Destination Archipelagos

EASY TO FISH

Fresh & Salt Water

inexpensive destination

WALLPAPER: IDEAL DESTINATION

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.. Shortly after WWII the biological research division of the United States Geological Survey was asked by the Army Corps Of Engineers to collaborate in a project for island survival in the Pacific Ocean.
.. In order to accomplish this goal three sparsely occupied archipelagos were selected and survival constraints were studied and detailed.

PROTEIN

.. To make a very long story very short the major discovery was that most isolated islands are not habitable because of a lack of viable protein in the diets of the putative survivors.
.. In a series of clandestine survival experiments over a period of thirty years several isolated islands had their fauna augmented.
.. Pigs, parrots, goats, fish, reptiles, dogs, and cats were used to explore the possibilities of protein sources for the isolated islands.

INSHORE MACKEREL

.. Just recently the experiments were terminated and the results published, (LINK-1, LINK-2.) Not surprisingly it was fish that proved to be most viable in augmenting available protein sources.
.. The EPA has supervised the cleanup of the islands and approved the final restoration of the indigenous fauna. The single bit of the experiment that was not removed was the aquatic species.

HYBRID SHAD

.. There are four species of fish and several invertebrates that were not practical to remove.
.. Happily these fish readily come to the fly and, (at the moment,) are not easily spooked.
.. One species is strictly an ocean dweller. It hangs out close to shore, schools, eats a wide variety of food and, is easily taken in the shallows. The Inshore Mackerel, (up to 15 pounds,) is similar to it's other relatives and demands an educated palate should you choose to eat it. On the other hand it is a strong fish and will satisfactorily bend your rod for longer than is enjoyable.

.. Two species are anadromous. The Hybrid Shad, (up to 8 pounds,) and the Tropical Cutthroat Trout, (up to 7 pounds.) Both of these species are the result of breeding programs based on fish from California, (LINK-3,) and Oregon, (LINK-4.) and Washington.

BRACKISH WATER BASS

.. The single freshwater fish is the Largemouth Bass that was introduced from the coastal counties of Texas, (LINK-5.)
.. These bass occupy the fresh water springs and rivers. Some of the larger bass, (up to 11 pounds,) are found in brackish water along the rocky coasts. These are the second most populous fish on those islands where there are large brackish lagoons inside the reef.

EXPERIMENTAL LOCATIONS

.. There are some small occasional surges of pelagic fish that are seasonally available. There is also a resident population of Bonefish on the very small flats on a couple of the islands.
..  The surprising thing about these destinations is that transportation, (although rather complex,) is in the free to very little range.

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RESOURCES:

>> China Fishing Destinations,
>> Spratly Islands Sport Fishing,
>> American Travel Associates,
>> Exotic Fish & Fisheries Guide Service.

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RED WORM

.. Our local rivers have slowed overnight and rumors have it that Taylor Fork has a full three feet of visibility. Perhaps now is the time.
.. However, in an alternate universe, there will be fish at the discharge fan of Snowflake Springs. We'll see.
.. Happy April 01, 2017 

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WALLPAPER:   SOPA DE FRIJOLES [Mayocoba Beans]

Snow And Snow Flies

FINALLY A DUMP

Sleds Become Pertinent

big fish and little flies
big flies and big fish too

WALLPAPER:  FEELING BLUE ?

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.. And the snow arrived on little cat feet, (sorry Carl.) It was a gentle winter storm with far less wind than anticipated. Fully 16" is blanketing the village and more in the high country. The temperatures are moderate and the blanket of white is a nice addition to the trails and roads.

DOWN WING MIDGE - SIZE 18

.. Some bits of local water are now only accessible by snowmachine. The USFS has issued an advisory and mentioned some closures for our favorite tracks. Saddle up like the neighbors do. It's time for the sleds.
.. As the winter matures we will be flinging smaller and smaller flies, (along with larger and larger ones as well.) The snow flies, or midges, or whatever they are, become an important adjunct to our winter arsenal.
.. We rely on the neighbor kids to provide us with the miniscule flies that are needed. The patterns are familiar and consist of bits of debris affixed to hooks in the size range of match heads.
.. Many of the flies are skillful renditions of recognized and named patterns. Others are just the right size - nothing more. A few are traditional black. Many are cream or white or brown. We use them and the fish eat them.
.. The snow has driven the casual visitors from the village. The fair weather fishers have long gone. Hunters skulk about in the dark of dawn or dusk. A few religious neighbors and knowing visitors are plying the fishing discipline with dedication that belies the weather conditions. Catching is somewhere between spectacular and outrageous - snow be damned!

