Perfect Timing

 WAITING FOR IT

A Sunny Afternoon

mother's day arrival ?

THEY WILL BE HERE SOON

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.. Opening Day in Yellowstone National Park is about a month away. Masked fishers are lurking in dark corners of the recently opened pubs in our village. The talk, of course, is of lowland fishing and the beginning of caddis fly swarms.

THE GREEN WONDER

.. They are not here yet but some solitary individuals have been reported in the Gallatin Valley near Bozeman, Montana.The reports seem to be reliable.

.. Over on the Yellowstone River sparse occurrences of midges, BWO, or the occasional March Brown mayfly have been suggested by Parks' Fly Shop.

.. AND, Makflies has come forth with the perfect pattern for the moment. There is just enough time to tie up a gross for the next month or two. We include the video below.

..

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WALLPAPER:  BLT SANDWICH WITH EXTRA MAYO

Swing Low

DOWN THE CANYON

Below The Snow Line

quick and milky water

WALLPAPER:  A GALLATIN RIVER SEAM

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.. At our age there are some mornings that arrive in the dead of night.
.. Call it a blessing and take advantage of it. So in the light flurries of the not quite morning we had some coffee and a frozen waffle. Then down the road toward some morning fishing. Travel would take a couple of hours. That's a very long drive for us.

YOU KNOW WHERE

.. By the time we had slithered through the early morning bustle of Bozeman/Belgrade we were ready for another cuppa and real food.
.. We met the others at the wayside diner and had a proper breakfast and then hustled to a not so secret lake/pond behind a barbed wire fence.
.. The air was cold enough for a bit of water fog. Good for us. In we splashed and mucked our way to the weed line and fished a spell. Caught some we did.

.. After half a day of rat killing in the grand metropolises we chugged our way back up the Gallatin River to West Yellowstone.
.. There were fisher folk on the river. We looked closely and were a bit surprised at the condition of the water.
.. Although the river is still a smidgen high for this time of year, (about 300cfs above mean norm,) it is surprisingly clear. It's more milky than tea stained, (in favorite angler parlance.)

A BIT HIGH AND MILKY

.. We'd missed the water in the dark trip down canyon. We took our time and tested some spots going back up.
.. There are fish to be had. The clouds covered the sky and there were little bugs on the surface.
.. It's not that we don't float a fly now and again but, it's just not part of our epitome.

BWO - ??

.. We did it anyway. Might have been BWO's of the sort that drive fly floaters wild.
.. We stuck one on above our stonefly nymph and took several both ways. What a wonderful Springtime surprise.
.. All the way up the canyon the same conditions obtained. Some bugs on the top and some bugs, (apparently,) down below.
.. Surprise of surprises hit us in the eyeball as we paused to look at Taylor Fork. More buttermilk than chocolate milk was plashing along the cobbles and into the Gallatin River.

BLACK IS GOOD - GOLD TOO

.. The typical silt plume that we expected was hardly visible and water clarity surprised us.
.. We wet a line. Nothing on top this time. Took a spunky young'un at the mouth of the fork and then a couple 10 inch fish in the river.
.. Snowflake Springs are running at a good clip but there is no colored discharge into the Gallatin River.

THE RUN AT SNOWFLAKE SPRINGS

.. We spent some time along the nice riffled run and found a parked fish or two.
.. Caught a rock or three. As quick as the river is it's not as deep as we anticipated.

WORKS GOOD

.. The dark and light water is an interesting contrast as well as a gradual melding of tones and shades.
.. Milky water is not a phenomenon that we often encounter. Didn't have to get in the water. Didn't have to take the fish out of the water. Won't have to spend $8.00 to vacuum the floor of the car.
.. Out of the canyon and into Yellowstone National Park the snow is about gone from the meadows.
.. The willow buds are about to burst and the grass is showing signs of becoming more green than just yellow. Could be Spring in the high country

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.. Right now it's a more reasonable hour of the morning than yesterday. We have recuperated from the civilized hustle of the lowland busyness.
.. We're going to have a sensible breakfast prepared by a local biscuit virtuoso. We will smother a couple with some sausage gravy. Hash brown potatoes on the side? Sure: why not?

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WALLPAPER:  SPRING WILLOWS AND BLACK BUTTE

Sea To Shining Sea

YELLOWSTONE INVESTIGATED

Not Unique Park

jarvis under fire

CONGRESS: "SO THEN, TELL US ALL ABOUT IT."

