THe Snow Has Arrived

A Little Snow

A LOT OF WIND

And So It Goes

Season's Greetings From The Neighborhood Kids

No BBQ ??

Would've Been A Great Christmas Eve Dinner !!

Parking-A-Plenty

-21° F and counting.

Perhaps !

About Time

WEAK WARNING

We'll Take It

-------

.. A Bit of snow is falling. That's good for the rivers.
==========
Winter Storm Warning
MTZ015-055-212300-
/O.CON.KTFX.WS.W.0029.000000T0000Z-111222T0600Z/
/O.CON.KTFX.WW.Y.0056.000000T0000Z-111222T0600Z/
MADISON-GALLATIN-
INCLUDING THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS...ENNIS...NORRIS HILL...
RAYNOLDS PASS...TWIN BRIDGES...BATTLE RIDGE PASS...BOZEMAN...
BOZEMAN PASS...TARGHEE PASS...WEST YELLOWSTONE
419 AM MST WED DEC 21 2011

...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 PM MST THIS
EVENING FOR ELEVATIONS ABOVE 6000 FEET...
...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 PM MST THIS
EVENING FOR ELEVATIONS BELOW 6000 FEET...

A WINTER STORM WARNING FOR ELEVATIONS ABOVE 6000 FEET REMAINS IN
EFFECT UNTIL 11 PM MST THIS EVENING. A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY
FOR ELEVATIONS BELOW 6000 FEET REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 PM MST
THIS EVENING.

* TIMING AND MAIN IMPACT: PERIODS OF SNOW ARE EXPECTED THROUGH
TODAY...THEN DIMINISH LATER THIS EVENING.

* SNOW ACCUMULATIONS: TOTAL SNOW AMOUNTS OF 8 TO 12 INCHES ARE
EXPECTED ABOVE 6000 FEET. 2 TO 5 INCHES ARE EXPECTED BELOW 6000
FEET.

* WINDS AND VISIBILITY: WINDS WILL BE BREEZY AND CREATE AREAS OF
BLOWING SNOW. VISIBILITIES COULD BE REDUCED BELOW ONE HALF MILE
AT TIMES.

* LOCATIONS AFFECTED INCLUDE: BATTLE RIDGE PASS...BOZEMAN...
BOZEMAN PASS...TARGHEE PASS...WEST YELLOWSTONE.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER STORM WARNING MEANS SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF SNOW...
SLEET...AND ICE ARE EXPECTED OR OCCURRING. STRONG WINDS ARE ALSO
POSSIBLE. THIS WILL MAKE TRAVEL VERY HAZARDOUS OR IMPOSSIBLE.

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW MEANS THAT PERIODS OF SNOW
WILL CAUSE PRIMARILY TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES. BE PREPARED FOR SNOW
COVERED ROADS AND LIMITED VISIBILITIES...AND USE CAUTION WHILE
DRIVING.

FOR SPECIFIC ROAD AND TRAVEL CONDITIONS IN MONTANA...DIAL 5 1 1.

&&

$$

Not Looking Good

Waiting For Spring

Winter's Nearly Here

The neighbors host one of the largest sled dog races in the Rockies.
This year there were 33 human teams and about 46 sled dog teams.
Included were 4 Iditarod winners and several contenders.
We believe running naked and barefoot in the snow is great sport!

It's The Berries - II

Double Sweet Shortcake, California Berries,
Fresh Real Whipped Cream, Hand Shaved Chocolate,
Golden Nectar Of The Gods

Morning's Glow

GONE FISHING ?

Dark, Cold, And Productive

WHERE YOU DON'T SEE

Simple Stuff Works

"GALLATIN WINTER" by DeLacy

-------

.. There have been days when the snow came and went in a moment. There have been days when the roads have been pure ice.
.. There have been days with fog so thick it obscures your line. There have been days so bright that sunglasses don't work. There have been days when It was so gray that the trees looked like nothing at all.

.. Happily, most of the recent days have been temperate and the fish have been willing.
..Snow flies, midge clusters, nymphs, and small streamers are the usual choices for the Gallatin River right now. A few folks are using the perennial winter wonder the small stonefly nymph.
.. The most productive, (if you're into catching,) seems to be various Copper John iterations.
.. Some have red tails, some have a bead for both the head and thorax. Some have legs, Some are funny colors. And so it goes!

.. The story being told is simple and direct: 'GET DOWN AND FISH SLOW.' The water temperature has dropped significantly with our cold nights. The lack of snowfall and the sparse cloud cover makes the nighttime temperatures fall rapidly. The plus side is that the days warm quickly and mid 40's or better are still possible, (but not today in the canyon section.)
.. Don't rush your second, (or third,) pot of coffee. The rocks are slippery, bits of anchor ice are starting in the upper reaches near the Yellowstone National Park boundary, and safety is a major consideration. Right now the flow is still pretty swift and just a bit above average, (depending on the nighttime temps.)

