Just A Bit Of Snow

SNOWPACK ON THE RISE

Temperatures Holding

bits and pieces in the  forecast

THE WHITE WINTER BLANKET HAS FINALLY COME TO TOWN

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.. It's been a while since snow has stayed on the ground for more than 48 hours. It's here now and we're pleased.

THE WHITE MIDGE - DEAD NUTS!

.. The snow flies are easier to see. The water cools down. The fish eat whatever food that happens to bump them in the nose.
.. The paths in the snow below Hebgen Dam are forming. Between the Lakes, on the Madison River, is becoming a favorite neighborhood destination. The neighbors are grabbing the "Bitty Boxes." Fishing flies are shrinking by the hour.
.. The fish have already figgured it out. Midges and other small bits are on the menu. Slack water, backwater, shallow water and oxygenated water are keys to finding the fish. Making them eat is not a problem.
.. A bunch of the neighbor kids, (with peepers like microscopes,) are tying up some spent wing patterns. These flies have a white floss body and white filiments for wings, (Antron, Zelon, or even wool.) They float high and, (to these eyes,) are easier to pick out in the dark water of the low light winter sun. The fish don't seem to mind that they are not the traditional black color. Sizes are the usual invisable sizes with double digits featuring 2's.

Chironomid

.. Sometimes two are tied on together. Sometimes both float, - OR - one floats and one sinks, - OR - both are drowned. Again, the fish seem delighted to gobble up the offerings. We would not go so far as to call it a feeding frenzy - but it is.
.. A few of the more mature local residents are sticking with the the traditional chironomid imitations. These too can be on the surface, in the film, or down deep.

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.. Locally we're below the 50% level of snow water contenet. Regionally we're at about 70%. There's a long winter's worth of fishing ahead but you know that we're going to be watching the snow pack.
.. The near term forecast is calling for intermittent, but persistent snow.  Temperatures are in the seasonal range so the snow will stick around for a spell. The colder - the better.

EGAD IT'S UGLY !!

.. When it gets downright cold and the fish enjoy their fits of torpor all of us will form up into competing camps of surface fishing, (= little bits,) and deep fishing, (= big and ugly;) - one thing that is certain up here - the weather affects the fisher folks as much as the fish.
.. Some heretics, and hypocrites will do both as the opportunity arises. We count ourself in the latter group.
.. Bobbers and deep dredged ugly flies will certainly be available. We often favor a "HOOLIGAN RIG."  It places the bobber at river's depth above the big ugly fly. The floating fly is on a dropper above the bobber on a 12" to 15" loop. Cover all the bases!
-- It's time to visit the pubs and gather up some early Winter lies. Most are full of truth with the standard embellishments full of bravado and deception. Even the neighbors' veracity needs be scrutinized on occasion.

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THE VILLAGE LOOKS BEST WHEN DRESSED IN WHITE