Spring Fever

THE ROOF SLID

Pavement Appearing

kids in short pants

WALLPAPER:    THE NEW COFFEE BAKERY

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.. Our great piles of brilliant white snow are dwindling down to the dirty parts.
.. Last weekend's warm sun brought out some kids in short pants and a few bicycles.
.. The streets are not conducive to bicycle riding but the kids mush through anyway. There's a couple out there now. Must be lunch time.
.. There's more snow on the way and the snow piles will soon be pure white again.  It's not yet Spring but the fever is in the air. Bright sun and longer days makes the neighbors a bit twitchy.

SO THAT'S HOW IT WORKS !!

.. Folks take more time at the hardware store.
.. They cluster in the parking lot of the grocery stores and the Post Office.
.. They spend a few minutes less at the coffee shops.
.. They twitch and wriggle when their boots encounter the pavement of sidewalks and roadways.

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ORANGE EGG

.. The maniacal fishers on the block are tying and stockpiling spring flies.
.. These are mostly flies that are unacceptable to the swell sports with the $800 rods and $300 waders and $600 reels.
.. These are the flies that catch fish with regularity right now. These are flies that take advantage of the very most base instincts of the pea brained denizens of the deep.

YELLOW EGG

.. Some patterns are scorned; as if the fly fishing code was not about catching fish but fishing with acceptable patterns. So be it.
.. The patterns being tied and stockpiled are worms, eggs, and fry. These are what the trout gobble without a thought, (do they?)
.. Eggs from the tail end of the spawn plus, the best midge hatches plus, the early appearance of tiny fish larvae and fry provide an ample lunch sack for the trout.

SAN JUAN WORM

.. Right now there is a lot of food for the fish after a cold and lean Winter.
.. The emergence of the earliest "famous flies" are still many weeks away up here but, the fish are hungry and eating.
.. The Madison River Between The Lakes is getting a mite crowded with neighbors and visitors from foreign countries like Utah, Idaho, and Bozeman.

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PURE WIRE WORM

.. Our local midges can complete a couple of life cycles during the winter and the blood worms are abundant and a source of protein.
.. The group of Chironimidae are found mostly in slack water and in lakes and ponds. All are prolific and rapid propagators.
.. Their larven [OBS] are in the soft sediments of the bottom. When they mature and hatch they can be fished throughout the water column and on top.

WRAPPED WIRE WORM

.. The top water fly patterns are legion and work for those folks that need to see their fly to catch a fish.
.. The subsurface flies are scorned by some effete folks as not even flies.
.. Strokes, folks, catechisms, and habits are widely variable among the fly fishing religious.

CHAMOIS WORM

.. Right now we are having a fairly prolific midge hatch. It's not as strong as it can be and it probably provides blood worms aplenty.
.. Top water fishing will happen with a frenzy during the next sunny spell - for sure! Right now the neighbors are busy with the devil worms. They catch batches too. Some folks have even purchased this year's fishing license.

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.. Twisticated an ankle yesterday and need a rest and relaxation spell. Probably hobble to the kitchen and sooth the pain with some vittles. Simple gratification and perfect accompaniment to streaming old movies.
.. Perhaps "Grumpy Old Men" to offset "The Old Man And The Sea."

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WALLPAPER:  KEY LIME CURD TURNOVERS

Good Friends And Neighbors

A FEW FACTS

Eh, What ?

beer prices to climb?

ALUMINUM SHOULD BE RECYCLED

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..We've always felt that America and Americans had a few really good friends both near and far.

STEEL PRODUCTION - USA

.. There is not a border wall between Canada and the United States. There is no wall between The USA and Mexico, (yet.)
.. Our immigrant population has close and mostly friendly ties with their homelands in Europe: Ireland, Italy, Germany, Spain, England, France, etc.
.. So too our recent immigrants from Korea, Japan, Mexico, Vietnam, India, etc.
.. And now we are imposing an interesting tariff on some essential raw materials from these places. Of course we voted for it.

THE FACTS:

>> The European Union is the number one supplier of steel imported into the United States. Canada is number two. South Korea is number three. Mexico is number four. China is number nine. [LINK-S1,][LINK S2.]
>> The United States does not have the capacity to produce the steel needed for it's demand, [LINK S3.]
>> Canada is the number one supplier of aluminum imported into the United States. Russia is number two. The UAE is number three. China is not in the top ten.  Production and output in the United States has declined in the last decade, [LINK A1,]

ALUMINUM PRODUCTION - USA

.. We are called to wonder why it is necessary to add a tariff to these metals while our economy is growing and has solid fundamentals.
.. We do wonder how long it will take to increase domestic production of these necessary raw products to meet our domestic demand and create jobs for Americans.
.. Happily we have elected our leaders and they know these things and act in the best interests of our friends and neighbors and American citizens. This will be a boon to the economy?
.. Friends and neighbors do squabble. We wonder if picking a fight is the way to Make America Great - at all?
.. Is reciprocity on the menu for America's friends and neighbors? Will our domestic products made of steel and aluminum cost more? Is this a sneaky tax on the American public? We'll see.

