Join The Party

WE'RE WATCHING

Atmosphere Lagging

not so snowy

Typical El Niño Pattern - courtesy NOAA

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.. The dance performed by our aqua sphere and atmosphere has gotten the weather guys stuttering.
.. The water in the eastern Pacific Ocean is warm enough to satisfy the criterion for El Niño but the atmosphere is a bit reluctant to join the party.

A Winter Mix Of Rain And Snow

.. The ocean water was quick to the party and was ready as early as last October. The air however, has been slow to participate because of a recalcitrant mother. It looks like mom is about to relent and allow the sweet air daughter to dance.
.. We anticipate an "official" El Niño declaration in the next few days. 
.. Up here we have noticed that the Spring snowfall is lagging behind normal a wee bit. We would hope that we do not get too warm or rains can come at any time.

Prediction = A Beery Winter

.. The high country has an extensive but shallow base of the white stuff. Around here there is still enough snow on the ground for sledheads to have a safe journey on the trails. Wandering off trail in a snowmobile right now could be hazardous to your health. Snags and, sage and, roots and, fencing and, divots are not sufficiently covered yet.
.. It's tough to predict the effects of any El Niño at this point in the weather cycle. Retrodiction is always much easier. We're hoping for enough snow to provide good runoff and consistent stream flow for next year. We'll keep you informed.

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.. The neighbor kids have migrated from the estuaries to the water Between The Lakes.

BIOTS APLENTY

.. Reports of early submarine arrival have trickled into the pubs and dusty aisles of the feather merchants.
.. No redds have yet been spotted in the spawning water and fish are boisterous and seeking their own dance partners.
.. There are even reports of late caddis and mayfly sightings. No cell phone photos though!
.. Stick with  subsurface or film patterns and start tying 'winter rejects' - they seem to work best. Join the party and dance.

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WALLPAPER:  CRACKED PEPPER BUTTER GRAVY

In 1941

BOMBS AWAY

Pearl Harbor Strike

impetus for war

WAKE UP CALL

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.. So it came to pass that the Imperial Japanese Navy did surprise the naval base at Pearl Harbor and the air fields surrounding the town of Honolulu, Hawaii. It happened on this calendar day in 1941.

BATTLESHIP ROW - 12/07/41

.. We pass over this day if we have no connection to that time.
.. If we lost no friends or relatives - it is gone. If we forget what national imperialism is all about - it is gone.
.. If we fail to remember that nationalism carried to extreme lengths precipitates a cloistered mentality - it is gone.
.. The young forget and see few lessons to be learned. The ignorant fail to apply historical perspective to our nation at this moment in time.
.. Cogitation requires remembrance of historic social modalities and the perception of society in the moment. As a culture we have for many generations failed in the understanding of the global impact our actions as a nation.

USS VIRGINIA - 12/07/41

.. We are oblivious to the interconnections of world values, economies, religions, philosophies, alliances, climates, etc.
.. As the fattest nation on earth we are also the dumbest and most complacent in history.
.. With rising stars on all fronts it behooves us to think of our progeny.
.. Oceans do not protect us - as they did at one time. A global awareness is the only salvation of any culture, empire, national system, etc. Sad to say.

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.. Still too cold for us to venture far from the front porch. The kids down the block are running the only sleds in town and are buzzing to the last bits of legal open water in the estuaries of the tributaries to Hebgen Reservoir.

THE MINI MUDDLER MINNOW

.. Yes indeed Grendel, fish eat in the winter. They eat in cold water. They love the edges of the ice and seek the warmer bits of water that is slow enough to be warmed by the sun.
.. We're going to take a nap and dream of fish instead of the press of history.

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WALLPAPER:  CRACKED PEPPER BUTTER GRAVY

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 PICK YOUR POISON

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

A Twentith Lustrum

ANOTHER SORT

Biots Aplenty

a cutsey bug

THE BIOT BUG

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.. Probably no more effective than a simple pattern: - then again, who can say?

BEADHEAD SHOP VAC

.. One of our neighbors spun this little darlin' in honor of our approaching Twentieth. A dozen even have some short leaders tied on. It has no name: prickly bug or beadhead biot come to mind.
.. The kids down the block are getting ready to roar off into the snow. They have a few of these dinkers.
.. Their sojourn promises to be shrouded in that bright silver gray of a mild winter's day. It may bust above freezing.
..The flasks have been filled as have the thermoses. Jerky has been stashed along with some smashed white bread and Bologna in recycled tortilla bags.
.. They go where these old legs can't!

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WALLPAPER:    BISCUITS AND BUTTER GRAVY

Successful Variation

BRIGHT COLORS

Familiar Recipe

use it now

WALLPAPER:   BLUE NOSE MUDDLER

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.. There are still a few streams with active fish. A few streams have substantial Brook Trout populations. These are smalish streams and are off the beaten path and out of the indices of the guide book.
.. This variation on a Muddler Minnow pattern makes use of the bright color palate of Fall run Brook Trout. It's either food or foe. Which ever it is the strikes are frequent and ferocious.
.. Before the ice comes and, while the weather is still on the gentle side there are feisty fish to be had. Snow shoes, skis, or snow machines are required - depending on the water. Take a light pack rod and a half dozen flies - include midges and have at it.

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WALLPAPER: FOR THE FLATS: 45-70

CWD Is Here

HOW'S YOUR DEER ?

Increase In Incidence

can you eat it ?

Courtesy   The Missoulian

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.. As the booming and banging season comes to an end it looks like Chronic Wasting Disease is on the rise in deer populations.
.. Read about it HERE. We expect monitoring next season as it spreads out of Yellowstone National Park and Grand Teton National Park.

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WALLPAPER:  A PAIR TO DRAW TO

The Soul Of Mississippi