Grand Canyon Hunt

 BISON IN THE SIGHTS

Qualifying Starts Soon

are you good enough ?

GRAND CANYON BISON   ...  courtesy NPS

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.. The National Park Service along with the Arizona Game and Fish Department  announced in a 'TWEET' just two days ago a volunteer hunt to reduce the number  of bison on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon [NPS Tweet.]This will take place after the volunteers qualify. The volunteers are responsible for all expenses.

HERE THEY ARE:.

RESOURCES

>> ANNOUNCEMENT

>> ABOUT

>> NEWS RELEASE

>> FOX NEWS

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WALLPAPER:  CHEESE OMELETTE. BACON,  SPUDS, TOAST

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

Currently

SLOW MELT

Slow Breakup

neighbors to neighbors

WALLPAPER:  GREAT SPRINGS BAY

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.. It's a bit odd for this time of year. Yellowstone Lake is breaking up nicely and the outlet is full of icebergs chugging down the Yellowstone River.
.. Quake Lake has some clear and fishable water at both the inlet and outlet. The boulder field above the debauchery is still a bit treacherous for aged legs to navigate. The inlet is seeing some heavy visitation clear down to Beaver Creek which is finally flowing nicely.
.. The surprise is that only bits of the inflow estuaries at Hebgen Reservoir are clear enough to legally fish. All of the major tributaries to the reservoir are flowing nicely. There is a good, (read dangerous,) slushy layer across most of the water BUT, the shoreline is being stingy about giving up open water.
.. The fishing neighbors among us are busy renewing congenial relations with other neighbors for access to those small bits of the reservoir that need ingress through private property.
.. There are, (not so secret - but seldom exploited.) warm springs that debauch along the shoreline of the reservoir. All but one, (that we know of,) require the traversing of private property. It's usually quite a long trek through mushy and messy snow.
.. The open water at the Great Springs Embayment is concentrating both fish and waterfowl in a glorious Spring extravaganza. Catching is spectacular as this is the largest non-estuary chunk of open water on the reservoir and, the birds and fish are gorging themselves. Know thy neighbor.

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WALLPAPER:   HEBGEN RESERVOIR

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.. There are some early bison on the roads around town and along the north side of the reservoir - one dead so far, (car totaled but no human causalities - please drive carefully.)
.. Some of the neighbors are making a morning pilgrimage to the culvert on the highway at Duck Creek. There is a good run of fish in the air as they enter the culvert on their way to Yellowstone National Park. The fish ladder is on private property and the stream is closed for another month or so but the entertainment value is fairly high.
.. The flats at the east end of the reservoir and along Duck Creek are still untrammeled snow. The bison will mess it up soon but for now the kite skiers and kite boarders are having a grand time in the clear and warm days.

YEE  HAW  !!!

.. Catching in the Hebgen Tailwater is better than acceptable for those folks willing to torment the fish during their annual orgy.
.. There are even some folks that believe that they can see all the redds as they slosh through the crystal bedroom of the trout. Our eyes are not that good- neither is our egomaniacal need to disturb those fish.
.. We're about to exercise our cheap gas and head down the canyon. Snowflake Springs and the Taylor Fork are prime locations on the Gallatin River at the moment.

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WALLPAPER: GRAYLING CREEK

Let The Circus Begin

UPTICK IN ACTIVITY

Memorial Day Approacheth

more than fishing underway

WALLPAPER:  DRINK THE SPRING MUD

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.. We may be among the most blessed of folk of the earth. We may experience perfection in weather. We may have gentle rain and swollen rivers for the start of catching in Yellowstone National Park this year.
.. The 5 day forecast calls for some dripping from the sky. It calls for fog and coolness. Most visitors will moan and groan. A few piscators will smile and enter the fray, (FISHY LINK.)
.. It's a bit later than usual but the rivers are finally moving toward a lovely shade of brown that will dampen the enthusiasm of the hoards of anglers invading the park. The Madison River is about 250 cfs above the median discharge rate for this time of year. It's not yet to the pure mud stage and could be, (at this moment,) fished with success in a few select places.

RENEGADE FOR FISH

.. The Gibbon River is nowhere near record discharge levels but is running rapidly and will probably continue to build as the rain and warmth add to the available water. Above the meadows at Norris Campground there may be fish in the grass by Saturday. We've fished it under those conditions and caught some tailing trout in 6" of water. It doesn't look like the conditions for that sort of tomfoolery will obtain this year.
.. The Firehole River, (as anticipated,) is in pretty good shape. It is running just a bit above it's seasonal numbers and is colored like a perfect fly fishing stream should be at this time of year.
.. As the calendar pushes us toward the opener there are other bits of activity that a wider population is interested in. Today starts the bison hazing to move the brutes back within the park boundaries, (LINK 1.)
.. The Greening Yellowstone Symposium just concluded and enthusiasm is rampant about corporate sponsors and the push to tidy up the environment within the settled portions of Yellowstone National Park. (Read about the herculean efforts HERE.)

