The Coming Attraction

 FINALLY ARRIVING

End Of Fair Weather

early snows dwindling

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.. Our perfect fishing weather is coming to an end. It's just about a seasonal bullseye. We have enjoyed the last few weeks while lowlanders and new arrivals have moaned about brief snow piles.

.. What ever you need to do without multiple layers  --  DO IT NOW. Roll up the hoses. Shutter the windows. Stack the wood. Check automobile fluids. Winter is bearing down on us. We're pleased.

BIG DIP AHEAD

DEADLY ACCURATE BOOM STICK

.. Soon we will be tucked snugly in our igloos. Covid-19 will be stalking our every foray into the real world.

.. The neighbors are relieved that the knuckle dragging, mouth breathing visitors are vanishing. We're lucky so far: no Covid-19 related deaths. Three of the neighbors are out of town in intensive care. We wish them well.

BACK IN THE DAY

.. We are looking forward to this coming isolation phase of our socioclimatic calendar.

.. We'll tie a few flies. We'll attend to the rods, reels and, lines. We'll mend some clothes. We'll drag some hunting gear out of the vault and clean, oil, polish and coat some handsome stainless, blue and, camouflage metal.

..There is still time to torment a few trout. The big bend at Snow Flake Springs on the Gallatin River has quite a few submarines enjoying the food laden debris from the discharge.

NEEDS ATTENTION !!

.. The boat ramp area at upper Quake Lake has some cruising pods of pre-spawn fish that are aggressive and willing dance partners. Just down-lake a bit the delta gyre where Beaver Creek debouches into the lake has cruising monsters on their merry-go-round. They too are gobbling up sticks and other flotsam from the discharge.

.. We now mention the verboten words: Duck Creek  &  South Fork of the Madison River. Each year about this time we incur the wrath of the neighbors for this mention of our home waters. But, fish are there and very rambunctious. We're headed out now.

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WALLPAPER:  HALF-KETO BREAKFAST PLATTER

Road Work

STARTS NOW

Be Very Careful

an essential service

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.. In the midst of our current trials the Montana Department Of Transportation is continuing with extensive improvements to Highway 191 north of West Yellowstone.
.. This is the most significant, (and disruptive,) of the recent  work on this section of highway. We take this opportunity to post the entire notice for our highway department.

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US Highway 191 near West Yellowstone draws thousands of drivers each year, many on their way to witness the beauty of Yellowstone National Park. Roads in this region are seeing increasing usage on top of wear-and-tear from harsh winters and frequent underground geologic activity. As a result, US Highway 191 between Big Sky and West Yellowstone has degraded, showing numerous cracks and potholes. It needs to be rehabilitated.
To ensure this roadway remains safe and smooth for the thousands of drivers on this route for years to come, the Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) will complete the Highway 191 – North of West Yellowstone project.
23 miles of roadway improvements will include:

• Creation of a northbound left turn lane at Rainbow Point Road
• Bridge crossing repairs over Specimen Creek and the Gallatin River
• Installation of new guardrail
• Road resurfacing

What to Expect

The project is split into two, with a roughly five-mile gap between construction areas: 1.) A turn lane will be constructed at Rainbow Point Road, north of West Yellowstone, to provide safer access for the growing communities along the roadway. 2.) The road will be repaved from Grayling Creek by US Forest Service Road 986 to Tepee Creek Trailhead by Elk Horn Ranch Road.
Work for both projects is expected to begin early May and last through August 2020. Traffic will be limited to one lane. Work on the turn lane at Rainbow Point Road will be slightly delayed until June to allow for bison herd migration in the spring. These timelines are all weather dependent.
Drivers can expect delays of up to 15 minutes in each construction zone from early May through August. Work is expected to occur in daylight hours, Monday through Saturday, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. 5-minute delays should be expected during non-work hours.