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.. It's bright overcast and nearly too white to bear. Even the best sunglasses cannot keep us from squinting.

MINION FOR THE MOMENT

.. Got another 4 inches of the white stuff and it is still coming down by the flake.
.. It's 35°F and the slushy slop is starting to build on top of the packed and icy snow in the village streets.
.. It's brunch time and there is a pile of chores awaiting.
.. We could call it a "snow day" and take a nap but then the tasks at hand will become tomorrow's dalliances. Don't need that.
.. Best thaw some steaks and sweep off the grill.

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WALLPAPER:  FAJITAS SENCILLO

Apropos Of Nothing

KINDER, GENTLER ?

Sexist Appeal ?

a robyn roy for you ?

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.. Diageo just announced that some bottles of Johnnie Walker Black Label Scotch will now carry a woman on the label.
.. The new moniker will appear in limited numbers in the U.S.A. and should be available tomorrow or, as soon as your local spirits merchant figures it out (LINK-1, LINK-2.)
.. This push by Diageo, the worlds number two producer of spirits, is designed to make sure that women know that it's O.K. to drink Scotch Whiskey. [[ The largest distiller in the world is Kweichow Moutai in China.]]

OUR PERSONAL PREFERENCE

.. The fly fishing world has also jumped on the "market to women" bandwagon over  the last few years.
.. We're alert to these trends and wonder if women feel that they need to be told that it's O.K. to fish with a fly or to drink scotch whiskey.
.. We'd like to make it clear that both are just fine - thank you. Here in America it's also fine if women enjoy any freedoms that men - or other sexed beings enjoy.
.. The neighbors are currently discussing names for future forays into fly tying and naming: starting with the "Royal Coachwoman," and extending to the "Boudoir Vac."
.. We intend to monitor this trend and will provide alerts when fly rods come in shades of pink with petticoats and skirts.

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.. Well, the dumping of white stuff has paused for a day or so. Clean up is proceeding apace with the city crews working double shifts to get the streets back in shape.

LADY JANE COACHMAN

.. Old-timers can be heard remarking that it looks just like the olden days. We haven't had a three foot dump in recent memory but, 31 inches over the last three days is nice to see.
.. We're in the midst of another mid-life morning and the whiskey news guarantees that we'll probably put on the coffee and rustle up some grub to tame the growl in the pit.
.. Nap time should come about daylight.

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WALLPAPER:  DUMPING DEEPER

Deviant Behavior

SILLY NEIGHBORS

Unscripted Behavior

assaulting pea brains

ONLY LEGAL FISHER IN YELLOWSTONE

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.. Just some Coachman Fly iterations. One from the dictionary and three from the fertile imagination of neighbor Jimmy. Never would make it as counter help. Too inventive!
.. It shouldn't be too difficult to figure out the recipes. These are all trout sized, ( 4 to 18,) depending on the pattern.

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.. You can match the image to the name. It shouldn't be too hard:
1) Coachman Bomber,
2) Royal Coachman Bomber,
3) Royal Coachman Nymph,
4) Royal Coachman Shamrock Bomber.

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.. And now for our combined strength and aerobic stint with the snow shovel. This will give us the incentive to tackle some breakfast.

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WALLPAPER:   FAJITA FIXIN'S

Adios Nissan

WE NEED ONE

Another Video

a new trend setter

..
..

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.. Well the Nissan crew has departed wonderland and left all of our neighbors with damp jeans and a fresh insight into over-the-snow travel.

UBER IN WEST YELLOWSTONE

.. Now we will have to give up on our tried and true backyard ski adventures and convert some local roadsters into toys that are a bit more modern.
.. We do look forward to seeing the new iterations of winter recreation.
.. Good grief, Murgatroyd, you can't fish all the time.

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WET DREAM OF SOME LOCAL CONVERSION MECHANICS

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.. And then the snowfall quit and then, has started again. If the moisture content stays up there may be a real spring runoff event this year.
.. We're back to seasonal temperatures and the days keep getting longer. Daytime activities are beginning to crop up around town. Construction sites are getting cleared. Covers are coming off of the charcoal grills. Two wheel drive automobiles are emerging from garages. Some of the high school kids were caught wearing shorts to school.
.. During this time of year 'the weekend' is just an artificial frame of mind. The banks and the Post Office close so it's off to the hardware store for a bit of gossip, news and rumor: then it's for breakfast of pizza and beer at the pub.

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WALLPAPER:    FUDGE WITH SHAVED ALMONDS

Minutia

COMING ATTRACTIONS

Current Visitation

just winter fiddling

GOOD PLACE TO FISH ON THE GIBBON RIVER

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.. In the winter, even when we don't fish there are just so many thrilling things to do in our neighborhood.

RIDE A BOMB

.. We have some neighbors that take visitors on little rides in the park.
.. On occasion we tag along to make sure that Yellowstone National Park is still there: you never know.
.. There is also the exciting adventure of walking along the shopping streets to see just which shops are open: some are.
.. Pubs do a brisk business during the mid day break from  the kidney bruising adventures on the rocket sleds.
.. We can get in our aerobic licks and fresh air by shoveling the white stuff: one of the gentle nuisances of winter.

