They're Back

MIDGES MEET SPAWNERS

Dazzling Days Bring Action

don't get too complacent

Lowland Fishers Out Early And Happy

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.. The pre-spring meltdown has kicked fish, fishers, and midges in the butt, so to speak.

Madison Maulers

.. It's not spring yet but there has been a spate of nice days and enough bright sun to lengthen the icicles and charge the pineal gland. We're anticipating getting on the river just like the lowland fisher's are doing.
.. Yesterday was glorious. The sun was visible for most of the day. The clouds were broken and billowed over the continental divide like so much cotton candy, and the thermometer saw 40° and a bit more.
.. Neighbors dashed to the Madison River between the lakes early and spent most of the day because of the breeze - it never showed up. Midges were in abundance. Fishers were in abundance. Fish of the largest kind have finally made their presence known between the lakes and all is right with the world for now.
.. We shan't dwell on it but it was one of those days when "oops," "damitall," and "ohshit," were not heard from the lips of fishers. All bits of fluff seemed to work. The fish are hungry voracious, vivacious, and eager.

Yellowstone Winter Grub

.. The neighbors, of course, used midge clusters to start with. Then drowned and mangled ants, and caddis, and even some streamers to gull the fish. Almost the whole box got exercised and the flies used were local favorites. The Madison Mauler and the Feather Duster ended up being more effective than midge clusters during the early going.

CDC Ant

.. By 1:00 PM little streamers, Shop Vacs, and drowned ants were taking fish with amazing regularity. There is not an ant or caddis in sight - don't tell the fish!
.. We used our Scarlet Ibis and Winter Grub with satisfying success until the shadows covered the water.
.. Some younger legs stayed in the cold water until dark. One of the reported perfect flies for the late afternoon and evening was a drowned CDC Ant. Un-greased and fished just in or below the film it was the go-to fly until dark.
.. It's nice to see the sun for so great a duration during any single day. It lulls us into thinking that Spring is here. We know better. We know it's just a teaser. We know there's more bite in our upcoming weather - BUT, for now, it's very deep, and blindingly white, and deadly still  -- it sure is nice.

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We're using this wallpaper as a reminder of yesterday.

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