Finally Here

GOT SOME

Still Down Some

watch for the warm up

LOOKING GOOD  --  FOR NOW

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.. The meager snowfall of the last two weeks has given our fish some hope for the coming summer.

.. The Pacific Ocean temperatures plus the polar vortex outbreak has allowed the Pineapple Express to take aim at our Pacific Northwest.

RARIN' TO GO

.. All we need now is the Gulf Of Alaska Low to reform and we will get some regular pulses of precipitation. Hopefully it will be snow instead of rain.

.. The snows have been relatively dry and contain just a small bit of water content.

.. It's perfect for challenging trees at speed and ripping donuts in the town intersections.

.. We are not holding our breath - BUT this year's winter snowpack may turn out to be O.K.

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WALLPAPER:  Ragù alla Bolognese and Spinach

That Time Of Year

MORE TYING

Less Catching

a lot of squinting

WALLPAPER:  SPIKII THE LITTLE GOLDEN STONEFLY

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.. We are watching the white stuff falling out of the sky. It's a blessing and is sure to be appreciated by the ski crowd, the sledheads, and, the fly fishers around here.

BEAD HEAD SHOP VAC

.. Some of the young folks are taking sleds to the mouth of the estuary of the South Fork of the Madison River. The spawn is about over and the snakes are returning to Hebgen Reservoir. The ice is creeping toward the river and soon it will not be legal to fish and catch over  there. But, as long as the estuary extends into the reservoir beyond the natural shoreline the trouts are fair game.
.. As the discharge slows into the reservoir the debris and flotsam hangs in the water before sinking. Trouts enjoy these slim - but easy - pickings. small twigs, leaf bits, nymphs, and other debris are all indiscriminately gobbled up by very hungry sex ravaged trout. Some fishers know about this.

SCALAWAG

.. The neighbors are mostly using one of three patterns: Spikii, Bead Head Shop Vac and, Scalawag. These can be seen and are very attractive in the debris fall from the discharge into the estuaries.
.. These patterns are easy to tie and require only a modicum of squinting, (sizes 10 - 16.) This is a good thing!

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..  Over the next couple of warm days we could get 6 or 7 inches of very dry fluff. It will make for good snapshots and stories of buried snow machines. It will also make tender cornices that will trigger avalanches. SLEDHEAD beware. Some skiers head that high up the mountains too. There are some new trucks parked around he Gallatin County Sheriff and Rescue building.

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WALLPAPER:  ROAST BEAST SANDWICH

Winter Fun

FISH FLORIDA . . .

OR STAY HOME  ??

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WALLPAPER:  PRIME AND POTATO

Snow Pack Up & Melt Down !!

GREAT SNOW PACK

Hydrologic Alert

will it last ?

WALLPAPER:  MELT DOWN

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.. The high school kids are wearing shorts today. They are playing their favorite Spring game . . . "SPLASH YOUR BUDDY."

MELTED SNOW = PUDDLES

.. Our snow pack is in great shape and still showing some signs of getting better. Snow water content is up as is the snow depth.
.. Now the wait and watch game begins, [SEE MAPS HERE.]
.. We and, most of this part of the state are under an 'hydrologic alert.' this just means that it is getting too warm for the snow to remain snow.

STILL BIG PILES OF SNOW

.. Eighteen counties are being affected by this warm weather surge.
.. We, (up here in the village,) will soon be looking at 50°F. As you move down slope the temperature will increase.
.. The low level snow pack is melting as we write this. It will melt faster or slower relative to local over night temperatures.

SNOWMOBILES IN TRUCKS

.. Depending on the persistence and amount of warming, there will be a discharge event in the rivers of greater or lessor magnitude.
.. In some years the mid level snow pack melts so fast that it is meaningless for river conditions when Summer arrives.
. . We hope that it cools down and, that Spring brings a more moderate transition than is happening right now.

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.. We have a city ordinance that requires a 6" bed of snow on the city streets to facilitate safe riding of snowmobiles in town. Right now the city crews are putting snow on the roads to keep them safe - a highly unusual condition, indeed.

DON'T GET USED TO IT

.. You can keep track of the melting and the flooding around the area  HERE.
.. The folks down in Ennis, Montana are moving equipment, livestock, lawn mowers and, other stuff away from low lying areas. It's a Spring ritual across our part of the world.
.. Given the amount of moisture supplied by the current mid latitude cyclonic storm and, the current upslope warming, we anticipate newspaper headlines for the lowlands, across the country, in the next few weeks.
.. Snowfall is not over for this spring. Locally, we have a recorded snowfall for any and every day of the year. There will be more to come.
.. The Summer river flows are now in a condition of constraint. How much snow plus how much warm will give the answer.
.. Stay tuned, we'll keep you informed.

