Early Runoff Event ??

IS 40° F WARM ?

Downstream Alert

mushy in town

courtesy,   DARK SKY

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.. Preview of coming attraction. We all know how accurate problematic sketchy weather forecasts can be in the high country.

BLAZING HEAT

.. But, there is a warming trend in the short and long term projections. This is a bit early for this sort of pattern.
.. Many of the neighbors count on a pause in river discharge rates between winter and full runoff. This is often referred to as the "pre runoff pause."
.. Most years this is an excellent time for catching of the wily trouts in our rivers and streams. We have seen, infrequently, when there is no pause. Full runoff can last for a month or so in conditions like the current ones.
.. Our snow pack continues to grow, (up to 125% of normal,) [LINK-sn.]  AND, our temperatures continue to rise. Folks in the lowlands don't view 40°F as warm. Here in our village it is tantamount to a tropical heat wave for this time of year.
.. We'll keep you posted.

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.. Between The Lakes is marginally accessible after the recent dump and, license plates from foreign places are showing up mixed in with the neighborhood "6's".

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WALLPAPER:  BURGER STEAK & BROWN MUSHROOM GRAVY

And So It Begins

CLARK FORK FLOODS

100 Year High

and more to come

WALLPAPER:  CLARK FORK HIGH WATER

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.. Just a note to remind our friends about traveling to the Clark Fork River up by Missoula, MT.
.. Not only is the flood stage higher than any in recent memory - it's predicted to come in surges for the next week or so and, will stay high all summer. Even the Golf Course is in danger of losing some turf.

READ IT:

100 year record >> L1
Flood Photos >> L2
High Water Rescue >> L3
Extent Of Flood >> L4
Environmental Contamination? >> L5
Evacuations Ordered >> L6

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.. Our rain has dwindled to an intermittent light drizzle - gray and surprisingly high humidity!

USE THE BIG 'UNS

.. The garden is too wet to fiddle with so we're going to the clear still waters of the Notellum Backwater. It's in exceptional shape right now.
.. Last years snags and this year's flood debris have raised the level and encouraged the cute little fishies to the calm clear water. HA! - little do they know.

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WALLPAPER:  SHELLS AND RAGU - YUM

Until Further Notice

HEAT IS BUILDING

Thunder On The Way

is it june already ?

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STRAIGHT FROM NOAA

Event: Flood Watch Alert:
...THE FLOOD WATCH CONTINUES FOR THE FOLLOWING RIVER IN SOUTHWEST MONTANA
... GALLATIN RIVER NEAR GALLTIN GATEWAY. WATER LEVELS ARE SLOWLY RISING ON THE GALLATIN RIVER. THE RIVER NEAR GALLATIN GATEWAY IS NOT EXPECTED TO REACH FLOOD STAGE UNTIL THIS WEEKEND.
... AT THIS TIME ONLY MINOR FLOODING IS EXPECTED HOWEVER SHOULD HEAVY RAINFALL DEVELOP IN THE MOUNTAINS THE SITUATION COULD CHANGE QUICKLY.
... THE FLOOD WATCH CONTINUES FOR THE GALLATIN RIVER AT GALLATIN GATEWAY FROM SUNDAY MORNING UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.
... AT 4:00 AM FRIDAY THE STAGE WAS 5.4 FEET.
* FLOOD STAGE IS 6.0 FEET. * MINOR FLOODING IS POSSIBLE. *

FORECAST

FLOOD STAGE MAY BE REACHED AT SUNDAY MORNING
LINK

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Lowlands Alert

THE QUICK & THE WARM

It Happens Rapidly

firehole river spike !

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.. It only took a couple of days to drive the snow from our streets and to raise the flows in the local rivers. The Firehole River has flows on the way to the moon, and the Madison River is not far behind. Hebgen Lake is only 10' from being full. The inflowing water from the Madison River will hasten the coming of "ICE OUT."

