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  • Visit: Chi Wulff
  • Visit: Parks' Fly Shop
  • Showing posts with label wallpaper. Show all posts
    Showing posts with label wallpaper. Show all posts

    Wednesday, December 05, 2018

    Bingo, Bango, Bongo

    HIT THE MARK
    We're On The Board
    back in the groove
    IN THE CELLAR
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    .. Crash dive into Winter. Only about 6" snow on the ground. Looks like a 'plumbers winter.'
    .. That's when there so little snow that the frost and freeze depth accelerates down to the plumbing. We'll see.
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    .. No fishing for us but the ice fishing fraternity is stoked.
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    .
    WALLPAPER:   COFFEE AND DANISH

    Sunday, February 23, 2014

    Some Sun - Some Warm

    TAKE FIVE TWENTY
    Out To The Suburbs
    tickle a fish
    WALLPAPER:  SIGNS OF SUBURBIA
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    BIG AS A MATCH HEAD
    .. It's not far from our neighborhood to the suburbs.
    .. It's just down the road and a quick left turn and we're out there where folks measure their land in acres - not square feet.
    .. It's out there where streams form the boundaries of fields and summer pastures. Out there where they have to drive to the mailbox.
    .. It's out there where we can easily find a fish to molest. We can tickle it's maw with the tempered steel of a fluffed-up hook.
    .. It's out there where we can take a quick break from the noise and idiocy of our little tourist town's stupidity of exorbitantly priced park tours and the frenzied snowmobile chaos on our streets.
    .. So, on some mornings, when the sun warms the snow to a fine and ethereal ground fog, we hitch up our trusty steed and trot to a little pool where the fish play. We stick one and call it a day. Even if it's not yet noon. Short days this time of year.
    .. That's success in our world.
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    WALLPAPER: VEILED SUN AND GROUND FOG

    Friday, December 20, 2013

    A Salty Pair

    LOADED AND READY
    Heavy Duty Tools
    no cutesy clicks or artsy colors
    WALLPAPER: FIN-NOR
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    .. These guys have stopped little tuna, barracuda, and big sailfish. Time for giant salmon.

    Sunday, September 08, 2013

    River Warriors

    WALLPAPERS
     -------
    FEAR NO ROCK

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    WAITING

    Thursday, September 05, 2013

    The "X" Factor

    PATTERN & PRESENTATION
    Gawdawful And Glorious
    not sexy enough for sophistacates
    THE ORIGINAL MADAM X - SEEN ONLY IN THE MAW OF GIANT TROUT
    -------
    .. Among the many iterations of flies in the arsenal of the neighbor kids is a group of flies that can trace their origin to the MADAM X.
    .. Along with this Doug Swisher creation comes some baggage that is often ignored: the two "P's" of fly fishing.  These are simple and often ignored concepts: Pattern and Presentation. So, of course, the neighbors ignore presentation and concentrate on pattern. (we're going to lose some suds over this.)
    .. Since most flies are designed to catch more fisher folks than fish, the neighborhood innovations are designed to do this. "Cool," "Sick," "Rad." "Awesome," are the adjectives. Gather 'round folks and check this out - zowieee!
    .. The original fly is not delicate. It is not thin. It is not svelte. It is simple in tying techniques and materials. There is nothing here to cause amazement. The original consists of only a few common materials and can be rapidly tied. It can imitate anything that your imagination allows: caddis flies, grasshoppers, beetles, spiders, stoneflies,  --  let the gray matter free.
    .. Of course, shortly after it's introduction on the Bitterroot River, in the 1980's,  a host of 'acceptable' derivatives hit the scene, (feather merchants and fly tiers being what they are.) One of the most successful, (in terms of popularity, success, and sales,) was the TURK TARANTULA.
    .. The kids around here are not interested in fame or fortune. They love their tying bench and the act of creation. They fiddle around with whatever is at hand. Some of the flies even catch fish. Below are some iterations that are on the rivers right now.
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    SORT OF LIKE A TARANTULA  -  WITH OTHER STUFF

    BLACK BODY WITH A PARACHUTE AND WHITE STUFF

    NEED LEGS?  NEED FOAM?  NEED WHITE STUFF?  NEED RED?  --  GOT IT !!
    .. We now have a handful of these monstrosities. We're flinging them into the sweet & pretty waters of the neighborhood. We hope that the fish don't recoil at the sight of them. They may even stick one.
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    READ ABOUT:
    ==> Turk Tarantula,
    ==> Doug Swisher Stuff,
    ==> Skip Morris On The Madam X, (and variations.)
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    WALLPAPER: Summer On The Neighborhood Madison River

