'Tis The Seasons

Right Now

 PEBBLE GONE ??

COE Denies Permit

near impossible revival

 

Remote Location . . . courtesy new York Times

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.. On the same day as John Kerry was slated for the position of "climate czar" (encompassing a carbon footprint including a private jet and giant boat,) the Corps Of Engineers just denied a permit for the Pebble Mine. 

.. Mixed messages are pretty well standard coming out of Washing D.C. Neither now, nor in the past or, in the future can we expect any changes. The swamp will continue to be populated on the basis of cronyism, political position, and sheer ignorance of either public perception or with actual ineptitude.

.. How ignorant can a population be?

RESOURCES

>> NPR

>> WSJ

>> NYT

>> FOX

>> CNN

>> FOX

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WALLPAPER:  BACON AND EGGS

He's Back !!

 ASSAULT ON ACCESS

That's Your Access !!

multimillionaires united

SLUGGER IS BACK IN TOWN *

 

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.. With more than 300 million dollars in his back pocket, Greg Gianforte the "AT LARGE" Montana representative from sunny San Diego, wants to be our governor. It is our opinion that this carpetbagger believes that folks from Montana are fools and idiots.

.. We believe that Gianforte has been trying for years to sell our public lands, (just like Senator Steve Daines and Ryan Zinke.) This creationist unholy trinity is centered in Bozeman, Montana, (of course,) and, we firmly believe, is a thinly disguised real estate cabal.

.. You can check their bona fides: supports William Perry Pendley, in bed with the Charles Koch Foundation, gives $$$$$ to the Foundation on the Economy and the Environment,  gives $$$$$ to Heritage Foundation, and other sundry crusades to remove resources and access from our public lands and waters.

We could go on about this convicted "punch them in the face Californian"  --  BUT  --  check the resources below to see how your access to fishing and hunting in the last best place is being threatened.

>>> OUTSIDE <<<

>>> REMEMBER THIS?? <<<

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THE SNORTLE IS WORKING

. The breezes were blustery yesterday. We are in for a week of mixed weather and some temperatures on the coolish side. Big fish are being tormented on the lower Madison River, (all the way to Hebgen Reservoir.)

THESE WORKED YESTERDAY

  .. There are reports of submarines in the Firehole River Canyon, right near the entrance road. Although large streamers are the common ammunition for this invasion of runners some very large nymphs are also scoring big in the dance exhibitions.

.. We're on a fools errand today. Pub table, (outside,) rumors have it that there are bugs on the surface below Biscuit Basin on the Firehole River  --  we'll see.

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WALLPAPER:  LEMON CURD TURNOVERS

* courtesy 'cleveland - dot com'

Happening Now

..

..

Notorious

RUTH BADER GINSBURG

Dead At 87

a very heavy legacy

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A most untimely death in so many ways. A pause is definitely in order.

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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"

F.Y.I. West Yellowstone

A PUBLIC SERVICE NOTE

Rumors

gossip

PROTECT YOURSELF AND OTHERS

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.. Our neighborhood front-line workers are a courageous lot.
.. Servers, clerks, information officers, grocery store stockers, deli workers, police officers, paramedics, park employees, etc. are exposed and wide open to covid-19 infection.
.. At latest count we, our village, has at least TWELVE COVID-19 CASES. These are folks from grocery stores, bars, gas stations, convenience stores, hotels and restaurants. A couple of them have been hospitalized, (rumor.)
.. This information has surfaced among our neighbors in their personal conversations around town. There is no "official" way to verify this number.
.. This number of cases has erupted during the last two weeks. It coincides with the influx of visitors: most not wearing face masks.
.. There is a dearth of information and an honest fear among our neighbors who serve the public. Merchants are loath to discuss this with customers or, even the neighbors.
.. We implore you to wear a mask and avoid close contact with folks wandering around our village. We also warn you that our little village is in Galllatin County, the county with the highest number of covid-19 cases in the state of Montana. We are also among those most rapidly growing places for the infection of the virus.
-- With the realization that covid-19 may be an air-born infection it behooves all of us to be safe, careful and considerate. Our front line workers are doing their best to be cordial, accommodating, and helpful. Please give them the courtesy and consideration of protecting them from infection.
.. We are scared shitless!

_______

With A Vengence

COVID-19 RETURNS

Montana Alert

no mask mandate

WHY?

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.. Here it comes. Summer and visitors have brought COVID-19 to Montana. Our governor has declared a state of emergency [LINK.] We can say no more.

RESOURCES:

>> Governor's Task Force
>> 46 States Require Masks
>> Care Facility Cases
>> Deadly Weekend

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.. We urge you to contact your favorite feather merchant by phone. Ask about mask protocol and Covid-19 mitigation measures in the shop.
.. Gallatin County has the most cases of any county in the state.

