On The Edge

WARM AND SNOW

Some Icebergs Present

use big and small

WALLPAPER:  GOLDEN STONEFLY

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.. The recent warm has improved fishing, catching, and access down the canyon on the Gallatin River and on the lowland Madison River as well.
.. Road conditions are less treacherous now than they have been over the past month. Down low the dry roads allow access to more water.
.. There are icebergs on both rivers. Shelf ice, adjacent to the shore, is getting thin and should not be trusted for water access.  Find a place to sit down on the bank to enter the water.
.. There is still an ice clog on the lowland Madison River just above Ennis and some other narrow shallow stretches. Fish at your own risk around the jams. They could shift rapidly and dangerously.

STONEFLY

.. Stoneflies are beginning their early Springtime wanderings on the lower sections of both rivers.
.. Up here we tend to forget that there is a different riverine  rhythm than there is down below. Folks in Ennis and Bozeman are are thinking Spring.
.. Your favorite Stonefly imitation should do wonders if fished in riffles and shallow runs. Not too deep, mind you, given the current water conditions. A bit of color creeps in the water as both anchor ice and shore ice enter the streams.

BEAD HEAD AWESOME

.. The deep holes that were productive just last week probably still hold fish but catching will be easier and more productive in the two foot deep parts of the water column.
.. Interestingly, reports from our neighbors suggest that both the large nymphs and small nymphs are excellent choices. Many of the neighbors used a giant rubber legs followed with either a stonefly or smaller nymph on the point.

GREEN BEAD HEAD SHOP VAC

.. The current weather pattern is giving us mixed skies. A bit of clear then, some clouds than, gray overcast. Up here we've had some snow flurries. The snow blankets the ground and rapidly melts. We should get 3 or, 4 or, 5 inches in the next day or two.
.. With mid day temperatures in the high 30's and low 40's it should produce some runoff and color the highland streams - lowland water might get some slight color as well.
.. We're looking forward to a few more days of warm and snow. By the end of next week we should be back into winter. The skiers and sled heads will be happy.

CDC LIGHT MIDGE

.. To cover all situations your arsenal should include some midges for the bright times and some surface charmers for the gray parts of the day.
.. The local pub chatter is centered around fly shop visitations and foreign eateries.
.. Visitors to our village are taking pictures of the roads. Why? The snow is gone from the roads and the skiers have to walk to the trails. Oh Well!
.. Best prepare our head for gardening and lawn mowing. It'll be here in only two months.

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WALLPAPER:   SNOWBEGONE