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WALLPAPER:  GHOST TOWN WEST

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NEED SALMON ?

Real Snow ?

SOME MORE WHITE STUFF

It Comes And Goes

newbies flutter and flee

The Suburbs Of West Yellowstone And Some White Precipitation

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.. For the last month or so our precipitation, occasionally, has been white. Folks from Florida, Tennessee, Sicily, Algeria, and Bozeman make it a topic of conversation.
.. The neighborhood kids are still wearing shorts and tennis shoes. They notice but don't bother to comment.
.. It comes down white. It hits the warm ground and melts into nourishing water. It percolates through the obsidian sands of the Hebgen Basin and moves toward the streams and rivers. It's not real snow. But the lowlanders are whining and fleeing.
.. There will be no trace of the snow in a day or two. In this part of the world, real snow hits the ground and sticks. It stays until the warming days of late spring. It's snow that is stored for the river's future. We're waiting for some real snow - as are the neighbors.
.. It will be here soon enough. It will call for winter behavior. It will mean that fishing is restricted to some small bits of open water. It will bring temperatures cold enough to usher in some ice fishing. The real snow will come as will the winter. But not right now.
.. See you on GRAYLING CREEK.

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The Big Fish Still Call This Home - Poison Be Damned

Gallatin Bluster

A COUPLE OF INCHES

That's Good

catching steady at park line

SNOW SQUALS BLOW DOWN THE GALLATIN RIVER WITH REGULARITY

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.. The water is "too cold." So goes the expert wisdom. It just may be that the weather is not sweet enough for gentlemen fishers.


Yellowstone Sally

.. Granted, the fishing high up the Gallatin Canyon is not as easy or attractive as it is down low near  Gallatin Gateway. It is, on the other hand, an hour closer to our front door.
.. The snow of the last couple of days has served to reduce early fishing pressure on the Gallatin River. The fish seem to be a bit less cooperative as well.


Stiff Hackle

.. Subsurface attractor flies are the choice of the neighbors. A few large nymphs are also in the fly box of the brave fishers in the neighborhood.
.. Most of the catching activity starts immediatly north of the northern boundry of Yellowstone National Park - right at Snowflake Springs.
.. Catching along the upper portions of the Gallatin River requires a tedious persistance for covering every inch of water. The fish are there but they are not moving rapidly or with much gusto. "Hit 'em in the nose," is the manditory technique.

.. Along with the Yellowstone Sally a whole stable of Prince Nymphs is being used at the moment. The King Prince is a favorite with some folks down toward Big Sky and has made inroads into the psyche of some of the folks up here.


King Prince

.. Soft Hackles and Stiff Hackles also are getting a workout in the frigid waters. It looks like the trout are living up to their press clippings and are chomping anything that drifts by - within easy reach.
.. For an excellent overview of the varieties of Prince Nymphs check out the PRINCE NYMPH PAGE at  Fly Fishing The Sierra.
.. The tedium of cold water fishing in blustery weather with snow blowing into your eyes and nose and ears is not for the faint of heart. Braving the delays of road construction and the wreckage of disasters is a chore in itself. But if you need to catch a fish or two it is worth it.

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A HOT TAR DOUBLE TANKER RESTING ALONG THE GALLATIN RIVER ROAD

Do It Right Now

BIG FISH FISHING

Little Fish Fishing

it's all good for five more days

Fishing With Bobber & Spinning Rig Is legal If There Is A Fly At The End Of Your Line.

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.. Join  the fun. Drive in the slush, and ice, and sleet, and rain, and snow, and enjoy the clouds and sun and wind and everything about the next few days. Soon we'll be counting down the 200+ days until we enter the fray of swollen rivers, mud, and potholes. All too soon this year will fade. All too soon the fish will grow and the pain subside.

.. The bite is on like in days of yore and even the Chamber of Commerce can't find words glowing enough.
.. The snows have come: wet, intermittent, slushy, and warm. This is typical for the Fall to Winter transition. It's a bit late this year but not out of the window.
.. The good thing is that the roads in Yellowstone National Park are mostly clear of the white stuff for propitious amounts of time. BUT: be prepared with tire chains and/or snow tires. A couple of more days of balmy 40's and 50's then some grunge for the weekend. How usual.

