Timely

MAK FLIES SCORES

From Afar

tie it large

..

------- 

.. 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.

------- 

WALLPAPER:  MR. GERMAN'S CHOCOLATE CAKE

 

Three For Right Now

MAKFLIES IS AT IT AGAIN

Use These Today

find the slow water

.. When the fisher folks just downstream from you are catching six to your one - try these. Nothing fancy. Not too small. Not hard to tie. Just good trout foolery!

-------

skittering midge

.. We finished grocery shopping early: before the visitors rolled out. Got it all in fridge and stashed for the week. Now, on to Notellum River for the early rising dance partners. We're taking the Skittering Midge for a short walk. Looks to be a warm and lazy day.
.. The neighbors snelled up a couple of dozen flies for us. The eyes went first, then the legs; now there are spots and shakes = glad to be alive! Have a happy Fourth of July🇺🇸.
.. The Yellowstone Park  'elbow brigade' was out in force yesterday. Lots of fancy gear and kit on the water. We wish them well.

------- 

WALLPAPER:  Salsiccia Calabrese, Munster, Rye

The Bison Chronicles

PLEASE BE CAREFUL

They're Wild Critters

they will hurt you

NPS / Jacob W. Frank

-------

Woman gored after approaching bison in Yellowstone National Park; Always stay more than 25 yards away from bison

. News Release Date: June 29, 2020

Contact: Morgan Warthin, (307) 344-2015

• After a 72-year-old woman from California approached within 10 feet of a bison multiple times to take its photo, the animal gored her. 
• The incident occurred on the evening of June 25, 2020, at the female’s campsite at Bridge Bay Campground.  
• Rangers provided immediate medical care to the woman who sustained multiple goring wounds. She was then flown via helicopter to Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center.  
• “The series of events that led to the goring suggest the bison was threatened by being repeatedly approached to within 10 feet,” said Yellowstone’s Senior Bison Biologist Chris Geremia. “Bison are wild animals that respond to threats by displaying aggressive behaviors like pawing the ground, snorting, bobbing their head, bellowing, and raising their tail. If that doesn’t make the threat (in this instance it was a person) move away, a threatened bison may charge. To be safe around bison, stay at least 25 yards away, move away if they approach, and run away or find cover if they charge.” 
• This incident is under investigation. There is no additional information to share. 
• Wildlife in Yellowstone National Park are wild. When an animal is near a campsite, trail, boardwalk, parking lot, or in a developed area, give it space. Stay more than 25 yards (23 m) away from all large animals - bison, elk, bighorn sheep, deer, moose, and coyotes and at least 100 yards (91 m) away from bears and wolves. If need be, turn around and go the other way to avoid interacting with a wild animal in close proximity.  

----- 

FAN WING ROYAL COACHMAN

.. Our cool weather interlude has provided some rain and drizzle. This has kept the Firehole River at a temperature that will be, at least, worth trying in the early morning. Get there at sunup and fish the shadows. unless baetids are in your ears or, PMD's in your nose, stick with Soft Hackles and San Juan Worms.
.. Nez Perce Creek - below the bridge can be good with small nymphs below an attractor fly like a Royal Coachman.
.. The Madison River still has the trout eating large black stuff. Try it you'll like it. The neighbors have braved the beaver ponds with success.

BEAD BELLY WORM

.. Down around the Baker's Hole some large residents are feeding right at the interpretive sign on the Montana side of the river.
.. Bits and pieces of the Gibbon River have been yielding dance partners in the deep riffles and under the deep recesses of the shaded banks. In the small meadows at - and above the campground there is a good crop of healthy and feisty Brook Trout that are waiting for a tussle.
..Park safely and exit your car with caution. The mobile condominiums are more reckless this year than in recent memory.

