the bureaucrats that hold their position in FWP. Those bureaucrats are accountable for their actions.

RECREATION

4, Citizens of the state of Montana are also accountable for their own actions and participation, (or non action and non participation,) in the EA process.
5, Both citizens and bureaucrats have a tough job. Both must uphold their rights and duties. Without due diligence there is no license to whine on the part of the citizens.

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.. Should you choose to practice due diligence it behooves you to do it right. Try the following:

USE  IT

A, Take a pencil and paper to write down what you think was being said and by who. Write down the names of the bureaucrats in attendance.
B, Use your smart phone's camera to record things that are important to you and your concerns. Don't erase it.
C, If you have pressing questions or concerns that you want addressed in the EA - write them down and give them to one of the bureaucrats with the admonishment that they should be addressed in writing in the EA. Keep a copy and record the name of the bureaucrat that you gave them to.
D, If you ask questions rather than making comments be sure that the question is answered with specific responses to the question that was asked. Beware of weasel words: maybe, probably, possibly, try to, explore, address, many, often, science says,  etc. Note the name of the bureaucrat that answers the question.
E, Followup. Make the phone call to make sure that your interest and concern is, indeed, addressed in the EA.

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RECREATION ?

.. Be sure that you know the scope and extent of the planned regulatory scheme and enforcement policies. Be sure that you understand just "WHAT IS BEING REGULATED" and planned for.
.. Ask the question. Do not assume that you and the bureaucrat are on the same page and speaking the same language. If the bureaucrats are masquerading as experts you should be the expert.
.. Know the law and know the way that Montana implements the EA and EIS process. Don't you overstep the legalities and don't allow the bureaucrats to short cut the process or the intent of the law.
.. Practice and demand honest and civil and pertinent questioning and answering.

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 RESOURCES

>  Montana FWP Telephone Numbers,
>  Original Montana Open Meeting Act (PDF),
>  Montana Open Meeting Code Annotated (2015),
>  Memo Introducing Montana Bureaucrats to NEPA (PDF),
>  Montana Environmental Policy Act (MEPA),
>  Official MEPA Guidelines (PDF),
>  Montana Secretary Of State Environmental Review Requirements,
>  Guide To Montana Environmental Policy Act (PDF),
>  Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (website),

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 MEETINGS:

BOZEMAN: August 29, Hilton Garden Inn, 2023 Commerce Way, 7:00 - 9:30 PM.

ENNIS: August 30, Ennis Elementary School cafeteria, 7:00 - 9:30 PM.

WEST YELLOWSTONE: August 31, Holiday Inn, 7:00 - 9:30 PM.

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READ THIS