Small Balls

CONTRARIAN DELIGHTS

Strangely Familiar

just good food

WALLPAPER:  Polpettine & Pasta

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.. As a general rule Italians, in Italy,  do not eat meatballs and spaghetti at the same time and on the same plate. The spaghetti and meatballs that are so popular in America are an innovation from the late 18th century. [Probably in New York with the influx of Italian immigrants.]
.. However in a couple of regions in Italy very small, (marble sized,)  meatballs are served alongside pasta. Calabria deep in the south and the Abruzzo region serve these little marble sized meatballs alongside the pasta and gravy.
.. Abruzzo is often considered the northernmost of southern Italy - even if it is in the central part of the peninsula. Interestingly; the food and social customs are similar as well. Spices, dishes, etc. are very much alike.
.. We like it.

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FEATHER BACK PRINCE

.. The pounded snow and mud puddle trails Between The Lakes are getting more traffic. More folks are fishing near Quake Lake and gathering up a range of fish sizes.

PINK FEATHER DUSTER

.. There are no reports of monster submarines during the last few days - perhaps over this weekend.
.. Some midges are still flitting about. Most fish are being taken on common subsurface flies like the Prince Nymph, GRHE and pink Feather Dusters.

.. A word to the adventurous: check out the new post on the Parks' Fly Shop web page.

BEAD HEAD SOFTIE

.. A new series has been inaugurated: "WEIRD FISHERIES." These are the 'not secret' but seldom fished places that provide a respite from the elbow clogged roadside attractions that are easy to fish and fill the guide books and,  the pearls of wisdom from counter help at the local feather merchants.

SIZE 32 MIDGE / MATCH HEAD

.. The first location is one that we visit once each year. Early in the fishing season we take a trip to park headquarters at Mammoth. On the way home we stop in Swan Lake Flats and spend an hour or so chasing bright little Brook Trout.
.. These little jewels are in weed beds and under the banks in very thin water. They are usually just one cast fish.  Spunky little spooks they are!
.. It stretches our legs and at that time of day the hikers and other walkers have abandoned the squishy wet meadows. Makes us feel adventurous.

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SNORTLES FOR SKWLLAS

.. It's as dark as can be and in the middle of the night - or so it seems. The neighbor kids have thundered on the door and offered to make the coffee and fry the eggs if I do the dirty dishes.
.. They are off to stalk the skwalla frenzy up the road a bit. It's a three day adventure to the great unwashed lowlands of the north. We wish them the best.

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WALLPAPER:  BOEUF BOURGUIGNON

The World Today

Pluggin'

ASK YOUR GUIDE

Check Reports

roll the dice

JUST A BIT OF MUD

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.. Just a brief note: the silt plugs in both the Madison River and the Gallatin River are now responding to the diurnal/nocturnal freeze-thaw cycle.
.. Large sections of these rivers, (and parts of the West Fork of The Madison  River,) are full of silt with visibility in the 1' to 2' - or less, range. Other sections are wonderfully clear and provide excellent conditions for catching the wiggly trouts.
.. The short section of the Gallatin River between the north boundary of Yellowstone National Park and Taylor Fork is crystal clear, cold, and full of trout. Some bank snow is negotiable for the young of leg.
.. The silt plume from the Taylor Fork is very prominent and fish can be seen at it's edge. They are easy to catch if you can get to them. Be careful, the Gallatin River can be treacherous right now!
.. The counter help in the feather merchant shops will tell you it's too cold to fish. Ask them if they have tried.
.. Each silt plume at the mouth of each tributary to Hebgen Reservoir is clearly visible and, the fish are at the edges of the plumes as well as the edges of the shore ice.
.. River conditions are in flux and change rapidly. Use all of your resources when planning a visit to the water.
.. Be ye not sucked in by rumor or sage advice from those who have not visited the segment that you are aiming at.
.. Once you are on the water you are the best expert there is. Spread your own rumors - or the truth as you found it.

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KING PRINCE NYMPH

.. The sun is out. The puddles are draining very nicely = thanks to the city crews for finding the storm drains under the snow.
.. The gossip, stories, information and, observations are flowing nicely at the hardware store and the grocery store.
.. We've got to catch up. Pub stories tonight. We'll keep you informed.

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WALLPAPER: FIXIN'S FOR BOEUF BOURGUIGNON

SHOUT OUT

DEEP DIVE

Involved Folks

excellent resource

WALLPAPER:  ANOTHER DAY AT THE OFFICE

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.. Quite a few years ago a festering sore gave birth to a full blown cancer in our neighborhood.

GREAT DAY ON THE MADISON

.. Powerful interests were worried about the infringement of the public on the perceived health of 'their' Madison River.
.. As the festering sore was poked and prodded it drew the attention of both amateur witch doctors and official practitioners of the black arts.

GREAT DAY ON THE MADISON

.. Now the cancer is being probed by exploratory surgery in the operating theater of public participation.
.. We direct your attention to MOLDY CHUM for a little note about the current condition of the patient and, a superlative resource for some excellent background reading - should you be interested in the state of the supposed treatment [LINK.]