------- 

WALLPAPER:  MADISON RIVER EXPLORER

Fishing Weather

STARTS TODAY

Don't Miss Out

parking and open water

WALLPAPER:  READY AND WAITING

------- 

.. Yellowstone National Park has many lonely fish. It's time to make friends with a few of them. This is an unusual time in national and Yellowstone history.
.. Visitation through the west entrance is is very low and may set modern records for sparse figures. Check out the west entrance webcam HERE. 

TIME FOR THESE

.. Tonight the rain starts and temperatures will be in the 30's. Tomorrow will see some 20's and, drizzle throughout the early morning and heavy cloud cover until evening.
.. Monday will bring us light snow with nitrogen for the garden and, hatches to die for. Tuesday will be gray and low and damp. Perfect fishing weather - Y'all come!
. Of course the neighbors have made some rapid forays to the rivers and streams, They are eager for the upcoming weather. Starting tonight we will recover from yesterday's unseasonably high of 83F.

Here's a few observations from the neighbors:

THE 'GO TO' FLY

>> Firehole River a bit high and fishing good,
>> Big bugs in the Firehole Canyon,
>> Yellow bugs on the muddy Gibbon River, 
>> Madison River is clearing - rain may slow it's progress,
>> Gibbon River in the highest meadows has light color,
>> Gallatin River cold and clear - wait on this one.
>> Madison River around the west boundary has some outrun snakes. 

-----  

.. Daily fishing reports can be found in the webpages of the feather merchants in the left sidebar.
.. Ask the simple questions when seeking information: "Have you fished where you are suggesting that I go?," "When ?" Ask guides and counter help if they support the 'keep 'em wet' philosophy.

------- 

WALLPAPER:  NICELY MARBLED

Yellowstone Park Opens Up

BUT NOT HERE

Only East And South

day use and drive thru

-------  

.. A phased reopening has been announced by the National Park Service. Limited facilities and services are opening for day use and lower loop drive through visitors. This is phase one and will start on Monday May 18, 2020.

OFFICIAL STATEMENT

.. Campgrounds, backcountry permits, visitor cabins, additional stores, expanded tours, takeout food service, boating, fishing, and visitor centers will remain closed. These Phase 2 services and/or facilities will open when safe and appropriate mitigation measures are in place. This will happen at different times. 
.. It is important to read the "official" park notices for your planned visit. There have been erroneous reports in various media outlets about the details.

RESOURCES

>> PARK NOTICE,

>> FULL PLAN, (PDF)

----- 

.. Our village is showing some gentle signs of Spring and cautious behavior by the neighbors. There are pansies in the flower beds of a few houses. There is gardening activity scattered through town. There are mothers taking walks with their children. Despite the intermittent snow and rain showers there is a brightness all around. There is very little snow left in piles facing north in dark corners.

ROYAL COACHMAN BOMBER

.. We are expecting our Spring mix of weather for the next 10 days or so. Snow, grauple, rain, hail, wind and, dark or light clouds are in the offing. We may finally break 70°F for a glorious weekend.
.. There are a few 'outdoor' pubs gathering anxiety ridden imbibers. Conversation includes such topics as: economic devastation in a tourist town, the stupid high price of meat products, the continuing escalation of grocery prices in general, limits on grocery selections, the suspicious lack of declining local gasoline prices, observations about greed and exploitation, catching opportunities on local streams and lakes, lack of young foreign women in town,
.. There are now boats and brave tubers on Hebgan Reservoir. Leaches and giant novelty nymphs are fooling the winter starved trout. It's unclear if the streams leading out of Yellowstone National Park will be legal to fish on May 18, 2020 or not.
.. The Montana state regulations stipulate that those streams above Hebgan Reservoir are open to fishing when the park opens to fishing. Quandary - huh? We have inquiries out and will let you know.

------- 

WALLPAPER:  THE DARK SIDE OF THE GROCERY STORE

Dodging Bullets

BOMBER SENTENCED

Murder Trial

covid-19 arrives

KILLER GRANDMOTHER ?   . . .  courtesy Bozeman Daily Chronicle

-------  

PIPE BOMBS FOR COYOTES ??

