The Brick Has Landed

THE BLESSED SNOW

Fish In A Frenzy

anglers are too

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.. Even the faithful have donned slickers and ponchos and expensive rain wear. These bits of raiment serve to protect their waterproof waders and waterproof hats and vests and jackets. A sight indeed!

DON THE GEAR NOW

.. We've had a bit of snow and the experts have decided that Fall is here to stay. Could be. The garden is still green and so are most of the deciduous trees.
.. The west side waters have cooled and discharge has increased. This is a skosh unusual; more so if it lasts.
.. Fishers have a choice, (at the moment.) Should they rise to the flies with the fish or should they slash and strip to the submarines? Both are viable approaches. Both are reasonably successful.

CDC BWO - SIZE MATTERS

.. The Firehole River has finally broken through the 60°F barrier. Fish are rising to BWO's with such gay abandon that the pubs are not even full of whispers.
.. Raucous giggles and wild arm extensions are easily visible to any who care to see and hear. Yes Murgatroyd, the BWO's are thick enough to blot out the sun.

THE OTHER WAY

..  The Firehole River is currently approaching record flows and is about 100 cfs above seasonal norms. Anglers should carefully pick the water for catching. Often we hear that "there were bugs all over the water but no fish rising!"
.. Trout are not dumb. If there is a slow slick or back eddy that concentrates the little flies they will be there. Watch for a spell and use some binoculars - it helps.
.. There are some BWO hatches on the Madison River as well. A story similar to that on the Firehole River is being written on the MADISON RIVER.

IN THE SOFT WATER

.. At about 700 cfs the river is also approaching record discharge. The temperatures have been in the 50's for a couple of weeks. This has finally enticed the sex crazed trout to leave Hebgen Reservoir.
.. With the runners in the rivers it's possible to fish soft hackles, big ugly nymphs, streamers, and dry flies.
.. Take the whole box and try 'em all. Something's bound to work: especially if you walk a short way and look for the dark smooth spots.

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.. The sun is out and it's now at 40°F: it's obviously time for a snack and a nap. The low sun of the evening will bring more fish to hand.

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WALLPAPER:  STRAWBERRY RHUBARB TURNOVERS

A Lowland Migration

NEIGHBORS FLEEING

Runoff Increasing

green up progressing

WALLPAPER:  GREEN UP

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.. Way down yonder on the lowland Madison River, just as the runoff color becomes marginal, BWO's, Caddis, and Midges are frolicking like mad. It must be the weather.
.. This note has to be brief. Soon the rate of discharge and the color will turn the fishing to somewhere between normal & hit and miss.

CDC BWO   =   JUST RIGHT

.. Right now is prime catching time from Reynold's Pass all the way to Ennis, Montana. Best get your catch on and follow our neighbors to the Madison River.
.. Quake Lake to Lyon's is BWO country: not too big and not too small, (not too fat and not too thin,)  this is an A.M. thing right now, but not too early, (and not too late.)
.. All day for midges and stonefly nymphs. And, as we saw last week, the caddis are on time in the afternoon.

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.. Into the fray go the neighbors. We'll follow with a modicum of dignity = somewhat slothfully and wade some around the pass this afternoon.

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