The Way It Was

15 MINUTES  IN YELLOWSTONE

More Than Lunch

it is the best

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WALLPAPER:  RIBEYE  --  YUM !!

Blow Up

 LONE STAR FIRE

Gets Bigger

periodic road closures

Lone Star Fire = Fir & Pine = 3 Miles South Of Old Faithful

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.. The lightning caused fire south of the Old Faithful developed area has rapidly grown to over 3,000 acres. This growth is by a factor of 10 in three days. Increased temperatures and brisk winds will continue to accelerate the growth of the fire.

RESOURCES: 

>> InciWeb,

>> YNP Information,

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THE MUSTARD BUGGER

.. Catching continues to be very good on the Gallatin River, Duck Creek, Yellowstone River, Slough Creek.

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.. It's a bit early - BUT -  there are reports of large and very colorful fish in the Madison Arm of Hebgen Reservoir.

.. Small streamers and red worms on most rivers and streams. Ants on the Gallatin River. Large streamers in the reservoir weeds.

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WALLPAPER:  THE BEST "BLT"

KA - - BOOM!

IT HAPPENS

Watch The Tail

follow best advice

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.. It's an annual event in Yellowstone National Park. Either by ignorance or defiance there are unfortunate encounters between visitors and wildlife.
.. Yellowstone National Park is not a petting zoo. It is a bit of wild America that has been impinged upon by civilization with the inevitable consequences that pertain thereunto.
.. The civilized footprint in the park grows annually and visitors believe that it is a "safe zone." Nothing could be further from the truth.
.. From quicksand to quick bison - it must be remembered that access is no guarantee of safety. Just ask the fly fishers that wander around in the water near Buffalo Ford on the Yellowstone River.

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QUICKIES:

>> Daybreak on the Firehole River is still a viable proposition,
>> So too, the Madison River,
>> Riffles in the Gibbon River canyon work all day,
>> Gallatin River = all day; beware T-storms,
>> Gulpers getting better on Hebgen Reservoir,
>> Quake Lake at Beaver Creek and the outlet,
>> KEEP 'EM WET.

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WALLPAPER:  SHORTCAKE, STRAWBERRIES, CREAM

Grandma Said

HEARD ABOUT IT

Saw It Coming

"like" comes in bunches

ONLY PARTIALLY AT FAULT

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.. Grandma gets smarter as we get older.
.. She was full of nifty bits of wisdom: ". . .  a stitch in time." "Many hands make light work." "A penny saved . . ." and so forth: your grandma said 'em all too.
.. She also said "Like comes in bunches." Well, a  'bunch'  just arrived. [1]Yellowstone National Park has banned felt soles on waders and wading boots, [2] Yellowstone National Park has instituted a new  'boating season,' [3]Yellowstone River fish kill = more than meets the ear, [4] Gallatin River is in for another turd storm.
.. #1 - News release that announces the felt sole ban is here,
.. #2 - News release for new boating season is here,
.. #3 - The rest of the story about the 2016 fish kill on the Yellowstone River is here,
.. #4 - Mumblings from the neighbors down canyon [old news may be happening again] here.

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PROTOPLASM MOVEMENTS

 .. We have noted in the past, ( #1, #2,) that the ban on felt soles is a poor and only partial solution to the spread of pioneer species.

NOT BANNED

.. Bits of protoplasm get transported between watersheds in wader seams, boot seams, boot laces, wet fly lines, wet nets, shaggy bison legs, waterfowl feet and feathers, hooves of ungulates, etc.
.. The better solution is, of course, adequate cleaning of all wet and dry gear between drainages. This is a much tougher task and it is hard to legislate moral behavior. So be it!

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NOT BANNED

.. "Invasive Species" is not a scientific term. It's a press-form term like fake news.
.. Scare - scare - an invasion is coming.  Poobah: it's always coming!
.. It really means, (usually in economic or æsthetic terms:) 'those things that will hurt me.'
.. It is a term designed to scare the shit out of folks that know not the way of species propagation and migration.
.. Highly adaptive species move from one landscape to another landscape as pioneers. It is a constant process. The scientific term is "Pioneer Species."
.. Depending on their 'adaptability' these pioneers die, survive, or thrive depending on their in-built adaptability. We are all the product and result of pioneer populations - one way or another. POOP!
.. The fight against "Invasive Species" is really a fight against folks, of the human variety,  moving biological bits through several environments. Fat chance it will be very successful!