GREAT DAY ON THE MADISON

.. We have watched this circus of involvement. It has become a display of good folks with good intentions and little expertise addressing a perceived problem.
.. The problem is larger than has been stated by the vested interests. The aspects currently being addressed will eventually lead to more problems and certainly will anger most of those good folks.
.. We should live so long as to see reservations and ticket takers on the Madison River. Shades of the Smith River.

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GODDARD'S FINEST

.. We're headed to the Notellum Backwater. A few of the neighbor kids have seen what appears to be the rare snow caddis hatch.
.. We are skeptical -- But -- it's been known to happen during warm spells in the early Spring.

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WALLPAPER:   DOG DAY ON THE MADISON

Sleepin' In

PATRICK'S DAY

Truly American

try it irish

THE AMERICAN RENDITION

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.. Everybody is Irish today. Even my neighbor Raul is Irish, and, Antonio. By the way, so too are, Tim, Mike, and Barney.
.. Contemporary America knows just how to celebrate: green rivers, green beers, green underwear, green gills, drunken revelry, fisticuffs, clovers instead of shamrocks, cartoonish elves, etc.

SOME IRISH PANCAKES

.. In Ireland an American would not even know it's "St. Patricks Day." The day would start with a pretty typical breakfast that, (because it's special,) features Irish pancakes.
.. Traditionally the pancake feasts start on Shrove Tuesday. Normally they are served with a heavy sprinkle of sugar and a squirt of lemon.

MODERN IRISH SODA BREAD

.. At table it's a roll your own circus with recent additions of Nutella, Marmalade, and jams thrown in the mix. Most interestingly these are made with more butter than even a French Chef could imagine and are wonderfully smooth and eggy.
.. Through the day the only Guinness® beer enjoyed is the regular stop at the neighborhood pub. Now that Guinness has more than 20 named beers, it's more than likely 'not the draught stout.' Indeed the 'blond' is a growing favorite.

TRADITIONAL IRISH SODA BREAD

.. During the long day the kitchen is busy with standard fare. Breads being baked and potatoes being prepared are the tasks for family members - even the men.
.. Slowly, Irish bread makers are introducing yeast into the traditional soda bread recipes.
.. We've tried some: loses something in translation.
.. A 'special' meal is prepared for special days. On this day it usually consists of boiled bacon, (Irish style,) two sorts of potato preparations, carrots, cabbage, breads: (soda, griddle, crumpets, etc.)

Colcannon Mash

.. The sure signal that the meal is extra special is the Colcannon Mash: four kinds of spuds, grated parsnip and turnip, leeks and cabbage boiled in milk. 
.. It's all mashed with parsley and butter then,  browned under the broiler with butter in the "well on top."
.. Boiled bacon is really a bit of pork shoulder that is cured, boiled on the joint for a couple of hours and, served thickly sliced.

A SPECIAL IRISH MEAL

.. The special parsley sauce is reserved just for this cut of meat.
..  The white sauce is a white wine / parsley / cinnamon / butter concoction. 
.. This bacon is served much thicker than American bacon and is reminiscent of a good ham. 
.. The bacon is usually accompanied on the plate with boiled cabbage, boiled carrots and, boiled potatoes, (small and very soft.)
.. We do this each year at this time. We're not Irish but, the meal is a superlative assortment of flavors. Besides that we prefer beef Pastrami to corned beef and cabbage slathered with French mustard.
..  We've allowed ourself to sleep in. For shame, for shame! We now have to embark on kitchen destruction in order to have a Patrick's Day dinner.

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WALLPAPER:   THE IRISH WAY

Snow Pack Up & Melt Down !!

GREAT SNOW PACK

Hydrologic Alert

will it last ?

WALLPAPER:  MELT DOWN

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.. The high school kids are wearing shorts today. They are playing their favorite Spring game . . . "SPLASH YOUR BUDDY."

MELTED SNOW = PUDDLES

.. Our snow pack is in great shape and still showing some signs of getting better. Snow water content is up as is the snow depth.
.. Now the wait and watch game begins, [SEE MAPS HERE.]
.. We and, most of this part of the state are under an 'hydrologic alert.' this just means that it is getting too warm for the snow to remain snow.

STILL BIG PILES OF SNOW

.. Eighteen counties are being affected by this warm weather surge.
.. We, (up here in the village,) will soon be looking at 50°F. As you move down slope the temperature will increase.
.. The low level snow pack is melting as we write this. It will melt faster or slower relative to local over night temperatures.

SNOWMOBILES IN TRUCKS

.. Depending on the persistence and amount of warming, there will be a discharge event in the rivers of greater or lessor magnitude.
.. In some years the mid level snow pack melts so fast that it is meaningless for river conditions when Summer arrives.
. . We hope that it cools down and, that Spring brings a more moderate transition than is happening right now.

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.. We have a city ordinance that requires a 6" bed of snow on the city streets to facilitate safe riding of snowmobiles in town. Right now the city crews are putting snow on the roads to keep them safe - a highly unusual condition, indeed.