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Weekly updates are available throughout construction. To sign up:

• Email: Takami
• SMS Text Update: HIGHWAY191 to 41411
• Project hotline: 406-207-4484 during business hours

Recycling Pavement

MDT recognizes that for many Montanans, our environment is key to our wellbeing. As part of each project, we identify ways to limit our impacts as much as possible. For this project, we are utilizing an environmentally-friendly technique called "hot-in-place recycling" to improve the road.
During the warmest months of the year, July and August, conditions are best for repaving. This process involves three main steps:

1. Crews align equipment in a "train." The first driver manages a heater that heats the roadway to the point where the top layer becomes soft and removable.
2. A second worker assists in removing the surface layer of asphalt. They mix it with rejuvenator which helps restore the asphalt to a like-new condition.
3. The “caboose” works on laying the asphalt back down on the road, as if they were laying new asphalt.

This technique reduces the amount of mining needed and requires fewer asphalt trucks, making it more environmentally friendly. Crews use the existing asphalt and recycle it to prolong the life of the road. Through this recycling, we continue to keep good roads good and our state beautiful.

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.. Our village continues to show increased activity as shops show signs of life. The Post Office has cars and bicycles clustered around it. The hardware store has cautious activity and, correctly parked pickumups, (how unusual.)

LIMITED CHOICES

.. The grocery stores still have empty shelf sections but there are small amounts of toilet paper on display. Product limits are still in place and "spit, (sneeze,) guards" have made their appearance around the checker stations.
.. Interestingly some excellent produce and meat cuts have made their appearance. Shopping early has it's rewards. Avocados are still grossly oerpriced as are the excellent rib eye steaks. Such is life.
.. A few more of the neighbors are venturing to the nearby fishing locations. Big Grizzle Bears and giant Black Bears have been reported close to town. Even the South Fork Moose Family is close to the bridge:  AND = even on the road west of town.

THE ORIGINAL BLUE BOTTOM

.. Sneaky fisher folks have invaded the mushy, slushy, gooey, bottoms of Grayling Creek, Cabin Creek and, even Beaver Creek at the Quake Lake estuary. They have ignored the water below Hebgen Dam to allow the spawners a rest and, avoid trampling the redds. Also, there are too many Lexus and 'TRD' pickups from Utah.
.. Some surface action on Cabin Creek and in the Grayling Creek bottoms is being reported. The neighbors fly of choice is the Original Blue Bottom which can be fished on top or underneath - such fun.
.. We apologize for the erratic schedule of our posts. It has something to do with couch time and, garden time and, streaming 'B' movies from the 50's.

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WALLPAPER:  STANDARD AMERICAN BREAKFAST

KA - - BOOM!

IT HAPPENS

Watch The Tail

follow best advice

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.. It's an annual event in Yellowstone National Park. Either by ignorance or defiance there are unfortunate encounters between visitors and wildlife.
.. Yellowstone National Park is not a petting zoo. It is a bit of wild America that has been impinged upon by civilization with the inevitable consequences that pertain thereunto.
.. The civilized footprint in the park grows annually and visitors believe that it is a "safe zone." Nothing could be further from the truth.
.. From quicksand to quick bison - it must be remembered that access is no guarantee of safety. Just ask the fly fishers that wander around in the water near Buffalo Ford on the Yellowstone River.

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QUICKIES:

>> Daybreak on the Firehole River is still a viable proposition,
>> So too, the Madison River,
>> Riffles in the Gibbon River canyon work all day,
>> Gallatin River = all day; beware T-storms,
>> Gulpers getting better on Hebgen Reservoir,
>> Quake Lake at Beaver Creek and the outlet,
>> KEEP 'EM WET.

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WALLPAPER:  SHORTCAKE, STRAWBERRIES, CREAM

The Coming - The Going

IT'S HERE NOW

It's Entertaining

it'll be gone monday

WALLPAPER: FACTORY TEAM-(parts and machine shop)

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.. Lately, (during the recent drought, & warm winters,) the "WORLD SNOWMOBILE EXPO" has enjoyed bare streets, rain, (yesterday and last night,) freezing rain, warm temperatures, (45° F now & 50° F tomorrow,) and diminishing attendance.