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WALLPAPER:  AMPLE PARKING

Can It Be ?

FOUR FIVE CONQUERORS?

Woke For July 3 ?

exclusive or inclusive ?

A NATIVE AMERICAN SACRILEGE ?

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.. Some interesting facts:
1) Washington and Jefferson both held slaves,
2)  Lincoln, though he led the abolition of slavery, also approved the hanging of 38 Dakota men in Minnesota after a violent conflict with invading white settlers there,
3)  Roosevelt, a good Republican, is reported to have said, "I don't go so far as to think that the only good Indians are dead Indians, but I believe nine out of every ten are." He also said, "the most vicious cowboy has more moral principle than the average Indian.” {LINK}
..  For many Native American people, including the Lakota, Cheyenne, Omaha, Arapaho, Kiowa and Kiowa-Apache, the monument is a desecration of the Black Hills, which they consider sacred. Lakota people know the area as Paha Sapa — "the heart of everything that is."
.. So, of course, our president a good Republican,  has scheduled a major event at the monument. We have had our head shaken by this juxtaposition of perceptions in this time of conflict, pandemic and, national unrest.
..  Unlikely as it is, many fly fishers, feather merchants, fishing web sites, and YouTube channels avoid comment on the reality of this moment in history; we are fully cognizant of the sociopolitical atmosphere surrounding us. It is troubling! We cannot avoid comment. Silence is not enough.
.. For this celebration of Independence Day, we're trapped in a little tourist town with 1/4 of the shops closed. Montana is not fully "open" yet. Entitled visitors from around the world are trouping through our village. There are very few face masks present. The grocery store aisles are full of normal appearing folks searching the empty shelves.
.. The surreal aspects of our daily existence are entirely missed by those entitled visitors = fly fishers included. We've lost our part time gig due to closures. We're free to observe from our car, porch, patio, and occasional forays into the grocery store, post office, hardware store and gas station = such an awakening. May this never happen again!

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CADDIS TO GO

.. Yesterday's mid-day thunder boomers brought some hail and cool rains to the neighborhood. The result was a brief respite from the warm weather and a moderate period of excellent evening catching.

.. The Firehole River will be fishable for the coming weekend. Catchable is another question. Temperature spikes to 70°F are already here. Early morning is best - very late evening is a fair bet as well. Stick with soft hackles in the shadows. Don't spend any effort with surface flies unless the critters are crawling in your ears. If so, they are probably caddis of one sort or another.

.. The Madison River has fared better this year. Catching has succumbed to the "Madison Holy Trinity" = caddis. PMD and, soft hackles. A dozen of each should endear you to the local counter help. Remember that surface flies may be drowned and still catch those pesky trout.

COACHMAN HACKLE

.. Early morning should find you parked in a wide dirt spot on the Gibbon River. Get there early and pound the riffles and dark slicks with large nymphs.
.. By noon time refugees from the other rivers will inundate the road and the parking spots. When it becomes elbow-crazy a small movement can continue your catching,
.. The meadows around the museum of the ranger and, upstream are full of brook trout and the occasional grayling. This is a good place to practice your stealth stalking skills. Just about any fly on  the surface will bring strikes. Good, long drifts, are best. Don't be too quick of wrist. The little fish often miss and come back for seconds.

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.. With a few neighbors and, no dogs, we're headed to a secluded bend on the Notellum River at the edge of the park boundary. A small fire just beyond the park line and a few steaks, (nearly a week's rent,) along with a cool one and great fellowship with young skeptics and old grouches should celebrate our independence.😎😎😎😎

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WALLPAPER:  CANNELLINI SOUP WITH BACON GARNISH

Sign Of The Time

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WALLPAPER:  RED SKY AT MORNING . . .

Come Monday Morning

PHASE TWO IN MONTANA

Yellowstone Park Opens

some facilities still closed

10:00 AM MONDAY, JUNE 1 2020 = YELLOWSTONE OPENS

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.. With the opening of the West Entrance, North Entrance and Northeast Entrance, all five Yellowstone gates will be open for the season. The two Wyoming entrances had previously opened on May 18.

NATIONAL PARK MOUNTAIN

..  It’s important to note that NPS officials are implementing coronavirus pandemic mitigation efforts, including: additional protective barriers, encouraging the use of masks or facial coverings, metering visitor access in some locations, increasing cleaning frequency of facilities, adding signage on boardwalks and other public spaces.
.. Substantial investments have been made in mitigation measures by the park’s business partners including Xanterra, Delaware North, Yellowstone Park Service Stations, Medcor, and Yellowstone Forever.
.. The park has also approved 126 commercial use authorizations for local businesses to operate inside the park after reviewing individual COVID-19 mitigation plans submitted by each company.