DON'T GET USED TO IT

.. You can keep track of the melting and the flooding around the area  HERE.
.. The folks down in Ennis, Montana are moving equipment, livestock, lawn mowers and, other stuff away from low lying areas. It's a Spring ritual across our part of the world.
.. Given the amount of moisture supplied by the current mid latitude cyclonic storm and, the current upslope warming, we anticipate newspaper headlines for the lowlands, across the country, in the next few weeks.
.. Snowfall is not over for this spring. Locally, we have a recorded snowfall for any and every day of the year. There will be more to come.
.. The Summer river flows are now in a condition of constraint. How much snow plus how much warm will give the answer.
.. Stay tuned, we'll keep you informed.

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VERY RARE PAVEMENT SLEDS

.. Right around the corner preparations are underway for the great mudfest known as "Snowmobile Expo." Happily the race track has been the recipient of the snow cleaned from our streets during the winter. The races will go on.
.. Approach to the race track from town is facilitated through our alleys. It is easier to steer a sled on mud, slush, shadow snow and, gravel than it is on the paved streets.

P.S. FISH NOW OR WAIT A SPELL!

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WALLPAPER:  A CHOCOLATE ERUPTION

Unusual Midlatitude Cyclone

THE LOW SLIPPED

Errant Milibars

all kinds of stuff

Explosive Cyclogenesis

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.. In a radical departure from our"normal" Spring weather, we get some pleasant warm weather and the central states get hammered.
.. When the GULF Of ALASKA LOW slips south and encounters a PINEAPPLE EXPRESS off the west coast we receive a midlatitude  cyclone across the core of the United States.
.. Such is the case now. Rapidly changing pressure will bring some dramatic weather with this cyclone. Pick your own devil: it will be associated with this mega system.

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.. Our rapid warm up is liable to bring us 50°F by next Wednesday. Time to watch the rivers.

THE GOLDEN HAYSTACK

.. There will be ice breaking loose. There will be overbank episodes. There may even be downstream chaos.
.. Sledheads are streaming into our village for the great expo circus. This promises to be an interesting weekend.

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WALLPAPER:  TACOS CARNITAS

Prototypical Spring

TEMPS CLIMBING

Fog And Such

discharge watch

DAYTIME HIGHS

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.. If there is a pre runoff catching season this year  --  it starts now. The pleasantly warm and bright days should give the neighbors plenty of opportunities for river days.

THE RED WORM

.. There are no reports of little bugs for the dry fly folks to imitate. They will be around soon and then the fun shall start. Right now it's a drown your fly party.
.. We're still in an aerobic shoveling and plowing mode. Progress is being made at a pace commensurate with our maturity. Sigh . . . .
.. The neighbor kids were out early yesterday. A report is expected sometime soon. We'll see if the trouts are enjoying this warm up!

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WALLPAPER:  FRIED CORNMEAL MUSH - MAPLE SYRUP

Baja Shrimp

LIKE MIKE'S

Simple & Delish

quick and easy

WALLPAPER:  BAJA SHRIMP, (camarones simples)

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.. Down in Ensenada, just a couple of blocks from the fishing fleet, and the fish market, is a little restaurant, (really just a street food stand.)

FISH MARKET

.. It's called Mariscos El Guero. One of the owners,
 Miguel Santos, (call him 'MIKE,') does shrimp in a most delicious fashion.
.. You can watch it being prepared and, it's not even a secret. We call it "BAJA SHRIMP."
.. Although most folks order the civiche, (of one sort or another - they are very famous for it,) this shrimp dish of theirs is simple and, brings forth all the flavors of the sea and the land. It's not on the menu but just ask for simple shrimp, (camarones simples.)

SMILE, SPEAK SPANISH, ENJOY

..The shrimp is par boiled and then rested, (there are piles on ice.) The sauce is black pepper, cilantro, butter, onions, olive oil, and garlic.
.. When the sauce is warmed to fragrance the shrimp is returned to the pan and finished. Be sure to use way too much butter to allow infusion of the aromatics. Black pepper is necessary. Dried chilis are often added.
.. Serve over rice or, noodles, (pour out the butter too,) or as a tostada with smashed avocado underneath and a squirt of lime on the top.
.. It's a friendly place and,  just ask and it shall be delivered. During Carnival it gets real busy and hectic. (TRIP ADVISOR, FACEBOOK.)

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.. As the puddles become pools and, the pools become lakes we eagerly await the grand debacle known as the "SNOWMOBILE EXPO."
.. The neighbors refer to the warm up at this time in March as 'snomoweather.' It's a result of the local merchants extending the winter season to it's bitter moderate warmest end. The search for an additional buck or two.
.. We don't much mind this bit of mercantile madness. It's good for the gift shops, T-shirt shops, restaurants, gas stations and, sled renters.
.. It's tough on the sleds and certainly puts pressure on the manufacturers to demonstrate the advantages of buying a new snowmobile that costs the same as a one year old Toyota.
.. The forecast warmup is holding nicely. The evenings are still cold enough to slow the melting. We're watching stream flows and are waiting for a scouring event.
.. We'll keep you informed.

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WALLPAPER:  BAJA SHRIMP ON BUTTERED NOODLES