Visitor-Weather Weekend

BEAUTIFUL BRIGHT DAYS

Visitors Parading Through Park
fishers praying for bluster

WALLPAPER:  MADISON RIVER - LOW AND SLOW

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.. Our gentle and salubrious Fall weather continues to be a drawing card for visitors to Yellowstone National Park.
.. The discharge of the west side rivers is slowing apace with the rapidly diminishing snowpack and the fish are bewildered by the shallowness of the dark holes and the bright orb in the sky. Catching is good but not up to snuff for Fall.
.. The Madison River is just below seasonal discharge rates and is holding temperatures in the mid to high 50's. The Firehole River is also a smidge below seasonal discharge norms and temperatures are spiking to the high 60's. The Gallatin River is running above mean discharge levels outside of the park thanks to snow melt from both the Gallatin Range and the Madison Range, catching in the park, (and down-canyon,) is still an attractive proposition for the moment.


FAMILY FISHING

.. Baetids have popped nicely on the Firehole River and even the "OFF" water on the Madison River has produced some surface action. Most of the fish figure it out - most fishers , however, are in a streamer trance.
.. Neighborhood streamer success comes in the form of traditional streamers of a smaller size than typical for this time of year. The bright days make small prey attractive to the predatory adult trout.
.. Fish can be, will be, and have been, caught during the mid day sun. It requires a bit of stealth, knowing where the hides are liable to be, covering lots of water, and putting the enticer right in front of the fish. They won't move far from shelter in the bright sun. This is shelter from strong stream flows, overhead attack, and the blinding sun. Dark water, undercut banks, snags and sweepers, shade from trees and grass, are all good places to hide - if you are a fish. Think like a fish - catch a fish.
.. Flies get tangled, trapped, swallowed up and lost in mid day fishing spots. That's just fine and it is to be expected. If you're using fancy patterns from a feather merchant it could cost you upwards of $20.00 before you gall a brutish fish. From a fishy perspective it seems that proximity is more attractive than pattern: hit 'em in the nose.

BEAD HEAD  GLITTER NYMPH

.. Along the Madison River large nymphs are taking as many submarines as the streamers. Then again these are fished by the neighbors in well known, (if less than popular,) hides.
.. During mid day many visiting fishers retire to the parking lot and slouch in the chairs that they carry for show and tell and lie sessions while enjoying a protracted escape from the water.
.. To many of the visiting anglers, "COVERING A LOT OF WATER" means driving to the next pull-out and wetting a line for 20 minutes. This is a great way to get to know other visitors and test your parking skills. It sometimes produces fish as well as anxiety.  Might there be fish hiding between pull-outs? Darens't one walk too far from the car?
.. On a friendlier note; the pools immediately below the falls on the Gibbon River have gathered up a pod of sizeable fish working the shallows for both spawning gravels and the concentrated food debris that cascades down from the waters above. The trees in the new parking area deprive fishers of the security of seeing their car. The brave will be rewarded.
.. We've got some lies to share - now where is that folding chair?

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WALLPAPER: MID DAY MADNESS ON THE MADISON