Bridge To Safety

COMING ALONG JUST FINE

Delays Getting Longer

bridge beams in place

-------

.. The new bridge and road alignment at Grayling Creek near the Yellowstone National Park Line is finally looking like a bridge.
.. We've not mentioned it much because it's only been a minor nuisance. After all, if you intend to fish the Gallatin River and it's tributaries then it's just another snag.
.. We also have trouble with the description of the problems being fixed: Both ascending and descending curves with diminishing radii of off-camber gradients. It means that one of the worst section of road in the state will now be a lot safer; especially in winter.
.. We endured the wait twice this last weekend and were rewarded with some fine and solitary fishing in our surprisingly gentle Autumn weather.
.. Report to follow.

-------

.

Inspection On Wednesday

THE PAVING IS FINISHED

The Bridge Is Beautiful
many perfect pull-outs

we're a bit sad

Just 60 Feet To A Beautiful Riffle And Run Stretch
On The Gibbon River: We Can Handle It!

-------

.. Final approval from the Division Of Federal Highways is expected on Wednesday - or so. The Gibbon River Bridge Project is about finished. It looks like a picture book.

New Picnic Area.

.. Rock work along the roadway blends with the native stone and is artistically done. The bright yellow and white paint on the roadway sets off the road like nothing else can. It won't be beautiful for long, but it will be ohhh sooo much nicer to travel.
.. The volcanic potholes are gone. The off-camber diminishing radius curves are a thing of the past. The abrupt shoulders are just a bad memory.
.. The lack of parking or pull-outs along the road between Gibbon Falls and Tuff Cliff has been remedied by the addition of at least 15 new, (and very spacious,) wide spots.
.. It's been over a decade in planning and construction. It's hard to describe the change. Simply put; it's a modern road, well designed and competently constructed.
.. There is no more fear for the impending disaster of an approaching motor home. Room for the contemporary condominiums on wheels was adequately provided for: now then, about the dotards behind their steering wheels.
.. We were treated to a brief tour of some of the improvements, (thanks guys,) and have a pile of images to show you.
.. We suspect that the fishing pressure along the Gibbon River, (below the falls,) will increase mightily because of the wonderfully placed parking areas. The neighbors are already planning where and how!

Wide Access & Stop Signs.

.. The old picnic area at the base of the falls is now a scenic pull-out with small hills and a twisty one way road, (paved just yesterday.)
.. There is a new picnic area up-grade from Gibbon Falls at Iron Springs. We haven't had the legs to climb to this area in over 30 years - nice to visit old friends.
.. There is now a monstrous parking area for vehicles above the falls and a nicely paved walking and viewing area with powder-coated handrails and giant boulders for sitting and decoration.
.. The overlook is just as spectacular and far safer than the old disaster area. There are traffic separators and the congestion that was so common in this area should be greatly reduced.
.. We're going to miss the easy access to the narrow canyon riffles above the falls. However, the person in charge of restoration of this section understands the needs of crippled old farts and has assured us that the walk along our favorite riffles will not be too strenuous.
.. We did have time to visit with the river about sundown, (just a pleasant 60 feet from our trusty horse,) and danced with a small Brown Trout. We are going to save full exploration of the new access points for next season, (it'll get us through the winter with sneaky planning.)
.. Enjoy the images below. They are fairly sizable and a click will fill your screen.

Brand New & Pretty As A Picture.

Beautiful, Strong, Unobtrusive Rock Work - CCC? WPA?

We Get To Inspect A New Fishing Access
At The Revamped Picnic Area Below Gibbon Falls - Woot, Woot!

Beautiful, Unobtrusive & Dead Straight - SAFE!

Plenty Of Room For "Hippos Of The Highway."

Lots OF Room & Good Visibility.
Note Silt Dam Along The River's Edge.

Just An Easy Cast From The Road.
Does It Get Any Better?

-------

.. If you survived the slide show, we've a secret for you. The Yellowstone River around Sulfur Cauldron is fishing so good that it's worth the trip from West Yellowstone.
.. Also, the deep riffles and runs above Buffalo Ford are full of fat and feisty 20" fish. These are Cutthroat Trout so eager to dance that they will jump in your vest and pick the correct fly for you.
.. What Fly? Nothing exotic. A nice, (not too bushy,) Woolly Bugger in the size range of 2 or 4, (xl long hooks are good.)
.. Black, of course and a bit of flash in the tail is helpful. Yellow bodies are a near sure bet as well.
.. Drift the pools, or strip the edges, the fish are just waiting for you. Fish hard, fish long, cover water. Now you know - don't catch them all.

