The E Z Stuff

THE BOXES ARE FULL

The Rivers Are Near

breakfast is served

WALLPAPER:  SOURDOUGH PANCAKES AND  . . .

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FULL BOX

.. There are those that spend the winter in anticipation of summer fishing. There are those that would rather tie flies and fill their boxes. We tie our flies and anticipate fishing all year long.
..  Montana has fantastic access laws and liberal fishing regulations. Most rivers and streams are open most of the time, for most of the year.  Only fair weather fishers wait for summer.
.. We're more lucky than most. There are only two ways out of town and both lead to fine fishing - quickly. The roads are used by interstate trucking all year and the finest plow crews in the state keep them open. So, when the time is available, we go fishing rather than moaning about the weather.

RAFIA-BACKED HARE'S EAR NYMPH

.. This year there has been even less cause for moaning than usual. The winter has been mild and our neighborhood rivers have become destination fisheries for aliens from such foreign countries as Utah, Idaho, Wyoming, and California. We smile. We fish.
.. Right now the Gallatin River just north of Yellowstone National Park is providing some very fine catching on these mild days. Nymphs are the rule and it's just fine to allow the counter help at any feather merchant to sell you some. They all work perfectly. We're lost when it comes to new inventions and fancy materials. We use the stuff that the neighbors use. They work too, and are easy to tie - or "borrow."

YELLOWSTONE BADGER

.. There are bits of open water on Hebgen Reservoir and Quake Lake. The neighbors, "worm or fly," are moving down the secret trails to these choice spots. The fish are happy to see them and enjoy the workout.
.. It's coming on time to abandon the barrel of a tailwater below Hebgen Dam. The spawning trout are very thick and it's time to leave them to their revelry and debauchery.
.. There may be a week or two left and then the density of redds will demand that the pestering of fish be curtailed. Sad but true, it is seldom the case.

HELLIFIKNOW

.. This week the neighbors are using small streamers and wiggly flies with rubber legs and scraggly bits of fluff that animate the flies. The fish are becoming angry: they are not yet aggressive - or are they?
.. Over on the South Fork of the Madison River there is still a small snowpack. Neighborhood sled-heads and sled-doggers are still using the trails for access to the South Plateau.
.. Where the South Fork meets with Hebgen Reservoir the ice has slipped away with no notice by the invading fishers from afar. The trails and tracks to this bit of water are through the trees. The trees have saved some snow - and allowed some puddles as well. Snowmobile access is messy but - - - - - VERY REWARDING!
.. We're borrowing a sled.

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WALLPAPER:  THE SOUTH FORK IN LATE WINTER