FREEZING RAIN

.. There is a trade show, vintage sleds, snowcross races, big concerts, new model unveiling's, bingo, raffles, etc.
.. At night the sparks from carbide skegs light up the town as the sleds roar from bar to bar across the bare streets.
.. It's an entertaining spectacle to behold. The aerobatics show and the vintage races gather up their fair share of spectators.

TOY HAULER

.. It used to be that the folks on sleds were those that could not afford a Harley Davidson motorcycle. Now the folks that can't afford a sled drive the Harley.
.. Big sleds are now in the stratospheric range of 18 - 22 thousand dollars. Some discounts on 2017 models are available during the three days of the EXPO .

PARTY TIME !!

.. At night the pubs and restaurants get a workout just like it was mid July. More so, indeed.
.. With Yellowstone National Park closed and seasonal employees pausing in the village there is an interesting mix of conversations to eavesdrop upon.
.. The local constabulary has every officer on alert and some covering double shifts. Search and rescue is very busy, (only one death so far this year.) Some of the town merchants that have been closed all winter open for the five or six days around this time of year.

GREAT FUN

.. Every few years St. Patrick's Day coincides with the EXPO and the pubs and police get an extra workout. Missed it by a couple of days this year.
.. The neighbors do their grocery shopping, Post Officing, and other 'town chores' early or tomorrow. A few capture dark tables or booths in the pubs a bit earlier than usual and nurse the brews through the visiting entertainment. Not too late, mind you; it does change from entertainment to rowdy. After all: "MY SLED IS FASTER THAN YOUR SLED !"

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.. The Madison River is free of ice and flowing free and clear and cold into the Madison Arm of Hebgen Reservoir.
.. There has been a pretty good midge hatch on these bright warm days. Fishing is closed on the river proper but there are some midges to be found in the estuary.
.. There is also good catching to be had at the edge of the ice with leeches and nondescript junk flies that resemble the debris rain from the melting ice.
.. Ice out should start very soon. Right now the estuaries are legal but it's hard to get there.

MADISON RIVER FREE FLOWING AND RIPE

..The trails to the Hebgen Tailwater are getting close to mud and the catching has picked up for the pre spawn fish. A few redds are visible up near the road - stay out of the water and practice your L.D.R. techniques if you can. Keep the fish in the water - in the net - release quickly. Better yet stay away and let them have their orgy in peace.
..Both the inlet and outlet to Quake Lake are exciting fishing and catching right now. Even the discharge from Beaver Creek is producing submarines of the first water. Dark Black or Purple Leeches and Woolly Buggers are the ticket.
.. If you are any good at stealth techniques you can sight fish to the monsters in shallow water at the edge of the ice or even near shore. Be gentle - it's a tough life under the ice.
.. We're headed to a dark corner for some early entertainment and the best gossip.

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WALLPAPER: FRESH SOURDOUGH

A MATTER OF CHOICE

THE BEST WATERS

Not For Roadside Angling

all the neighborhood kids know

DARK HOLE - ONE PERFECT CAST - 25" FISH

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.. Most of the neighborhood kids, (bless their hearts,) are dragging in  the most - AND BIGGEST - fish of the anglers fishing our neighborhood waters.

Armed for bear - and fish.

.. They are not, usually, on Hebgen Lake. They are not, usually, on Quake Lake. They certainly are not between those lakes.
.. Despite the fame of our ice out catching and the large spawners Between the Lakes, the kids have chosen to fish for the genuinelly big fish right now.
.. Off they go: down muddy roads with muddy ruts, through thick tangles, up slippery slopes, into the slush of melting snow, and to the haunts of fish that never see the light of prose by corporate fishers or the popular writings of famous fishing personalities.
.. Some of the kids walk for a mile or two. Some of them are still riding snowmobiles. Most of them are using fire-breathing-death-machines. They all carry bear spray. They all have freshly charged cell phones. Most are well armed. They all fish for trophy trout. They also tie on the biggest fresh water flies we've ever seen.
.. A few, not many, of the kids fish with worms. Some fish with flies and fly rods. some fling monster bunny strips with a spinning rod. They all have cell phone pictures of wall hangers that they have let go after an heroic tussle.
.. Sometimes they keep a small fish of 16" or 18" for dinner. They let the bigger ones go to continue their spawning activities. Unless you are in the right pub, at the right time, you'll never hear about the locations of where to catch these fish. There's no secret about the locations. Everyone in the neighborhood knows where they are.
.. The places, however, are not for the itinerate anglers that frequent the roadside hot spots. These are places where the biggest fish hang out and make love. These are places where giants from the depths of our local lakes hide from the mysteries of shallow water. These are places where the kids go - why not?