ˈɔːld lɑŋˈsəin

DAYS OF LONG AGO

Long Long Ago

Thank You Mr. Burns
brief report too

-------

Gibbon Road between Madison & Norris is now closed.

.. Auld Lang Syne was generated by Robert Burns: bless the Scot.
.. It is a poem that incorporates some wisdom from "an old man, that I knew." Burns added his touch and the Scots carried it with them around the world.
.. The original question, loosely translated into contemporary language, is simply: "Should we remember the good old days?" The answer is buried in the poesy.
.. We've fished the Gibbon River on and off for over 40 years: nearly weekly these last eight or ten. The sojourns will be missed for the next couple of years. We hope to live long enough to trek down canyon when access is restored.
.. Here's some videos that capture the visual flavor of the soon to be abandoned canyon section and it's road. Restoration will be good for both fish and fishers.

..

..

..

.. Despite the nay sayer's skepticism, the cool weather has kept the river fishable. The real warming takes place in the lower meadows, below the falls, where the river slows into looping meanders. It fished very well again this weekend.
.. The terrestrials and berries are apparent and plentiful. There are lots of ants, a few beetles, spiders galore, and even some grasshoppers.
.. Spruce moths and caddis flies overlap in their activity cycles and a Goddard caddis in two sizes, (10 & 14,) is all that was needed.

-------

FROM WIKIPEDIA:

..Shid ald akwentans bee firgot, an nivir brocht ti mynd? Shid ald akwentans bee firgot, an ald lang syn?
CHORUS: Fir ald lang syn, ma jo, fir ald lang syn, wil tak a cup o kyndnes yet, fir ald lang syn.
An sheerly yil bee yur pynt-staup! an sheerly al bee myn! An will tak a cup o kyndnes yet, fir ald lang syn.
CHORUS
We twa hay rin aboot the braes, an pood the gowans fyn; Bit weev wandert monae a weery fet, sin ald lang syn.
CHORUS
We twa hay pedilt in the burn, fray mornin sun til dyn; But seas between us bred hay roard sin ald lang syn.
CHORUS
An thers a han, my trustee feer! an gees a han o thyn! And we’ll tak a richt gude-willie-waucht, fir ald lang syn.
CHORUS

Effective Immediately

GIBBON RIVER CLOSED
SOONER THAN EXPECTED

Danger From Grading &
Contouring Prompt Closure

Large Crane Now In Place
fish elsewhereclick on image for detailed view

-------

.. Two area closures, announced yesterday by Yellowstone National Park, have effectively closed fishing along about 5 miles of the Gibbon River.
.. Closure #1 is from one-half mile above Gibbon Falls to one mile south of Gibbon Falls. This closure is in effect NOW, and until August 16, 2009.
.. Closure #2 is in effect from August 17, 2009 until the winter season, (projected re-opening is November 1, 2009.) The road and river between Artist Paint Pots and the Tuff Cliff Picnic Area is affected by this closure. No hiking or fishing is allowed in the closed area.
.. Fishing will still be allowed above closure #1 until August 17, 2009. The parking is scarce, the road is narrow, and the condominiums on wheels are larger then ever: - FORGET IT!

MONEY QUOTE

"During the full closure, anglers will be allowed to access the Gibbon River between Artist Paint Pots to the bridge north of the Monument Geyser Basin trailhead and from one mile south of Gibbon Falls to the Tuff Cliff Picnic area as long as they don’t walk on, along, or near the road."

.. NPS maps of the closures are available here: [CLOSURE #1, CLOSURE #2], (PDF.)

-------

Paradise Lost ?