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VERY RARE PAVEMENT SLEDS

.. Right around the corner preparations are underway for the great mudfest known as "Snowmobile Expo." Happily the race track has been the recipient of the snow cleaned from our streets during the winter. The races will go on.
.. Approach to the race track from town is facilitated through our alleys. It is easier to steer a sled on mud, slush, shadow snow and, gravel than it is on the paved streets.

P.S. FISH NOW OR WAIT A SPELL!

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WALLPAPER:  A CHOCOLATE ERUPTION

Baja Shrimp

LIKE MIKE'S

Simple & Delish

quick and easy

WALLPAPER:  BAJA SHRIMP, (camarones simples)

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.. Down in Ensenada, just a couple of blocks from the fishing fleet, and the fish market, is a little restaurant, (really just a street food stand.)

FISH MARKET

.. It's called Mariscos El Guero. One of the owners,
 Miguel Santos, (call him 'MIKE,') does shrimp in a most delicious fashion.
.. You can watch it being prepared and, it's not even a secret. We call it "BAJA SHRIMP."
.. Although most folks order the civiche, (of one sort or another - they are very famous for it,) this shrimp dish of theirs is simple and, brings forth all the flavors of the sea and the land. It's not on the menu but just ask for simple shrimp, (camarones simples.)

SMILE, SPEAK SPANISH, ENJOY

..The shrimp is par boiled and then rested, (there are piles on ice.) The sauce is black pepper, cilantro, butter, onions, olive oil, and garlic.
.. When the sauce is warmed to fragrance the shrimp is returned to the pan and finished. Be sure to use way too much butter to allow infusion of the aromatics. Black pepper is necessary. Dried chilis are often added.
.. Serve over rice or, noodles, (pour out the butter too,) or as a tostada with smashed avocado underneath and a squirt of lime on the top.
.. It's a friendly place and,  just ask and it shall be delivered. During Carnival it gets real busy and hectic. (TRIP ADVISOR, FACEBOOK.)

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.. As the puddles become pools and, the pools become lakes we eagerly await the grand debacle known as the "SNOWMOBILE EXPO."
.. The neighbors refer to the warm up at this time in March as 'snomoweather.' It's a result of the local merchants extending the winter season to it's bitter moderate warmest end. The search for an additional buck or two.
.. We don't much mind this bit of mercantile madness. It's good for the gift shops, T-shirt shops, restaurants, gas stations and, sled renters.
.. It's tough on the sleds and certainly puts pressure on the manufacturers to demonstrate the advantages of buying a new snowmobile that costs the same as a one year old Toyota.
.. The forecast warmup is holding nicely. The evenings are still cold enough to slow the melting. We're watching stream flows and are waiting for a scouring event.
.. We'll keep you informed.

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WALLPAPER:  BAJA SHRIMP ON BUTTERED NOODLES

Deep, Warm, And Wet

NIFTY SNOWFALL

Wrecks And Floods

normal or newsy ?

..
COURTESY KBZK NEWS, BOZEMAN

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.. Nothing like a record BUT, we just had a few days of heavy wet snow.
.. The wind blew, the sky was white, the flakes were large and heavy, and the drifts got deeper and deeper.

FORTY INCHES IN 48 HOURS

.. In our village and, in the region around us the news hounds are having a field day with events and situations that are rare this year.
.. Newsworthy items include: the ice jams on the Gallatin River and Madison River, neighbors getting stuck in the snow, sledheads challenging trees at speed, visitors lost in the whiteout, the road  closed from here to Ashton, Idaho, etc.
.. Even our school was closed. A very rare occurrence indeed. One for the history books. On a more pleasant note the call has spread for presenters at the "WINTER PHOTO FESTIVAL."

THE CONVENIENCE OF WINTER TOURING

.. AND, our snow pack statistics are in great shape. The month 'to date' for February snowfall was at about 140% [LINK.]
.. Save for the warm temperatures this is a good thing. We're looking forward to mid 30's or, even 40's in a day or two. More floods!
.. 30 years ago this situation was a near normal annual occurrence. Now it is a stunning event and worthy of sensationalism. 40 years ago travel in Yellowstone National Park was a bona fide wilderness adventure.
.. Last year was one of the warmest on record with only moderate snowfall and winter travel in the park was convenient in the buses with triangle tracks.
.. We'll not bore you with details:

RESOURCES

ICE JAM-1, ICE JAM-2, ICE JAM-3, ICE JAM-4, SNOWMOBILE vs. TREE, LOST IN THE WHITEOUT-1, RESCUED FROM THE WHITEOUT-2, SCHOOL CLOSED, WINTER PHOTO FESTIVAL.