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..The Interior Department on Thursday ordered additional harassment prevention training for managers and supervisors after an internal report found that men in a maintenance unit at Yellowstone National Park “created a work environment that included unwelcome and inappropriate comments and actions toward women.” [LINK-Y, LINK-B]
.. The report from the investigation cites sexual harassment in parks across our nation. Congress is apparently fed up with the culture of male dominated harassment.
.. From the beginning the National Park Service was constituted of market hunters, trappers, cowboys, muleskinners, and male military personnel from Fort Yellowstone.
.. By the time Theodore Roosevelt arrived in Yellowstone National Park the "ROUGH RIDER MENTALITY" had already taken hold.

FOUNDATIONS

.. The martial mentality of the frontier has persisted and been encouraged by both the National Park Service and the Interior Department since their inception.
.. The book HOW THE U.S. CAVALRY SAVED OUR NATIONAL PARKS details the underpinnings of the early social and martial milieu that established the male dominated traditions. [LINK-C]
.. Apparently, from the investigation, the most readily apparent dysfunctional National Park is Canaveral National Seashore in Florida. [LINK-F]
.. We'll be watching how Secretary Zinke addresses this situation at the Department level [LINK-ZZ] We know what Yellowstone's Superintendent says, [LINK-YP,] we'll be watching this too.

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MORNING MIDGES

.. Took a lowland road trip. Fished some. Caught some.
.. Enjoyed the humor of the lowland cultural morass. There is a distinct love of elbows, knees, feet, and mayhem down there. Report in the morning.

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WALLPAPER:  LOWLAND LAKE - MORNING

Skwala Sightings ??

HOW LOW TO GO ?

How High To Start ?

do you want them ?

WALLPAPER:  ENNIS:  A BUSTLING METROPOLIS

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.. Every now and again a bewildered visitor slides into the neighborhood pub.
.. Most are mercifully ignored. Some, on the other hand, 'squish' as they saunter around the smaller spaces and darker corners.

from MONTANA FIELD GUIDE

.. The 'squishers' are invited to a seat and are usually bought a beer. It's always a good thing to welcome exotic fisher folks.
.. How are things in the outside world? How did you get here? Why here and now? Bud Light? Oh well!
.. Our fishing prognostications are limited at this time of year to a few first hand reports from adventurous younger neighbors, fake news, and local gossip. Squishers are always most welcome.

.. This time we found out that the lowland rivers are clearing nicely and that the mysterious skwala has been sighted in Missoula, Bozeman, and just a bit south of Ennis. (Quite a bit ?)
.. Of course with the weekend coming up the young hearty group is gearing up for a safari into the warmth of the valley.  The Madison River valley that is.
.. The only species of skwala recognized in Montana is Skwala americana (American Springfly.)

from MONTANA FIELD GUIDE

.. There are two other recognized species in the U.S.A. They are sort of the red headed stepchild of entomologists and keep getting their names and classifications switched around.
.. They are less social than the giant salmonflies, (Pteronarcys californica,) but look similar in their adult form - just smaller.
.. Right now the nymph is of great interest to fly fishers. These are carnivorous nymphs. They prey on other neoteneous forms: caddis, midges, mayfly, etc.

GLITTER SHIMMER NYMPH

.. The midges have been especially prolific for the last couple of years.
.. The skwala population has profited from this. Get the right nymph imitation and catch a few fish.
.. The neighbors use a couple of favorite nymphs that we have mentioned before. The Snortle Nymph, (snortel, snortal, etc.,) and the Glitter Shimmer Nymph. Both of these are easy to tie. They can be weighted or not weighted. They can float if you like.
.. If you want to hedge your bets, tie your standard big stonefly nymph pattern in dark brown. It should do just fine.

SNORTLE NYMPH

.. The skwala safari is planned for tomorrow. Early enough to avoid a second pot of coffee is a good time. Late enough to fish the skwala migration is probably best.
.. Nymphal forms, (after a year long hemimetabolism,)  begin to move when the water temperature is warmed by the sun and is in the low to mid 40's.
.. They migrate to the shore and hang out for a spell, (dry wings and other such, don'tchaknow?)
.. By late afternoon all shenanigans have been completed: sometimes in flights but mostly in the fringe of veggies along the shore and in crevices and shingles.

MADAME  X

.. The females will fly to preferred water and lay their eggs on the water. Then they die and bob along enticing trout.
.. Should you choose to fish the females a squished flat, (darker the better,) Madame X will do wonders. Cast long and wiggly upstream and twitch a little on the way back home. Hang on.
.. It's quite a trek to the lower Madison River from this refuge up here. But, all of the ice is mostly gone and the sightings can't be just rumors  --  can they?

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.. We're going to have the second pot of coffee and some breakfast right after the safari departs.