.. Most of the neighbors are on the river around noon. There have been some noses in the air but it's anyone's guess as to what they are eating and what flies to use. Midge clusters with no floatant beneath the surface can take fish - if you're willing to pester a cold nose long enough. It's tedious but rewarding for surface fishers.
.. Unverified reports from obscure sources indicate that a fish or two has been moved to small streamers. Good Luck!
.. Short leaders, sink tips, deep drifts in the darkest and slowest waters combined with nymphs in the size 8 - 12 range seems the way to get a dance or two.
.. This is the time of year when a few boxes of "weird" patterns come to the fore. Have you ever seen a 'Bead Head Flymph?' How about a Triple Bead Hare's Ear Streamer? Even the rare and unmentionable Double Bead San Juan Worm has made it's appearance.
.. All are ways to get down and stay down. All are ways to catch rocks, snags, weeds, and the occasional fish. Have at it. It's better than a poke in the ass by a sled runner.

-------

Winter Water

.

Rare Treats

SURF & TURF

Road Food

GALLATIN: JUST RIGHT

report to follow

-------

.

Naughty Santa

The Real Santa

Winter Fly Fishing

SOME FOLKS DON'T

The Way It Was

GOOD OLD DAYS

A Bit Nippy

IT'S -30°

The Neighbors Are Loving It

-------

These Are The Days

 Only 24 days until Christmas.

Them Were The Days

Your Tax Dollars At Work

NEED WATER DATA ?

..

NEED VOLCANO DATA ?

..
..
..

How much oil is there in the BAKKEN FORMATION?

..

LEFTOVERS

NOT AT OUR HOUSE

Desayunos Deliciosos

chorizo con huevos

-------

.. BASTA ! Adiós Turquía: hola sabores de la alegría. It's a refreshing occasion to have breakfast at 2:00 PM, with the neighbors and a 'BUD.'  VIVA!

Tofurky Day

TO EACH HIS OWN

Fishing For Warmth

IT'LL WARM YOU TWICE !

.. The snow has come and the fishing is good. Some folks are prepared, others . . . .  Oh well.
.. Check out the sage insight about our winter over at WESTERN MUSIC & COWBOY POETRY.

.

Attention Bloggers

THIS APPLIES TO US ALL

.

PROTECT IP Act Breaks The Internet from Fight for the Future on Vimeo.

.

The Search Begins

CLOSED FOR THE SEASON

Open In About Six Weeks

but not for fishing

READY FOR A LONG WINTER'S NAP

-------

.. It's time for the neighbors to scatter. Scatter to those places where fish may be found for the next seven months as they wait for the season opening next Spring. It's not a real hardship - but it's a nuisance, gas prices being what they are.
.. Yesterday; the final day of the season in Yellowstone National Park was gloomy, filled with flurries, moderately warm, (35° F,) but a bit blustery as the winds swirled and curled.
.. We pulled out early, (about 3:30 PM,) after sticking an exceptionally small runner with a kype that would do a monster proud - and several residents that took a fly as big as their head.
.. Off to the local pub to swap lies, plan winter strategies, and reminisce: It's entertaining to watch fish grow during the Winter.

-------

REMEMBER WHEN . . . . ?

MISSING PERSON

YIKES !!!!

..

Mañana

SOFT WHITE BLANKETS ALL

Nearly Tropical Conditions

the neighbors rush to the pools

NO LONG LINES - WARM WEATHER - FISHING PARADISE

-------

.. Tomorrow there will be no legal fishing in Yellowstone National Park. Today, we're headed to the last spectacular catching of the year.

SOMETHING FOR THE EARS

.. Yesterday topped 40° F, the wind wasn't, the sun wasn't, the neighbors were and so too, the fish.
.. It's as if the herd of scaly critters, recently arrived from Hebgen Lake, wanted to leave a beautiful memory in the psyche of fisher folk on the Madison River.
.. Resident noses appeared on the surface at about 1:30 PM after a foggy morning of harassing the recent migrants with Woolly Buggers and Snortles.
.. There were a couple of reports of genuine submarines up river on the Gibbon, near the falls. Most of the runners were in the 18" - 22" range. All were seemingly full of spit and vinegar, (boys and girls alike.)
.. The neighbor kids tied a sheaf of flies on #3 & #4 tippet for us and demanded a reward of our cherished lunch.

LUNCHTIME PERFECTION

.. We complied and shared the Nutter Butter 'cookie-spoons' as we dipped Key Lime pie into our maw, followed by coffee and Cherry Heering.
.. We didn't originate this combination but we have made it our own. Scoff not unless you have tried it.
.. The number of fishers increased overnight and as near as we could tell, along the Madison River, the density reached something like 1.5 / mile. 21 rods in 14 miles is not overwhelmingly density considering that the fishers occur in pods, (or whatever.)
.. Speaking of which: is there a collective noun for groupings of fly fishing humans? "A Tangle Of Fly Fishers." "A Snarl Of Wader Wetters," or some such . . . ?
.. Despite the resurgence of fishers there were good holes gone wanting and fish were obliging through the murky evening light.
.. We'll let you know how it goes today. Now for some scrambled eggs with bacon and avocado, potato pancakes, left over key lime pie, and double strong black tea. That should get us to 7-mile bridge before we need more sustenance.

--------

A PERFECTLY NICE PLACE TO FISH - CATCH TOO !