For Your Service

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.. Fishing opens in Yellowstone National Park on May 28, 2021. That's today! The opening day fly box should include a wide assortment of subsurface offerings and a few very small floaters. Fish the seams, the riffles, and undercut banks.

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WALLPAPER:  TAQUITOS FANTASTICO

Tomorrow

SHOULD BE . . .

Cloudy / Overcast

high/low waters

YNP PHOTO

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.. So it's finally time to visit some friendly waters in Yellowstone National Park.
.. We have been blessed with near perfect conditions on our west side waters: water below bank level. slow waters, clearing waters, trout catching temperature waters, cool overcast skies, bugs hatching, fewer than normal visitors, seasonal help  at the feather merchants.
.. Here's the current river data:
>> Firehole at Old Faithful,
>> Firehole at Madison Junction,
>> Gibbon at Madison Junction,
>> Madison at West Yellowstone.
.. It's been a mighty long time since we could fish them all on opening day. We are greatly appreciative.

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WALLPAPER:  BUTTER GARLIC SHRIMP

Hot Right Now

OLDIES

But Goodies

in a trout's eye

WALLPAPER:  BUNCH O' DUSTERS

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.. A couple of the neighbor kids are busy replenishing their supplies of Feather Dusters.
.. It's an old favorite in our neighborhood. It's not touted by the counter help at the local feather merchants - probably no cheap commercial source.

ORIGINAL FEATHER DUSTER

.. Ever since Wally Eagle started tying them they have been in all the neighborhood fly boxes, (STORY HERE [scroll down].)
.. The original pattern was made from a feather duster that Wally used in the fly shop. It's colors were constrained by the ostrich feathers in that one item.

PINK FEATHER DUSTER

.. Of course, over time, our local mob has modified the little darling and we now have a wide variety of variants.
.. As the kids tie, they try. Right now the pink variant is red pink hot. Call it an egg. Call it an attractor. Call it what you wish: it's doing a job in the local waters.
.. The yellow vatiant will come into it's own in a very short time and is often used as a dropper behind the early caddis hatch patterns (late mom's day this year.)

SULFUR FEATHER DUSTER

.. Large pink ones are often dropped early below a stonefly pattern: even below giant Salmonfly patterns.
.. We seldom mention this pattern because it is often taken for granted as 'in the box.'
.. But, as right now, when it is bending rods, twirling reels and, clicking clickers - we let you in on the action.
.. It is being used at the edge of the ice and along the rip rap on Hebgen Reservoir. It is scoring very well in the spawning areas Between The Lakes.

RUBBER BAND CADDIS

.. Even the kids with the sled have reported exceptional action at the South Fork Estuary.
.. Some success was also noted at the frozen springs near the mouth of Grayling Creek, This is tough to get to but highly productive this time of year.
.. You can get fairly easy access if you enter at the old Grayling Creek Post Office Site.

GRAYLING CREEK ACCESS

.. You can park at the turn out and take the trail by the NO TRESPASSING sign.
.. The cattail/willow marsh is still partially frozen and you should not step in any open spaces.
.. Drop a feather duster below something that floats very good and let the gentle currents from under the ice carry it to the fish.

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.. Tomorrow is GOOD FRIDAY. Even though Germany forbids dancing and horse racing we should not worry. The West Entrance of YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK will open it's gates.
.. It looks to be a postcard day. Bright blue skies with billowing white clouds will give visitors many opportunities for "THAT PHOTO."
.. It should be 60°F by early afternoon - and there is a predicted high of 65°F around 5:00 or 6:00 PM. We ordered it up just for y'all.

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.. We should spend the rest of the day in productive chore elimination routines. It is Spring and there is much to do. However a mosey through town and to the gossip spots is in order. Besides that, there are some groceries to gather up.

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WALLPAPER: CHICKEN FRIED STEAK

WALLPAPER: COUNTRY FRIED STEAK

Y'all Come

RAIN TODAY

Sun Tomorrow

weekend: sun and 70's

WALLPAPER:   FIREHOLE  RIVER  FAVORITES

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.. The faithful are gathering. Even today's rain can't slow the crowds. The bison are moving both ways on the roads. Some are sleeping on the double yellow lines.

FIREHOLE CANYON FLY

.. The biggest bugs are already in the lower Firehole River Canyon. Clear as it is, (sort of,) the Firehole River is running at record discharge, (LINK FH.)
.. Mid day water temperatures are in the middle 60's and there are noses in the foam lines. The faithful shall be rewarded.
.. Not so clear but still highly fishable the Madison River is running just about 300 cfs above the seasonal norm, (LINK MAD.)

STIMULATOR WITH A HAIRCUT

.. The wild temperature fluctuations on the Madison River are spiking at about 60°F. The low end of the range is hanging at the low 50's. In water visibility is over four feet and there are fish noses during the bright mid day caddis hatch.
.. Weather will bring a mixed bag for fishers over this weekend. Friday, May 25, 2018 will see mostly clear and bright skies with a near zero chance of rain  --  high 72°F. 

WHAT DRY DO YOU DO ?

