High 'n' Cold

SNOW LAST NIGHT

But Not Much

the dance of discharge

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.. A brief foray into the nether regions of  30°F weather has cooled down the neighborhood rivers. The big news is that the Firehole River is now very high and very cold, (down 25°F from yesterday.) Morning fog and itsy-bitsy flies are clinging to the water like Velcro to a poodle's fur.
.. We post this brief note to remind visitors that the spinner fall - and fish gobbling scraps of nutrition - will be over by the time they have their second cup of coffee. So be it: don't catch 'em all!
.. High discharge rates are in our near future and selection of water will be very important for the next few days. A bit of river savvy will go a long way toward catching success.

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Psyched Out

THEY'RE HERE

They'll Be Back

multiple hatches abound

THE "SUMMER FLY BOX - CADDIS"

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.. It's a bit early to talk about the mainstay of our fishing bugs - but everything is early this year. The caddis are on the water now: in droves, (or flocks, or herds, or flights, or whatever the collective noun form is.)

.. Use your Latin, (whateverpschye sp.) if you must. The brown ones, the gray ones, the big ones, the little ones, the other ones, are all here. Drag out the Summer fly box and have at it.
.. The Madison River is wonderfully devoid of fisher folk and just "Chucky-Jammed-Full" of caddis. Some are even hatching before noon.
.. The sun is out. The thunder storms punctuate the day. The neighbors are heading to the "secret" spots.
.. Duck Creek has been found - again! The Unmentionable Fork is even being graced with kids.
.. Get here now. Everybody else is already here. Your type of fishing is available. There are even easy targets in the big and little meadows of the Gibbon River. Brave souls have sent us a report that Grayling are begging to be caught in Grebe Lake - mud and bears be damned!
.. Don't say you heard it here - but - use your favorite stonefly nymph on the Firehole River below the falls. Use some Yellowstone Sally flies on the Gibbon River below the falls. You may get a "Change-Your-Underwear-Moment."
.. Hell's Bell's, fish are even being taken on size 8 Royal Wulff flies. Don't miss out on the fun. Come and enjoy the gawker blocks, bear jams, and the social hour before the hatch on the Firehole River. It's all good. It won't last!

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High 'n' Hot

WHO LOVES YA ?

Avoid Hot Water

wise fishers know the tribs

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.. Just like a virgin bridegroom the Firehole River temperature curve is early this year. Current mid-day temps are hovering in the high 60's and a 70+ is possible at any time.
.. Although there have been little bugs on the surface during the cloudy days they have been sporadic and widely dispersed. The caddis on the other hand have been everywhere but not too thick yet.

.. The few neighbors that bother to brave the social disaster that reigns along the river have reported that the bigger fish have already retreated to deep and dark water. There are also pods of fish near the mouth of various tributaries and seep springs. Should you decide to enter the fray and rub elbows with the devout; pick your water and time carefully.
.. The big water of Nez Perce Creek has already started to drop from the weekend showers and is holding some good fish. Even the skinny water around the picnic area has eager fish and lots of friendly park visitors.
.. We've been threatened with heinous acts of violence if we divulge the current fishy spots on the Madison River. We can say, however, that the waters around the park boundary have local pickumups nearby.

.. Soft hackle flies are the ticket for any west-side river right now. The energetic penitents, on the other hand, are sure to find a few fish taking on the surface. Have at it if you like - a small flymph with heavy flotant will do as well as the arcane and mysterious latest creations and the commercial  offerings.
.. Small, (down to size 16 - 18,) caddis are nearly everywhere on both the Madison River and the Firehole River. Some are a dark dusky gray, (almost black,) others are tan and light gray. A double-slipper will bring more fish to hand than a single small bit of fluff.
.. If you haven't had the pleasure of "HIGH SEASON" on the Firehole River, you should be here now, (and for the next couple of weeks.) It's way better than Disney World. And, be sure to bring your PMD & BWO collection: show and tell is a great way to spend the mid-day doldrums.

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Go Big or Go Home

MADISON RIVER SURPRISES

Monster Flies Taking Monster Fish

pick your poison

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.. A few of the neighbors, (in a desperate attempt to find casting room,) have abandoned the Firehole River and moved to the Madison River. They have been rewarded!
.. Rumors of surface action are as sparse as the hatches are - but - LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION. There are a few places where the BWO's are on top and there definitely are some small caddis during sunny periods in the early evening.

.. The big flies, on the other hand, are the ticket right now. Deep riffles, convergent currents below islands, and undercut banks are full of larger fish. They are stacked in these locations and gobbling large, subsurface offerings like naked men in Florida.
.. The bear closure signs have been removed from Nez Perce Creek. Read the regulations. Walk the banks, fish safe. Carry bear spray and catch a few fish - 300 to 400 yards upstream from the road.
.. If you don't mind the crowds join the fun on the Firehole River before it gets too hot and low. It's already hit 70°F once this year and is currently running at about 61°F. The conventional wisdom says that the current hatches are a couple of weeks early. Might be: but there they are!

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MADISON ??

.. Just a brief note:
-- Surprise of the early season: the Madison River is low, slow and clear  --  for now. Soft hackles, PMD's,(??,) and olive green Woolly Buggers, (rumors of very small caddis keep surfacing!) It's a good thing.

THANKS !

PERFECTION

FLOWS DOWN

Water Clear

trout frisky - bugs hatching

LOTS OF SNOW AND RAIN

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.. Get here now. The snow is sticking to the ground. The roads are clear and wet. There are smashed bugs on license plates from around the globe. Fishing in Yellowstone National Park opens tomorrow. The permit fees have jumped again - it's still a bargain.
.. Temperatures will be on the brisk side - they may hit 40° F in mid-afternoon. Snow will turn to rain but the catching promises to be so good you'll only have a runny nose to remind you of the weather.
.. Bring your bear spray! BRING YOUR BEAR SPRAY !! Do keep it in your hand. Don't keep it in your pack. Don't keep it in it's holster. Fish with and watch out for your buddies! Ignore this and die!
.. Check out just how fine the west side fishing is going to be:
==> FIREHOLE RIVER DATA,
==> MADISON RIVER DATA,
==> GALLATIN RIVER DATA,
==> GIBBON GAGE BACK ON LINE,
==> WEATHER.
.. We've got some new ring tones to trade - see you in the elbow jungle!