    Tuesday, September 03, 2013

    It's In The Air

    SMOKE, COLOR, AROMA,
    Early Prospectors In The Water
    some fish being caught - some lost
    Pinkish Skies and Yellowish Meadows Signal The Coming Death Of Summer
    -------
    .. As the grasses turn yellow and the sky colors with the haze from our seasonal fires, fisher folk in the neighborhood are drifting back to the glory waters nearby.
    .. There's nothing too serious about the brief forays to the waters. The cold waters are still the focus of serious fishing but the need to see what's what is persistent in the fly fisher's heart and soul. Anticipation, exploration, familiarization, and determination are constituents of the fisher's soul.
    The Mysterious Nymph Of The Neighborhood.
    .. As often as we fish these waters is as often as we realize the differences from minute to minute, hour to hour, day to day, season to season, year to year, decade to decade  --  etc. So we revisit the water.
    .. It is both grossly the same and minutely different. Slumped banks, exposed point bars, shifted snags and sweepers, new weed beds, scoured bottoms, and oh so much else. Of course it will change over the next 5 or 6 weeks but, we anticipate the direction and amount of change and speculate about the hides of Fall.
    .. The water is low now and in anticipation of higher water in the upcoming Fall we plan our approaches to the choice parking spots for the "Fall Run Fish." We note the conditions today and then move on. There is a lot of territory to cover. There is a lot of water to "NOT FISH." The information is valuable. The guide books seldom mention the subtle and not so subtle changes. They are designed to catche fishers - not so much fish, (sort of like fly patterns.)
    Turn Here.
    .. The glory bits of the Firehole River continue in a gentle cooling trend, the Gibbon River likewise. Both are a bit low and slow. The Madison River has plenty of bugs but few noses during the mid day hours. Hoppers happen and the fish will take a few.
    .. Visitors and eager fishers are pounding the waters of the north and east portions of Yellowstone National Park. The fish are biting but the catching is tough most of the time, We are still pounding the cool waters of the Gallatin River above the BIGHORN trail head.
    .. The cavorting Brook Trout of the upper Firehole River are still willing to dance and the water is cooler than most on this side of the park.
    .. Many of the neighbors are stuck in "Gulper Mode," although the catching has been good but spotty. When you find them they are angry and eager.
    .. Some of us are sharpening broadheads and loading ammo for the hunt - it's here now and for the foreseeable future. Decision is the name of the game at this time of year: hunt, fish, tour, etc.
    .. Now is the time for ants, moths, hoppers, and beetles on the top. For the submariners among us it's a double nymph rig or a rubberlegs with nymph trailer. The fish are most active in the morning. The big fish eat at night and with the sundown rule in Yellowstone the mouse fishing can be problematic - but rewarding if you do your homework.
    .. We've returned to fishing a Hornberg on the surface with an ant dropper. We roll the Hornberg pattern around to the side so that it displays a lot of wing as it floats. Doesn't seem to affect the hooking abilities of the fly at all.
    .. We're of to check the poison river and the dead fish.
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    Looks Like Rain, Feels Like Rain, Smells Like Rain; Blows On Over - Oh Well !

    Monday, September 02, 2013

    Addendum

    RESOURCES AND NOTES
    Not Just Fish
    the nps is hard at work
    Wallpapper: Water Lily At Isa Lake
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    .. There has been some stirring amongst the natives, (two legged variety,) since our post about the killing of fish in Grayling Creek.
    .. This was not a sneak attack. We posted about the planning meetings for the native fish conservation plan a few years back (LINK.) We've posted followup notes as well, (this blog is searchable.)
    .. To help bring concerned fishers up to speed, the list below will provide current and background information about this plan. You may also directly contact the staff at Yellowstone National Park for current and planned activities within this multi-year project,

    GRAYLING CREEK NEWS RELEASE,
    NPS PAGE,
    EA DOCUMENT (in three sections,)
    FONSI.
    -------
    .. There are a few other actions that will probably affect fishers and winter visitors as well. Below are some links to those plans and actions.