.. Our remote village location is no guarantee of safety nor of serene existence.
.. Violence exists in the heads of some. Extreme violence exists in hearts of some. Flaunting of safe health practices exists in the psyche of some selfish folks.

-----

..  The long drawn out trial of a suspected terrorist with illegal bombs and guns has reached the sentencing stage. Charles Gibson Bailey, 33, was sentenced Friday to 40 months in jail. He previously pleaded guilty in January 2020 to possession of unregistered explosive devices. He claimed the pipe bombs were for killing coyotes. [ LOOK-1.]

-----  

.. The murder case of a family beating to death their 12-year-old grandson is progressing slowly. The case is mired in technical aspects. Negligent homicide vs deliberate homicide vs juvenile status and, flight to avoid prosecution are all in contention. Prosecutors have filed motions for the death penalty, [LOOK-2, LOOK-3, LOOK-4.]

----- 

HBFD

.. A couple returned from recreational out of state travel bearing the gift of Covid-19 to our village. Contact with other village members was curtailed prior to the discovery of symptoms and diagnosis of the virus infection.
.. As these things go, there is no guarantee that these two cases will be contained. The resources of the county health system, our first responders and, the fire department have been mobilized. Isolation facilities and extensive testing by the staff of our clinic are underway.
.. The plans for a viral triage clinic are progressing in spite of no currently available funding. The city council, business owners associations and, the chamber of commerce are still planning to open our village on the state schedule and are waiting for Yellowstone National Park declare safety and open. [COVID-A, COVID-B, COVID-C.]
.. Our fire department webpage includes on line resource links, [SEE HERE.]

-----  

TRY THIS ONE NOW

.. The neighborhood fishers are now wearing bandanas fashioned after the outlaws of bygone days - very appropriate. The counter help is wearing fancy neck gaiters.
.. Most of the neighbors are bemoaning he closed park and no access to the upcoming fantastic salmonfly hatch in the Firehole Canyon.
.. Mythic skwala flies are tickling the fancy of fishers in Missoula. Water temperatures are now above 43°F up there.
.. The lowland Madison River fishers are hoping that the little yellow nymphs they have been fishing will bring forth a stampede of the big black and orange flies dwelling in the deep.  Discharge temperature from Hebgen Dam is 40°F.  We'll see.

------- 

WALLPAPER:  SPRING VISITATION

Yellowstone Stuff And Nonsense

THE OTHER ACTIVITIES

Minimal Fishing News

upkeep and chores

THE CRUMBLING BRIDGE

-------  

.. Flying under the radar for most folks is the Spring activity in Yellowstone National Park. Here's a list of the recent goings on:
>> Bison migration late start. Hunting and herd reducation events, (HERE 1.)
>> Earthquake swarms continue: some felt, (HERE 2.)
>> Spring plowing starts, (HERE 3.)
>> Employee housing multi million dollar upgrades, (HERE 4.)
>> Proposed bridge replacement, (HERE 5.)
>> NPS announces proposed bridge replacement and, comment, (HERE 6.)
>> COMMENT ON BRIDGE REPLACEMENT.

-------  

FISH ON THE BOTTOM

.. The Madison River and the Firehole River are running strong and periodically topping seasonal norms. Surprising clarity is present.
.. As the temperatures increase it looks to be a strong runoff. We'll keep an eye on the situation and the rapidly diminishing mid level snow pack. Current charts shown below:

------

------- 

WALLPAPER: POTATO PANCAKES WITH SOUR CREAM

Tools, Tactics, Strategy

LINE AND LEADER

Big And Little

water, sun and shade

WALLPAPER: FIREHOLE BOUND

-------  

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.

-------  

.

WALLPAPER: HONEY MOLASSES LOAF

The Turning Worm

SEASON OF SWEETNESS

A Double Delight

submarines sighted

SWEET STUFF FOR THE NEW YEAR

-------  

.. 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.

-----

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.

------- 

WALLPAPER:  SOME LIKE IT RED