Sunny Now, Weather Coming

IT'S JUST TOO NICE
Bugs Awaiting Clouds - Fisher Folks Too
small waters - not too big a secret

.. The recent change to 'Touron Weather' has brought many visitors and fewer bugs in the mornings. Happily, June is forecast to return in a day or two. Leave now and you'll be here in time for the renewed unsettled weather - the weekend looks horrendous, - that's best. Here's the forecast:

Today: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 70. Southwest wind between 6 and 10 mph. Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 37. South southwest wind between 6 and 9 mph. Thursday: Partly cloudy, with a high near 68. Calm wind becoming southwest between 12 and 15 mph. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph. Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 37. West southwest wind between 11 and 14 mph becoming light. Winds could gust as high as 23 mph. Friday: Partly cloudy, with a high near 70. Calm wind becoming south southwest between 10 and 13 mph. Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 41. Saturday: Partly cloudy, with a high near 76. Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 40. Sunday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a high near 67. Sunday Night: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 37. Monday: Partly cloudy, with a high near 63. Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 34. Tuesday: Partly cloudy, with a high near 71.

.. The local waters are in just about perfect shape, don't wait. Flows continue to dwindle and the clarity of many streams is making the fishing seem like mid summer.
.. The Firehole River is chugging along at about 250 cfs, that's 1/2 of it's seasonal average of 500 cfs.
.. The Gibbon River at it's junction with the Firehole is approaching 100 cfs and is warning rapidly, it should be above 250 cfs.
.. The Madison River near West Yellowstone is only going at about 400 cfs and is clear like we've not seen it in a long time.
.. Even Soda Butte Creek is 150 cfs below its seasonal average. This looks bleak.
.. The current weather favors the Caddis fisher, however the "little-bits" of water are producing beyond their normal expectations.
.. The upper Firehole River, along the Lone Star Geyser Trail is showing good hatches of PMD's, and the late afternoon and evening are just a blessing for the Caddis fisher - few elbows and many eager fish. Don't expect lunkers here, but the fish are still hungry and willing. Toss some soft hackles for a pleasant few hours.
.. Nez Perce Creek showed a little color yesterday in response to some showers around Mary Mountain. Nymphs of the larger variety still produced fish in the Hotel Run, (sizes 10 - 14 Prince, Hare's Ear, and PT's all gathered up some good fish.)
.. The upper Gibbon River meadows are just about dry and crawling on your knees is less of a chore. The large meanders in the meadows are holding some nice 14" fish and they seem to be a bit less selective than their usual finicky selves. This is excellent "stalk and pounce" water, and even better if you find a hatch. Right now there are some fish rising to debris in the seams and under the banks. The thin water by the Norris Campground and the Campground Pool have an abundance of Brook Trout. An Elk Hair Caddis in size 14 - 16 will bring these little twinkler's up with satisfying regularity. The canyon section of the Gibbon River has drawn quite a few early anglers because of the golden stone hatch. This should poop out during the next 10 days or so, but right now the nymphs are attracting fish in numbers to keep quite a few anglers happy. This is the perfect time to drag out your favorite big nymph. Of course we like the Montana Duster, but others work as well in this roiling river.
.. Get to Obsidian Creek before everyone else and you will find some beautiful meadows and gorgeous scenery and few fishers. It's still just a bit cold; but clear and fishing well. Free-rising Brook Trout and nymphing galore await you for just about anytime of day. The walk in is gentle and even old legs can accomplish it.
.. The neighbors are beginning to look north to avoid the crowds on the glory waters. Both Grayling Creek and the Gallatin River are beginning to show activity with the warm spell of the last couple of days. Grayling Creek is about to revert to it's nursery status, but should hold decent fish for the next two weeks.
.. There are some suspicious reports that Soda Butte Creek has cleared early. It's a long drive from West Yellowstone, check with Park's Fly Shop for the real skinny.
.. Will VHS be the next whirling disease to hit the west? You can find out about this pathogen at Protect Your Waters. The acute version seems to be triggered when fish are under stress and congregating. This is the condition that faces Yellowstone Waters if no significant rain arrives. It's a long way to Minnesota, but these things can appear in your neighborhood before you know it.
.. Gristmill sparks a lively discussion about the other side of invasive species. The choices are ours and we are molding the environment with or without thought. Interesting reading; and the opinions expressed will affect your home water in the not too distant future.