Size 4, 2xl, Frightens Small Children

.. They eschew the redd tromping festival of the fishers between the lakes. They ignore the edges of the ice that require boats. They are allergic to the lawn chairs and easy beaches along the lake shores.
.. We'll catch hell for this post. But not in any nasty way. The kids will tell you right where to catch the fish. It's really nuisance fishing. You have to discard 15 to 20 fish an hour to gather in the big ones. Most visitors would brag about the 16" young fish. They might even quit and call it a good day after dancing with  all those fish. But the kids know better. They are adept at letting a fish go: quickly, safely.
.. We have a fondness for this bunch of rascals. They do us favors. They tie miniscule flies on bits of tippet so we can fish the wee small bug hatches. They take us to the good spots that the counter help at the feather merchants' shops never would go to. They buy us liquids to bolster our vitamin levels and enhance our spirit.
.. These kids know fishing. They know catching. They are wed, not to the corporate fishing scene, but to the fish of our neighborhood. Bless them all.

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Rasty Access To Some Giant Fish Holes - It's Closed Right Now

A Midsummer Night's Report

EGAD - IS JULY ENDING ?

All Open Park Waters Now Open

all fish now targets
(monster map at end of post)

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.. In the blink of an eye we've gone from anticipating opening day to the summer doldrums. Fishing and catching, however, are anything but dull or depressed.
.. We've gathered up the best information, juiciest rumors, and most rampant speculation about the fishing in Yellowstone National Park.
.. We even went out of our way to fish several of the best places to examine the information for this fishing report, to wit:
==> Arnica Creek: Getting low, still cold, avoid the fire, attractors and small ants.
==> Bacon Rind Creek: In prime shape, beetles, ants, caddis, stalk the banks and cover a lot of territory, carry bear spray.
==> Beaver Creek: Long walk - small fish, bears, but great camping and exploring, anything in the box will work, only fish it if you're young and adventurous, two reports, (cell phone photos,) show fish to 14" taken on a "WHITE ROYAL COACHMAN" - never heard of such a thing!
==> Bechler River: The mosquitoes are not too bad yet, drakes as big as bombers are coming off in the meadows, anything will take the smaller fish on top, the large fish are there but you need all the stealth of a B2 to get within range, perfect skills will gather up some of the largest stream fish in Yellowstone.
==> Blacktail Deer Creek: Golden stoneflies right now, big soft hackles and bead head caddis underwater, caddis on top, sallies if you're lucky, as soon as the hoppers mature this will be very crowded.
==> Boundary Creek: Seems to be clearing early, without rain this creek and the Bechler River will be as good as it gets for the next 3 weeks, (or more,) use your full arsenal of 'ground bugs' here, beetles are especially good right now.
==> Cache Creek: Fishing better than the Lamar River or Soda Butte Creek right now, if you've got the legs this is the place to be for the next week, PMD's and Drakes are working now, reports of hoppers seem a bit suspicious, we believe the beetle and ant stories.
==> Cottonwood Creek: Long walk, good fishing, worth a day to go in and out, terrestrials soon, carry bear spray for all streams in the canyon, Royal Wullf, yellow Humpies, and Adams will do on top, Prince Nymphs and Gold Ribbed Hare's Ear down below.
==> Cougar Creek: Low again this year, fish outside the park near the confluence with Duck Creek, or right at the park line in the thick willows.
==> Duck Creek: There are some small winged hoppers here, first of the season, soft hackles and attractors too, please obey the bear closure.
==> Falls River: No good current information, however it should be just great with PMD's and small stoneflies.
