Timely

MAK FLIES SCORES

From Afar

tie it large

..

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.. We're sure that a size 14 hook will work in June, July, August and September. Right now a size 6 or size 8 would be more appropriate for runners in the Madison River above Hebgen Reservoir.

.. The tonal combination is strikingly similar to yesterday's fly.  Go figure. The neighbors are out right now with a handful of them. Film at 11:00.

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WALLPAPER:  MR. GERMAN'S CHOCOLATE CAKE

 

Stranger Than Fiction

 WORKING NOW

Try It And See

don't tell the pros

SILVER GHOST NYMPH

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.. Apologies for the image. The angler wouldn't give us one and we only had a point and shoot camera. He called it a 'Silver Ghost' and it is tied on a size 4 hook.

.. Floated just below the film and took several nicely sized runners. Dead battery. That's all folks !!

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WALLPAPER: POTATISBULLAR + BACON + LOGANBERRIES

Tools, Tactics, Strategy

LINE AND LEADER

Big And Little

water, sun and shade

WALLPAPER: FIREHOLE BOUND

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ATTITUDE IS EVERYTHING

.. A few hints should allow visiting fishers to cope with the spate of cold and snowy weather we've been experiencing.
.. Attitude is key to enjoyment. Clothing is key to attitude. Planning is key to clothing. A dram or two never hurt and, often helps.
.. Change rods, lines, leaders and, even reels to fit these situations. In a pinch you can "overline" your summer rod by one or two numbers. Use Vaseline on the guides, (WD-40 in a pinch.)

OPTIONAL FLY

.. The heavy lines help with precision casting in the wind. A sink tip will get down quicker, (you are allowed to cut off some sink tip line to match the depths of our shallow waters.) Use a leader stronger than you think is necessary: this allows a short tussle and a meaningful hook set. Abrade the leader with some fine sand or silt to remove the shine and break surface tension to allow quicker sinking.

GOOD WEIGHT

.. Don't be pure about weight. Weight in the fly and weight on the leader are not sins, (For those that catch fewer fish it is a sin.)
.. Fall fish, runners or not, are driven to strike and to eat. Winter is on the way. Offer a smorgasbord of flies. Bright ones, dull ones, big ones, little ones, internal action, external action, fuzzy, slick, etc., are all attractive fodder at various times with various fish.

THE  SKINNYTUKA

.. This is the one time that we will endorse the offerings of counter help at the feather merchants. Buy everything offered. Change often if you insist on the same run for hours at a time. We would suggest that you cover as much water as possible. Move around. Move up or down or both: the fish do!
.. Given the variable amount of clouds and fog during this kind of weather fishers tend to forget about the position of the sun. Interestingly, the fish are just as sensitive to sun and shade during these days.

TRY SMALL & SHINY

.. In fact, because of the diffuse sunlight, the fish are more attuned to the various depths of shadow than on days when the shadow line is abrupt and sharp. This can work to the fishers' advantage. Fish may be in comparatively brighter water than on very sunny days.
.. This is the time to listen to the successful catchers of fish. But, understand the full context of the catch: water type and depth, drift and retrieve, location on the water, location of the sun and shadow, try and either succeed or fail THEN - change it up.

IS BIGGER BETTER?

GOT THESE?

.. Pause periodically to evaluate your experience. Having a good time? Feel fulfilled? Like the scenery? Toes warm? Guides clear? Need a nip? Fingers good enough to change flies? To hell with it all, fish the rig and accept the consequences? Just where is your head.
..Talk to the world. Feel your surroundings. Talk to the fish and, the snow and, the trees and, the grass and, the water.
.. Listen to them. This is not a one way conversation. Are you the subject or the predicate? Can you be both? Should you be one or the other?
.. By the way there are still baetids on the Firehole River. Fish both top and, wet at the same time. Try it you'll like it. Done right you don't even have to set the hook, (provided that you sharpen it first and, sharpen it well.)
.. Don't catch 'em all and keep 'em wet.