    Bridge over Isa Lake - plans to close the south loop road  in 2014 and 2015 to rebuild the bridge and bring it up to contemporary standards, this action is open for public comment. (LINK)

    Winter use plan ratified - new definitions are decided upon and "Transportation Events" have been codified. Regulations to implement the decisions will be released shortly. (LINK)

    Summer 2013 bison count released - the population increase is within the parameters expected for wild bison. They drink from trout streams. (LINK)

    Illegal trail in Bechler to be removed - this trail is one that is used to access portions of the Bechler area. Portions of the park will be closed during restoration of the damaged environment. (LINK)

    Grizzly encounter thwarted by bear spray - a sow defending her cub charged a group of hikers on the Cygnet Lakes Trail. Bites and scratches were the result. Bear spray works. (LINK)

    Fall is approaching and the elk are cavorting - people and vehicles are at risk from rutting elk. Fishers should use caution when wandering around while looking for fish. (LINK)
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    If you have questions about park actions or policies you can contact the park personnel directly. The first, and best avenue is:

    Al Nash or Dan Hottle
    (307) 344-2015


    OR

    YELL_Public_Affairs@nps.gov


    These folks can answer your questions and address your concerns. They will put you in touch with the appropriate staff for detailed information, should you need it.
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    Swollen neck, drippy nose, runny eyes, inflamed nasal passages, panting past enlarged tongue: ain't love grand?

    Sunday, September 01, 2013

    No Fish & Fires

    FRIENDLY FISH ALL GONE
    Less Friendly Fires Arrive
    and so it goes in our neighborhood
    HDR Wallpaper: 'TWO TOP' fire, 4 miles south of West Yellowstone
    -------
    .. We took a little ride up the road and fished for a spell on the Gallatin River.
    LOVELY GRAYLING CREEK: devoid of fish & bugs.
    .. On the way home we stopped and grabbed a snapshot of our favorite stretch of a little stream that has favored us with many hours of fine escape and solitude.
    .. It's still a pretty place but all the fish are dead. Most of the bugs too.
    ..Low water, high temperatures and a liberal dose of Rotenone have removed the fish and most of the bugs.
    ..This is part of the native fish conservation plan of Yellowstone National Park.
    .. There will be another dose of Rotenone - maybe two. Then Grayling Creek will be the recipient of some grayling and some cutthroat.
    .. We should be able to return to fish our neglected bits of water in 5 or 6 years - if we live that long.
    ----
    .. The Gallatin River is coughing up some nice fish to the local favorite technique; a double hopper rig.
    .. There were hoards of hoppers along Grayling Creek. There were no fish on the surface.
    .. We await, (but not with held-breath,) the return of friendly fish to Grayling Creek.
    -------
    .. The "TWO TOP" fire is just a smidgen more than four miles south of West Yellowstone. It's burning in heavy and dry timber along the state line.
    .. Since the prevailing winds are toward our little village the Interagency Fire Center has called in resources above the normal for a fire of this size, (about 90 acres.) Smoke jumpers based here were quick to the fire.  The Leland Snow "Air Tractors" are bombing the fire with retardant. There is also a siphon helicopter and a couple of fire crews. Local and State, and Federal manpower is on the scene.
    .. The fire is "burning in heavy fuels" - the official jargon for a hot one with lots to eat. Fires are a fact of life in our neighborhood. They rejuvenate the forest and maintain a healthy stand of trees. Of course the burned areas don't usually make for postcard views of the neighborhood.
    .. It should be rapidly contained. We'll keep you posted.
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    B & W Wallpaper:  Watching the "TWO TOP" fire from the edge of town.
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    Wallpaper: Leland Snow Air Tractor Tanker,  Modified For Fire Fighting.

    Thursday, December 29, 2011

    Thursday, August 25, 2011

    Saturday, August 06, 2011

    The Good Life

    Prancing Horse Fly Fisher
    Visits West Yellowstone
    MONSTER IMAGE FOR WALLPAPER
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    Wednesday, July 27, 2011

    Saturday, June 11, 2011

    Wednesday, April 06, 2011

    Pinhole Fly

    FLANGE FOCAL DISTANCE:  44mm
    Subject Distance: 1 inch
    [brief report]

    -------
    .. Not art, not clear and sharp, but we like the novelty of it all.
    .. Got another 4" of wet snow last night.
    .. Snow pack is now 120% of historical snow water content.
    .. Gloomy weather leads to indoor entertainment.
    .. The whole damn house is getting documented with pinhole photography. We'll not bore you with details. This shot makes pretty good wallpaper.

    *******
    .. Midges and giant streamers sighted in the environs of Craig, Montana. Get thee to the "Mighty MO."
    .. Lower Gallatin River Canyon heating up like wildfire. No stonies reported but the fish are taking giant subsurface offerings.
    .. The Madison River in the lowlands, where open, is seeing the first of the mayflies and squadrons of snow flies are permeating fisher folk's orifices. Might be a good time to visit.
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    .

    Monday, April 04, 2011

    Bare Pavement

    CITY CREWS SUCCESSFUL
    Bottom Found
    wallpaper
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    .. We have glimmerings of impending Spring. The temperature hit 40° F, and the sun was readily apparent in the broken cloud cover. Things are looking up.