Sunday, August 30, 2009

They're Everywhere

FISHERS & HOPPERS bite the bullet and make friends
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.. The word is out: fish the Gallatin River.
.. Saturday was a perfect day! There was a cool morning with low overcast. Then a bright midday with high overcast. By 6:00 P.M. the clouds thickened and the temperature dropped.
.. Little bugs in the morning, hoppers through the midday doldrums, and caddis in the evening. All this was spiced up by ants, beetles, spruce moths, damsel & dragonflies, and exotic license plates.
.. The parking areas at Bighorn, Fan Creek, and even Bacon Rind, were occupied. Not full, mind you, but "with car."
.. Pull-outs were filled throughout the park section of the Gallatin River. Some Condominiums with wheels were parked in the narrow sections and caused a slowdown in the afternoon leapfrogging from hole to hole.
.. Mostly the neighbors decided that this was the day - and was it! The fish noses were in the air all day.
.. They attacked twigs, foam, leaves, biologicals, and artificials with abandon. It was not quite a popcorn frenzy but the action was satisfyingly brisk.
.. After our recent outing to the mosquito infested jungle of the S.W. corner of Yellowstone National Park, it was pure joy to fish where a gentle breeze kept the mosquitoes at bay. And, thankfully, a breeze gentle enough so that casting was pleasant.
.. We're counting on the weather gods and a bit of voodoo to bring us another day just like it was yesterday.
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.. Yellow and gold and amber have crept into the vegetation color palette.
.. Things are drying and dying. The lichen has lasted longer this year than most years: it too is beginning it's Fall recession.
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.. We've eaten our second helping of spuds, a full pound of bacon, three eggs in an omelet with ham and cheese, and finished our second pot of coffee. That might get us out the door.
.. Off we go to do battle with little bits of water that are known to all and fished by none. We'll return with a report similar to this - Amphritite willing.
.. Now for a second, albeit it smaller, breakfast and a wee bit more coffee; just for drill.
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