A Bit Of Winter

WARM WET SNOW

Lots & Lots & Lots Of It

waters looking good for now

TOPS OF GHOST TREES ARE NEARLY BURIED BY THE HIGH ELEVATION SNOW PACK

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.. With the addition of another two feet of snow over the last few days we are beginning to feel reassured about our winter snow pack.
.. Snow depth measurements in the surrounding river basins are at, or slightly above, the seven year sliding-average. The early snows of winter were low in water content and our snow-water-content still leaves something to be desired. The mid elevation pack is below average while the very high snow fields are deep and wet. This bodes well for our summer stream flows.


RED DEVIL NYMPH

.. We took a brief survey of the western waters in Yellowstone National Park that produced some nice pictures and views of the streams running high - cold - and - clear.
.. Some shaded parts of the Madison River still show a bit of shore ice. However, the last few warm days have started the gentle melt that feeds the early season runoff.
.. Midges are hatching in profusion and a few early mayflies have been seen. If we were to fish the Madison River in the park right now it would be with a Red Devil Nymph. It's just a simple brassie with peacock herl head - tied with red copper wire in size 16 - 18.
.. This is also the current neighborhood favorite Between The Lakes on the Hebgen Tailwater. It's tied as small as 22 by the folks who believe that size  matters - they catch more fish too.


POPULAR FISHING LOCATION - YELLOWSTONE PARK

.. We paused long enough at a couple of runs on the Madison River to ascertain that the fish indeed were rising. Neighbors with sharper eyes than ours verified that the midges were airborn and thick as midges.
.. A winter visit to Yellowstone National Park affords an interesting insight into the fishy waters and the hatches that are not written about in the books authored by experts.
.. Flow rates of the Madison River at West Yellowstone, Montana are at or, slightly above the 85 year average. The Gibbon River is at it's seasonal average flow. The Firehole River is running faster and deeper than usual for this time of year. What else would you expect?

FLASHING SHADOWS AND STEAM - GIBBON RIVER

.. This is the time of year that some of our neighbors abandon the neighborhood and head to balmy climes in search of a warmer experience.
.. Dissatifaction with the homeland reflects their year-round perspective. Strokes and folks!
.. For those of us fortunate enough to enjoy our surroundings through all seasons there is, right now, a magic time each evening.
.. At this time the wind settles to a gentle breeze. The sun dips behind looming prominences and casts rapidly moving shadows over the landscape.
.. Hides for the fish change, and it's possible to watch them flee from shadow to shadow through the bright spots on the rivers. This is an interesting bit of adaptive legerdemain that  serves the observant fisher well at any season.
.. Fishing has slowed in the lowlands due to regulations and the conscientiousness of anglers during the spawning season. The Hebgen Tailwater remains open and keen anglers fish from shore and avoid the redds. Double fly rigs are the current strategy in this section of the Madison River. A bright small nymph is the preferred dropper and a small mangled caddis is the forward fly. Works just fine.

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SUNSET BRINGS A STILLNESS TO THE HIGH COUNTRY ALONG THE MADISON RIVER