Fly Fishing In Yellowstone National Park: Just For Fun

Friday, May 23, 2014

Just For Fun

FIREHOLE: SOME COLOR

Madison: Dirty Diaper Color

gibbon: way up and near raging

WALLPAPER: THE LAKE AT 7-MILE BRIDGE

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.. A bright clear morning was followed by white clouds at mid day and then overcast with a bit of dripping by 7:00 PM. That was today and probably tomorrow. There were little buglets coming from the Firehole River starting about 6:30 PM.

THE LOVELY COLOR OF THE MADISON

.. The Madison River is high and out of bank along several stretches. The color ranges from mustard yellow to a dark amber, (similar to the color found in a sick baby diaper.)
.. There are places where in-water visibility is as much as four feet and others where the visibility drops to under a foot. If you know the river well there are a few places where catching might take place.
.. The Gibbon River is contributing most of the color to the Madison River. Fishing with the possibility of catching is possible above Norris Campground. It's a proposition for the adventurous.
.. All three streams are running above seasonal and daily mean discharge rates. The constriction of the Madison River at 7-mile bridge has caused ponding upstream and the formation of 7-mile lake extends for almost one mile above the bridge.

THE FLY DU JOUR

.. The faithful hoards should have no trouble with catching on the Firehole River. Above the confluence with Nez Perce Creek the little river looks as good as it ever does - the slight amber silts and organic fines are a twinkling delight and visibility is easily six feet or more. The major color from Nex Perce Creek is rapidly dissipated downstream and the whole of the Firehole River will provide opening day catching opportunities for the swingers of the soft hackle.
.. During high water there are exceptional catching opportunities along the lower reaches of SENTINEL CREEK. That's an opportunity for those that want to see some of the finest fish in the Firehole River Drainage.
.. By the time the Madison River reaches the Barns Holes visibility has increased to over three feet and in some of the slower sections around Baker's Hole there looks to be 5 or 6 foot visibility. Woolly Buggers should do the trick in those sections.
.. This morning the combined agency bison drive caused traffic snarls for the better part of the morning. At one point in time the line of stationary vehicles extended from 7-mile bridge to Riverside Drive and beyond, back toward the west entrance station.
.. The grass in the valley is low and some of it is flooded along the Madison River. Fishers should anticipate delays at anytime of day due to the bison seeking adequate forage. Of course gawker blocks will continue as there is a fine crop of bison calves for picture taking.
.. Tomorrow we'll Be fishing and catching on the Madison River where the fish are biting and no other fishers will be within hailing distance. See you there.

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