Mom's Gift

WARM AND WET

Fish Being Kind

best last week ever ?

WALLPAPER:  MORNING MISTS - MADISON RIVER

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.. A blessed gift from mother nature is forecast for the last week of fishing in Yellowstone National Park.
.. It's not unheard of but a week of 50's for temperature at this time of year is certainly rare. Rain is common but it's been light and intermittent. Not enough to muck up the rivers too badly.

STORM ON THE LAMAR

.. Folks fishing on the far side of the park will have some color in the water and the Lamar River may be done for the year.
.. Both the Madison River and The Firehole River are low, cold and in good shape. There is a bit of color in the water but it is reminiscent of the bladder discharge from a sick Labrador Retriveit. Nothing to put off the fish: visibility well over 5' in each river.

STEWART'S BLACK SPIDER #1

.. Should you need to see your fly while fishing on the Firehole River you'll need to hunt for the noses in the air. The weather has been highly variable and both the fish and the bugs are a wee bit wary of the surface.
.. Light rain and dimpled water about mid day can still produce nose numbers to make the guide books.
.. Otherwise, back to the sure fish catchers: dry/dropper combos, soft hackles, green nymphs. (We're partial to the Flymph: #1.)
.. The warm rains have dampened a few fair weather fisher folks. Visitor traffic is also down. The Madison River is still attracting the submarine hunters and the fish are cooperating with those that move around some.

HALLOWEEN LEECH

.. If you are determined to fish just one location; move through it and then give it a rest. If other folks are around get in line and take your turn - the stories get better on the bank.
.. Fishing multiple locations is easily accomplished along the Madison River. Try several and your success will increase - the fish are there. In celebration of the season we've been fishing with the Halloween Leech by Marv Taylor: it works.

LOVIN' IT

.. Seldom fished is the big plunge pool at the base of Gibbon Falls. The pool itself and the gravels for at least 300 yards below hold some fine fish. It seems that they are bigger than most too.
.. With the new turnaround and thick tree cover it's a bit daunting for the first time explorer. Once on the Gibbon River the catching can be spectacular. Big soft hackles and small dark streamers will gather up the moody trout if you hit them in the nose.
.. We gathered up three pine trees and a 22" kype this morning. Speaking of morning: it comes late. Be on the water around 7:30 AM, or thereabouts. Take a good look and listen before you begin your folly. Many runners will jump several times at first light. Be alert. The thundering splash and slap of these big fish will wake you up for sure.

ACCESS

.. We've been quiet about some very fine destinations for Autumn catching. So, here they are: Little Firehole River, Iron Spring Creek, Nez Perce Creek, Duck Creek Estuary - don't catch them all.
.. Don't fish up on the Gallatin River or on Fan Creek. There are only a few fishers and a couple of bears.
.. The "WAY UP THERE" river portion of the Gallatin River is full of spawning resident trout. It's too far to walk for counter help and social fishers. The fish don't mind their solitary existence.
.. The estuary of the South Fork of the Madison River is beginning to pop. Access at the old power line road and at sandy point have produced some fine fish - bigger than the runners on the main stem Madison River. Cast as far as you can to the dark water. Dangle a black or dark purple leech under a bobber. Let the slack current slowly drift your fly. Hold on tight.

REVERSE MIDGE (emerger) [#2]

.. As an aside, (for the true masochist,) midges have been prolific during the bright interludes of the day.
.. Some of the neighbors have picked up on a pattern shown by Roy Christie, (#2.) It's a midge of a different sort. Some young eyes can see it. Older eyes can see the nose and splash - seems the fish are pissed off by this pattern.
.. The rain on the roof is mesmerizing and it is late. Even with the dark mornings it's tough to get up and make the morning bite.

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WALLPAPER:  POTATO LATKES