.. Saturday, May 26, 2018 should have high clouds building to overcast and late afternoon drizzle followed by evening rain, (. . . late little bugs?) High temperature should peak at 69°F about one or two O'clock.
.. Sunday, May 27, 2018 will be perfect for the little bugs. Overcast, occasional drizzle, some rain and a smidgen of cool should grace the west side rivers. High temperature may reach 60°F by 2:00 PM.

TRY IT BIG

.. The wee mayflies will be at their species biggest size and less prolific that later in the season. Fling your favorites. You can even float the softies that you have tied on behind your buddies back.
.. Please remember: 
NO FELT SOLES, 
BUY A PARK FISHING PERMIT,
SHARE THE WATER, 
PARK SAFELY, 
KEEP  'EM WET, 
BARBLESS ONLY, 
WORK LOTS OF WATER,
TURN OFF YOUR CELL PHONE!
.. This coming "mixed-bag" weekend will provide myriad style opportunities on the west side rivers. Just about any fly will work at some time - some place.

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.. So then; this morning's rain will wash the swallow poop from our vehicles.

SCRUFFY

.. The gutters will run clear and, visitors will whine about the lousy weather here in the high country, feather merchants will talk up a storm and, trinket stores will praise the rain for keeping folks out of the park - so be it.
.. It's about time for a second breakfast. The coffee is gone, (new is always available.) Maybe some spam, scrambled eggs, a waffle or two and strawberries. We'll probably follow it with a slice of the first fresh rhubarb pie of the year and a nap.
.. Then . . . . . Notellum Creek in the rain - eager fish.

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WALLPAPER:  SCRAMBLED EGGS, SAUSAGE, HASH BROWNS

Still There

RESPLENDENT IN SUN

Color In Streams

ubiquitous bison

WALLPAPER:  NATIONAL PARK MOUNTAIN

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.. This year opening weekend for the west entrance of Yellowstone Park was gentle and welcoming.

WELCOMING COMMITTEE

.. The sun was out, the breezes were gentle, the visitation was sparse, the critters were on show and a good time was had by all.
.. Flows on both the Firehole River and the Madison River are up and both rivers are running bank full.
.. With the current warm up and the remaining snow pack we anticipate that they will be over bank within the next 48 hours.

COLORFUL MADISON RIVER

.. Color is moving into the Madison River and is reminiscent of the stain in a wee bairn's nappies.
.. Visibility is about four feet and not as turbid as we anticipated. It would be possible to fish the water with out too much anxiety.
.. The only color in the Firehole River is the slight glacial blue of fine to medium silts. Under the clear sky this produces a tanzanite hue that is striking for this time of year.

Biscuit Basin Opening Weekend

.. This time last year there was no low level snow cover below the Madison Plateau.
.. This year there is still a couple of feet, (give or take,) on the meadows and under the trees.
.. We anticipate that this will enter the runoff very soon with the warm rains invading the neighborhood.

CURRENT SPRING SNOW COVER

.. At the elevation of Old Faithful the snow is over two feet deep in the north corners and shade.
.. The normal rush of neighbors to the west entrance was muted this year == probably due to the snow cover and errant weather forecast.
.. In town there was a slight up tick in feather merchant traffic. The restaurants were easily invaded with no lines and empty tables.
.. There is still a plethora of parking spaces in front of the occasionally open trinket shops.

THE WILY ONE

.. After another winter the park is in the same place that it was last year: we're elated.
.. The maintenance crews have cleared all the dead fall from the roads and posted all the appropriate bear warnings.
.. The bears will linger a little longer in the valleys this year; waiting for the exposure of the dead meat of winter. The ravens, coyotes, and eagles have already dug into the proud flesh of Spring.

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STIMULATOR FLOATING HIGH

.. With our early park-fix out of the way we now have time to dabble in the postage stamp sized bit of dirt that passes for our garden.
.. There is still some snow to be removed and then a bit of digging prior to planting. Perhaps it will happen soon: we'll see.

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WALLPAPER:   SNOW COVER THIS YEAR - OPENING

WALLPAPER:   SNOW COVER LAST YEAR - OPENING

Gone Fishing

OPEN TODAY

Partly Cloudy All Day

bring the whole box

WALLPAPER:  BEAUTIFUL EASY WATER - OPENS TODAY

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.. Brief pre-post: you want it - you get it.
.. Save for a bit of color in the water and, some not too high discharge; you can find your favorite sort of fishing in Yellowstone National Park.

OPENER SECRET

.. Right now it's late on Friday. We're hitting the hay early and intend to get up earlier and beat the rush.
.. We're taking two lunches and intend to find some gentle bits of lonely water. We may even catch some fish.
.. May you too!

{{WEST ENTRANCE WEBCAM}}

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THE BEARS ARE STILL DOWN LOW !!

New Weather Arrives

THE SPRING MIX

Opening Looks Good

bring your "A" game

STILL WET IN BISCUIT BASIN

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.. Last night brought us a skiff of snow. The nitrogen concentration is good for the Rhubarb.
.. We're in an 'unsettled' weather pattern with no major systems dominating our local weather. We are therefore, at the whim of the capricious behavior of Mom.
.. The best guess is that there will be variable weather for the next few days. Nothing too warm and nothing too cold. The west side rivers in Yellowstone National Park should respond accordingly.