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MONTANA INSPECTORS

.. WOW! Golly Gee Whiz! Now there is a boating season in Yellowstone National Park.
.. Now, at last, we can enforce behavior.
.. We can watch the volunteers and and seasonal employees guarantee that boats coming into the park are sterile and carry no pioneer species that are banned.

MONTANA LEADS THE WAY

.. We've seen it done. Nary a trailer hubcap was ever removed, (they do have drain holes - clogged?) Not a brush was used to scrub the mating of wheel to tire at the tire bead, (brushes must cost too much.)
.. We do wonder if the water sloshing around inside the lenses of the lights is devoid of any protoplasm, (who knows these things?)
.. Hip, Hip, Hurray - now there is an 'official' boat season. Now enforcement of clean boat hygiene will proceed in Yellowstone National Park - we're pleased to see it. Montana has been at it for several years.

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., Infrequently we get to fish the Yellowstone River. We did just a bit ago. We saw too many dead fish: Trout and Whitefish.
.. We noted it in a blog post and mentioned it to the counter help at the local fly shop. They put it down to the hot river water and the hot air temperature.

YELLOWSTONE RIVER TROUT

.. Not being familiar with the river we accepted that explanation and went home - pooped and dry.
.. Come to find out there may be a far more sinister possibility that has been uncovered by the folks at "Montana Trout" the online fly fishing magazine.
.. Shitty water may be a contributing factor and it may have been hidden by the Montana Department Of Fish Wildlife and Parks - or maybe not.
.. Read the lurid details here,  (just click on the magazine image and turn to page 39.)

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.. Yesterday when the neighbors got back from a mad dash down canyon to fish the Gallatin River they assembled at their corner booth and told stories.
.. One of the stories was that the turd whirlers at big sky were burbling over the edge again, (see our old post here.)
.. This is absolutely unverified!!  But, fishers from that down canyon bit of water had a cold one with the neighbors and said that there were turds floating in Yellow Mule Creek and the West Fork of the Gallatin River.
.. They attributed it to the increased visitation of rich wealthy very wealthy ludicrously wealthy folks in their enclave and, the rapid freeze-thaw cycles that we've been having.
.. Dear, dear, dear,  grandma seems to have been prescient. A bunch indeed.

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.. The sky has become leaden and there is a flake or two wafting about. The porch light is working just fine now and the trusty horse is still accessible.
.. The neighbors will be knocking  pounding beating on the door at any minute. Best to put on some glad rags and enjoy the day.

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WALLPAPER: 'BURGER STEAK AND EGG BREAKFAST

Why No News ?

AS OF TODAY

Gunshot At O.F. Lodge

censorship by nps ??

WALLPAPER:  OLD FAITHFUL LODGE

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.. We've waited for two days to report this. We wanted to cite the official news release from the National Park Service. It has not been forthcoming, ( YNP NEWS RELEASES.) We wonder why !
.. On Wednesday August 10, 2016 around noon a pistol fell out of a shoulder holster in a restroom at Old Faithful Lodge. Upon hitting the floor it discharged a single shot. A beam in the ceiling was hit. The shell casing rolled into an adjacent stall and produced a double surprise for the occupant of that stall.
.. There has been chatter on the rivers and social media. Apparently Yellowstone National Park does not feel compelled to acknowledge this incident. They do note increase of visitation and celebrations of the glories of the park. Just not the illegal discharge of a firearm in a public restroom. Well, after all it is an election year and we can expect that all manner of whitewashing will be present.
.. Yes, law enforcement was dispatched and arrived after the armed visitor had left. We suspect that the park service feels that this is in the same category as the hundreds of minor infractions cited daily to motor vehicles. So be it.
.. It is legal to carry firearms in the park, (CITATION.) Most public buildings are posted for non-carry. We await the news release - if any. No local news media have carried the story either. My, my, my.
.. Read it here:
>> National Parks Traveler,
>> Montana Cowgirl.

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.. The ameliorating weather has given us a few days of cool, over cast, and partly cloudy days.
.. This brief respite is predicted to last through the middle of next week -YEE HAW! Aquatic bug hatches on the Gallatin River have been dependable but rather sparse.