.. We're in the standard "Late Fishing Frenzy" mode. Folks are anxious and antsy about getting in a few more days of fishing. The fish are agitated and vigorously perusing their sexual mandate.
.. Park staff is eager to leave their summer posts and get gone to warmer climes.
.. Seasonal counter clerks, some on commission, are busy selling wash tubs for nets in an effort get the necessary gas money for a quick getaway on November 6. The scene is hardly that of the post cards portraying the idyllic fishing behavior that is rumored to exist in Yellowstone National Park.
.. There are places where fish are easy to catch. There are places where big fish can be caught. The two are seldom the same. Plan on wearing your cocoon outfit. Plan on cold fingers and the occasional frozen guide, (of the human and chrome and tungsten variety.)

.. There is fantastic surface action on the Firehole River with the Baetis imitation of your choice, (when the little darlings hatch in the dreary overcast fog.) Try BWO and CDC patterns in the smaller sizes = 16 - 20. We like the dinkers tied for the guys at Buzz Basini's shop.
.. When the bugs are not on the top the fish are still eating at a glutinously rate. Use a drowned Baetis and a Prince Nymph of the appropriate size, (= small!)
.. Of course the head hunters of the Madison River are out in force. Many are sporting double fisted Spey Rods that are useful for casting to the pools a full 30 and 40 feet away. It's not a herculean effort since the rod usually covers half the distance to the fish.
.. Most of these fishers have perfected the art of walking right through the deep dark water and kicking the fish in their belly. This is a technique rumored to produce greater spunk and fight in the submarines hiding in the deep spots.
.. Many of the neighbors are seeking fish away from the crowds. Up on the Gallatin River, (which is way too cold to fish,) there are places where only the bears and fishers go. The bears run from the boisterous neighbors and their raunchy limericks. The fish seem to run toward the screaming noises.
.. Try it: "There once was a bear from I stuck it . . ." etc. Best sung in a loud and lilting contralto.
.. Or, the neighborhood favorite: "Here bear! Hear Bear!" it seems that the bears do things opposite from folks.
.. We've been fishing and catching in none of the above mentioned places in Yellowstone National Park. They are not places worth mentioning because folks just don't fish there. So we do.
.. We like the idea of catching several dozen brightly-colored feisty Brook Trout that willingly come to whatever bits of fluff we happen to have. We like the idea of being shielded from the biting winds by a tunnel in the Lodgepole Pines. We enjoy getting in the car with no waders and no cold, wet boots. We enjoy getting home and popping a cold one without the hassle of undressing and re-dressing. We seem to have weird priorities. It must come with age and decrepitude.

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FISH THE WEEDS !!

Springtime Caprice

THE NORMAL STUFF

50° F Today - Gone Tomorrow

fish now

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.. Here comes the Springtime roller coaster. We're ready and may go "down canyon" just to see how the other half copes with the NWS Warning:

Winter Storm Watch in effect from:

Thursday evening through

Friday evening...

The National Weather Service in Great Falls has issued a Winter
Storm Watch... which is in effect from Thursday evening through
Friday evening.


* Timing and main impact: light snow is expected to develop over
the mountains of southwest Montana by Thursday morning then
spread to the mountains of central Montana later Thursday. Snow
will increase in intensity Thursday night and develop over the
lower elevations. The heaviest snow is expected Friday before
diminishing Friday night. Poor visibilities will hamper travel.

* Snow accumulations: for the mountains 8 to 16 inches are
possible. Several inches of snow are expected for the valleys
and plains though higher amounts are possible.

* Winds and visibility: southwest to west winds 10 to 20 mph are
expected over southwest Montana by Friday while northwest winds
10 to 20 mph are expected over central Montana. Visibilities
could be below a half-mile over the mountains and at times over
the plains and valleys.

* Other impacts: roads could become snow covered and slippery.
Heavy wet snow could cause damage to trees and possible power
outages. Young unprotected livestock could become stressed.

* Locations affected include: West Yellowstone... White Sulphur Springs...
Battle Ridge Pass... Bozeman... Bozeman Pass... Targhee Pass... Stanford... Lewistown... Lewistown Divide...
Boulder... Boulder Hill... Elk Park Pass... Homestake pass...
Whitehall... Big Hole Pass... Chief Joseph Pass... Dillon...
Monida Pass... Great Falls... Kings Hill Pass... Townsend...
Ennis... Norris Hill... Raynolds Pass... Twin Bridges.


Precautionary/preparedness actions...

A Winter Storm Watch means there is a potential for significant
snow... sleet... or ice accumulations that may impact travel.
Continue to monitor the latest forecasts.

