Brief Respite

EXTENDED BLESSING

It's About To End

here comes the fourth - already

WALLPAPER:  DESTINATION OJO CALIENTE

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 .. The rivers on the west side of Yellowstone National Park are still running above seasonal discharge rates.
.. The fish are frisky, willing, and plentiful. Gentle winters seem to have been good for recruitment.
.. After last week's water temperature spikes to 76° F on the Firehole River we've seen some welcome clouds, cool air temperatures, cold rains and a flurry or two over the last few days. Temperatures on the Firehole River have plunged to a cool 60°F at night and the diurnal marks have held near 68°. It's been good.

SWEEPER ON THE OTHER FIREHOLE

.. There have been occasional good hatches clouds of PMD's bringing reminiscences of days of yore.
.. The caddis have even bothered to emerge during bright overcast drizzles and it's possible to fish the river all day.
.. The bugs have been regular and mostly predictable and, for a change, the seasonal hatch charts can be relied upon to guide the visiting fisher.
.. The Madison River is providing extended catching opportunities for the streamer fisher. Both BWO's and PMD's have hit there stride and the soft hackle is still holding on strong. There have been a few nice caddis hatches around 9-mile Hole and at the park line.

.. The Gibbon River has settled down and is providing great fun in the lower canyon sections and, not too surprisingly, in the riffles below the falls. The little meadows above Norris Campground still have some nice fish and even Da Chutes along the upper canyon have some nice fish. This is all picturesque water with friendly and not too particular fish.
 .. We've heard rumors that the big meadows, (Gibbon and Elk,) of the Gibbon River are showing some enormous noses in the twilight. Should you venture into the meadows where the banks are undercut and the monsters sip daintily please fish with a buddy and carry some bear spray.

.. Just a pertinent side note: bear populations are up and the grass is still green and tender.
 .. There are also reports of some monsters in the quicksand and bramble section of the river to the north side of Norris Geyser Basin. Few fishers enter this area and the access can be precarious. Most fishers stop where the meadow ends just a little way below Norris Campground - however, the catching is very good in the mucky and stinky stretch at the moment.

.. The near term weather forecast holds for a return to seasonal temperatures. This means that any day now the Firehole River will become an evening and morning fishery as both air and water temperatures begin their Summer climb..
.. The Madison River should hold on for a couple of weeks more for the spinner fall and caddis hatches.
.. Big surface poppers about nightfall are already producing grabs in the snags and sweepers of the broad slicks below 7-Mile Bridge.
.. Look for all of the parking spots to fill up with visiting park and catch fishers as we approach the long  4th of July weekend.
.. We won't worry much about that.

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WALLPAPER: PATRIOTIC VISITOR AT MAMMOTH HOT SPRINGS