Unmentionables ?

PARKING AND FISHING ?

Ignore This Post

damn if you don't have to walk

FISH HERE IF YOU MUST

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.. This is the time of year when fishers in Yellowstone National Park recite a litany of names familiar to all. Third Meadow, Second Meadow, Soda Butte Creek, Lamar River, Slough Creek,  Sulphur Cauldron, Gardner River, Blacktail Deer Creek, etc.

A HERD

.. These are places where the social fishers gather to perpetuate the fiction that these are the best catching locations in the northeast portion of the park. More power to them.
.. These are places where it's easy for the casual angler to gather in a bucket load of fish and enjoy the company of other fishers with a popular vocabulary and compatible ring tones.
.. These are the places that seasonal shop rats can send visiting fishers and feel safe about their recommendations - even if they've never been there.
.. Given that the typical destination fisher has only a few partial days to spend fishing in the park they need to maximize their catching opportunities: usually within sight of the car. Run and gun is the name of the game: just like every other casual visitor.

A FLY

.. On the other hand, shanks mare will bring a few fine opportunities to the angler who is not enamored of social fishing.
.. Quietly whisper a few other, less mentioned,  names to any park habitue and you may get a quick, sly smile and some really interesting insights.
.. What names, you say? Try Upper Lamar River,  Miller Creek, Cache Creek, or Calfee Creek. Ask about these at your favorite feather merchant's counter. Ask about the trails. Ask about each discharge eddy into the Lamar River.
.. Ask about the first or second distributary gravel bars in the creeks, and the deep dark holes that can be reached with a simple easy cast. Ask about the flies to use and the times to go. Verify the answers with a simple test: when were you last there?

A SIGN

.. Should you be inclined to fish the finest catching localities in this section of the park be prepared to walk a long way. It's better to ride a horse. It's even better to spend more than a day - perhaps a week.
.. But, then again, sad but true, you'll not be able to share stories with the typical casual park fisher. Your stories will be better and far from public knowledge.
.. Keep this in mind if you'd rather be a social fisher.

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FISH HERE IF YOU CAN