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WALLPAPER: HONEY MOLASSES LOAF

Got Some

AND SO IT GOES

Dusting Arrives

a large elk down

WALLPAPER:  MUSH OF THE MOMENT

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.. It seems a bit early: not for the snow but, for a trophy elk. We have an elk tradition in our village that is most interesting.
.. The hunter's pickup truck, with the elk draped all over the bed and, hanging over the sides and out the open tailgate, is treated to a bit of gasoline at three or four of our gas stations - this takes several hours of lies and secrets.

THAT'S A GOOD FISH

.. Some tongue pulling, rack wiggling, wound inspection and other conversation starters are the stuff of social lubricity. The news is spread around our village - rapidly indeed! Comparisons with monsters past are brought forth. Critiques of the coat, antlers, hooves, etc. are voiced.
.. Talk of bears and gut piles filter through the village and, into the dusty aisles of the feather merchants. Unfortunately the hardware store is closed or, word would spread faster. Yet, there is still the post office, grocery store, pizza store, coffee roaster and, such.
.. The traditional ritual ends in a tin quonset hut with a winch, spreaders, hose, and clean trimming. Decapitation plus cape removal is required and, a glance at the check book - big head mounts are expensive. At least it's early and the wait should not be too long.

SOME GALLATIN SNOW

.. It will be a month or two before the ritual ends. At that time sharing of meat will follow. Depending on neighborhood hierarchy and social connections some get ground elk, some get sausage or a roast and, a few will get a steak. We can hardly wait!

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.. Runners are being stabbed and tormented both inside and outside of Yellowstone National Park.
.. On the Madison River join the crowds at 7-mile Bridge,  nine mile hole, barns holes and, Baker's Hole.

THE ROYAL PURPLE

.. On the Firehole River hike up to the big pools on the Little Firehole or Iron Spring Creek.
.. The Gallatin River is way too cold to fish: ignore the reports of large fish in the braided channels among the willows at the confluence with Fan Creek.
.. You should also ignore the reports of "good fish" on Bacon Rind Creek. Those reports are just compensatory bravado from the local wags.
.. A couple of better than good fish were taken at the mouth of the Taylor Fork, HAH! - more silly talk from the neighbors.

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WALLPAPER:  SIMPLE SEARED SALMON

The Turning Worm

SEASON OF SWEETNESS

A Double Delight

submarines sighted

SWEET STUFF FOR THE NEW YEAR

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.. We have, in our village, only one Jewish family. There is a fly fisher among them. This is a signal moment in time for these neighbors. Rosh Hashanah, sometimes called the Jewish New Year, coincides with the dawning of "Runner Fever."
.. Pods of large fish have been sighted in the estuary where the Madison River debauches into Hebgen Reservoir. This is the pre-spawn ritual for sex charged trout.

WORKS IN ALL WATERS

.. This is a season of sweetness for both the Jewish family and, fly fisher folk.
.. Sweet food is the theme of Rosh Hashanah meals. Sweet fishing is theme for fly fishers. Indeed; the worm has turned.
.. Flies that are hawked by the feather merchants are often called "sweet." There are many "best flies" in the various vocabularies of counter help in our fly shops. For some inexplicable reason the best flies and, those not best all work to take fish.

BAKER'S HOLE BUGGER

.. In the dark corners of our pubs, secrets are shared. Secret flies, secret waters, secret techniques, are shared in muted tones.
.. The truth of the matter is that the underpinnings of all these secrets is that; "JUST HIT 'EM IN THE NOSE."
.. A combination of fly, leader, line and, depth in the water column will succeed if the fish is bonked in the nose. The key, despite the hyperbole of the counter help, is finding the fish and presenting the fly.

PHEASANT AND BLUE

.. Fly selection is always a combination of personal choice and marketing hype. We've enumerate the most popular flies used in the neighborhood HERE.
.. One perennial favorite of the counter help and, our visitors, is the Baker's Hole Bugger. It is a representative of the class of big gaudy streamers used around here. These flies and patterns are ubiquitous and highly variable. Use any of them. They are all the best.

