Odds 'N' Ends

EARLIEST MONTANA OPENER

'Sno Betta

madison hot & heavy

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.. If May first had been on a Sunday, we'd still be waiting for Montana's general season opening day.
.. The Montana law states that the general fishing season starts on the third Saturday in May. May first was on a Saturday - - soooo. Earliest possible!
.. The last four days were postcard makers. It looked just like summer. Sadly, it's about to change.
.. In the coming week or 10 days the sun will be scarce, the rains will appear, but the temperatures will stay moderate.
.. It looks like mud will happen in the very near future.
.. Some places in Montana have recovered from the sparse winter snows.
.. Not, however, the Upper Madison or the Upper Yellowstone. The coming rains won't help. Check the SNOTEL site HERE. It's grim.

.. Down in the valley the fishers are wrapping up the four most fantastic days of catching on the Madison River in recent memory.
.. A midge storm coupled with low and clear water means that the whole fly box worked: Rubber Legs Stone Flies, Nymphs of all sizes and shapes, $3 Dips, etc.
.. The fishing access at $3 Dollar Bridge and Reynolds Pass were car crowded. The folks from far and wide had a field day. Gadzooks, it was grand!
.. Believe all the stories that you hear - it was that good.
.. Over the weekend Yellowstone Park was flooded by early visitors. The buses, mobile condos, motorpickles, and bicyclists were in abundance.
.. A few bears are still down low, and gawker blocks started early in the day.
.. Road delays at the Gibbon River Bridge are at least 30 minutes. The lines are long and the visitors grumpy.
.. The streams on the west side of the park are beautifully fishable right now. We anticipate some changes. Warm rain and the anticipated moderate temperatures should put discharge at a touchy level for the May 29 opener.
.. Lunch time: 1/2 a broasted chicken, Cole slaw, potato salad, iced tea, molded jello, sponge cake and coffee.

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Plan Carefully

BEARS, CONSTRUCTION, CONFUSION

Early Season Closures

don't be disappointed
29 days and counting

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.. Early season fishing in Yellowstone National Park is about as good as it can get. The catching is pretty spectacular as well.
.. If your plans include visiting the park prior to June 30, 2010 you need to be aware of the streams and areas that are open and those that are closed.
.. With the increasing bear populations come additional and longer closures. Many of these closures are in the stream valleys that previously were classic Spring haunts for fly fishers.
.. The bear management closures are detailed on a web page at the YNP site: LINK.
.. These areas are shown on the map below, (right where you want to be.) In some of the closed areas provision is made for "Streamside Use." In some areas travel is limited to parties of four or more.
.. Local "temporary" closures are well signed. In recent years the Fountain Freight Road and the Nez Perce Creek Meadows have been occasionally closed. These closures are regularly patrolled by law enforcement rangers, and warnings are not the norm !!

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.. The road construction along the Gibbon River continues this year with similar hours and closures as last year, (closed at 10:00 PM - open at 8:00 AM.)
.. The Biscuit Basin Parking Lot will be closed for repairs to the boardwalk and steam vent replacements.
.. Road conditions and closures are detailed on the YNP web site HERE. This page is regularly updated as conditions change.
.. With the recent passage of the restrictive stream access law in Utah, Yellowstone Park and it's gateway communities are expecting additional visitation from that state's disenfranchised anglers.
.. Early Spring access and pressure promises to be a circus of confusion, congestion, and elbow mania. Planning will go a very long way toward alleviating parking problems, stream access, and in-stream anxiety.
.. Fishing regulations can be found HERE (PDF.)

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.. Wader-friendly lodging is filling up fast. If you plan to stay where conversation and amenities are in keeping with your mind set, now is the time to make your reservations.
.. A phone call or two will acquaint you with the tying bench contents, expertise, and other things that make your time off the water a bit more endurable.
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Zone Forecast

YELLOWSTONE

GETS IT'S OWN WARNING

Snow Tires & Instant Closures

call or click

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.. The current pile of popcorn storms is raising havoc with the park roads. Some are open, some are closed, some are both open and closed.
.. Call: 307-344-2117.
.. Click: HERE.
.. Advisory and warnings from NOAA: LINK.

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