Quickly Now

NOT TOO COOL

A Little Damp Approaches

respite and extension

WALLPAPER:  GALLATIN RIVER RIFFLE

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.. The last few days of very warm weather seems to have prolonged our high runoff waters. Despite the high water, river temperatures have continued to escalate to their seasonal norms.

LOOK FAMILIAR ?

.. The color varies by river and is slowly, (finally,) becoming recognizable as what water should look like - should you choose to fish it.
.. We may get a few more days out of the Firehole River with the forecast for upcoming cool and damp weather over the next week.
.. Just keep in mind the fish are already hammered and in a condition of stress. Temperatures on the Firehole River have been spiking to the mid 70's [LINK-FR.]

THESE WILL FLOAT !!

.. The color is good and despite the high water both the bugs and the fish have been doing the "Riverside Rag." Get off the river by noon and move on.
.. The Madison River, has shaped up nicely in the last week. It's still running above seasonal discharge rates but is beautifully clear and cool. Recent temperature spikes have just now topped the 70°F mark. Take a long lunch and you should have a full day of good catching, [LINK-MR.]

GALLATIN GREEN UP AND SLOWING FLOW

..  With an exclamation of final satisfaction we can report that the gooey colors of the Gallatin River seen last week have receded.
.. Last Wednesday marked the turning point as the gauge height at Gallatin Gateway dropped to sensible levels for the season.

GREEN IS GOOD

.. Temperatures are near perfect for catching and the neighbors have grudgingly joined the visiting elbows for the fine catching opportunities on the river, [LINK-GR.]
..  The overcast and intermittent drizzle over the next few days should bring back the hatch of the Baetid bunch and provide good times for the float 'em folks.
.. Just like a broken record we will suggest that fish can be taken on all three rivers with your favorite soft or stiff hackle fly. 

NEIGHBORS FAVORITE RIGHT NOW

.. Use the smaller ones on top and the bigger ones underneath. OR, start with a floating big one and when it starts to sink - let it go. There are dance partners for either presentation.
.. Right now the shaded water and dark deep protected hides are where the fish are.
.. There are noses in the air all day long if you should choose to pause and watch the water before splashing your way to the "perfect spot."

MOUNTAIN PINE BEETLE

.. Whether it's just whim or real insight; the neighbors are using very sparsely tied flies for their excursions. You can pluck yours if they seem too bushy.
..  We would be remiss if we failed to mention the beginnings of the availability of terrestrial food sources. Beetles have led the charge this year and the ants are close behind.
.. White Miller sorts are also available and beginning to thicken up around noon - or thereabouts.

WE LOVE A CHALLENGE

.. In a fit of masochism we've been fishing a few fan wing flies.
.. They are cute. Sometimes they float correctly. They even take a fish or two.
.. The most rewarding bit though is, the wonderful fluttering noise that they make just before they impale themselves in your ear. We do have mental issues.

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.. The gray is here already and the drips from the trusty steed are making a line in the sand. Breakfast is early and there are lights on in the neighbor's kitchen. Must be time.

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WALLPAPER:  PIZZA PIECES

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P.S.
-- Try Hebgen Reservoir in the still of the morning.

THE GOOGLE EYES HAVE IT

Countdown Reminder

 REPOST
Just two months to go !!
EVENT OF A LIFETIME

Accurate Path Mapped

visit thornton idaho

PATH OF TOTALITY (world map link)

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.. In just 8 months a celestial event will grace us with it's presence: a total solar eclipse. Absolute totality is a rare sight.
.. We get to see partial eclipses frequently enough. But a total eclipse in the neighborhood is a rarity. We've put it on our calendar.
.. On August 21, 2017, for two minutes and seventeen seconds the world around Thornton,  Idaho will not be able to see the sun.
.. The time for the start of totality at Thornton is 11:33:14AM (MDT). 
.. An absolute total eclipse is qualitatively so much different than a partial eclipse: even one that is nearly total.
.. Jackson, Wyoming and Teton Village, Wyoming will have the same length of totality starting at 11:35 AM.
.. For about an hour and fifteen minutes on either side of totality the event will be noticeable. At totality only the corona will be visible. In our village it will only be a partial eclipse. We will travel to see totality.
.. Speaking of eclipses: this will be a good year to be in our neighborhood. On February 10, 2017 there is a penumbral lunar event. 
.. If you are in the neighborhood plan to see not see it. We'll remind you again when it's time to stop your catching.
.. Time for the shoveling snow drill and then, a couple of eggs with the second pot of coffee.

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Up To 500

SWARM GOING STRONG

Not unusual Yet

fishing; pretty good

THE LATEST SWARM MAP

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.. Seismologists at the University of Utah note that our current extensive earthquake swarm is a bit unusual but no cause for worry, [LINK-EQ.]   We're up to 500 over the last couple of weeks.
.. Back in 1985 there was a swarm of more than 3,000 temblors over a three month period. In 2010 we saw 2,000 shakers in about three weeks. Folks don't much talk about them because they don't feel them. That's that !!