BRINDLE AND HEN

.. We would suggest that the coming snow and heavy overcast weather will bring forth elbows aplenty along the hides and dark water of the Madison River.
.. Cover all the water! Get down! Move, move, move! Arrive early and stay late! The fish are moving based on shadows, water depth, fishing pressure and, pure caprice.
.. There are really no secrets. There are, however, less fished places that regularly hold fish. These places are just not mentioned frequently.
.. If you should choose to indulge in 'runner fever' and, choose ask for advice from the local counter help -- be sure to ask them when they last fished where they are sending you. It may be a bit dicey, BUT, ask how they know what they know.

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COMING ATTRACTION

.. The neighbors are busy with patching waders, wringing out wet woollies, building gourmet bologna sandwiches and, deciding where the fewest elbows are likely to be. It's tough work but someone has to do it.
.. A few young'uns are headed to the spawning canyon of the Firehole River. For those in the know, it's the steep little canyon just beyond the bridge above Old Faithful. It's an easy 300 yard walk in and, it feels like five miles coming out. Big fish aplenty and little to no fishing pressure.

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WALLPAPER:  SOME LIKE IT RED

The Beyond

BEYOND FISHING

Beyond Fly Fishing

beyond 'right' or 'left'

WATCH ME NOT

_______  

WATCH ME NOW

.. We're pleased to note that MoldyChum is keeping us informed about how to avoid being investigated for questionable acts while serving some of the American People, [LINK.]
.. We would suggest that there is much more to this story than meets the eye, (or ear.) Check out the threats to the people's property, (it is ours - you know!)
-> https://www.outsideonline.com/2281851/trumps-budget-will-destroy-national-parks
-> https://www.outsideonline.com/2266216/man-flies-his-own-flag

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BLOND FEATHER DUSTER

.. The West Entrance to Yellowstone National Park will close soon and with it the end to legal fishing in the park.
.. Today might be a good day to visit the Firehole River and avoid the elbows at the conga lines where there might be runners.
.. Think we'll try it.

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WALLPAPER:  ORANGE RHUBARB RAISIN LOAF

Do It Right Now

ENRAGED FISH

Engaged Fishers

nothing is too easy

CONTROL OF RIVERS

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.. It's time to chase the unmolested fish of the Firehole River Drainage. Yes Hortense, fish move to places where fishers seldom visit.
.. The Firehole-Madison-Gibbon river system is geologically controlled by the seams between the Central Plateau and the Madison Plateau.
.. These glaciated plateaus are comprised of different mineralogies and Holocene sediments. These differences contribute to the fertility of the streams. Combined with the thermal discharge in this system the variety of stream chemistry is extensive.
.. Fish know this better than fishers. Fishers can be heard, (at almost any time in any aisle of any feather merchant,) wondering "why."
.. Why are some bugs where they are? Why are fish concentrated where they are? Why do fish move to the places that they do and when they do? And many other "why questions."

FISH ON THE MOVE

.. Not all of the answers are chemical. Some are fluvial. Some are sedimentary. Some are optical or spectral. Some are even hormonal.

A NEZ PERCE EVENING

.. Right now chemistry and temperature have initiated movement of fish along the Firehole River. This activity is apparent both above and below Kepler Cascades: above and below Biscuit Basin as well.
.. Even Nez Perce Creek and the Gibbon River are included here.
..For the fisher willing to walk just a little bit there are  building concentrations of fish in the Little Firehole River and Iron Spring Creek.
.. These concentrations have been growing for the last month or so. This is in response to warming of the Firehole River and chemical imperatives built in to generations of fish during the biological spawning metamorphosis.
.. Other factors such as gravel size, water chemistry, discharge rates and fluvial stability also contribute to this movement. Savvy fishers that want to be catchers should take this into account.
.. The closure of the Firehole River, (from bridge to bridge,) around Old Faithful has a distinct chemistry and a distinct population of fish. Some are perpetual residents, others are seasonal migrants: some are just passing through.

