Time To Fish? Time To Catch!

ENJOY THE MORNING

Learn To Saunter

explore some tributaries

AFTER 7:00 PM WOULD BE BETTER

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Stiff Hackle

.. It's about time for the Firehole River to enter it's "TOOHOTTOFISH" phase.
.. We take this opportunity to remind you that the fish are still in the water. They don't plunk down under a tree and wait out the mid-day heat in the shade.
.. They find the shade under the banks. They move around with the sun and shade and the temperature. They find the spring holes in the river. They know where the cooler tributaries are, (or they soon learn.)

Little Mite

.. Morning is a perfect time to tickle a fish or two.
.. Grandma would always say: "Fish where the fish are." Wise woman, eh? For the time being most action will be subsurface and with the ever-present soft hackle, (or stiff hackle.)
.. The neighbors are now using a bit of nothing called "The Little Mite," or another silly creation called "The Little Wing." (LINK)

.. Of course they are fishing Nez Perce Creek, Iron Spring Creek, and the Little Firehole River.

Little Wing

.. Some have even headed up to the Gallatin River despite sage advice to the contrary from seasonal clerks at the feather merchants' counters.
.. Just so you know: some of the second molt hoppers are turning colors and there are reports of a few with wings near Black Butte, (some near Indian Creek too.)
..So, spend some time with your terrestrial fly box. Quickly now, get the hottest new imitations from your favorite retailer.
.. Gather up the Stupifindeously Majesticas imitations and you can give your colleagues fits. After all, the clerk said that they were the latest thing.

.. OR: big ratty caddis imitations, a few foam beetles, and some ants should do the trick.
.. We're still using the fly we got from a visitor from Hawaii. He called it "The Crinkled Leg Ant." It's a bit on the small side for our eyes - but it works.
.. Surprisingly, against all sane and rational fishing behavior we still enjoy the sights and sounds of Yellowstone National Park.
.. We pause frequently and take side trips to view the geyser basins, lush meadows, secluded tributaries, and other places in the park. Sometimes we do it without a rod or camera. But never without bear spray!
.. Enjoy the sights!

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NO TIME LIKE THE PRESENT

You Only Need Four Flies

be here now

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.. Sometimes everything is just perfect. For the Firehole River that time is now. The rapid discharge has subsided and some sun punctuates the beautifully monotonous gray days. The bugs and the fish are in sync, and all is well with the world.
.. At this very instant, and for the next few days, the Firehole River is adding more chapters to it's fishing legend. The BWO & PMD hatches are overlapping. The caddis, (at least three sorts,) are regular and persistent and growing more numerous by the day.
.. The water temperature is perfect, (but a mite hot during mid-day.) The fish are just where they are supposed to be - AND - yet, are not too terribly selective - they're getting that way though.
.. Fry are now beginning to move into the river from their shallow water hides. They just think that mom and dad are their friends.
.. Clarity of the water is suitable for postcards in tourist shops. Fish of all sizes are fair game for the birds, fishers, otters, and other fish. The feeding frenzy is well underway.
.. There are spinner falls for the morning, early hatches during mid day, late hatches in the afternoon, and twilight hatches for those that like the calm gentle evenings after the thundershowers. What more could you ask? Caddis all day? You got it!
.. Flies for the Firehole River are simple, the rest is up to you. PMD dry flies in size 16 - 18 will be necessary. BWO, (still hanging around,) drys in 18 - 20. Dark caddis in sizes 14 - 16, (and 18 - 20,) & light caddis in 12 - 14. Right now these four flies will give you all the surface action that you can handle.
.. Very soon the fish will wise up. Very soon the fishing will consume more time than the catching. Very soon a different chapter will be written. But for now, and this coming week, the glories of catching Firehole River trout will be easily accessible.
.. Even now, on the other hand, no sloppy drifts will be tolerated. Even now splashy casts will put the fish down. Even now, (as the water clears,) a heavy leader will spook a few.
.. There is opportunity for the technical fisher to test new flies. Emergers, spinners, cripples, hooligans, and such, from the winter's bench can be tried. Hatch and stage matching can be employed. All things good that the Firehole River has to offer are available now.