GOOD PLACE TO FISH THE FIREHOLE

.. Then, there are the chores around the house.
.. We're getting a head start on our spring cleaning. We do, however, get some minor pulmonary distress with vacuuming and dusting.
.. For some unexplained reason the winter is just as dusty as the summer around here.
.. Such a busy place in the winter and we don't ski, or ride sleds, or use the snowshoes, or clean roofs anymore.

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..The neighbors are clamoring for more. Here's a small preview of coming attractions:

..There are also  some nifty names of the Coachman variants.
.. How about a Coachman Royal Ginger? How about a Coachman New Zealand?
.. Do you need a Coachman Royal Black or a Coachman Red?
.. Would you ever fish with a Coachman Bucktail or with a Coachman Royal (Bivisible?)

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.. Well, as our linguistic relatives across the pond say: "THE HOOVER IS CALLING."
..There are also melodic whimperings from the hobby table hobby room.
.. Out in the kitchen the pleasant aromas emanating from crinkled beer cans and small scraps of steak and potatoes seem to need some attending to.
.. Of course we could change the bulb in the front porch light. We could also restring a couple of sadly neglected instruments or patch the bellows on the old Linhoff and Graflex cameras.
.. Maybe we should jettison the sweats and don the civilized attire with matching socks and mittens. 
.. The head spins with possibilities for very diverse and rewarding recreation. Apoplexy is distinctly possible. Or not!

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WALLPAPER:   YELLOWSTONE WINTER SOLITUDE

Once Upon A Time

WHAT'S IN A NAME ?

What Is Royal ?

how many variations ?

FROM HUMBLE BEGINNINGS

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..Once upon a time it seemed possible to catalog all the known flies for fishing.
.. In 1984 "Perrault's Standard Dictionary Of Fishing Flies" was self published. It listed over 16,000 patterns and was mostly alphabetized.
.. There are copies available all over the place. Google it and buy one if you choose. It is a minor bit of fly fishing history.

COACHMAN

.. Once upon a time fishing with a fly was still a new and novel pastime that was outside the mainstream of culture in England, Scotland and the United States.
.. Once upon a time individual fly patterns became famous and dominated fly fishers' boxes in all waters, (even the salt and elsewhere.)
.. Once upon a time names were as magic as the flies that they referred to.
.. Such is the name "COACHMAN." Since it's first mention between 1800 and 1815, and it's original variation the Lead Wing Coachman in 1830, (or so,) the moniker has attached itself to a myriad of variations on the theme.

LEADWING COACHMAN

.. The theme is simple enough: a bit of brown and/or black hackle wrapped in front of a peacock hurl body. These elements plus idiosyncratic additions will produce millions of references and patterns when searched on the web.
.. By 1984 the Coachman variations in Perrault's tome numbered nearly 200. Today there are probably twice that number floating around the fly world; given the ego maniacal bent of each generation of fly tiers.

STANDARD DICTIONARY

..  Once upon a time, (not too many years ago,) the neighbors decided to try to replicate all the flies detailed in the 1984 dictionary.
.. The recipes are detailed in the most spartan manner but, are adequate for a more than reasonable facsimile.
.. The neighborhood project has reached the nearly the half way point. There are now 96 specimens. 
.. It took no great pressure for the assembled hoard to convince us to undertake a series of posts that highlight these flies.
.. Periodically, as time and images allow, the flies and their names, (as recorded by Perrault,) will be posted here.
.. Since the project is ongoing, and since the flies exist in various locations, this will of necessity be a herky-jerky process.
.. Of course these names and recipes will not match your idealized names or recipes. Such it is in the world of "ONCE UPON A TIME."

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Fan Wing Royal Wulff

Hook:  # 6-20.

Thread: Black.

Wing: White Calf Body Hair; divided.

Tail: Dark Moose Hair.

Rib: Fine Copper Wire.

Body: Peacock Herl and Red Floss.

Hackle: Brown Rooster Hackle.

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Fan Wing Royal Coachman
Hook:  # 6-20  

Thread: Black. 

Tail: Golden Pheasant Tippets. 

Wings: White Duck Flats. 

Body: Peacock Herl/Red Floss/Peacock Herl. 

Hackle: Coachman Brown (dark brown)

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LadyCoachman
Hook:  # 6-20  

Thread: Black. 

Tail: Golden Pheasant Tippets. 

Wings: Mallard Wing Segments. 

Body: Peacock Herl/Yellow Floss/Peacock Herl. 

Hackle: Yellow Starling Fibers Beard.

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RED TAIL COACHMAN

.. Three down, ninety three to go. It's warming up and lunch is done. 16°F might just be today's high.

.. No nap time. More reels and lines to fiddle with.
.. Only six inches of dry fluff last night and another two or three feet due for the next week or so. Good for the fish.

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WALLPAPER:  SOURDOUGH BOULE