Upcoming

FOR THE WEEKEND

Got Your Reservation ?

good news  --  bad news

WALLPAPER:  WADING IN THE FIREHOLE

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.. Uniformly bad news: all west side rivers are running below seasonal discharge averages, (LINK-1.) They are also on the marginal side of temperatures for fish health.
.. The Firehole River above Old Faithful on the trail to Lone Star Geyser is cold, clear, and low. The grass is still green and the fish are lonesome.

UPPER FIREHOLE RIVER GRANDEUR

.. The water temperature in Nez Perce Creek, (above the thermal features,) near the old bridge, is surprisingly cool. Guess where the fish are? Beware the Mary Mountain bear!
.. The faithful are already fishing the Firehole River in the mornings. Even with the mid day temperatures still in the high 70's they are at it. Poor fish, (LINK-2.)
.. A few prospectors are dashing around the too warm Madison River looking for heroic fish, (LINK-3.)
.. The big ones are still in Hebgen Reservoir and staging in the Madison Arm.
.. Below the dam the water is cold and the fish are anxious for dance partners. All you need to do is elbow your way in and fight for a beauty, (LINK-4.)

GOOD FOR BROOKIES

.. Unbeknownst to so many experts is the giant willow thicket of Cougar Creek.
.. Both above and below the highway the water is low and slow and cooler than most creeks in the neighborhood. The fish are few but sprightly and larger than this little bit of water would seem to warrant.
.. The estuary and lower portions of Grayling Creek are being visited by a few of our neighbors. The fishing and catching must be pretty good because they are quite quiet about their adventures.
.. The Gallatin River in Yellowstone National Park is just where it ought to be for this time of year, (LINK-5.) The discharge is on the low side but, the water is cold and clear. All the usual suspects, (neighbors and bugs,) are present and accounted for.

A PLACE FOR MADISON FISH

.. Finally, the Gibbon River, (LINK-6,) is in reasonable shape and the plunge pool below the falls has yielded some heroic fish of late. It's worth the scramble.
.. The good news for the weekend is: enjoy the park. Attendance continues to climb and visitation should provide you with many opportunities to experience international driving habits and practices.
.. Mobile condominium traffic is at an all time high and so too is tour bus travel.
.. The available cool water will provide fish to catch. The warmer waters will provide stories, elbows, cell phone numbers and excellent photo opportunities.
.. Sunrises and sunsets should be colorful if the drizzle abates long enough for the sun to peek through.
.. It just may be 25° F on Saturday night and Sunday night, so the waters in the warm sections may finally drop into the safe zone.
.. We're going to visit the mosquitoes down in Bechler country. It seems that it's been so dry that they are both few and  lonely and, the fish in Boundary Creek (around the park line,) are hosting a mosquito farewell party.

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WALLPAPER:   HOMEMADE CRUMPETS

Of Bison, Drones, Fish, And Tubes

HERD INCREASES

Fly It Elsewhere

park rivers are dangerous

WALLPAPER:  ENORMOUS HERD OF HERBIVORES

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.. Here's a few quick notes about recent park happenings; some related to fishy stuff.
.. Some visitors, from afar and down low are pretending that it's Autumn - not yet - not now. Up here we're still waiting for Summer. That's not a complaint at all.

STUPID VISITORS FLY THESE ILLEGALLY

==> The bison herd in Yellowstone National Park is at or near record numbers. Thanks are given to the recent drought and recent mild winters, BISON LINK.
==> A camera equipped drone was illegally crashed into Grand Prismatic Spring in Yellowstone National Park, DRONE LINK.
==> A massive search is underway for a missing concession employee last seen being swept down the Yellowstone River, TUBE LINK 1, TUBE LINK 2.

SOON THE FISH WILL GOBBLE THESE

==> An Enormous Brown Trout was stuck and landed at, (or near,)  9-Mile Hole on the Madison River, in the evening, by our neighbor, a world famous fisher, using a mouse fly and some cagy tactics. Only the best fishers use flies appropriate to the situation and the quarry.
.. Although it's hopper time, the welcome and cool afternoon showers have kept the flights of hppers to a dull roar and the fish are only mildly interested - at the moment. This weekend there will be a warm-up and the trout should realize that graceries are raining down from above. Be prepared.
.. It's not quite like a PacMan game but, the Callibaetis are erupting on Hebgen Reservoir with regularity and it is currently possible to cast to sight-seen fish. Use flies just  bit larger than the hatch and cast to fish just a bit farther away than you normally would. They are hungry and looking up.

TRY A SIZE LARGER THAN THIS

..  The frequent afternoon showers have kept the northeast corner of Yellowstone National Park cool and pleasant. They have also produced a situation where local information will give you a better chance of fishing in clear water. Check with Parks Fly Shop for up to the minute information about where the murky water isn't. Some of our local feather merchants have recently sent expeditions to those far reaches of the park. Some quick phone calls and a bit of savvy questioning will help your catching success.
.. The honey holes on Quake Lake have proven to have a seemingly unlimited supply of very large fish this year. The gear guys and the worm fishers are gathering up bushel baskets full of fine fish. When our fly fishing neighbors enter the fray they are taking more than their fair share of the pretty lake fish. Please don't disturb the rusty green pickup truck - the dog will let you know.

NOT A HOPPER - BUT . . .