FENCE IN THE SKY

.. There are a few folks that are not waiting for mega bucks to tidy up the park. A small group of citizens in Gardiner, Montana has taken to the streets in a bison poop removal project. With any luck their spirit and enthusiasm will spread to all  of the park and the unsightly and smelly nuisance poop will be removed from all of Yellowstone, (AHA LINK.)
.. There are even more innovative ideas springing forth from the foreign country of Idaho. Perhaps a major fencing project would help with both wolves and bison, (C'MON LINK.)
.. Should you GoPro junkies want to lift off there is a resistance from some folks to drones in Yellowstone National Park. A precedent setting ruling in Yosemite has brought the discussion about unmanned aircraft in the park to the fore, (FLIGHT LINK.)
.. Oh, by the way, some real flooding may be approaching in the northeast corner of Yellowstone National Park. The final Spring Flooding Forecast from the National Weather Service points toward the confluence flats of the Lamar River and Soda Butte Creek. The distributary channels of Soda Butte Creek can use some flushing and it will be interesting to see if this comes to pass, (WET LINK.)
..With all that fence building, bison hazing, poop removal, green construction, and drone dodging it should be a typical weekend for the opener in the park.
.. Come Saturday we're planning to visit some of the poop laden meadows along the Firehole River. We've put some bolt cutters in the fish car along with a few surface to air missiles and our rubber duck flotation device. The world be damned - we're going fishing. After the poop we will be catching above the dam on the Firehole River, (yes there is a dam on that "pristine" river.)

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WALLPAPER: ABOVE THE DAM ON THE FIREHOLE

Signs Of Spring

A Bit More Gentility

ONE DAY TO GO

Gentle Bluster In The Air

gobbling fish in the waters

WALLPAPER:  BISON HOLDING THE HOLDING WATER

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.. Here's the quote from the official NPS website:

Sunday November 3rd is the last full day of travel through most of Yellowstone — all park roads close to the public at 8 a.m., Monday November 4 to prepare for the oversnow, winter season, except from the North Entrance to Upper Mammoth Terrace Drive, and Mammoth via Tower Junction to the Northeast Entrance. Except for the roads between the North and Northeast entrances visitors must be off park roads and all through travel must be completed by 8 a.m. Monday November 4.

.. This has always been a source of amusement for the neighbors. They laugh that the NPS touts Yellowstone as being open 24 hours a day, 365 days per year, (citation.)
.. PARKSPEAK does not allow closing the park. Rather; some roads are closed and travel is restricted: giggle, giggle, giggle, they suck you in every way that they can!
.. Fishing and catching was great yesterday, (the next-to-the-last-day before road closures and no traveling on roads through the open park - huh?) Sounds like the NPS is taking lessons from the U.S. Congress.

DON'T BOTHER - THE EXPERTS DON'T EITHER

.. What's the bet if a visitor decides to take a hike up Fan Creek, (walking, mind you,) and spend a casual 12 hours bird watching on the 5th of November; is the park open? Are trails closed? How about a little trip to Monument Mountain? If there was snow the skiers would be allowed - how about hikers? Is the park open ?
.. That nonsense aside, there is just today left to dance with some fish in the park. If you are adventurous enough we suggest that The Biggest Brook Trout in the park may be holding an orgy up on the gravels of Solfatara Creek. A few big Brown Trout also engage in the spawing fun here too.
.. There are a couple of unnamed, (and other named,) tributaries to the Madison River that attract runners for the milt and egg party. Right this moment they don't look like much. Most are ignored by the supercilious secret holders of the neighborhood. These are the real secrets, (if any,) in the Fall fishing frenzy.
.. Trout buzz up these little rivulets when there is enough water and find gravel, food, sanctuary, and a cozy love nest for procreation. It's good that the self espoused experts don't bother to walk too far from the road.

Eat Me Now You Big Brute

.. The Gibbon River has been yielding some dandy fish for those that can tear themselves away from the Madison River. Hell's Bells, it's the only smart, (if anti social,) thing to do.
.. You should have seen the crowd of cacklers at 9-mile Hole yesterday at 3:00 PM. There was nary a place to park and nary a fisher in the water. Social fly fishing is on a tear in Yellowstone National Park.
.. The darkest clouds have come and gone in waves. Bright and dark patches of sky alternately grace the fishing day. This unsettled weather is a blessing for the fisher. Little bugs like the dark overcast. Big fish like the parading shadows that give them the opportunity to move to the next hide. The fish that are not engaged in sex are moving. Moving through all the obvious and less obvious places. They are bunched up for a spell and then strung out as they move. Catching is good.
.. It's snowing a bit right now. We're headed back for some more. Right after another rasher of hickory smoked bacon, a gigantic chile relleno, and a couple jalapeño waffles.

