And, So It Begins

FIRE WINDING DOWN

Grass Yellowing Up

fish lips pricked

CURRENT MAPLE FIRE MAP

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.. What a difference a few cool nights and a bit of rain will make.
.. Both the fire crews and the fishers have responded to the early Fall weather - albeit in quite different ways.

INFORMATION BOARD

.. Although not "under control," the MAPLE FIRE has moved further into Yellowstone National Park.
.. The southwestern periphery is being stabilized to protect dwellings and the West Entrance administrative center.
.. Crews are actively monitoring the established fire lines and preparing access routes.

CREW PLATE

.. Hoses and sprinklers have been set in the government area. Fire crews have a bit less beat-up look and a few are wearing clean clothes. Thanks to them and their quick action the town and suburban residences have been maintained intact.
.. Some fishing access is still closed and it behooves the visiting fishers to check with park personnel prior to planning fishing activities. These links will help: YNP FIRE ACTIVITY, YNP CURRENT CONDITIONS , BLOG.

SINKEM STICKEM

.. The Firehole River is running at historic low discharge rates.
.. Temperatures above Old Faithful are holding in the 50's (+ or -) and in the lower river showing brief mid day spikes to 70° F.
.. Morning catching has been about as good as it gets. Of course enormous amounts of fishers will have little luck with their surface offerings.
.. This is the time to catch many fish with precise presentation and submerged flies. It's mostly a nymph fishers game right now.

KNOW THE WATER - CATCH THE FISH

.. Large imitations are excellent for retrieving larger fish if you have any river sense at all. Dark holes, bolder pillows, boulder slicks, foam lines, seams, topographic breaks will all hold fish.
.. If you don't walk through the fish you can catch them. Long casts that rip your shorts and strain your waders are not necessary. Even folks on the Madison River are taking fish with casts as short as two feet.
.. The Madison River is holding in the mid 60's and this should continue for the next few days. Access to the Barns Holes should be open as soon as the burnouts to stabilize the southern periphery of the Maple Fire are complete.

WINTER REJECT  -  CATCHER

.. There is no secret about the flies for catching on either river right now. 
.. Use your favorite soft or stiff hackle flies on either river for the average resident trout. A full day of catching can be accomplished with a properly sized soft hackle, (we're of the bigger is a bit better school,) so size 10 or 12 for us - seems to work.

GROCERIES

.. The Fall feeding frenzy is akin to the one in the Spring. This one must fuel both the food for the sparse pickings in Winter and the sexual orgy about to commence.
.. Fish do like groceries presented to them. They will take a snack if pushed into their personal space. They will move a bit for a cheese burger. They will slam a bag of donuts, chocolate milk, apple pies, and Neapolitan Ice Cream. Give 'em groceries.
.. It is mostly against our nature to arise with the sun at this time of year. The offsetting compensation is that the fish eat an early breakfast and we enjoy the foolery that goes with pricking a couple of dozen before lunch. Now to tend the garden.

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WALLPAPER:  MY GUIDE IS MY FRIEND