.. Same to report once again. Bright sun most of the day is followed by overcast and widely scattered afternoon and evening thunder showers.

TRY IT -  LIKE IT

.. The usual suspects are being flung through the air - and then some.
.. Soft hackles are working on the Firehole River, (yawn.) The same, plus caddis on the Madison River, (big yawn.)
.. Up at the Fan Creek Meadows on the Gallatin River there are finally some visitors = even catching fish.

SELDOM SEEN HEREABOUTS

.. We slogged through the thick willows up in the meadows of Bacon Rind Creek.
.. The traffic was slight on the dusty track and the trails are not yet worn down to the 'easy' stage.
.. Scared several fish clean out of their scales.
.. Danced with and captured a monster ten-incher. Bless it's air bladder, it landed itself by jumping on the grassy bank. It took a pretty messy Sierra Bright Dot.

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.. The neighbors have this strange notion that entering the park early today might be a clever tactic. Off we go - they have a mission to perform.

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WALLPAPER:  VEGETABLE SOUP

Old White Guys

GET RICH NOW

Our Government-Fail

go fish & avoid it all

THE SENATE BEHIND CLOSED DOORS

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.. Fishing is a good escape from activism.The cares of the world rapidly slip from our shoulders and splash quietly in our favorite waters.
.. It becomes easy to ignore how the government plays with our future. It's easy to ignore the secrets of the back rooms in congress. Go fishing and let it pass.
.. On the whole, our society is fat, dumb and, happy. The leisure class and the poor class are very well off in world comparisons.

WHILE WE FISH

.. While we fish the current administration is gutting the health care system of our country. While we fish the EPA is, (by design and executive fiat,) enforcing less with fewer staff.
.. While we fish the interior department with even fewer staff is aiming to reduce or eliminate public land set-asides.
.. The oft, (wrongly,) cited example that "NERO FIDDLED WHILE ROME BURNED," comes to mind. Let us all fish as our democracy crumbles.

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.. Now that the overcast has exited stage right we are blessed with tourist weather.

WORKS WELL

.. There is still hope for serious fishers. The Firehole River is still worth fishing with PMD's and White Miller Caddis - if you like 'em on the top. Fish are still pretty angry and slapping soft hackles with gay abandon.
.. Should you need to catch more fish the bead head fuzzy flies are doing well. Fish them slow and in the dark water windows near the bank. Watch the sun and pick your shade.

WORKS BETTER

.. The Madison River has cleared nicely and is a good choice for catching. Soft hackles are the go to selection. In National Park Meadows there are still some willing takers for surface and sunken stoneflies = big or little = black or yellow. Have at it.
.. There are even some caddis flitting around the parking areas at both the Barns Holes and Baker's Hole.
.. Up through the construction area there are excellent places in the small canyon of the Gibbon River.

DOWN AT CHOCOLATE POT

.. If you are willing to brave some steep banks there are fine pools and riffled runs for the taking.
.. Even the Campground Pool at Norris is plunking out happy dance partners.
.. Even a Grayling or two can be had at this location.
.. Should you choose to investigate the 'too cold water' of the Gallatin River in the park we suggest that it's not too cold.
.. Soft hackles through the gentle riffles will serve you well. Smashed caddis and debris imitations through the slicks will  easily entice the hungry fish.
.. There are a few deep clear bends that are entertaining. Get down and sneak up. Toss a Prince Nymph way upstream and watch the easily visible fish reach out and suck it up.

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.. The sun is out, the lines are long, the bison and ground squirrles are causing massive traffic jams. Most of the bears have moved up and all is well with the flood of visitors.
.. We're going to sleep off breakfast and then pack a lunch for this evening's frenzy.

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WALLPAPER:  RHUBARB & CURRANT PIE

The Swarm Continues

305 AND COUNTING

Even Fishers  Felt It

gray days blossom

THE CAMPANULA CREEK SWARM

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.. For those of us living on the flanks of an active volcano the temblors are commonplace. Most go unfelt. Those that are felt seem routine.
..Yesterday there was a "FEELER" [what the neighbor kids call an earthquake that they feel.] It registered about 4.5 on the Richter Scale and had it's epicenter along Campanula Creek in Yellowstone National Park.
.. The quake was the latest in an earthquake swarm that started on May 31, 2017 and has produced 305 measurable temblors. Most are below the 'feeler' threshold of 2,5 on the Richter Scale.

DUCK CREEK MEADOWS

.. A few pictures in West Yellowstone fell from the walls.
.. Some dogs went into apoplectic barking fits.
.. The visitors in local shops had jangled nerves and a new topic of conversation to share with their neighbors back home.
.. Some fishers around Taylor Fork noted the temblor but, (sadly,) reported that the catching did not improve. The Duck Creek meadows, (at the edge of the swarm,) are currently closed for bear management.
.. We occasionally fish Campanula Creek, [LINK-CC.] It's a trek we make less often now. This friendly little creek drains the uplands at the southern toe of the Gallatin Mountain Range north of West Yellowstone.
.. It joins Richard's Creek in the lush Duck Creek Meadows to form Duck Creek. You can bet that we'll chug up there this coming fall when the bottom lands open to the mosquito squadrons and fishers.