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WALLPAPER:   MADISON RIVER HERD BULL

The Way It Is

Declaration

ICE OUT VERY SOON

Perhaps Tomorrow

or next wednesday for sure

A Bit Of Liquid Adorns the Ice At Hebgen Lake

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.. The weather wolverine of West Yellowstone has awakened and seen the water at lake's edge. The official declaration of "ICE OUT" is imminent.
.. Between snow squalls the visiting tourons are dressing for summer and pretending that the faint sun is warm enough for a dream vacation.
.. The neighbors are at Hebgen Reservoir, (sadly without lawn chairs for the moment,) and dragging in trout by the bucket.
.. Visitors from nearby foreign countries, like Idaho, and Utah are planning visitations to the famous fishing frenzy on the rocky shores and beaches of the reservoir.
.. Even the bison are streaming out of Yellowstone National Park to view the unfrozen water, - a rare and short lived sight in these parts.
.. We'll have a full report tomorrow or the next day - catching permitting.

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Can Summer Be Far Behind ?

Single File

Hoary Beasts

nps photo

Shoot On Sight ?

LEGISLATING DEATH

Our Legislature Is Back In Session

not just fish stupidity this time though

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.. The Montana Legislature is well known for introducing bills that grab hot button issues and turn them into seething debates, while polarizing it's members and our citizenry. They've done it again!
.. Quick as a sprinter off the blocks, the property rights and agribusiness interests are manipulating their legislative puppets and introducing bills to strip Montana of it's heritage and wildlife.
.. We don't need to belabor the point here. If you are interested in the fate of wild bison, (or elk, or trout, or deer, or any other wild native species,) you can read about it

 HERE.

.. Suffice it to say; many of us have learned to live with these huge, hairy, hoary beasts. Bless their hearts.
.. We're headed to the ice fishing social hour but thought that this should see the light of day as soon as possible. Ice hole report to follow.

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HOMECOMING

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Read the back story HERE.
Legal reaction HERE.

Beautiful Gray

THERE ARE BUGS

Fish Eat Them

people use them

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.. The days are gray and the Fish are loving it. The Bugs are loving it. The Fisher Folk are loving it. The Tourons are cursing it. And so it goes.
.. It's almost time to abandon fishing on the Firehole River in Yellowstone National Park. The waters are "Coming Into Shape," which means it's easy for guides to find fish and easy for visitors to catch them.

There Are Bugs Like This.

.. The weather is "Settling Down," which means fishing is enjoyed in tropical-weight $105.00 pastel-colored fishing shirts. It also means that there's not a big worry about getting too much mud or wet bison poo on the $48,000 BMW X3. A few sprinkles will wash off the dust.
.. The west entrance station has "All Lanes Open," which means traffic is backed up almost to town. It also means that there are about 700 bison repaving the road to Madison Junction. It took us over an hour and a half to traverse the first 11 miles in Yellowstone on Saturday. Of course there was not a ranger in site. They know better than to try to unsnarl a traffic jam where there are no drivers in motor-homes parked on the double yellow line.

A Raised Tail Means "Charge" or "Discharge"

.. The bugs are hatching to their "Anticipated Timing," which means that the feather merchants can peddle "The Correct Fly" to visitors who have never heard of it.
.. The one truism in fly fishing is that the reason there are so many flies is that they all work; despite all the hype surrounding this years "Hot Bugger."
.. "Nez Perce Creek Is Open," which means that it is being totally ignored as fishers fill the parking lots, wide spots in the road, and not so wide spots in the road with an assortment of vacation vehicles.

Phlox multiflora; Happening Right Now.

.. Ringing cell phones are frequently heard above the cat-calls of photographers, ground squirrel spotters, and raven devotees. There are more elbows on the Firehole River than in line at a Walmart at Christmas Time.
.. The "Religious Fisher Folk," are arriving by the truckload: having heard that the record runoff is beginning it's precipitous fall to below normal discharge.
.. They are getting, while the getting is good. The wader-friendly lodging is all booked for the next 30 days. Madison Campground was full by 1:00 PM on Friday and 2:00 PM on Saturday.

Fish Here:
Easy Parking, Many Fish, No Cell Phones.

