The Coming - The Going

IT'S HERE NOW

It's Entertaining

it'll be gone monday

WALLPAPER: FACTORY TEAM-(parts and machine shop)

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.. Lately, (during the recent drought, & warm winters,) the "WORLD SNOWMOBILE EXPO" has enjoyed bare streets, rain, (yesterday and last night,) freezing rain, warm temperatures, (45° F now & 50° F tomorrow,) and diminishing attendance.

FREEZING RAIN

.. There is a trade show, vintage sleds, snowcross races, big concerts, new model unveiling's, bingo, raffles, etc.
.. At night the sparks from carbide skegs light up the town as the sleds roar from bar to bar across the bare streets.
.. It's an entertaining spectacle to behold. The aerobatics show and the vintage races gather up their fair share of spectators.

TOY HAULER

.. It used to be that the folks on sleds were those that could not afford a Harley Davidson motorcycle. Now the folks that can't afford a sled drive the Harley.
.. Big sleds are now in the stratospheric range of 18 - 22 thousand dollars. Some discounts on 2017 models are available during the three days of the EXPO .

PARTY TIME !!

.. At night the pubs and restaurants get a workout just like it was mid July. More so, indeed.
.. With Yellowstone National Park closed and seasonal employees pausing in the village there is an interesting mix of conversations to eavesdrop upon.
.. The local constabulary has every officer on alert and some covering double shifts. Search and rescue is very busy, (only one death so far this year.) Some of the town merchants that have been closed all winter open for the five or six days around this time of year.

GREAT FUN

.. Every few years St. Patrick's Day coincides with the EXPO and the pubs and police get an extra workout. Missed it by a couple of days this year.
.. The neighbors do their grocery shopping, Post Officing, and other 'town chores' early or tomorrow. A few capture dark tables or booths in the pubs a bit earlier than usual and nurse the brews through the visiting entertainment. Not too late, mind you; it does change from entertainment to rowdy. After all: "MY SLED IS FASTER THAN YOUR SLED !"

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.. The Madison River is free of ice and flowing free and clear and cold into the Madison Arm of Hebgen Reservoir.
.. There has been a pretty good midge hatch on these bright warm days. Fishing is closed on the river proper but there are some midges to be found in the estuary.
.. There is also good catching to be had at the edge of the ice with leeches and nondescript junk flies that resemble the debris rain from the melting ice.
.. Ice out should start very soon. Right now the estuaries are legal but it's hard to get there.

MADISON RIVER FREE FLOWING AND RIPE

..The trails to the Hebgen Tailwater are getting close to mud and the catching has picked up for the pre spawn fish. A few redds are visible up near the road - stay out of the water and practice your L.D.R. techniques if you can. Keep the fish in the water - in the net - release quickly. Better yet stay away and let them have their orgy in peace.
..Both the inlet and outlet to Quake Lake are exciting fishing and catching right now. Even the discharge from Beaver Creek is producing submarines of the first water. Dark Black or Purple Leeches and Woolly Buggers are the ticket.
.. If you are any good at stealth techniques you can sight fish to the monsters in shallow water at the edge of the ice or even near shore. Be gentle - it's a tough life under the ice.
.. We're headed to a dark corner for some early entertainment and the best gossip.

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WALLPAPER: FRESH SOURDOUGH