MASHED CADDIS

.. The fish don't seem to care. Noses are in the air where the hatches are happening.
.. The cool weather has prolonged the traditional end of surface fishing.
..Local lore has it that the aquatic hatches poop out by the first of August. Local lore be damned - there are still some mayflies and prolific caddis in the evenings.

ROYAL SORT

.. This is pretty easy catching, hatch or not.
..Use surface attractors in sizes 10, 12, 14. This is the place to use your Royal Coachman, Humpy, Goofus Bug, or giant Adams.
.. Fish on this friendly river will come up without a hatch - for those of you that need to see your fly.

PRINCE NYMPH

.. Drowned flies in the deep riffles can fill your net many times over. We favor the nondescript mashed caddis fly or mutilated emergers of various sorts. But standard nymphs of the Prince or Hare's Ear variety are usually just as good.
.. Down canyon, where the trees are thick, the Spruce Moth is a traditional ticket for the surface fisher folk. Most caddis imitations will do just fine.

DO IT ALL

.. Subsurface fishing with the small nymphs that mimic the year 'round indigenous fauna are more productive for catching. Small stoneflies of various colors and fuzziness are favored by the neighbors.
.. A couple of the neighbors spent a couple of days on a sojourn to the Yellowstone River. Fishing was wonderful -catching was just O.K. A couple of large fish were taken on small drowned midges. Many fish in the 10" - 14" range were taken on nymphs in the 12 - 14 size range. An LDR of a "REAL FISH" was reported in the evening on an egg-sucking matuka. We saw the tears in the retelling over a cup of suds.
.. Well it's about time for the Perseid show. You can watch it live HERE.

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WALLPAPER:  Goberge avec des croûton

Hot Fishing

90° F at 7:00 PM

Dead Fish Near Shore

colorful hatches seen

WALLPAPER: DATE WITH A 21 YEAR OLD SWEETHEART

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.. Down low and far away there is a mighty and free flowing river.
.. It's origin is high in the Absaroka Mountains' Yount Peak and it travels through the south central wilderness of the Thorohfare in Yellowstone National Park.
.. It is the only undammed major river in the lower 48: all 692 miles of it.

THE BLUE HATCH

.. The Yellowstone River near the north boundary of Yellowstone National Park is a world famous trout fishery.
.. The place names of Paradise Valley, Yankee Jim Canyon, Black Canyon, Point of Rocks, and Grey Owl are in the lexicon of fishers far and wide.
.. Some of our neighbors will brave the journey through the park on a regular basis. Some others go the long way 'round to avoid the hassle. Some go frequently. We go infrequently and sporadically.

THE YELLOW HATCH

.. Right now the hoppers are dense and small. The fish are brooding and difficult. The bugs are everywhere and popping with gay abandon.
.. The sky is nearly cloudless. The days are hot. The breeze becomes wind around 2:00 PM.

DEAD  TROUT

.. The air temperature is in the range that Dante Alighieri would appreciate. The fish cooperate on an occasional basis. 
.. The water temperature is beginning to rise. At two places where we stopped to fish the boulder hides we saw quite a few dead fish - trout and mountain whitefish.

THE PURPLE HATCH

..Fishing the river from a drift boat in these conditions can be a divine comedy or a sublime joy. We've experienced both.
..The river is still high enough that a strong and experienced captain is necessary.
.. Fishy waters are nearly everywhere. Good fishy water is scattered variously along the river.

THE ORANGE HATCH

.. Exceptionally fishy water requires that the captains know the river and that they know how to get to it.
.. Strength, cunning, river savvy, and experience all come into play.
.. We're lucky that our neighbor still  has bulky shoulders and over a quarter century experience in matters of this river.

GREEN DRAKE

.. Dry fly fishing for the famous, free rising, cutthroat trout is a tradition we generally avoid.
.. The necessary flies are way too small. The hooks are way too wee. The hook eyes are dinky and hard to see, (even with cheaters,) for aged human eyes and twitchy hands.
.. On the other hand, when there are Green Drakes, Hoppers, Sizeable Caddis, and some pudgy PMD's, we'll take the plunge.

