• PARTNER: PROTECT YOUR WATERS
  • Go To: THE FLIES OF YELLOWSTONE
  • Go To: YELLOWSTONE FISHING WEATHER
  • Go To: YELLOWSTONE FLY FISHING MAPS
  • Visit: Moldy Chum
  • Visit: The Horse's Mouth
  • Visit: Chi Wulff
  • Visit: Parks' Fly Shop
  • Tuesday, August 15, 2017

    That Time Of Year

    FOGGY WATERS
    Happy Bugs & Fishers
    the faithful return
    (a brief aside)
    WALLPAPER: A GOOD MORNING
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    .. With a few days of cool and, the afternoons dampened by showers and,  the anticipation of Fall, the faithful are returning to the Firehole River.
    .. This is one of the cherished and favorite waters in Yellowstone National Park. Although its reputation can exceed it's reality - this Fall is looking to be exceptional. River flows are still slightly above the seasonal norms, (Amazing what a decent snowpack and cool Summer will do!)
    ALL 'ROUND STONY
    .. The temperature of the water has dropped into the range where guilt is no longer a problem if you fish in the mornings and late afternoons. At Old Faithful the temperatures are no higher than the high 60's and the flows are dropping to about 70 - 80cfs, (LINK FF-1.)
    .. By the time the water reaches West Yellowstone the temperatures are bumping the low 70's but still attractive for catching in the foggy mornings and evenings. Flows are around 300cfs and are responding to the daily rains in the drainage, (LINK FF-2.)
    NEIGHBORS FAVORITE
    .. Even the Madison River has bugs and successes this early in August. This is not unheard of but has been unusual during the last few warm Summers.
    .. As with the Firehole River the flows are marginally high but are clear, cool, and attractive for catching.
    .. It's hard to argue with all day fishing in water this clear, deep, and temperate. We do like the mid 60's and look forward to the upcoming mid to high 50's. So do the fish. (LINK M-1.)
    GOOD BOBBER & CATCHER
    .. The Gibbon River has come alive in both the big meadows and in the canyon. Enough said.
    .. Down in National Park Meadows there are some sweet holes that are full of lonely fish. Must be the walk from the road to the water!
    CAN'T SEE WHAT FISH EATING ?
    .. We have been fishing the Gallatin River quite a bit lately. There are still hoppers in the afternoon. The swarms of flying ants, (of recent memory,) are not as prolific this Fall - yet there are some!
    .. Happily for fishers, (not so for the trees,) the spruce moth emergence has been pretty heavy. With this cool and damp weather it might be best catch it now. The hoppers are not too big this year and are waiting for the afternoon sun to commit suicide with their Banzai runs on the waiting fish. Backwater eddys collect the carnage. Fish know this.
    ..The neighbors have noted, (in the pubs and hardware store and post office conversations,) that there seems to be fewer elbows this year. If true, this bodes well for the rest of the Fall and into the early Winter - we'll see!
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    ASIDE
    .. So just what is our Justice Department up to? They are playing big brother in the worst way. They are seeking millions of names and web address of folks who visit websites that may or may not have been used to recruit participants in legal demonstrations.
    .. We caution you not to be curious. Don't seek information about organizations or other groups that you have not heard of. The Trump administration seems to believe that legislation by intimidation and prosecution is a better strategy than the constitutional process of Congressional and lawful legislation.
    .. Watch carefully to see if we are in administrative legal jeopardy from the current administration for being curious and seeking information. You may have already been exposed to administrative prejudice and discrimination by just surfing the web.
    >> Check the BBC,
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    THE DARK MARAUDER
    .. The overcast is breaking up. A late breakfast and a nap have robbed us of a morning catching frenzy.
    .. We may have to try the Firehole River along with a few of the intrepid neighbors. They say that there really are places to park.
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    WALLPAPER: ROASTED CHICKEN AND ROASTED GARLIC