DESTINATION:  UPPER FIREHOLE CANYON

.. South of the upper closure bridge is a deep canyon of the Firehole River. Between this bridge and Kepler Cascades is a fluvial environment that is highly conducive to the success of spawning trout.
.. Flows, chemistry, spectral intensity, and gravel size contribute to this being a destination for spawning trout. The Kepler Cascades  form an upstream barrier to migration and, the north/south orientation provides exceptional year round light and melt water. Pretty nice place if you are a trout.
.. Access into the canyon can be achieved either just upstream of the closure bridge or just down stream from the parking area at Kepler Cascades.
.. Ingress is rather easy. A couple of hundred yards of steep downhill grade will place fishers at excellent catching locations.

BROOK TROUT HEAVEN

.. Egress is a bit tougher. It is steep! Fishers seldom believe that the effort is worth the dozens of submarines that can be brought to hand. So be it.
.. Above Kepler Cascades is the realm of the gloriously colored neon Brook Trout.
.. It seems that the grass is always green, the water always cold and clear, the fish always eager, and the elbows scarce as abalone teeth.

GREEN GOOFUS

.. We're having what passes for Indian Summer up here. Temperatures are in the 70's. The wind has laid down for a few days.
.. The fish are becoming rambunctious. Exotic license plates are blossoming in parking spots in town and the park. There are even rumors of "runners" of heroic proportions being tickled in the big estuaries. Must be time to fish.

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A GIBBON RIVER IDYLL

.. Lately we've been lax in our reporting. It happens.
.. The exigences of catching, cooking, gardening, and cruising around in this fine Fall weather have muddled our blogging genes. So be it!
.. Now and, the next few weeks should bring forth exceptional catching conditions. Evening is for the neighbors - the visitors are all in town scarfing down prime rib and quaffing a few.

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WALLPAPER:  GROUND STEAK BURGER

Wrap It Up

THE LATE SEASON

Runner Region

some keep score

WALLPAPER:  ACCESS FOR CATCHING

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.. During the terminal weeks of fishing and catching in Yellowstone National Park one bit of the Madison River is very busy.
.. Runner fever infects even the most surly of fishers from near and far. Body temperatures rise. Blood runs rapidly. Dances on tiptoes break out frequently. Wild gesticulations of arms, legs, heads, and bodies abound.
.. One of our neighbors, (poor fellow,) is afflicted each year. He even keeps score and has a detailed log of his catches. We have convinced him to allow us to post his follies for this last year.
.. We promised to do it after the park closed to fishing and to visitors.

ACCESS POINTS

.. Here it is with his stipulations, (map above.) Only general areas are shown for the numbers of runners taken, (white numbers.)
.. No specific river locations are shown in detail. Access points that he uses are shown with a cartoon "A."

BAKER'S HOLE BUGGER

.. This note is not meant to show the density of the runners. It is not meant to show the most productive areas for catching. It is just a visual chronicle of a single neighbor and his catches of runners this last year.

SKINNYTUKA

.. He, (like us,) avoids elbows on the water.
.. He is plugged into both the establishment fisher network and the neighborhood jungle drums, (unlike us.)
.. He fishes nearly every day, (before, during, and after work.) Shame on him.

WOOLLY BUGGER

.. Young and strong as he is, he avoids the most difficult of access points to the water.
.. Even as a youngster he has discovered that that not all the latest and greatest flies are winners.
.. His most successful flies are the Woolly Bugger, the Skinnytuka, Baker's Hole Bugger, and King Prince Nymph.

KING PRINCE

.. We know that more than 75 fish of heroic size in three or four weeks does stretch credulity. We believe it.

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.. So, it's late and today we may be able to skulk along the shore of the South Fork of the Madison River.
.. There are both big, sex crazed fish from Hebgen Reservoir and, some nice spunky residents to be visited.
.. The willows are thick, the snow is coming down, the visitors are few and, neighborhood elbows nearly missing.

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WALLPAPER:  STRAWBERRIES SWIM IN SYRUP