DARK MARAUDER

.. The Madison River has risen considerably over the last couple of days and is at or near record flows for this date. This is not as bad as it might seem as the in-water visibility is at about three feet.
.. Save for a few select spots this should be a "LARGE DARK NYMPH" game on opening day.

LOOP WING

.. The Firehole River is running a little high but is cooler than the last four or five days. Gone are the temperature spikes of the high 60's. Mid to low 50's looks to be the trend for the next few days.
.. The color is off a little but in-water visibility is good and may give the faithful opportunities for catching fish at the surface.

CRIPPLE

.. For the current PMD hatch you will need to find some water with long gentle glides and persistent coherent foam lines. Right now the rise form is soft and gentle - even to pre-emergent fly forms. This suggests a unusual abundance of bugs. May it persist for a few more days.
.. There are some Baetids around and during those grumpy weather periods it would be good to have a few cripples in the box.

FUZZY FLOATER

.. If you are not into the aesthetics of a messy looking cripple then a floating nymph is also a good choice.
.. Be prepared for a large number of lookee-loo's on the roads and in the pull outs. Visitation is up and the mobile condominium hatch is well underway.

BEAD HEAD SOFTIE

.. Tour buses are seemingly bigger and apparently more prolific. Many are painted all white with simple stenciled names - an indication of newly minted tour companies.
.. The Gibbon River in National Park Meadows as well as the Firehole River below the falls should both yield good fish to large soft hackles and stonefly nymphs of various ilks.
.. Overall the best bet for catching is any of our local soft or stiff hackle flies.

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.. It's not too early for breakfast. We'll try something to fortify the soul. We need to get the rest of the garden in and hope the late freeze cycle misses us this year.

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WALLPAPER:  MUSHROOM AND SWISS - SAUCE MORNAY

Just Maybe

FIREHOLE IS FINE

Madison Is Marginal

weather looks perfect

WALLPAPER: RECESSIONAL NICK POINTS  - MADISON RIVER

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HI DEAR

.. In just three days the faithful will return to torment the trout of Yellowstone National Park.
.. The start of another fishing season in the park is upon us. The traffic and the visitation is already at another new record pace.
.. Hero shots and cell phone images will cloud the interwebs as intrepid fishers sully the waters and dip their wick in the storied rivers of our neighborhood.
.. It's an annual ritual full of sound and fury, signifying  . . . . . .

.. As of today it looks like the weather will be perfect for the opener.
.. Friday May 26 will be drizzly, (on and off,) into the night.

TRY THESE - CDC BWO

.. Saturday May 27, (the opener,) will dawn to light ground fog and light mist. It should clear early to broken clouds and light overcast.
.. Sunshine should prevail for a few hours between 11:00 AM and 4:00 PM. Light rain should begin in the afternoon between 3:00 and 5:00 PM.

PRETTY STANDARD FARE

.. Depending on the caprice of the bugs this is generally a perfect sort of weather pattern.
.. Little bugs in the morning and caddis in the afternoon. The late rain should be light enough to allow exceptional soft hackle catching until dark thirty.
.. The Firehole River is flowing at a little above 500cfs. In the ballpark for seasonal norms. It is plenty clear enough to fish and provide good catching opportunities.

THE INFAMOUS SMASHED CADDIS

.. Sunday should see late afternoon water temperature spike to between 67° & 70° F.
.. Sunshine should grace the west side of park for most of the day.
.. The Gibbon River is high but clear. The big meadows are very wet and slogging through them will provide stories but few catching opportunities.

CLASSIC ATTACK

.. Below Gibbon Falls and to the junction pool the water is clear enough and there are noses of gigantic proportion - holdovers from the spawn.
.. These snakes will eat willingly but should be played quickly and released gently.
.. The meadows around Norris are saturated but the small water above the campground is only lightly colored.
.. It might be worth a look at the meadow above the cascades for the eager  brookies. This is the last year for these friendly fish. They will be poisoned in order to protect the invasive grayling. Such a deal.
.. The Madison River has dropped very quickly back within it's banks and is flowing at around 900cfs - dead on for the seasonal norm. It's still lightly colored but clearing rapidly.
.. Barring any significant deluge from the predicted drizzles on Thursday or Friday it might be worth a go.

VISIBLE  AND  POSSIBLE

.. There are some nice holes opened up in the big riffles. Depending on sun and shadow there could be some hold over fish.
.. The resident noses are poking up in some new places this Spring.
.. Riverside Drive is now one-way from east to west. There must be a reason?
.. The Gallatin River is rumored to be too cold to fish. We'll probably be there.
[For catching prognostications to the east and north of Norris click on over to PARKS' Fly Shop.]

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.. It's too early for breakfast. It's too late for dinner. Must be perfect for a midnight snack.

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WALLPAPER:   RAMEN DONE RIGHT