IS YOUR WATERSHED BURNING ?
Should We Let Them All Burn ?
small stream report too
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| MARSTON FIRE SENDING SMOKE TO MISSOULA inciweb photo |
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.. There are 23 fires in Montana, only three of which are considered large incidents, (LINK-1.)
.. Gov. Steve Bullock issued an executive order Sunday declaring a fire emergency for the state of Montana. The declaration allows Bullock to mobilize more state resources and the Montana National Guard for firefighting, and to draw state funds to meet the costs associated with additional resources, (LINK-2.)
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| GO TEAM !! |
.. In 1995, fire fighting and management made up 16% of the forest service’s annual appropriated budget. This year for the first time, more than 50% of the Forest Service’s annual budget will be dedicated to fire.
.. With congress continuing to cut USFS budgets we need to ask the question: "will there be enough money to fight any fires, and what management practices will have to be cut or eliminated?"
..There is an informative post, (and attendant diverse comments,) about the trend in reduced USFS funding and services in the MONTANA COWGIRL (LINK-3).
.. We all know the impact on headwater tributaries caused by wildfires. We also know that there are policy questions and ecological arguments about how to deal with wildfires - as well as lumbering practices in the headwater areas.
.. The stress on USFS resources and personnel, the concomitant burden placed on the states, and the current political climate demand that fishers of all stripes be informed. Does your watershed deserve federal, state, or no protection when it comes to fighting fires?
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| WALLPAPER: BACON RIND CREEK; THIN WATER, THICK FISH |
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| SIERRA BRIGHT DOT |
.. The upper Gallatin River, (above the confluence meadow,) is seeing frequent visitation by neighbors and visitors alike. Bear spray sales in town are reaching their Summer peak - good idea!
.. Just a few flies will bring fish to hook and hand in the meadow and willow brambles. The bugs here are the same as Bacon Rind Creek, except that there are fewer, (if any,) spruce moths. Some of the neighbors ran out of beetle imitations and used sow bugs instead - worked fine.
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| RED ASS BUMBLER |
.. This is a genuine "attractor stream." It's a good place to try your latest 'off-the-wall' creations. The fish are as unsophisticated as the wayward fishers that visit this water. We go often. We like Sierra Bright Dot variations and smashed caddis for our forays.
.. Snowslide Creek and Daly Creek have been plumb forgotten - or so it seems. The streamside trails are still green and the local counter help have never seen them. Grab a few Prince Nymphs and a couple of Humpy flies and bushwack your way through some lovely country -- with bear spray in hand. You may even catch a dozen, or so, fish.
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| SIERRA GREEN DOT |
.. The Firehole River above Old Faithful is still a popular destination for folks, (neighbors and others,) that enjoy the delights of Brook Trout dances. We visited with some fisher folks from Pennsylvania last week, as we paused to look at the diversion dam. They said that the Brookies were more willing here than in the Poconos. My my.
.. We note with some amusement that there is near panic among the folks that experienced the recent snow flurries in Arkansas and Tennessee.
.. Up here it's been in the 20's and 30's overnight for the last week or so. We've had some snow flurries, hail, wind gusts to 40 mph, and heavy low clouds in the evening. The neighborhood kids are still wearing baggy shorts and swimming in the rivers and lakes. No one has mentioned that.
.. It's supposed to be a blistering 60° tomorrow: rain and other stuff mixed in as well. We're headed back to Sourdough Riffles on Notellum Creek. The trout are so lonely that they are hanging on to hooks with both hands.
.. We've got the seven deadly sins in our custom fly box and know that the fish will enjoy our visit.
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| WALLPAPER: SEVEN DEADLY SINS |