WORTH THE TROUBLE
AND HASSLES

Fish It Now - It'll Soon Be Remote

so long - we hardly knew you

.. Much has been said about the travel delay between Madison and Gibbon. On the other hand, not much has been said about what the impact of a safe road through the terminal stretch of Gibbon Canyon will have on fishing and catching.
.. The advantages for the visiting public are manifold and apparent: new DOT Spec. Road, wide enough for condominiums on wheels, spectacular overlooks of the Gibbon Canyon and the valley, grades for modern machinery, - the list goes on & on.
.. What then are the disadvantages? About 1.75 river miles of the most friendly pocket water in Yellowstone National Park will be very difficult to get to, (only a significant deterrent for those of us with rubber bands for legs.)
.. The new alignment leaves the current road just above Tanker Curve, (and it's big, deep plunge pool,) the road then ascends to the ridge line for a ways then descends to the current road just above Gibbon Falls.
.. Plans call for complete reclamation of the old roadbed. The grade stakes are already in place for most of it. Preliminary excavation and grading are already underway.
.. That same stretch of water is also full of some sweet riffles, gentle glides, deep pools, (like the one just below Tanker Curve,) and of course the chance to catch Grayling, (we have a failing when it comes to this fish.)
.. Currently this stretch of the Gibbon River is just coming into shape. A two fly rig in the riffles, (or anywhere for that matter,) will dredge up fish. The good folks at Parks' Fly Shop recommend a Trude & Prince combination.
.. These are mature fish of the diminutive variety. 8"-11" is the norm. They are colorful, full of fight and willing. Both Brown Trout and Rainbow Trout are here, along with the Brook Trout and perhaps a Grayling. These are fish that live in a challenging environment and they are opportunistic feeders. Bless their hearts; they get pounded by those that know.
.. Parking has always been problematic along this narrow stretch of road, and the fish have enjoyed a rather unmolested existence for most of the year.
.. If the trophy 13"-14" fish is sought a single streamer in the pillows and pockets will produce results. A double fly rig with a Casual Dress followed by a Feather Duster is also worth a try in the tails of the pools.
.. When hatches occur they tend to be highly localized in the Gibbon River Canyon. On the one hand the canyon waters are of a single cloth: on the other, each stretch has it's own character and personality. It's possible to find PMD's going strong in one pool and Caddis the ticket just a few hundred yards away.
.. Some riffles are dotted with boulders, others are nearly smooth with barely apparent glassy spots. The rapids can be shallow and devoid of fish, or they can be interrupted by breaks and pockets that allow only a single approach.
.. This is primer water. A few days on this section of the Gibbon River will introduce the novice and expert alike to a myriad of situations. The canyon waters are intimate and honest. Fish them while you can.
.. Both the stream and the fish will probably be better off with the new road alignment. Fishing and catching may even improve with the difficulty of access. Right now it's worth the hassle of parking, walking, and dodging buses to fish the bits and pieces of this section. You may never again have the chance.

A Mixed Bag

MONDAYS ARE JUST THAT WAY

Things Pile Up

this is catch-up

.. It is a constant and ever present surprise to us that things "out there" happen while we're futzing around the local rivers. But, wonder of wonders - they do.
.. The Monday crash of real-world events sneaks into our electric monster and appears before our eyes: uninvited, and blatantly unrepentant. Life goes on.
.. Here's a few things that caught our eye and held it long enough to sink in:

-------

--> Instant Karma: heads up from Protect Your Waters, courtesy of connect2earth, via 7genblog.

..

.. We can imagine a dozen scenarios applicable to fisher folks.

-------

--> Photo Workshop for the rest of us: heads up from Yellowstone Park Newspaper, Courtesy of Yellowstone Association, through the Yellowstone Association Institute, via Bozone.com... This would certainly help our images. But, three weekend days without fishing . . .

-------

--> Cheap, (sort'a,) Lodging: by Marilyn Crain, National Parks Travel Examener. The lodges in Yellowstone National Park offer a great value compared to the inns and other lodging. Read about how to stay at Lake Lodge as your central fishing location for this year's road construction travel interruption. Use the cabins for an "ol'-timey feel."-------

.. Time for grease and gutbombs. Bisquits & gravy, flapjacks, toast & real butter, half-pound of bacon, two eggs, (over medium,) hash browns and buttermilk: washed down with a quart or so of yesterday's coffee, (waste not - want not,) -- YUM!

Hitch In Your Get-A-Long

YELLOWSTONE ROAD WORK

Plan Very Carefully
Plan Very, Very, Carefully

Plan Very, Very, Very, . . .

this will crimp your style

.. There is going to be a beautiful new road complete with bridge in Yellowstone National Park. It will be smooth, wide, and absolutely glorious. Construction has been going on for about three years now. How sweet it is.
.. Just one problem: it's going to restrict travel. And then -- horror of horrors, it's going to eliminate travel through the Gibbon River Canyon after August 16, 2009!
.. AGAIN: if you are in West Yellowstone on August 17, 2009, (and for the remainder of the season,) you will need to take the long way around to get to the upper Gibbon River, the Yellowstone River, Slough Creek, Soda Butte Creek, the Lamar River, and other choice Fall fishing destinations in the north and eastern part of the park. This is an important bit of information. For all visitors, not just fishers.