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WALLPAPER:   CHORIZO CON PAPAS Y QUESO

And Once Again

DUMP PUBLIC LANDS

Watch The Fracas

it's a recurrent push

CHECK THE SMILES  --  MEH

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..  Our buddies in Bozeman are doing their best to plunder and remove protections from our public lands.
.. We're not sure we could survive in this world if our legislature met every year.
.. We learn from THE MONTANA COWGIRL of the latest assault on our public lands.
.. A bill, (HJ 9,) sponsored by Kerry White,  [chairman of the Natural Resources Committee,] is being voted on in his committee today. We'll watch closely. So should you.

FROM HYALITE

.. It's a bill to remove state protection of Wilderness Study Areas,  this includes the Hyalite-Porcupine-Buffalo Horn area.
.. Judging from the comments in response to the cowgirl post, there are quite a few folks in Bozeman that think the bill is a good idea.
.. Greg Gianforte is a not so silent partner in this effort. Keep in mind that he was born in San Diego, California and lives in the wilds of New Jersey.
.. In 2009, the Gianforte Family Foundation helped fund the $1.5 million creationist dinosaur museum. He's running, [with skill and skulduggery,] again in Montana.

RESOURCES

>> Montana Cowgirl,
>> Bills Progress,
>> Kerry White - Legislature Info. Page,
>> Kerry White - Vote Smart Summary,
>> Greg Gianforte in Wikipedia,
>> Dinosaurs in Glendive Montana.

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.. Looks like a bit of snow mixed in with the rain outside.
..It's gray enough to fish a spell if we can find the special gray day flies the kids next door gave me.

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WALLPAPER:  THE MELT IS ON

Touché

ROD TO THE RESCUE

Just A Nine Footer

t & t wins

BE BEAR AWARE

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.. We often caution: "carry the bear spray." We're pleased to report that it works.
.. Just two days ago a Bozeman, Montana fisher and his wife fended off a food guarding grizzly in the Lamar Valley.
.. We need not expand the story. To read the whole story of the husband and wife defense - READ IT HERE. And HERE.
.. We do suggest that the bear spray be carried in  hand.

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WALLPAPER: BEST HOMEMADE TORTILLAS

The Rumor Of Spring

CATCHING IS GOOD

The Snow Is Deep

visitors are scarce

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.. There are fish to be had, (more about that in a moment.) Descending from our little village into the lowlands of western Montana gives one the feeling that Spring will indeed arrive.

.. It's interesting for us to visit the giant megalopolis that is Bozeman, Montana. We do it once a year to visit our tax attorney. A double dose of reality!
.. We enter a rat maze of elbows, autos, and hominids. The bustle is frightening. What can be so important that rushing about is mandatory?
.. We've endured Boston and New York at Christmas time. We felt the same frenzy in Bozeman.

.. The local residents thought that the 4" of fresh snow was intolerable and the dreary day made them grumpy. They were actually jostling each other in line as they rushed to pay money for their treasures.
.. There are things at work in the city that we don't understand. We didn't wait around to investigate.
.. The wonder of it all is that our whole village could fit in the parking lot of the Walmart store. In fact, the day we visited, there were more people in Walmart than live in our town.

.. We enjoy the thought that the people who live in the maze can buy more of everything in Walmart than is for sale in our little town. There are even souvenirs of Yellowstone; they don't even have to visit us.
.. We've received about 2 feet of snow over the past few days. It's rapidly melting and we can see the pavement of the streets in many places.
.. The trout in the Gallatin River are suffering withdrawals. There have been so few fisher folk that they are feeling neglected. They are eating anything that floats by in the hope it has a hook in it: they need to sharpen their reflexes for the onslaught that will come with the sun.

.. We'll say it just once: 53, 59, 66, 69, Taylor Fork! Fish near those mile markers and you will be surprised at your catching success.
.. We saw a few midges but didn't bother to tie any on. We fished late in the afternoon through the intermittent snow and broken clouds.
.. The fish were willing and were just where you would expect them to be.
.. Drowned Adams dry flies and Prince Nymphs were our choice. They didn't disappoint. Fish were gobbling things throughout the water column. and seemed unafraid of the surface or the thin water. The water is, according to local lore, too cold to fish. It was cold!
.. We've had our civilization-fix: thank you. But we'll be running down canyon over the next few weeks; at least until the good parking spots become crowded.
.. Yellowstone National Park opens this coming Friday. We'll visit for a look-around. There may be indications of new holes or debris piles. We, however, will wait until the massive discharge abates before selecting any ripe locations.