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.. Our aerobic activity ration for the winter has been used up over the last couple of days. We wore the paint off of the snow shovel.

ROOF SLIDES IN WARM WEATHER

.. Most of the stuck cars in our village were little Subaru vehicles.
.. Owners who believed the 'good in snow' hype charged forth into the deep wet powder.
.. Rear wheel wells got snow packed and the light weight vehicles floated on the compressed powder.
.. Pushing by hand was the easy way to get going again. Some drivers got stuck turning corners in the whiteout and buried themselves in the plowed up street cleaning piles. No disasters with drivers in the village have been yet recorded.
.. We're headed to the Post Office, grocery store, and hardware store. There should be tales told and stories to share. Rare indeed, for deep snow to be a topic of conversation in our village.

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WALLPAPER: SUPER WAFFLE AND BRANDIED STRAWBERRIES

Right Next Door

CWD KNOCKING

Latest Survey

yellowstone infected

CWD NOW CALLED ZOMBIE DEER DISEASE 

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.. The latest survey from the CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL shows the rapid expansion of chronic wasting disease (CWD) throughout the nation.

OH DEAR, DEER !!

.. As of January 2019, CWD in free-ranging deer, elk and/or moose has been reported in at least 24 states in the continental United States, as well as two provinces in Canada.
.. In addition, CWD has been reported in reindeer and moose in Norway and Finland, and a small number of imported cases have been reported in South Korea.
.. The disease has also been found in farmed deer and elk.
..  So far no known cases of human infection have been documented. However, research has shown that the disease can cross species lines and even into primates.
.. Current data show that all of Yellowstone Park has infected deer. So far no reports are catalogued from Gallatin County. We suspect that infected deer are just down the road. Just not reported from tested critters.

RESOURCES:

USA Today,
Center For Disease Control.

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.. It's not yet 'old news.' But our snowfall frequency and, it's moisture content is becoming common. We are pleased to report this and suggest that we deserve it after our long standing drought.
.. The kids down the block are taking a break from catching. They are jumping on snow machines and heading to the slopes where avalanches are the soup of the day.

BLACK IS BEAUTIFUL

.. In town the hotel rooms are full and grocery shopping is an exercise in bumper cars.
.. Visitors in snow suites become giant black renditions of the Michelin Man.
.. They travel in packs. They flood the wine aisle and crowd into our tiny liquor stores.
.. They are over heated and fragrant: makes shopping in the produce section an enormous challenge.

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.. Time to mark your calendar for some of our upcoming end of winter fun:
>> Taste Of Trails, February 17, 2019.  This event is designed to encourage skiers of all ages and abilities to try cross-country skiing in a simple and festive format.

ELBOWS APLENTY

.. A 5km (3.1 mile) course takes skiers and 'snowshoers' around the Rendezvous Ski Trails.  Four feed stations are staffed by volunteers who offer snacks and beverages to participants.
>> Rendezvous Ski Race, March 2, 2019. There are six different races:  2K, 5K, 10K, 25K classic, 25K and 50K.
.. The races are run concurrently on the Rendezvous Ski Trails, and skiers of all ages and abilities participate every year. The event is the culmination of cross country ski racing in our region.

THRILLS  AND  SPILLS

>> Skijor West Championships, March 9-10, 2019.
..  Equestrian skijoring consists of a team of a single horse, a rider and, a person on skis who navigates a specified course.
.. Skijor USA is currently the leading sporting organization for equine skijoring in the United States and, in 2019 has presented a circuit of 12 races covering three regions: Northern, Central, Southern and, the Championship Final in West Yellowstone. Teams of all skill levels are welcome to compete at the Skijor West race. Spectators are welcome!
>>  Snowmobile EXPO, Powersports & Races (March 15-17, 2019). This is where manufacturers unveil their new 2020 snowmobiles at the same location, for the first time.

