A Little Dip

FIREHOLE TIME ?

Loving Anomolies

got a soft one ?

TWO SCREEN WALLPAPER : FIREHOLE SUMMER

-------  

.. It is a rare bit of weather that has allowed us to fish the Firehole River this late in July.
.. Granted, we must get up early, (bit of a nuisance,) or, fish late in the day, (not too hard.)

SPARSE CARROT SOFT HACKLE

.. Flows are down and temperature spikes do reach into the high 70's, [LINK-F.] Early morning is safest for the fish and better for catching as well.
.. The fish are hungry and a bit slack-jawed but, will still take a soft hackle with more than a modicum of exuberance. No 20/20 club here. Use a heavy leader and horse them in. No hero shots either. Quick play, wet release and move on. Twelve to fifteen fish before breakfast is just about right.

THE FUZZY YELLOW WHATSITZ

.. The Gibbon River is holding up fine so far. Below the falls and before the confluence has seen an increase in traffic from savvy fishers.
.. There are caddis all day, (few and far between,) and stonefly nymphs galore.
.. Above the falls in the canyon is strictly your favorite nymph game, (until about 6:00 PM.) There are caddis late in the afternoon and even some of the pudgy white millers in the right groves of trees.

THE ORIGINAL WOOLLY BUGGER

.. The big meadows have dried out nicely and are are being visited by fisher folk with legs and knees strong enough to find the dark undercut banks with grass veils and slurping giants. If you have an unweighted nymph that will float you can surely bring home a story.
.. Nothing fancy is required; a prince nymph, a woolly bugger, or even a serendipity with a haircut will be fine.

CLIPPED SERENDIPITY

.. From Hebgan Lake to Madison Junction on the Madison River, the neighbors have been using the Clipped Serendipity with great success.
.. Sink it or float it - makes no difference! For now, this seems to be what the fish want. We're not sure if it imitates a real bug or other sort of food item. But it is working wonders with the cool nights and moderate day time temperatures - - - this is the gobble-it-up offering.

VISITORS DRIVE RIGHT PAST IT

..Our favorite "Culvert Pool" has lately been very rewarding.
.. It's just a few minutes from our front door and is a blessed respite from the hectic traffic jams in town.
.. We shan't name the creek for fear of retribution from the neighbors.

DRIVE BY CATCHING

.. It's just about eight or so miles north of town and you can drive right up to the water's edge, (well almost!)
.. Year 'round the trout jump the rip rap rapids and they park themselves in the pool before this bit of exercise.
.. It's coming on Fall, (zing went the Summer in the high country.) Bigger fish should soon be resting in the pool prior to their aerobics. Great fun just watching them.

-----  

TAKE THE OATH

.. Despite the possibilities of fish-catching on the Firehole River, we suggest that you leave them alone.
.. Both Iron Spring Creek and the Little Firehole River are still running cool enough to provide you with some sport.
.. And then, there is Nez Perce Creek. But, that's another story and, the Mary Mountain bears are still on the prowl.

-------  

WALLPAPER:  SMALL ROAST IN CAST IRON

From The Gov

SELLING AMERICA

Quick . . . Incorporate!

takes so little time

-------  

.. We just got a letter from the governor of the State of Montana. Pick your own devil.

-----

Dear Guy:

Today, I sued the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the Treasury Department over their recent decision to abandon disclosure requirements for major donors to dark money groups.

I have fought for nearly a decade to end the disastrous Citizens United decision that opened the floodgates for corporate spending in our elections. Before the IRS decision last week, 501(c) groups had to tell the IRS who their major donors were. In a post Citizens United world, the best way to know whether a group is what it says it is, or the agenda they support, is to look at where the group’s money comes from.

Last week, the IRS announced they were getting rid of disclosure requirements for a subset of tax exempt 501(c) groups. In particular, they said that 501(c)(4) groups will no longer have to disclose who their donors are. 501(c)(4) groups are the “dark money” organizations used for funneling secret money in elections. With this change, there’s even less transparency over these organizations and less ability to determine if they are acting lawfully.