.. Yesterday presented us with a perfect afternoon for catching.
.. With a minor miracle in the making the clouds rolled in about 2 o'clock and by 4 PM the air was hardly moving.
.. By 5 o'clock it was fully overcast, near dead-still, earthquake weather, (for those of you in California.)
.. Temperatures dropped slightly and an eruption of bugs flooded the atmosphere near the ground along the Firehole River and the Madison River.

GREEN ONES WORK

.. For a good three hours just about anything in the box worked - it happens.
.. The fly floaters were happily matching what they thought was the hatch. The fly sinkers were using all the discards from the winter's experimentation's.
.. A grand time was had by all. Fish were even dragged out of the Gibbon River near the Grand Loop Bridge = slow seemingly sterile deep runs. My oh my!
.. Sadly we arrived about 8 o'clock and only caught a few dozen fish - so be it. Today may be just as good if the snow stays away.

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.. Forecast for mid 50's and drizzle. Perfect weather for the fisher folks. Perfect weather for the retail establishment in town. We'll have a second pot of coffee and pack three lunches. It promises to be a grand extravaganza.

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WALLPAPER:  HOMEMADE ARTISAN PIZZA

Righteous Indignation ?

YOURS OR MINING ?

Smith River Mine Meeting

see before it's pulled

..

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Resources:

>> KTVQ, Billings,

>> Missoulian,

>> Great Falls Tribune,

>> Montana Cowgirl, READ THE COMMENTS !

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WALLPAPER:   ROAST BEEF

Cool // Not Cool

WEATHER = COOL

Budget = Not Cool

nps = torpedoed

WALLPAPER:  THE GALLATIN ROAD NORTH

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..As our rivers maintain a late bit of high water the fishers in Yellowstone National Park are grumbling.
.. Catching can be good to very good - with a bit of "water savvy" and persistence. We've seen it both ways; great and skunkie.
.. To begin with; the Gallatin River has bloomed into a muddy mess. It's being fed by a very dirty Taylor Fork and evening showers. Such a color.
.. Happily the river has slowed from 5,000cfs to a near normal 3,000cfs almost overnight. The cool weather has slowed the melt; phew!

EARLY EVENING MOON HELPS

.. Even the park water is slightly colored and tough unless you know the river.
.. Big nymphs and deep slow water in undercut banks will find fish: they aint dumb.
.. The Firehole River has just a hint of color; it's temperature is holding in the high 50's and low 60's.
.. Flows have settled down from the recent near record flows to just above average for the date.

PRACTICE WATCHING & WAITING

.. Yesterday's rain and brisk winds brought out a decent Baetid hatch and even some recalcitrant BWO's.
.. Most of the neighbors that braved the wetness ignored the hatch matching and fished ugly flies on the top and a Prince nymph or soft hackle on a dropper.

TOSS AN UGLY ONE IN THE RAIN

.. The moon is up before official sundown and catching at the end of the day is enhanced. Smashed white miller flies floated in back water eddies will entice the nocturnal giants. Be patient and watch and wait; the fish are topside at dusk.
.. The Madison River inside the park is not too bad for the adventurist. Both color and flows have diminished slightly and the water temperature is perfect. Flows are just 100cfs above normal for the date and temperatures are holding in the low to mid 50's.

GOOD SORT OF STUFF

.. PMD's (?) are around but the real play is for the stoneflies in the upper parts of National Park Meadows.
.. The Firehole River Canyon is pumping out some of the big bugs and the neighbors are silent about it.

THESE ARE GOLDEN

.. Double up your favorite stone patterns.
.. Big and little - or, black and yellow - or, top and bottom will all grab a fish where it eats.
.. The Gibbon River has slowed enough for the brave to muck through the big meadows and dodge the wayward bison. There are even cell phone photos to prove that fish are eating stuff in the deep holes. We're not that brave.
.. If you must: the slow water north of Norris Geyser Basin has some eager giants. The stinky hot springs, the ankle deep mud, the occasional moose and the submerged logs are only minor distractions for the committed fisher: to say nothing of the long walk and downfall everywhere. Some neighbors are there now.

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.. Should you be interested in the way our National Parks are administered; then you should probably learn about the impending budget from the White House.

Proposed budget cuts will:

> cut over 1,000 full time staff,
> close facilities and campgrounds,
> reduce service,
> allow 23% less funds for resource management and invasive control,
> near elimination of cultural resource funding.
.. Click on over to WESTWISE to see what the NPS has to say about it all.

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.. Looks to stay cool for a day or two. Then a moderate warm up. Catching will only get better through the sunny days. We've got the urge: maybe go fishing!

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WALLPAPER:  HISTORIC BUD LILLY'S SIGN GONE