.. We've had a few warm days of 50° F. Bingo, the optimists are calling it Spring. But there's not a blade of green grass, nor blooming flower to confirm the sentiment.
.. The recent warmth was punctuated with cold rain. Precipitation of several kinds visited us during the last few days. Thundershowers, a bit of hail, soakers for hours on end, and busy drizzles were evident in the neighborhood.
.. We take this opportunity to warn our lowland brethern that the color is coming, the flows are increasing, and big water fishing is in for a rough time of it for the next few days, (or weeks if this weather continues.) There's still, on the level ground, between one and three feet of snow. It has to go some where: sooner or later.
.. So, how's the fishing and catching? The reports from intrepid fishers on snow machines continue in a glowing fashion.
.. The estuaries of Hebgen Lake are full of hungry fish. They are in the deep water next to the ice and in the shallow water next to the ice.
.. They are taking small flies that sink slowly. No pattern predominates right now. The neighbors are using slow sink tip lines with an even slower finger retrieve.
.. The Madison Tailwater, between the lakes, has better access this week than last. Of course it's getting a bit crowded too. Prince Nymphs and Pink Eggs are the ticket to catching in this easily reached river segment.
.. For those with more adventure in their hearts than their legs the outlet of Quake Lake is a good destination. Barked shins are a distinct probability in the snow covered boulder field. But it's not too far to the water's edge, and there's usually some bait or gear guys there to help you with fly selection.
.. It's early and still drizzling. We're off to the park for a quick look-see; then down canyon to catch the edge of the silt plume at Taylor Fork. It should be distinct for about 12 more hours. Then the chocolate sauce will cover the width of the Gallatin River.
.. It's just three weeks until Yellowstone National Park opens for fishing. Should this weather continue unabated it will take some real river skills to find places where the willing fish will eat your fly.

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Madison Blown Too

NOTHING TO DO WITH AGE

"A Killing Fly"

we just forgot

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.. Yesterday we made a brief visit to the Madison River in Yellowstone National Park.
.. We had planned to spend the whole day seeing just where fish could be caught in the current high water conditions.
.. The stalwart group that did it Saturday on the Firehole River, (see post below,) were doing it again yesterday. We thought that we could make it.
.. Got an urgent request from a neighbor, however, and had to return, through the light drizzle, to town for some chores and other 'business.'
.. The day was mostly gray & damp, but there were periods when holes in the clouds made for postcard images - if you're skilled enough to capture them.
.. The Madison River is in the throes of dischargeitis. The appearance is that of a thick broth. The color is a cross between burnt sienna and burnt umber: can't imagine drinking tea of that color.
.. The water has piled up at 7-mile bridge and flooded the meadows. The lake is growing as we post this.
.. Those neighborhood hearties made it through the day, (clear to dark,) and reported that fish can be caught.
.. The standout fly was an old English staple, re-invented in America in the 1930's.
.. It is very similar to a fly we use. We are, sadly, astonished that we had not dragged it out of the dusty box it resides in. Forgetting about it has nothing to do with age - we're sure!
.. Four years ago, at about this season, we sang the praises of the fly that we know as the "HELLIFIKNOW."
.. The fly used by the neighbors yesterday is called "Rogan's Silver Minnow." It was known as an especially 'killing fly' in the waters of New York and Pennsylvania during the 40's and to the 60's.
.. The similarity of the two flies is not to be dismissed since the local version was supposedly brought to the area by a famous easterner who took up residence and called this place home.
.. Anyway, yesterday, the original version was the 'go-to' fly and brought several fish to net.
.. Reports of continuous strikes in muddy soup are hard to believe at times. We believe it because the mission of the neighbors was to discover just how to fish the gloom of our west side rivers during peak runoff periods. Now we know - for this time, at least.
.. It was fished solo and drifted under the banks then quickly stripped back parallel to the shoreline. Occasionally it was taken at the end of the drift. Usually the take was after two or three short strips with a pause.
.. Well, the false dawn is here: breakfast beckons. A second pot of coffee, huevos rancheros, over easy, with frijolitos, arroz y aguacate, served with tortilla, limon y salsa ranchero, a small orden de fruta, washed down with an agua fresca de piña con sandia.

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Maximun Recorded Flow?

HERE IT COMES
There Goes The Snowpack

USGS Charts - Better Than Words
BLOW OUT IS TOO TAME !
(all data subject to confirmation and revision)-------

.. FIREHOLE RIVER
.. GIBBON RIVER
.. MADISON RIVER
.. We won't say don't fish in Yellowstone National Park on opening weekend. We will say call any feather merchant between Bozeman and Jackson / OR / between Gardiner and Idaho Falls. Ask where to fish and what flies to use. Post what they tell you on a fly fishing forum or a social network.
.. Be sure to identify them, and quote them accurately. The conversations and responses should be very interesting. There just may be secrets to tell.
.. Breakfast was early and scant. We're headed into the park for some historic photos.