ANOTHER GREEN ONE

.. The river demands nothing special in terms of flies or techniques. Pick your favorite and fish it the way you would do so on your home waters.
.. With a good boat captain you should not need to cast too often or too far.
.. Long drifts over holding water are easily accomplished if the captain is doing his job.
.. It's possible to plunk your fly down and have the captain steer the boat so the fly is drag free and hits the slicks, pillows, seams, and such without you having to do a thing. Good captains even see the fish coming to the fly before you do. What an easy day on the water!

FISH THE BOULDER BARS

.. The Yellowstone River has a vigorous runoff phase.  It produces gravel bars the size of Boeing 747's.
.. It produces boulder bars the
size of freight trains.
.. The river has side channels that are the equivalent of main channels in other streams. The islands in the river are the size of many small countries and the fishing and catching is as varied as any.

FISH THE BOULDER HIDES

.. There are places where the fish pod up and enjoy an existence of such luxury that they all become fat.
.. These places are deeply scoured channels, dark holes, undercut shore lines, and boulder fields with boulder hides large enough for Moby Dick.
.. It behooves the fisher to park the boat and explore these wonderful places on foot. The rewards can be spectacular.

LOCAL INFORMATION

.. As we speak the weather is holding in a warm phase with minimal rain from the thunder boomers. This will change; of course.
.. Local information from resident fishers is a must for successful catching that the river is famous for. It borders on stupidity to blindly tackle this glorious river.

SCENIC WONDERS ABOUND

.. Of course even the rare fishless day is full of spectacular scenery and many photo opportunities.
.. The Kodak moment is a near constant entity. Some folks take a boat ride just to capture the valley with the pixilated electrons that can fill a book. Your choice.

RED QUILL CRIPPLE

.. We've returned: exhausted we are. Happy indeed.
.. Brunch is going to fill the cavernous void that a couple of long days on the water have produced.
.. Sleeping late is an added side benefit.
.. Then maybe a nap.

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WALLPAPER:  PASTRAMI DONE RIGHT

Beware Of Yellowstone

MAN LOST IN RIVER

West Entrance Traffic

gallatin still best bet

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SOFT AND GENTLE

.. As the shorter and hotter days of Summer engulf the two million acres to our east the visitors continue to forget just where it is that they are.
.. A seasonal employee has been lost in the Yellowstone River while swimming with friends. Search and rescue is on the job as you read this, (LINK-1.)
.. Traffic continues to be a genuine nuisance through West Yellowstone. During the morning rush hour the single left turn lane on Canyon Street moves at a snails pace. The traffic pattern and speed of movement is complicated by motorists attempting to take shortcuts through town. This tactic confuses the traffic light at the intersection of Yellowstone Avenue and Canyon Street.
.. Should you enjoy frustrated tourists, road-hogging motor homes, driving tactics from around the world, and rental car familiarization: this is the place to be.

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WORKS GOOD

.. In our neighborhood, unless you choose to avoid the crowded Gallatin River beats,  your fate is sealed. It's not all bad.
.. The ants are still moving around and the beetles have finally started to make a significant appearance.
.. The caddis are a sure bet for all day fishing and catching.  A dry/dropper combination is what the neighbors are using. They are fishing hard and walking some. Seems to work.

HOLY GRAIL

.. Many "fly pros" and their counter help minions are sending the visitors to the Madison River below Quake Lake or to the northeast corner of Yellowstone National Park.
.. We hope that they told you that starting tonight the road between Mammoth and Norris will suffer nightly closures, (seven days a week,) 11:00 PM to 7:00 AM. Keep that in mind, (LINK-2.)
.. The words that trickle off their silver tongues blast a litany of guide book rivers: Slough Creek, Soda Butte Creek, Lamar River, etc. It may come as a surprise to many that there are less crowded bits of water that yield willing fish of many varieties and sizes.
.. With scorn you hear about "Beginner's Streams," "Children's Water," or "Brookie Streams." The scorn seldom is aimed at crowded fishing, poor parking availability, or traffic noise. So be it!
.. We suggest that you follow the maddening crowd and take the advice of these pros and their worshipers. You may even catch a fish and you certainly will have bought some flies.

A FRIENDLY AND VACANT  CREEK

.. At the risk of banishment from the local clique of avoidance fishers we might suggest that Pebble Creek or Obsidian Creek or Indian Creek or Winter Creek, will provide fish, solitude, easy parking, glorious scenery, and maybe a bear or moose, or some small furry wildlife as company.