-------

.. So, you fished Nez Perce Creek yesterday: it was just better than O.K. and you decide to fish second meadow on Slough Creek today. You now have a choice of two travel plans if you are in West Yellowstone:
---> Travel Plan #1] Get up way too early, eat stale donuts and drink cold coffee as you head to Old Faithful. Enjoy the peak-season crowds and gawker blocks. Arrive at Old Faithful in time for a decent breakfast, (but opt out,) and continue on to scenic Craig Pass (don't stop to admire the view of the Tetons.) Cross the Continental Divide twice, and don't stop to wonder at Isa Lake. Continue on past West Thumb and through the tunnel of trees on the shore of Yellowstone Lake. Bypass the Lake Hotel and the Upper and Lower Falls of the Yellowstone River. Carefully negotiate the traffic jams along the Dunraven Pass road and try not to slow down for bear sightings. Arrive at Roosevelt in time for lunch, (but opt out for more cold coffee and donut crumbs,) and head down the road toward the promised land. Go very slowly and avoid the visitors watching Rosie and her cubs. Please don't go too fast past the photographers and their 800mm lenses taking pictures of the wolves, (vibration will ruin their images.) Finally, turn left on the dusty road and try to find a place to park. Rig up and begin the trek toward Second Meadow. As the sun sinks below the yardarm over your shoulder be sure to ask those fishers coming out how the fishing was. Just missed a great hatch? Well, you can probably get back to West Yellowstone in time for a late dinner.
---> Travel Plan #2] Get up way too early, eat stale donuts and drink cold coffee as you head north to the construction zone in the Gallatin River Canyon. Smile knowingly at the fishers landing fish in choice spots during a classic spinner fall. Turn off the car lights and enjoy the early morning light at beautiful 4-Corners. Decide if you want to brave the morning rush hour and road construction in Bozeman or go north through Belgrade and intersect scenic Interstate 90. Follow the Interstate, (along with all the other commuters,) to Livingston, Montana - or thereabouts, watch for the Yellowstone Park sign.) Travel south through The Paradise Valley and be smug as you pass all the fishing opportunities. Arrive at Pray, Montana and enjoy the beautiful valley view -- but don't stop for pizza or fishing or Chico Hot Springs. Travel along the Yellowstone River and avoid looking at the wader-laden and boat-filled water as you head toward Gardiner. Take a two block detour and wave at the good folks at Parks' Fly Shop, (stopping would be better.) Dodge the pedestrians and zoom toward the Roosevelt Arch. Follow the winding road to Mammoth and be sure to take the right road. Cross the big bridge and enjoy the scenery as you head toward the intersection at Roosevelt. Rosie might be on this side of the mountain, (she had 3 cubs last year - her name is traditional and has been worn by many bears.) Don't stop for ribs & Roosevelt Beans, as good as they are, (it's past lunch time anyway -- and there's still some acid, disguised as coffee, in the other thermos.) Then, please don't go too fast past the photographers and their 800mm lenses taking pictures of the wolves, (vibration will ruin their images.) Finally, turn left on the dusty road and try to find a place to park. Rig up and begin the trek toward Second Meadow. As the sun sinks below the yardarm over your shoulder be sure to ask those fishers coming out how the fishing was. Just missed a great hatch? Well, you can probably get back to West Yellowstone in time for a late dinner -- OR, spend the night at Chico Hot Springs and drive back in the morning, OR sleep in the car, get a ticket and fish here tomorrow.
.. It's exhausting to think about it.

-------

.. What's it all mean? There are several implications and consequences for the fly fisher. Take heed! Fishing pressure is going to be rearranged and not as predictable as in recent years. Lodging is a prime concern. Fishing destinations must be carefully considered.
.. After August 17, 2009 there will be two, (yes Martha, TWO,) Yellowstone National Parks -- as far as fishers are concerned. Fish the West Side or fish the East and North Side. These are your choices. There will be no travel between Norris and Madison Junction.
.. You will not be able to easily fish both the Madison River & the Lamar River from the same bedroom. It will be a herculean effort to fish the Firehole River & Soda Butte Creek if you stay in either West Yellowstone or Gardiner.
.. As silly as it seems, the Lake Hotel and cabins may be the best solution for those that want to fish on both sides of Yellowstone National Park this Fall.
.. DO THIS NOW! Call your favorite fly shop. Ask them about the situation. Get your lodging squared away early, nay DO IT NOW TOO ! As far as fisher folks are concerned, your favorite home away from home may be booked. Things will be different and seeing the park will be confusing at best. Fishing will be worse unless you plan and make some hard decisions.
.. For an exceedingly excellent perspective from the northern part of the park visit the decision and road work page at PARKS' FLY SHOP Road Work Page.
.. Yellowstone National Park has a page about all the closures and delays for the coming summer season: VISIT IT HERE. We're glad that they have let us know this early, it will make a difference. We can hear the whining now.

" I'd Still Rather Be Fishin' "

THE GUTSIEST JOB
IN THE WEST

Via New West
..

.. Anne Medley of NewWest.net spent a day collecting this video, an interview, and dead animals. Read the whole story HERE.