SOFT NYMPHS FOR SEARCHING

..  Fishing has not been seriously impacted except in parking areas. Continuing openings and restrictions will be informed by the Yellowstone Park Resource Page, [[LINK-1.]]
.. In West Yellowstone some shops, motels and other facilities remain closed. Village information is constantly updated on the Chamber Of Commerce Website, [[LINK-2.]]
.. Road construction north of our village is scheduled for all summer. There is also road construction at the North Entrance for the Gardiner bridge. Several places throughout the park have small and large projects currently underway.
.. Join the discussion: "KEEP 'EM WET."

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WALLPAPER:  THE YELLOWSTONE EXPERIENCE

10 Minutes

NOT COVID RELATED

American Image

what to do ???

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.. Four responding officers were placed on paid leave for one day. They have been fired. FBI investigating the incident.

Under The Radar

A DEEP DIVE

Trespass Or Not

private vs. public interest

PRIVATE LAND - PUBLIC TRAIL

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.. Percolating under the corona-time and, becoming more of local interest than it should be, is the ongoing battle for access to isolated public lands.

THE SHORE OF UPPER TWIN LAKE

.. A couple of years ago the concerns were of national interest. Now they have become submerged by the political climate, a pandemic and, the malaise/fear of our population. AND, in truth, all politics is local. But the access question is still national and urgent.
.. We refreshed our memory with a re-read of a seminal piece by Monte Reel. It details the continuing saga of access and ownership and development in the Crazy Mountains, [READ IT.]
.. The U.S. Forest Service just announced, in a news release,  that the Porcupine Ibex Trail will be open to hikers, horseback riders and mountain bikers on Friday, more than a year and a half after it was first proposed. The 2.7 miles of new trail will connect the Porcupine Cabin Trailhead to the North Fork Elk Creek Trail, [ READ IT - 2.]
.. Since last fall there has been development on private plots that use public access to facilitate construction ingress and egress, [READ IT - 3.]
.. In a rare, and mostly unseen, online letter, Kate Gervais reminds us all about the actions of out-of-state land owners and their hiding in the shadow of Greg Gianforte. Indeed, actions do speak louder than words, [READ IT - 4.]
.. As bad as it is - right now. And as bad as it is going to be - we should keep our eyes on the many balls we were juggling previously.

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.. Food prices are climbing. Gas prices are slowly dropping, (within the West Yellowstone Cartel.) Yes it's true all the prices are the same; after all only three families own all six gas stations. One family owns 3 -my, my, my. Just where is our FTC or ICC?

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WALLPAPER: JUST TOO PRETTY TO BURN !!

Dodging Bullets

BOMBER SENTENCED

Murder Trial

covid-19 arrives

KILLER GRANDMOTHER ?   . . .  courtesy Bozeman Daily Chronicle

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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.

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..  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.]

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.. 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.]

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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.]

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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.

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WALLPAPER:  SPRING VISITATION

More Road Work

MDT PROJECT

Gardiner - Yellowstone

bridge surface repair

A MOST BUSY BRIDGE

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.. In 'normal' years more than 60,000 vehicles cross this bridge during 'high season.' Fortuitously Yellowstone National Park is currently closed - AND - minimal traffic disruption is expected.
.. The project is occurring in two phases and the Montana Department of Transportation has timed construction to minimize impacts on the traveling public.
.. Phase 1 entailed rehabilitation of one lane of the bridge and its approaches in early September 2019, through November 2019.
..  Phase 2 construction on the opposite lane and approaches starts today and, is scheduled to end June 2020. You can follow progress of the project with the following resources:
PROJECT OVERVIEW,
OVERVIEW PDF,
PROJECT UPDATES,
TRAVEL CONDITIONS,

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.. Business continues to propagate slowly through our village: more kids on bicycles and skateboards, fewer parking places at the hardware store, a proliferation of masked faces at the P.O. and grocery store, long distance conversations on street corners.

BIG BUGS ON THE HORIZON

.. We're still scared shitless as we gear up to visit the normal places of our daily round. We have some advice: don't get old or, let your guard down.
.. Our kindest neighbors have snelled some flies and offered to truck us down to the current catching spots. They'll even let us ride in the bed of the truck.
.. We may just take them up on it. Passing the early morning coffee through a crack in the back door does put a high nuisance on a simple task.  AND, our porch only has room for three 'distanced' folks.

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WALLPAPER:  ARMED AND DANGEROUS

A Phased Approach

MONTANA OPENING

A Detailed Plan

three phases

HERE WE GO

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.. We suggest that it is important to read and download the PDF file for the phased opening of Montana:

PDF FOR PHASED OPENING

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.. Interesting side blessing. Our meat and produce is looking better than recent memory allows. This is probably because it is fresher and spends less time, (or no time,) in storage lockers. It's the little things.

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WALLPAPER:  GROCERY STORE BOUNTY