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.. We lied. You may need three additional flies should you choose to seek the giant submarines of the Firehole River.
.. Of course the ubiquitous soft hackle, (a flymph - if you choose,) will poke 'em in the nose. We need say no more.
.. Whisper it loudly, it's common knowledge right now: there are BIG BUGS in the canyon - but not too many any more.
.. Also, the high water of last week sent some of them as far down as 9-mile hole on the Madison River. Pick your favorite, (about 1 1/4" long; black or yellow,) and go for it.
.. Then too, for the contrarians amongst you all; a fry sized streamer or giant soft hackle will bring subsurface action of fable.
.. But for now the gentle glides, dancing riffles, dainty slicks, and beautiful pockets are the surface fishers paradise. Get here now, it won't last long.
.. And, finally, it's important to note that the caddis activity on the Madison River is just nuts! Can you say "WHITE MILLER?" Mornings and evenings these things have been fluttering everywhere. But then, again, you wouldn't want to avoid the party on the Firehole River.

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Wallpaper if you choose.

It's The Little Things

TRIBS YOU STEP OVER

They Do Hold Fish

just ask mom

..

.. Yes this is Yellowstone. Yes this is right next to the road. Yes you've probably stepped over it.

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Briefly

WATERS HIGH

But Not Too High

fishers sleeping in

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.. The annual run off in Yellowstone National Park has been a smidgen gentle this Spring. On the other hand, for a change, the Firehole River, (after an early scare,) has enjoyed cooling melt water and has maintained a bank-full puddle so far.
.. There have been the standard batch of hatches; some fairly dense. So, what's the point? There has been a consistently dense spinner fall. And, it seems that, for the fly folks,  the early morning is better suited to a second third cup of coffee rather than the catching of fish. So be it. Get on the water by 11:00 AM and enjoy the congenial gatherings of tour buses, other fishers, elk lovers, bison lovers, tree gawkers, and various sundry other visiting mobs in Yellowstone.

.. Or, hit the water at first light, catch a couple of dozen fish by 8:00 AM, have a monster brunch, a brief nap, and return to the water by 1:30 PM to enjoy the salubrious weather and gentle road traffic. Your choice.
.. The Madison River is enjoying consistent salmonfly action. This, coupled with a bit of streamer fishing, and the highly successful soft hackle swinging is drawing the neighbors to the holes of old. Not too much visitation, yet, from the pink and yellow shirt crowd.

.. We sauntered north over the weekend. Obsidian Creek and Indian Creek are high and clear. Fish right by the bridge at the Indian Creek Campground. Catch as many Brook Trout as you care to.
.. The Gibbon River in the big meadows is at bank, and has picked up just a hint of color,) - and the bank is just plain pudding.
.. If you choose to fish here be careful on two counts: 1) soggy soil transmits vibrations very well, 2) be sure you know where the edge is. Small streamers will do the trick. A double drowned caddis will also work.
.. Down canyon on the Gibbon River you will have to look for protected water, and gentle feeding lanes. There is a bit more color, the discharge is up, and the fish are being very picky about where they are hanging out. On the other hand they are not picky at all about what they are eating.

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Snow Gone, Rain Coming

A SEASONAL THING

June Is The Wet Month

sporadic fishing = sporadic catching

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.. The west side rivers are now at their average seasonal discharge rates. They are cool and clearing. There will be afternoon thundershowers all week. How usual - for June.
.. A bit of rain never hurt the catching. A bit of lightning can grab that $700.00 whip in your hand and blow holes in your socks. Be bear aware and be lightning aware.
.. Although the sage advice from the experts blames the spotty nature of catching on the current water conditions, it's as much due to the avoidance of inclement weather by fishers as it is the water.

.. Some notes to get you started:
- Firehole River = PMD's in the morning, Caddis after the thunder storms in the sunny afternoons: BWO's starting and Stoneflies in the canyon.
- Madison River = Woolly Buggers under the banks, stonefly nymphs in the riffles,
- Nez Perce Creek = walk the Mary Mountain Trail and enjoy the scenery. Nymphs in the tail-outs, surface attractors in the smooth glides and pillows, carry bear spray,
- Gibbon River, (small  meadows,) = any thing that floats in a size 14 - 18. Any thing that sinks in a size 10 - 16. Below the falls = small stoneflies and big nymphs.
- Specimen Creek = Elk Hair Caddis on top, Shop Vac down below.
.. There are still some fine fish to be caught in Solfaterra Creek. It's worth the walk and the kids in campers.
.. By the way: the sinuous waters of the Madison River, around Bakers Hole, that weave into and out of the park are providing serious catching opportunities. Be sure that you have both a Montana fishing license and a Yellowstone Park permit in this productive water. Try something big and wiggly too.

