The Mythic Firehole River, (part one)

"THE FISH PREFER"

No Big Fish Here

abandon your car

WALLPAPER:   DESTINATION BISCUIT

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.. It would be futile to debunk the myriad myths that appertain to the Firehole River. That said; there are a couple of popular myths that demand to be addressed.
.. The first myth that needs to be explored is that ". . . the trout prefer the warm temperatures of mid summer . . ."
.. The second myth that floats continuously is that ". . . there are no 'big' fish in the Firehole River . . ."

FIREHOLE BLACK SNAILS

..Aside from the anthropomorphic attribution of 'preference' to the little scallywags, the argument that they have lived for so many generations in the warm environs of the Firehole River that they have adapted to warmer water has some merit. BUT ONLY SOME!!
.. However, the first fish introduced to the Firehole River were Smallmouth Bass followed by Brook Trout. Neither of these species have taken to the warmth of the stream. The bass are gone and the brookies have migrated to colder waters and are very rarely taken in the river below Kepler Cascades.
.. Introduced Brown Trout and introduced Rainbow Trout are the two dominate species in the lower Firehole River.

FIREHOLE BLACK SNAILS

.. Although water temperature is a rough indicator of both Brown Trout and Rainbow Trout distribution, aerobic capacity is more meaningful. Dissolved oxygen is the key to survival and ability to thrive for these trout.
.. Wild trout, in their indigenous habitat, do show a wide range of temperature tolerance depending on their natural history and geographic constraints. The Rainbow Trout can be found within a range of 17.8–24.6°C [LINK-11.]

USE FOR "GOOD FISH"

.. Brown Trout seem to be a bit more tolerant of warmer waters and can be found in waters at 28°C. This oversimplification of thermal tolerance does not take account of other limiting factors such as: length of day, length of extreme temperature exposure, age of fish, dissolved oxygen, egg tolerance, smolt tolerance, etc.
.. Research from regions as diverse as from the Iberian Peninsula to Idaho to  Michigan to California to Germany to Australia suggest that these two trout do best, (survive and thrive,) in cooler rather than warmer water.
.. Given the opportunity, these fish will hang out, (prefer to be?) in more highly oxygenated cold water rather than less oxygenated warm water.

FOR TOPSIDERS

.. Not surprising then, the fish in the Firehole River will indeed, be mostly found in the cooler bits of the stream. We all knew that, right?
.. The Firehole River does have submerged cold water springs. We know a few. The river also is fed by warm streams as well as cold streams. We know a few of those too.
.. Should you be seeking to dance, a time or two, with the fish in the stream your best bet is to hire a guide. Should you want non stop catching seek the optimum fish locations: nearby shade, weeds and bugs, cooler water, dark holes and hides, etc. These are the spots that the guides keep for themselves.

NEED BIG FISH ??

.. As for the second myth; you must define big. A three or four pound trout is big in our book. Length varies depending on species and time of year. A spawned out buck at 22" may be big to some folks. But they look too much like a snake to us.
.. There are four pound trout to be had in the Firehole River. They are far less rare than you have been led to believe. They are in those places where optimum conditions exist for growth and survivability.

WANT BIG FISH?

..  Keep in mind that although big fish are opportunistic feeders, (as are all trout,) they eat little fish. A little fish can be defined as the "good fish" that your guide praises for your ego.
.. You will often see a fish skimming the surface, leaping in the air, charging the shore, and diving into weeds when chased by bigger fish. Got a fly that imitates a six inch trout? Use it. Be a myth buster!

RESOURCES:

>> Rainbow trout thermal tolerance,
>> Brown trout thermal niche,
>> Rainbow trout upper thermal tolerance,
>> Brown trout consevation,
>> Thermal Tolerance Limits for Trout,
>> Requirements and tolerances for Brown and Rainbow trout,
>> How hot is too hot?,
>> Henry's Fork trout requirements,
>>

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LISTEN TO THE JUNGLE DRUMS

.. The cool days and frequent rains have been a boon to fishers on the west side rivers. Not too much color, not too much discharge, not too many elbows, not too few bugs, and - - - great catching. Be here now.
.. Just dumped the wet poncho on the oriental rug, draped the wet jeans over the silk brocade on the Victorian Chaise, kicked the muddy boots into the corner by the giant Navajo baskets, and  settled down to scrawl type this.
.. Now for a late supper and some couch time.

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WALLPAPER:  CHILI BURGER -- HOLD THE BUN