Come Saturday

GET FLIES, INFO, SECRETS

Stop & Chat

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.. On your way through town, day after tomorrow, you'll get the best current information at one of the local fly shops.
.. These folks are just as eager as you and will have the most up-to-date information on closures, water conditions, fly selections, and local gossip.
.. Nearly current update posted here tomorrow!


.. Click on the map for a large printable version.

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Snow & Snow Flies

SNOW DON'T SLOW MIDGES

Blowin' & Snowin'

only the neighbors dare

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.. There's a winter storm warning. There's a pile of warm air riding up over the mound of cold air. There's a pile of snow on the ground and more coming. It may hit twenty below tonight. LET'S GO FISHING!
.. There are bucketfuls of midges being pounded by the monstrous snow flakes. There are barrelfuls of trout eating the bucketfuls of midges being pounded by the snow flakes. There are only two fishers between the lakes on the Madison River. There will soon be three.
.. Apropos of the moment Craig Mathews over at Blue Ribbon Flies has made his YouTube debut with a video about the midge.
.. Using his favorite zelon it only takes one minute and 55 seconds for him to tie the little darling. A hungry trout will gobble it in a much quicker tempo.

Watch the video:

..

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They're Off

A WONDERFUL START

Two Mickey's And No Mouse-------

.. The artistic collaboration between Jeff Kennedy and Jason Borger is off and running. We'd post the images here but that would spoil the fun. Visit their sites, [HERE & HERE,] to see the results of these 30 minute wonders. Full technical details and commentary are included.

. . . . .

.. Get over to the TROUT UNDERGROUND for a nice piece on the "Year In Review." It's just the thing for a snowy winter's afternoon.

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.. The snow-pack is way down up here. The alternating cold and warm weather has kept the ice-clogged Lower Gallatin River at or above flood stage for a week and the weather forecast is not promising.
.. Avalanche danger is high or worse and the clear cold nights have produced more than the normal amount of surface hoar. It must be January!
.. Ice fishing has been so-so and the catching is about the same. The town is suffering another maggot shortage and the thrummers are not getting the job done. The Narrows at Hebgen Reservoir and down near the dam seem to be producing as many whitefish as trout. The whitefish are bigger and, better eating too.
.. A couple of the neighbors are scouting Between The Lakes today. Rumor has it that the snow flies are carpeting the banks of the Madison River around Campfire Lodge. Given the shallow snow cover the access has been better than the catching so far this winter.

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Excuse The Mess

THE ECONOMY & THE PARK

The Yellowstone Syndrome

sit back and enjoy the depression

go fishing-------

.. A recent note in The Daily Reckoning by Chris Mayer lets us know that there are things too complex for our current understanding.
.. Hindsight should teach us much: like avoid bottom fishing for financials! Thank you Eric Fry.
.. Now then, why won't the trout eat my fly?

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Switching Fish

BACK IN BUSINESS

Buy In A Down Market

good show

.. CARP ON THE FLY, run by the man with the best fly fishing name ever, John Montana, is back on the blogwaves after a bit of winter escapism.
.. He's acquired some new digs and is busy sorting out his flies after the move.
.. And then, he takes his dad fishing and gathers up some nice trout - now there's a switch.
.. He now has a "craft room" and has completed some 'Montana Carrots' - busy boy.
.. That guy knows how to live.

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.. The last dozen posts by THE HORSE'S MOUTH have given us the willies. Is there a chance that the girls really are prettier in California? And wackier too?

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.. In the "More To Come" department - [we hope.] April Vokey has added a blog to her site. The site, if you didn't know, is titled FLYGAL VENTURES. The blog only has one post and we're already intrigued.
.. Just another girl from Canada.

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.. If you're so inclined, we suggest that you visit 'COWGRRRL' at A Drivel Runs Through It. It's full of fine photos, some Montana insights, and an interesting 'take' on the world. Just who is she?

MONEY QUOTE
Writer, editor and web content expert. Wannabe author, cowgirl and world traveler. Unrepentant fat chick. Idealist, dreamer, fighter. Atheist-pagan. Voluptuary. Committed to personal growth, social and environmental justice, and the pursuit of pleasure.

.. Give it a click for a bit of brilliance.

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.. Well, it's time for pecan waffles, real maple syrup, a couple of sausage patties, strawberries and cream, and a quart of coffee. We need fortification for a venture into the light dusting of snow we received the last two days.

#30#