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The Good Fight

ALL POLITICS IS LOCAL

Please Take Heed

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.. Over the last three weeks we've spent the better part of two months rent on gasoline and motel bills, (and not fished for more than about 6 hours.) We've visited with some friends, neighbors, relatives and politicos.
.. We've traipsed from door to door and from staffer to staffer. We've visited with elected and appointed officials. We are disheartened and enlightened.
.. Under normal circumstances Helena, Montana would not be our choice of midwinter destinations; however this is decidedly not normal. The Montana State Legislature is in session, (once every two years,) and our seat of government is burbling with conversation ranging from medical marijuana to fishing in ditches.
.. Unless you've been asleep at the switch, you know about the ludicrous attempt by the Montana House of Representatives to redefine public water into private water. HB 309 is a top player in any search engine right now. Even blogs and images make the hit list. And they should.
.. We talked to our Representatives and Senators, (a perquisite of old age,) and visited with many staff persons.
.. We also visited with some DFWP servants and can now provide you with some enlightening news. The old adage "All politics is local," is the watchword in Helena.
.. While every person we talked with is acutely aware of the mini maelstrom surrounding this bill, they are also aware of the seeming nonchalance from citizens of the State of Montana and the deep concern of citizens from other states.
.. It may seem callous to note that there is, apparently, more concern from outside our borders than inside. We are awakened and a bit startled!
.. Our elected representatives need to hear from the citizens of Montana. Newspapers, Television, Blogs, and other "media" can only spotlight the issue. Citizens, however, must make their voice heard.

.. If you've never done it before, do it now! Write a letter, make a phone call, (or if you must send an email.) Our legislators need to hear from you. The more personal the form of communication, the more effective it is.
.. An email works. A letter from a constituent carries more weight. A personal visit is truly a heavy vote. And remember, there are people with a lot more money than us that have daily access to the law makers.
.. Although not a certainty, it looks like our Senate will drown this obnoxious piece of legislation. Write to your Senators and give them the reasons for doing so. Let them know that the citizens of Montana are as concerned as the citizens from other states.
.. For an excellent summation of the issue check out "Will Fish For Work." See also the interesting post in Chi Wolf!
.. Be direct, polite, and informed. Senators listen to cogent arguments: they can use them themselves.
.. Our Senator in SD 35 is Art Wittich: Phone = 406-444-4800, Email = senatorwittich@montana.com. It's going to be interesting to see the votes of the Senators. We've already seen the votes of the Representatives!

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LOWER MADISON HOT

IT'S WORTH THE DRIVE

Down To The Lowlands

floating and wading

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.. It's not Yellowstone National Park but it's very good fishing right now.
.. Our provincial mindset only infrequently pokes it's mentality into fishing opportunities too far from home. This last weekend was one of those occasions.
.. The news of great catching opportunities zings through the aether like angry hornets.
.. Whispers are louder than jet engines: ". . . crayfish are taking 'em in the shallows . . ." ". . . Try Beartrap - keep it quiet . . ." ". . . yeah, right at the take-out . . ."
.. Just our kind of stuff! Park next to a river, walk to the shore, fling a fly the size of a cygnet, catch a big fish or three, don't break a sweat, smile all over; it's a situation we find hard to resist. So, the 200-mile drive is worth it.
.. Although we are limited in our sauntering and striding, you need not be. Both wading and floating are very productive right now.
.. The 30 river-miles, or so, on the Lower Madison River below Ennis Dam have lately been densely populated with lowland fishers - for good reason!
.. It looks a lot like Spring down there and 55+ degrees sounds plumb tropical to us. Midges in the stillness of a balmy mid-day sojourn are a certain draw as well.
.. It seems that when the trout are keying on the midges, they are also willing to take other small stuff as well. Floating a double rig of a midge cluster and a small soft hackle is a sure way to exercise your reel's drag.
.. Your favorite crayfish in sizes from 4 to 8 will work, (we used left over General Practitioners from the road trip to the Chetco and Coquille rivers.)
.. Ours were a wee bit too orange for the local palette but worked; greens and brownish-yellow are the local favorite.
.. Stonefly nymphs of the yellowish and golden variety are also working. Even your chewed-up Woolly Buggers and Clouser Minnows are fair game.
.. We visited with some folks from Belgrade, Montana, that were using a double fly rig. They had an Olive Woolly Bugger followed by a damned small, (16-18,) bead-head Pheasant Tail - had great cell phone pictures.
.. The kind folks at Montana Troutfitters and The River's Edge pointed us to the places we were headed anyway. It's certainly a bump for the ol' ego when the local experts confirm our predispositions. Thanks guys.
.. If next weekend is as soft as last weekend, we'll travel down-canyon to the big water again. We may even walk a bit because of the reports - who knows?

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