SAVE A TREE

.. We were denied beer and congenial conversation a few years back because of a post about Pebble creek, (LINK-3.) Enjoy the Pebble Plateau.
.. The little creeks do not yield many hero snapshots. They won't demand that you cast into the next zip code. They will, by the way,  test your skill as a stealth fisher and precision caster.
.. Rare indeed.

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WALLPAPER:  DAILY DRIVER

Of Bison, Drones, Fish, And Tubes

HERD INCREASES

Fly It Elsewhere

park rivers are dangerous

WALLPAPER:  ENORMOUS HERD OF HERBIVORES

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.. Here's a few quick notes about recent park happenings; some related to fishy stuff.
.. Some visitors, from afar and down low are pretending that it's Autumn - not yet - not now. Up here we're still waiting for Summer. That's not a complaint at all.

STUPID VISITORS FLY THESE ILLEGALLY

==> The bison herd in Yellowstone National Park is at or near record numbers. Thanks are given to the recent drought and recent mild winters, BISON LINK.
==> A camera equipped drone was illegally crashed into Grand Prismatic Spring in Yellowstone National Park, DRONE LINK.
==> A massive search is underway for a missing concession employee last seen being swept down the Yellowstone River, TUBE LINK 1, TUBE LINK 2.

SOON THE FISH WILL GOBBLE THESE

==> An Enormous Brown Trout was stuck and landed at, (or near,)  9-Mile Hole on the Madison River, in the evening, by our neighbor, a world famous fisher, using a mouse fly and some cagy tactics. Only the best fishers use flies appropriate to the situation and the quarry.
.. Although it's hopper time, the welcome and cool afternoon showers have kept the flights of hppers to a dull roar and the fish are only mildly interested - at the moment. This weekend there will be a warm-up and the trout should realize that graceries are raining down from above. Be prepared.
.. It's not quite like a PacMan game but, the Callibaetis are erupting on Hebgen Reservoir with regularity and it is currently possible to cast to sight-seen fish. Use flies just  bit larger than the hatch and cast to fish just a bit farther away than you normally would. They are hungry and looking up.

TRY A SIZE LARGER THAN THIS

..  The frequent afternoon showers have kept the northeast corner of Yellowstone National Park cool and pleasant. They have also produced a situation where local information will give you a better chance of fishing in clear water. Check with Parks Fly Shop for up to the minute information about where the murky water isn't. Some of our local feather merchants have recently sent expeditions to those far reaches of the park. Some quick phone calls and a bit of savvy questioning will help your catching success.
.. The honey holes on Quake Lake have proven to have a seemingly unlimited supply of very large fish this year. The gear guys and the worm fishers are gathering up bushel baskets full of fine fish. When our fly fishing neighbors enter the fray they are taking more than their fair share of the pretty lake fish. Please don't disturb the rusty green pickup truck - the dog will let you know.

NOT A HOPPER - BUT . . .

.. The Spruce Moth flights are still thick along those wooded portions of the Gallatin River in Yellowstone National Park. The poor things unwittingly find the water and the lucky trout leap upon them with a gusto befitting champion gobblers at Nathan's. Try a mashed caddis imitation and hold on.
.. The thin water of Nez Perce Creek is full of swimming tourists around the picnic area. The fish are bashful: they are avoiding the naked bodies and have moved upstream in a fit of modesty - where the cool water is. A mere 4,000 feet upstream from the Mary Mountain Trailhead will provide fishers with few elbows and willing fish.
.. The moose at Richard's Creek is not a friendly critter. Avoid this area for the moment. Even as big as a barn it's easy to hide in the dense willow thickets. We guarantee that she will fiercely protect her calf with surprise attacks and thunderous kicks and head butts.
.. Rumor has it that there are fewer mosquitoes this year down in the Bechler Region. Welts are few and the folks around Squirrel, Idaho have been enjoying the catching along Boundary Creek. The cutthroat trout of the Cascade Corner are among the most friendly in the neighborhood. This is probably because they are passed over for fishing on the glory waters so nearby. The park-and-fish crowd just love to fish within sight of their favorite feather merchant in this part of Idaho.
.. We're headed closer to home now.

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THE GREAT POOL ON BOUNDARY CREEK