We’re coming up on important midterm election in Montana. The IRS, and the administration, are sending absolutely the wrong message at the wrong time: spend money to get corporate interests elected, and we’ll work to cover your tracks. Well, I say not on my watch.

Our suit alleges that the IRS’s change to disclosure laws were unlawful and outside the agency’s authority. The case represents the first legal challenge to the IRS’s action since it was announced last week. This suit seeks to block the Trump Administration from upending the rules that have been in place for almost 50 years that require 501(c) dark money groups to disclose their major donors to the IRS. Absent that disclosure, so-called social welfare groups could be taking unlimited corporate, or even foreign, contributions to influence elections, contrary to the requirements that grant them tax exempt status.

When the federal government makes big changes that have been in place since Nixon was President, it has to follow the rules. The IRS didn’t follow the rules, so we’re suing to enforce them.

I believe Montanans deserve a government that works for them, and only for them. I will not stop fighting to end dark money in our elections and return government back to the people. Sincerely,

STEVE BULLOCK
Governor

-----  

.. Just thought we'd share.

-------  

WALLPAPER:   BUNLESS CHILI BURGER

AWOL

FOR GROUP

5 times 5 At 100

mirage no problem

*HUNTER CLASS BENCHREST RIFLE

*EXPENSIVE AND UNSUNG GLASS

-------  

.. Gone and, we're easily forgotten. Brief road trip to Cody, Wyoming. Better than fair success.

NOT TOO BAD

.. The shooting complex at Cody, Wyoming is a world class facility that can accommodate all forms of the shooting sports.
.. From SASS, to casual, to Hunter Class, to Varmint Class, to Rail Guns, to 1,000 Yard competition, to Police and Combat training, to skeet, to trap, to across the course, to sporting clays,  --  it's all there.
.. We do this less and less as our fishing is closer and less fiddly. When the weather gods lay down the winds and, the cool air allows for clear views, it's possible for even us to do well.
.. We did!

.. [[ *Hunter class benchrest rifle with fixed power 6x42 IOR Valdata scope [with glass from Schott Glass Werkes of Germany.] Trued Remington action in .308 Winchester caliber.  Krieger stainless steel barrel. Jewell 2oz. trigger, Big spring true firing pin, Aluminum rail, Magnesium rings, Macmillan Edge ultralight stock. Weight is nine pounds, fourteen ounces.]]

-----  

.. The last week of warmer than seasonal weather has slowed the catching only slightly.

EASILY CATCHES FISH

.. A few daily temperature records were set and the neighbors have exercised both their sweat glands and vocabularies.
.. Looks, now, to be settling into seasonal temperatures and the fishing is too.
.. Ants are up. Hopper nymphs are molting. Beetles are roaming. Millers are flitting. Bitsie Beasties are hatching. Caddis are prolific. Even the Madison River is highly productive in unusual and accessible places.
.. We're awake way too early and planning more road time. Such is the sleep rhythm of the mature.

-------  

WALLPAPER:  RIB EYE DONE RIGHT

On This Day

NO MORE KINGS

No More Dictators

a constitutional republic

MAUREEN WISHES YOU A HAPPY FOURTH

-------  

.. Grab this day by the throat and wring every little bit of joy from it.
.. We are still an exceptional nation. We trend variously at various times. We face crises and trial with a distinct style. God bless most of us.
.. The popular saying "CARPE DIEM" only gives us a bit of the original phrase:

". . . carpe diem, quam minimum credula postero."  from HORACE . . . Odes.

FLY DU JOUR

.. The loose translation is something like: ". . . Seize the day, put very little trust in tomorrow . . ." (i.e. tempus fugit.")
.. Waste not - want not, a stitch in time, if not now - then when, gather ye rosebuds while ye may: got it!
.. We wrote this yesterday and are presently down the road to the best picnic and fish catching meadow on the Notellum Creek. Hope you are too.

-------  

WALLPAPER:  START HERE

WALLPAPER:  FINISH HERE

Your Aerobic 4th

VERY EAGER FISH

Thin Cold Water

patience is rewarded

WHERE THE NEIGHBORS FISH

-------  

.. So, with a mid week FOURTH OF JULY the bookend weekends are very busy.
.. Yellowstone National Park is on pace for another record year and the fisher folk are thick as remoras on a nurse shark.