==> Fan Creek: In perfect shape, carry bear spray and fish with a friend, some flavs and drakes, subsurface with soft hackles all day.
==> Firehole River: Fish the upper with attractors and soft hackles, dance with beautiful Brook Trout, go way up, camp, fish in pristine water, take bear spray.
==> Gallatin River: Water of choice for a couple of weeks, spruce moths starting, caddis clouds in evening, nymphs and soft hackles all day, a winged hopper was seen yesterday, see ya there - armed with bear spray.
==> Gardiner River: Fishing well with heavy pressure, caddis on top and Prince Nymphs below are the staple fish-getters.
==> Gibbon River: Canyon has slowed, use soft hackles and attractor flies, below the falls is marginal - walk and prospect, above Norris Campground still fishing good, (eager Brook Trout in the shadows and undercut banks.)
==> Iron Spring Creek: Surprising number of fish in this still cold water, attractor dries, caddis, Prince and Hare's Ear, best hurry this water will warm up too.
==> Lamar River: clearing and fishable, streamers in the canyon, soft hackles in the riffles, match the hatch if it happens, small stonefly nymphs will serve in most places, PMD's and other surface activity getting good.
==> Little Firehole River: Not as many fish as expected, try Iron Spring Creek, in the late evening a mouse is a good bet near all the sweepers and downfall.
==> Madison River: Excellent evening caddis, terrestrials, (without hoppers - yet,) for the day, sparse mayflies about 10:00 AM, warming rapidly.
==> Nez Perce Creek: The water about a quarter mile above the Loop Road is teeming with fish just run up from the Firehole River, cover a lot of territory and swing soft hackles, make noise and carry bear spray.
==> Obsidian Creek: Just a delight, cars or no cars your choice, walk a bit and find Brookies so colorful you'll two pair of sun glasses to appreciate them, often scorned as a "kids fishery" this is one of the prettiest creeks in Yellowstone, and - DAMN if the catching aint as good as the fishing.
==> Pebble Creek: Often ignored, sadly, try the long glides right by the picnic tables, use large soft hackles and beetles.
==> Slough Creek: The drakes are starting, the water is clear, the evening has some caddis and folks are beginning to arrive by the busload.
==> Snake River: Caddis is king with the drakes scattered, if you bump into them hold on.
==> Soda Butte Creek: Clear cold and beautiful, meadow section has caddis and PMD's, lots of ants this year - big too.
==> Straight Creek: The green drakes are still hanging around, fish near the confluence with Winter Creek for the most eager of the Brookies, enjoy the heavy cover, lose some flies.
==> Tower Creek: Worth the walk to the bottom right now, small stones, caddis, soft hackles, and mice in the evening.
==> Trout Creek: Just too good to leave to the worm fishers and kids.
==> Winter Creek: What a glorious tangle! the fish are here and larger than they have any right to be, attractors of the most bizarre sort work here, so does everything else.
==> Yellowstone River: Still on the high side, clear, cruise the banks looking for noses, Stimulators may infuriate large fish.

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==> Grebe Lake: Crowded, fishing well, grayling on the small side.
==> Hebgen Lake: Gulpers-ho, callibaetis, drowned Adams, furious action.
==> Joffe Lake: Great place to meet new friends, have a picnic, let the kids fish, and catch a few yourself, evening is best if the mosquitoes don't suck you dry.
==> Lewis Lake: Camp here, explore in the day, drag a leech near the outlet for some real excitement.
==> Shoshone Lake: Same as above, the mosquitoes are larger and hungrier this year than in recent memory, pretty place.
==> Quake Lake: Streamers near inlet and Beaver Creek, some gulper activity near trees and outlet.
==> Yellowstone Lake: Shore fishing still productive in the West Thumb area. Float a soft hackle well ahead of cruisers.