.. Tarry not! Soon all the parking places and every inch of water will be infested with the "Angler Hatch." It's more amusing to watch than to participate in.
.. Should you choose to do it by the numbers we recommend that you read the reports of the local and area feather merchants. They will tell you exactly where and when to fish. They will also tell you just the exact fly to use. They will even provide you with a friendly guide, (just freshly arrived from Andros Island, Belize, or the Green River,) so that you don't fish the wrong 100 square feet that's still available when you arrive on the Firehole River.
.. Should you care to experience the wonders of Yellowstone National Park, and catch a few fish as well. we suggest that you explore the soft water, seams, undercuts & back eddies of places other than the "Holiest Of Waters."
.. Grab a handful of generalized nymphs, dry flies, beetles, ants and attractors. Take them to a place where you can cast without removing the rug from the head of the fisher next to you. There are no secrets about fishing in Yellowstone. Just do what you would on any trout stream - you will catch fish. And, you will do it without the latest fly from some imaginative salesman.
.. If you see bugs use something that looks like them. If you don't see bugs drown any fly and the fish will eat it. Most of the time!

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Midway Geyser Basin is always a fun place to watch wader-wetters flail away.

It Can Get Cold

West Side Adventures

YELLOWSTONE FISHING

Just Plain Fun

enjoyed by all

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Better Late Than Not

MOM COMES THROUGH

Maybe 7-10 Inches

only a little rain & sleet & thunderstorms

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.. The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning lasting through Thursday - HUZZA!
.. It's mostly snow and it's in the higher elevations. It's just what we need.
.. This is an urgent warning and includes a hazardous weather alert. Here's the links so you can keep up:
-->> WARNING
-->> HAZARDOUS OUTLOOK
.. You can view the real-time radar images at:
-->> YELLOWSTONE FISHING WEATHER
-->> BULLWINKLE'S WEATHER
.. You can see it in real-time on the neighborhood webcams:
-->> WEST YELLOWSTONE WEB CAMS
.. This is a classic winter storm pattern. The high pressure over the Great Basin has vanished. This leaves the big low pressure system in the Gulf of Alaska in charge. It winds up and sends blessed pulses of weather our way. This could last for some time. Some think spring, we think snow pack.

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Bison bison bison

OUR ANNUAL
BISON WARNING

The Rut = Good Fishing

use caution

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This one's for U SUZ !!

The Perfect (snow) Storm

STAINED & BANK FULL

Calm Before The Deluge

of cutts and lakers

sad prognosis

.. The perfect storm materialized yesterday in the form of a nearly cloudless day and temperatures more than a mite above the predicted numbers.
.. We took the pleasant day as an omen to peruse the water level and color of the Madison River.
.. Result: flood stage in about 6" - 8", heavy stained color and under 2' visibility. How usual.
.. The hot springs in National Park Meadow are flooded and steamy in the early morning temperatures.
.. The bison were lolling about in the sun; ruminating and absorbing rays.
.. The elk were munching happily on the fresh green shoots along the road corridors where the sun allows sprouting first.
.. We watched one exuberant fish beating up some invisible bugs. We tried a long distance photo. It's barely visible so we enhanced it some. Believe it or don't.
.. There were many fish rising at each place we stopped - between 8:00 AM & 9:00 AM - hmmm!
.. The meadow at 7-mile bridge is saturated, soggy, wet, and nearly underwater. The swans love it; as the meadows flood the bison will soon be clogging the road, and the elk will begin their upward migration soon: bulls first.
.. Hopefully today's snow storm will be as perfect as yesterday's and we'll get a peek at the Gibbon River. It's pouring most of the color into the Madison River right now.

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.. Yellowstone Science is online now and has a brief note about the conflict between Lake Trout and Cutthroat Trout in Yellowstone Lake.
.. The sound of doom and destruction is thick between the lines of the note.
.. Last August a significant gathering of fisheries scientists from around the country met at Chico Hot Springs, (tough work,) and addressed the declining population of Cutts.
.. Current efforts and future possibilities for salvation of this fishery were discussed and recommendations generated.
.. A report with complete findings of the science panel, including strengths and weaknesses of the current program and specific recommendations to the park, is expected some time this year.

MONEY QUOTE

. . . efforts to date, while certainly slowing the lake trout population growth rate, have not been substantial enough to collapse that population. Consequently, the cutthroat trout population remains in peril. They strongly stated that very little time remains to turn the situation around and immediate action to increase suppression efforts should be taken.

.. As fishers we are obviously concerned about the opportunities that are being lost with the disappearance of the cutts in Yellowstone Lake. We often, sadly, can overlook the larger ecological consequences.
.. For a peek into the ecological value of the Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout check out the article from the bear center at Washington State University.
.. The article reveals the surprising relationship between bear scat, bear hair, and Cutthroat Trout. Bears are not the only species affected by the disappearing food source. At least 20 other species historically used the fish as a food source.

--> YELLOWSTONE SCIENCE (PDF)
Part 1
Part 2

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.. Our local photo processors and resident photographers estimate that over 20,000,000 photos of bison are taken each year in Yellowstone National Park.
.. Not many photos are taken of these neighbors next door. We strive to do our part in correcting this disparity.