Hopping Along

HOPPER EXPLOSION

The Ant Invasion

watch fires and bears

WALLPAPER:  FAVORITE HOPPER

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.. Fire season and Fall fishing have arrived together this year. Both have held the interest of the fishers and the news folks.

..Despite the cooler weather and a few scattered showers, the Bacon Rind Fire continues to impact both fishing and back country access in the northwest corner of Yellowstone National Park.
.. Winds associated with the impinging cold front have blown up several hot spots and fire crews are back at it.

HAND CARRY IT

.. There will be a community meeting at 7:00 pm on Wednesday, August 29th at the Community Protestant Church at 505 N Electric Street, West Yellowstone. Fire managers will give an operational update.
.. Trail closures for fire areas and bear management areas are posted on the park website and should be followed.
.. These closures impact both fishing access and back country access!!
.. Be sure that you travel with companions and sing loud and ribald songs. Also be sure that your bear spray is fresh and carried in your hand - not your backpack.

 RESOURCES

>> INCIWEB FOR BACON RIND FIRE,
>> BACON RIND FIRE CLOSURE MAP  -  YNP,
>> TRAIL CLOSURES  -  YNP,
>> BEAR MANAGEMENT CLOSURES  -  YNP.

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RED ANT

.. Terrestrial activity seems to have accelerated with the last few cool days. Perhaps there is a seasonal urgency being felt by the creepy and crawly and hoppy critters in our neighborhood.
.. Some urgency is noticeable in the neighbors. We need some smokers and they are not biting.

BLACK ANT

.. Ants on the ground, in the air, and in the water are spicing up the catching on the west side rivers of Yellowstone National Park.
.. They can appear as if by magic, descend upon a locality and then, vanish without any warning.
.. Be sure to have some ant patterns that can be fished on top and underneath the water. Careful observation of fish noses will give you a clue about how to fish the little stinkers.

FUNNY HOW GRAY THEY LOOK

.. Right now the hoppers are prolific but are sleepy until the warm part of the day. We missed the final molt of the grasshopper nymphs and have been surprised at the size of the largest species. They do grow fast.
.. Montana has several hundred species of grasshopper. About half of them can and do occur in our neighborhood.
.. The neighbors differentiate them into two classes: "Big'uns" & "Little'uns." Right now the little'uns are the most numerous. They are also the first to plunge themselves into the rivers during early afternoon.

EASY HOPPER

.. Usually by 2 - 3 O'clock both sizes are hopping around in the meadows and grass lines at the river's edge.
.. Depending on how you prefer to fish, (up stream, across stream, down stream,) an excellent strategy is walk the bank in the opposite direction and chase the hoppers into the water. Then just turn around and pick off the fish noses that appear.

THE TURCK TARANTULA

.. Most fishers use purpose tied "Hopper Flies." A few of the more successful neighbors use other sorts that seem to appeal to the fish more than the fisher.
.. Muddler Minnows, Large Madam X, and Silli Stimulators are all being used right now - AND taking fish. Several sage neighborhood fishers are using the Turck Tarantula. It was devised by Guy Turck and has won several "One Fly" competitions in Jackson, Wyoming  -  just sayin'.

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SIZE 28 FAN WING ROYAL  COACHMAN

.. We're looking forward to the dreary and drizzly day that is predicted to visit with us tomorrow.
.. High temperatures may not reach the 60's. If so, there may be the best Autumn hatch of ephemera in years.

NEZ PERCE CREEK IN THE FALL

.. The conditions are right and the counter help hasn't even the slightest clue. Get out your best delicate floater and pick those slow slick spots that the guides save for themselves.
.. Right now it's early evening. The wind is blowing fiercely. We are headed straight to slumberland. Morning should bring some fog, a spinner fall, and a squadron or three of very tiny flies - hopefully.
.. The neighbors have kindly tied some size 28 flies on short tippets for us. That, we can manage.

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WALLPAPER:  MEGA BLT SANDWICH