JOIN THIS LINE

.. Lines for the one lane park entrance through our village extend for a mile or more.
.. Waiting time can exceed an hour or more. It's like a buffalo jam but worse.
.. There is no need to expound upon the catching conditions for the popular crowded jam packed bits of our west side rivers.

ENTRANCE STATION OUT OF SIGHT

.. Recently the Firehole River has been blessed with cool weather and cool rains.
.. Little bugs are regular and predictable. Caddis and white millers are plentiful.
.. The counter help at the feather merchants are up to speed and can provide you with decent, (if slightly dated,) information. Use them and enjoy the camaraderie of the dusty aisles.
.. The same is true of the Madison River. If you can find a safe parking place  - - - go for it and, join the throngs. We welcome you to our village and the rivers on this side of the park.
.. Even the poisoned Gibbon River has some fish in it below Virginia Cascades. There is even a pod of Grayling in the campground meadows.

-----  

.. For those of you willing to forego the elbow display and parade of mobile condominiums, there is a lovely little, (and sadly unloved,) stream that is far from the maddening crowds. It's name is Fan Creek.

FAN CREEK:  VIEW TO THE ROAD

.. This little creek has profited from the cooler weather and the sporadic rains. It is running clear and cold. There were even some spent spawners still in the deep holes yesterday.
.. It's not easy fishing and fails to attract the visitor because it requires stealth, patience, observation, and a modicum of water savvy.
.. Most of the best places are guarded by thick willows with no pounded down trails. Occasionally there are moose in the willows. Even the bears are a bit shy of entering where moose may be.

FAN CREEK:  VIEW OF THE CREEK

.. Should you choose to follow the trail from the parking lot to the creek you will bypass a few hundred yards of deep holes, good holding water, thin riffles and, many eager fish.
.. There are fish under every bank. Many are very small. All are eager eaters. This is a creek that allows you to use your winter rejected flies with impunity. With a bit of stealth you may even be able to cast to a 12" monster on the surface.

WIDE SPOT - -  WAY UP HIGH

.. By the time you get to the thick willow meadows by the current and previous beaver ponds you will find the creek hidden from view.
.. The meander bends are deeper than expected in this stretch.
.. Depending on where the sun is; those fish could be or, not be where they are expected.
.. Should you choose to sample only the bottom reaches it is possible to access the Gallatin River at the bridge and fish up to the confluence with Fan Creek.

CONFLUENCE: FAN & GALLATIN

.. The bridge pool, (both sides of the road,) can hold fish in the shade and the dark pockets between the boulder riffles. The riffle and run stretch along the steep headland is very productive nymph water for big bugs and, yellow ones as well.
.. The green growth this year is nearly blinding. This has been a Springtime for growing. Willows, grasses and sedges, are crowding each other and look like one big plant throughout the meadows.

FOR A WET YEAR

.. Wet years produce a fine crop of mosquitoes. If you tie 'em, use em.  This is the perfect time and place.
.. We anticipate a good hopper hatch in about six weeks. The beetles are already showing themselves along the elk trails and crumbled bank.
.. The best part of this little creek is that you can spend the first half of the day fishing up the stream and then fish back down in the afternoon or evening.
.. You can fish the same spots and even catch the same fish - if your stealth skills are good and you have some small binoculars and a bit of patience.

GET IT !

.. There are other small waters throughout Yellowstone National Park. They are less fished. They are not for the headhunter or glory water fans.
.. They all have fish and, right now, the catching is as good as it has been in the last five years - - maybe more.
.. Explore some and catch many.  Have a great Fourth Of July and don't forget the bear spray!

-----  

BILLIE'S SPIDER

.. Morning is still coming after daylight. We'll manage. And, fools that we are; we're headed back out into the fray. The wind is up and we have a 10' four weight with a spider that ought to fool a few fish into a mid day dance.
.. Yep! Bright sun and spiders dancing near an undercut bank. It's an old fishers' trick.

-------  

WALLPAPER:   BISTEC a la MEXICANA