SPILLS  AND  THRILLS

.. The 3-day event also includes Bingo Night, M120 and vintage snowmobile races, a Saturday night WOW event, exhibits, demo rides, and culminates with the 'AMA Snow Bike Championship.'
.. For the fisher folks: just in case you are not into frozen rod guides and blue fingers there are other activities, shopping, attractions and, an interesting array of pubs in this little village.
.. Y'all come !

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WALLPAPER:    SIMPLE BREAKFAST FARE

Yellowstone Park Status

EVERYBODY HELPS

Gov. Employees Suffer

bite out of profits

ENTER HERE

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.. Our neighbors are pitching in and helping with the dirty work during the government shutdown of Yellowstone National Park.
.. Concessionaires have delegated employees to clean restrooms, gather and empty trash, groom trails, give information and conduct tours.

LOCAL BUSINESSES PITCH IN

.. Our local business community has risen to the challenge of continued operations and expanded services.  It's an additional burden for them. It is winter after all.
.. Everyone is currently manning telephones and assisting visitors in the myriad ways that they expect from a winter trip to wonderland.
.. A fund has been established by private citizens and local businesses to cover the discontinued government services . It costs the tour companies and motels and restaurants and other  concerns between $300 and $500 each, every day.

RESOURCES

YNP Webpage > https://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/conditions.htm
NPR 1 > https://www.npr.org/2019/01/04/681995105/private-companies-are-paying-to-keep-roads-groomed-bathrooms-cleaned-in-yellowst
NBC Montana > https://nbcmontana.com/news/local/tourists-still-visiting-yellowstone-national-park-amid-govt-shutdown
KPAX Missoula > https://kpax.com/news/montana-outdoors/2019/01/02/guide-yellowstone-np-staying-clean-amid-government-shutdown/
Yellowstone Insider > https://yellowstoneinsider.com/2019/01/01/businesses-pick-up-slack-in-yellowstone-shutdown/

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.. Yes, even the neighbors are helping with traffic, snowmobile rider assistance, sidewalks, streets, trash receptacles, and other stuff.

STREETS FOR SLEDS AND CARS

.. We know that folks save money, (sometimes for years,) to visit us in the winter. It would be a real crime - a travesty - to be shut out of the park because of a bit of governmental intransigence.
.. Even fishing is taking a back seat to helping visitors in this time of trial and tribulation. We're proud of our neighbors and appreciate their sacrifice of time and money.

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WALLPAPER:  COMING HOME

Minutia

COMING ATTRACTIONS

Current Visitation

just winter fiddling

GOOD PLACE TO FISH ON THE GIBBON RIVER

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.. In the winter, even when we don't fish there are just so many thrilling things to do in our neighborhood.

RIDE A BOMB

.. We have some neighbors that take visitors on little rides in the park.
.. On occasion we tag along to make sure that Yellowstone National Park is still there: you never know.
.. There is also the exciting adventure of walking along the shopping streets to see just which shops are open: some are.
.. Pubs do a brisk business during the mid day break from  the kidney bruising adventures on the rocket sleds.
.. We can get in our aerobic licks and fresh air by shoveling the white stuff: one of the gentle nuisances of winter.

GOOD PLACE TO FISH THE FIREHOLE

.. Then, there are the chores around the house.
.. We're getting a head start on our spring cleaning. We do, however, get some minor pulmonary distress with vacuuming and dusting.
.. For some unexplained reason the winter is just as dusty as the summer around here.
.. Such a busy place in the winter and we don't ski, or ride sleds, or use the snowshoes, or clean roofs anymore.

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..The neighbors are clamoring for more. Here's a small preview of coming attractions:

..There are also  some nifty names of the Coachman variants.
.. How about a Coachman Royal Ginger? How about a Coachman New Zealand?
.. Do you need a Coachman Royal Black or a Coachman Red?
.. Would you ever fish with a Coachman Bucktail or with a Coachman Royal (Bivisible?)

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.. Well, as our linguistic relatives across the pond say: "THE HOOVER IS CALLING."
..There are also melodic whimperings from the hobby table hobby room.
.. Out in the kitchen the pleasant aromas emanating from crinkled beer cans and small scraps of steak and potatoes seem to need some attending to.
.. Of course we could change the bulb in the front porch light. We could also restring a couple of sadly neglected instruments or patch the bellows on the old Linhoff and Graflex cameras.
.. Maybe we should jettison the sweats and don the civilized attire with matching socks and mittens. 
.. The head spins with possibilities for very diverse and rewarding recreation. Apoplexy is distinctly possible. Or not!

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WALLPAPER:   YELLOWSTONE WINTER SOLITUDE