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Locals' Interlude

ESTUARY FISHING

It's Just A Big Barrel

calm before the storms

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.. This is one of favorite times of year for the neighbors to fish. Between now and ice-out the fish are concentrated in the estuaries between the ice and the "silt plume."
.. By thinking of the open water as a big barrel it's possible to fully appreciate the phrase, " . . . like shooting fish in a barrel." It's just that easy.
.. Should you bother to take the time to trudge to the several barrels available locally you will be amply rewarded with dance partners stronger than your arms can hold.
.. A day's catching in these areas will leave your arms quivering, your muscles twitching, your hands aching, and your heart pounding.
.. It's a simple spring-time occurrence. As river discharge impinges on the ice-covered lakes the melting ice gives up the debris accumulated from the winter. Much of this debris is indigestible for the trout. However it is almost all eatable. Pods of trout cruise the edge of the ice and nibble at almost anything suspended, (or slowly sinking,) at the edge of the ice.
.. As the river discharge slows, the debris from upstream begins to settle. The edge of the debris-laden discharge is another place where pods of trout concentrate. They pluck the eatable, (some indigestible,) morsels from the water column.
.. Right now these two sources of goodies are very close together and the neighbors are loving it. Although some of the tributaries to Hebgen Lake are still closed to fishing, the estuaries are open to catching. It's a grand local tradition and provides stories of some of the best fish of the year.
.. The neighbors are concentrated at two points nearby. Some are at the Beaver Creek Delta; some are on the South Fork Estuary. A few stalwart souls have reported that the Madison Arm Estuary is loaded with big fish and few fishers - we'll take their word for it.
.. The annual gentle weather period, (equinoctial,) between "REAL WINTER" & "REAL SPRING" is upon us. Spring storms will soon muddy the rivers. Right now snow comes in flurries instead of storms. Rain is cold and sprinkled with sleet. As air masses mix we get raw wind and bright sunshine, or warm and overcast, or warm and blinding as the sun bounces off the snow.
.. But weekends like this last one are frequent enough for the locals to refer to "Beach Weather." We're loving it.
.. This is the time to use the small rejected flies from your winter experiments. Dark amorphous blobs of stuff on hooks in the 16-20 range are just the type of flotsam that the fish are eating, (along with twigs and frozen mud balls.)
.. Last year's ragged emergers are a sure bet too. Remember all those unraveling and unraveled ants and midges that you just couldn't throw away. Use them now.
.. There are fry that get washed down from upstream and translucent bits of fluff in the 12-14 range will work on the upstream end of the barrel.
.. As the neighbors meet, greet, and part; "Don't catch 'em all," is the favored salutation this time of year.

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Around The Block

LOCAL WATERS - 50/50

Fish Now or Fish Soon

it aint spring quite yet

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.. We took a quick drive around the neighborhood to check out the water and the fishing prospects for the weekend.
.. Despite the warm days, the cool nights are keeping some ice in place on the rivers and creeks.
.. The lakes are still responding to augers and maggots.

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.. As of today:
-> South Fork of the Madison = bank full and about to roar, estuary at Hebgan Lake is rapidly becoming ice free.
-> Yellowstone Creek = frozen solid.
-> Cabin Creek = frozen solid.
-> Beaver Creek = flowing and growing, solid surface ice above the beaver ponds.
-> Duck Creek = flowing slow, some surface ice still present at the park line.
-> Grayling Creek = most ice gone, flowing but low, willow bottoms show ice in some sections, estuary growing.
-> Cougar Creek = flowing slow, lots of surface ice.
-> Madison River between the lakes = a bit high, fishable, spawners beginning to appear, clouds of snow flies, little pressure so far.
-> Hebgan Lake = Still frozen but surface slush is appearing, large Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, & Rocky Mountain Whitefish being gathered up on very small jigs, drowned caddis flies, and maggots.
-> Quake Lake = Inlet expanding, still frozen, some water flowing on surface of ice, discharge clear, big fish being taken at outlet.

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.. It's time to get your new fishing license. Don't catch them all!

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