.. The Spruce Moth flights are still thick along those wooded portions of the Gallatin River in Yellowstone National Park. The poor things unwittingly find the water and the lucky trout leap upon them with a gusto befitting champion gobblers at Nathan's. Try a mashed caddis imitation and hold on.
.. The thin water of Nez Perce Creek is full of swimming tourists around the picnic area. The fish are bashful: they are avoiding the naked bodies and have moved upstream in a fit of modesty - where the cool water is. A mere 4,000 feet upstream from the Mary Mountain Trailhead will provide fishers with few elbows and willing fish.
.. The moose at Richard's Creek is not a friendly critter. Avoid this area for the moment. Even as big as a barn it's easy to hide in the dense willow thickets. We guarantee that she will fiercely protect her calf with surprise attacks and thunderous kicks and head butts.
.. Rumor has it that there are fewer mosquitoes this year down in the Bechler Region. Welts are few and the folks around Squirrel, Idaho have been enjoying the catching along Boundary Creek. The cutthroat trout of the Cascade Corner are among the most friendly in the neighborhood. This is probably because they are passed over for fishing on the glory waters so nearby. The park-and-fish crowd just love to fish within sight of their favorite feather merchant in this part of Idaho.
.. We're headed closer to home now.

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THE GREAT POOL ON BOUNDARY CREEK

Addendum

RESOURCES AND NOTES

Not Just Fish

the nps is hard at work

Wallpapper: Water Lily At Isa Lake

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.. There has been some stirring amongst the natives, (two legged variety,) since our post about the killing of fish in Grayling Creek.
.. This was not a sneak attack. We posted about the planning meetings for the native fish conservation plan a few years back (LINK.) We've posted followup notes as well, (this blog is searchable.)
.. To help bring concerned fishers up to speed, the list below will provide current and background information about this plan. You may also directly contact the staff at Yellowstone National Park for current and planned activities within this multi-year project,

GRAYLING CREEK NEWS RELEASE,
NPS PAGE,
EA DOCUMENT (in three sections,)
FONSI.
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.. There are a few other actions that will probably affect fishers and winter visitors as well. Below are some links to those plans and actions.

Bridge over Isa Lake - plans to close the south loop road  in 2014 and 2015 to rebuild the bridge and bring it up to contemporary standards, this action is open for public comment. (LINK)

Winter use plan ratified - new definitions are decided upon and "Transportation Events" have been codified. Regulations to implement the decisions will be released shortly. (LINK)

Summer 2013 bison count released - the population increase is within the parameters expected for wild bison. They drink from trout streams. (LINK)

Illegal trail in Bechler to be removed - this trail is one that is used to access portions of the Bechler area. Portions of the park will be closed during restoration of the damaged environment. (LINK)

Grizzly encounter thwarted by bear spray - a sow defending her cub charged a group of hikers on the Cygnet Lakes Trail. Bites and scratches were the result. Bear spray works. (LINK)

Fall is approaching and the elk are cavorting - people and vehicles are at risk from rutting elk. Fishers should use caution when wandering around while looking for fish. (LINK)
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If you have questions about park actions or policies you can contact the park personnel directly. The first, and best avenue is:

Al Nash or Dan Hottle
(307) 344-2015

OR

YELL_Public_Affairs@nps.gov

These folks can answer your questions and address your concerns. They will put you in touch with the appropriate staff for detailed information, should you need it.

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Swollen neck, drippy nose, runny eyes, inflamed nasal passages, panting past enlarged tongue: ain't love grand?

We May Have A Fall

RIVERS: LOW, SLOW, COLD

Drift Boats Becoming Scarce

fish still active

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.. It looks like the high temperatures for the next 10 days or so will be in the 50's to low 60's. That's a bit warm for this time of year but we'll take it.
.. Elbows are becoming fewer and the catching is getting better. The lake run fish have finally made their appearance in significant numbers.

.. A few more cold evenings should make the carnival atmosphere worth the trouble. Mornings are seeing midges between the lakes, on the Madison River in the park, and on the Firehole River. Clouds of the little devils have also been spotted about mile post 23 on the Gallatin River.
.. The esses along the park line near Baker's Hole have produced some fine specimens of broad-shouldered trout from Hebgen Lake. Be sure to have both a Montana License and a Park Permit if you fish this productive area. Both Park Rangers, and Montana FWP Officers are on patrol in the area.

.. The Brook Trout are still active on the upper Gibbon River and the upper Firehole River. They have yet to learn the skills of discernment and discrimination regarding flies and presentations. Children's fishery be damned, it's great fun and not at all crowded. Far less truth, (capital T,) is spread about these bits of water than the glory holes of fame and fisher density.
.. Not much novel can be said at this juncture: flies = flymphs, buggers, gob-o-worms, San Juan Worms, bead head nymphs, egg patterns, and streamers in tandem with your favorite soft hackle, will get the job done. When the Baetis show up, (more sparse than expected so far,) a pretty and little hatch-matcher will do the trick, (check with the local feather merchants for the various truths in this arena.)
.. We're headed for the midges between the lakes, then to the last home football game of the season. The faithful will be on the water before us and leave way past a decent hour. But then again, the night life in West Yellowstone is a wonder to behold!
P.S. The Bechler River and Boundary Creek are red hot and the mosquitoes are about gone - YEE - HAW!
P.P.S. A smidgen & dusting of snow in the next couple of days.
 Double YEE - HAW !!

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Bombed In Bechler

A LONG DRIVE

many mosquitoes
skunked

it happens

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.. We heard the rumors. We drove over to see. The river is beautiful. Catching sucked.

Very short video below.

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