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More Perfection

YES IT'S WHITE

The Fish Don't Care

the trees are loving it

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.. The perfect storm continues. The rivers have risen a bit. The waters have cooled a bit. The catching is hotter than the weather.
.. The nitrogen-rich white precipitation is a boon to the trees and other green growing things in Yellowstone National Park.
.. It's slowed the visitation rate to a trickle. The neighbors are back to the abandoned honey holes on the Firehole River.
.. The short-term forecast calls for a bit more perfection in the upcoming week and we anticipate some vacancies in the workforce as our standard wet June continues.
.. The little bugs that fishers and fish love so dearly are on the water and providing just the punch needed for success in the surface fishing department.
.. Right now may just be the time to exercise your floating nymph skills. Or it may be time to develop the film nymph drift. Or it may be time to sink a couple and see just how many fish it takes to exhaust your reel hand. Whatever the case may be it's surely time to be on the water.
.. We're getting a late start - sigh, the exigencies of neighborhood duties and such.

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Précis

THE PERFECT STORM

The Perfect Weekend

the absolutely perfect place

THE VISITOR'S ITCH

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.. Every year of the fisher's existence there occurs an exceptional fishing experience. We are always prepared for it - BUT - our preparations have little influence on weather, bug-rise, water temperature, water condition, parking, access, and elbows.
.. Starting now we predict that the conditions are right for  an exceptional fishing experience. Mind you; elbows, parking, and access depend on your arrival time.
FOR INSTANCE:
- Madison River,
-- Flow = 200 cfs below seasonal average, cold, clear, fish everywhere, white miller caddis, BWO's, PMD's, Big and little stoneflies, red ants, black beetles, brown beetles, and, (not too surprisingly in this early year,) first molt grasshopper nymphs.

BILL'S PISSER

- Gibbon River,
-- Flow = at or below seasonal average, warmer than expected, (thank Poseidon,) fish healthy and active, caddis, many small stoneflies, a few large stoneflies below the falls, big meadows fishing perfectly, upper reaches and small meadows on fire, a few ants, any small nymph works, walk a bit and entertain many fish.
- Grebe Lake,

NEIGHBORHOOD LEECH

-- Avoid nesting birds, don't be put off by mud or bears, or scare stories of no fishing access, the little canyon below the lakes is full of surprisingly large fish, bushwhack a bit and be amply rewarded. Any fly properly presented takes fish.
- Hebgen Lake,
--  Absolutely as full as it can get, discharge = inflow, weeds keeping up with water depth, leeches around the edge of weed beds, gulpers on still mornings, more than just calibaetis hatching in coves and minor estuary's, take broad spectrum, (A & B,) SPF 30 or better.
- Firehole River,

FORGOTTEN WONDER

-- Flow below seasonal average, temperature back to where it should be, famous assortment of bugs now hitting their stride, morning = good, afternoon = spectacular, (especially after the thunderstorms,) Baetis, etc., etc., etc., Buy the latest and greatest from the local fly shops or use the right size and present it properly.
- Nez Perce Creek,
-- Be bear aware, water clear, cold and absolutely beautiful, textbook conditions, nice fish come willingly to the fly - above or below the surface, sneak 'em!
- Duck Creek,

ONE OF MANY

-- Read the regulations, be bear aware, fish with an armed guard (Cutter's, SPF 30, Triple-sized magnum bear spray,) sing and shout as loud as you can, take turns catching and watching.
- Grayling Creek,
-- Flows slowing, (until next rain,) friendly little fish at all our favorite culverts and cut banks. No anxiety fishing, simple flies, be sneaky and stealthy, play hopscotch from parking area to parking area, go slow by the new bridge.
- Bacon Rind Creek,

THE PLACE

-- Flows slowing, spawners retreating from riffle and run section below the willow meadows, resident fish in the meadows taking all attractors ever invented, dapping works wonders, treat them gently, leave after the fifty-first fish.
-Way-Up-Gallatin,
-- Temperature = ameliorating, elbows = few to none, bears = many and frequent, fish = all the big ones that will be in the confluence meadows next month are here, sneak and use ground fodder.
- Unmentionable Fork,
-- If you know it - - You know it!
- Gallatin River,
-- Water = perfect and cold, meadow at fan creek = sparse, Fan Creek = bears and beavers before the second meadow is encountered, confluence with Specimen Creek = likely spot, north boundary runs = very good and devoid of fishers.

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SEE THE PRETTY WATER?  FISH HERE !