Pack It In ??

FIREHOLE IS HOT

Madison Is Too

gibbon & gallatin o.k.

WALLPAPER:   SWIM HERE - FORGET FISHING

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.. We're on track for a record setting Fourth of July visitation.
.. Morning wait time to enter the west entrance of Yellowstone National Park is in the two hour range. Traffic is at a near standstill along Canyon Street in town. Go early or go late!
..The Firehole River is now spiking to near 80°F at mid day and the fish are pooped. We suggest that the popular runs be abandoned until Fall, (barring a 3 three day snow storm and drastic drop in temperature - it has happened.)

A TOUCH OF YELLOW

.. Flows on the Firehole River are still a bit high, (as has been the case all Spring.)
.. This has allowed more white water riffles and a bit of a respite for the fish given the additional oxygenated water.
.. Despite the recent rains the grasses are maturing and yellows are creeping into the meadows. Seems a bit early to us.

SHADOWS:  UPPER FIREHOLE

.. Way up in the shady water along the trail to Lone Star Geyser the water is holding in the low to mid 60's. 
..The playful Brook Trout are being visited more frequently than in recent memory. The cyclists and dog walkers are dense as well.
.. The Madison River is still above seasonal discharge norms. It has flirted with normal flows over the last couple of days.

LITTLE BROWN TROUT

.. Temperatures at mid day are now in the 70's and fishing should be limited to the hours right after daybreak.
.. Small streamers near the undercut banks at the edge of the morning shadows will be amply rewarded with dance partners. A twitch at the end of a slow drift will enhance the presentation.
.. Postpone the second cup of coffee. Enter the park early and avoid the rush: come out when others are going in. An hearty early lunch, a short nap, and some grocery shopping can fill out the day prior to dinner and the evening neighborhood fireworks.

FEATHER DUSTER

..  The Gibbon River has finally slowed to slightly below seasonal flows. There are still some catching opportunities in the shady stretches of the canyon.
.. A double nymph rig will be the best choice: big and little, light and dark, deep and shallow are excellent combinations. Keep the upper nymph small, small, small.
.. The neighbor's choice for crowded fishing locations is the Gallatin River and Fan Creek. Access is quick and easy from town. There is always a deep bend that is missing any elbows, (it takes some careful observation and a bit of walking.)

BAD FOR TREES - GOOD FOR CATCHING

.. There is an early appearance of spruce moths and there are white miller caddis for the fly floaters.
.. The grasshopper nymphs are approaching their final molt. They are very active and are wingless. They are on the smallish side this year and a size 6 or 8 will work wonders if you have to float them.
.. Try not to use any floatant and let them ride just below the surface on a short leader - hang on tight.

FRIENDLY SPECIMEN CREEK

.. This year Specimen Creek seems to have more eager fish than usual.
.. You will have to walk a ways. You will have to be cordial and visit with the tons of hikers.
.. You will have to explain why you are fishing for  little 10" fish. It's all good - there's a whopping pacel of 'em.
.. We enjoy this water for it's congenial fish that eat just about anything. This is your standard "attractor fly" water. It is sometimes called a children's fishery. So be it. We'll be a child!

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.. We're busy watching some braised short ribs. Time to sign off and make do with something to fill the growling chasm until they are ready.

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WALLPAPER:  RHUBARB CRISP - YUM

Just Delightful

UPPER GALLATIN SMOKIN'

Fish Seeking Dance Partners

all bugs seem to be present

WALLPAPER: THE VALLEY OF PERFECTION

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.. So when it's good it's just too good. That's the haps on the Gallatin River. It's easy to tell when the fishing and catching warm weather calendar has about run it's course.

IT'S TRUE -THEY'RE THAT SMALL

.. The catching becomes almost mindless. The breezes are gentle. The clouds are dense. The afternoon showers are right on time. Temperatures climb all the way into the 70's.
.. Every bug in our box is present and, alive and. on the water or, in the air or, in the weeds. What more could you want?
.. The low hopper count seems to have improved. It's even flying ant time. There are still, (or increasing,) spruce moths along the wooded sections and the beetles are big enough that you need to watch your step or trip over them. The neighbors are favoring the old fashioned Hopper/Dropper combination of a size 10 hopper and a size 16 ant.

HOPPERS LEICA THIS LENS

.. There has not been the anticipated heavy rains that scared some fishers to the lowlands.
.. Intermittent and wildly dispersed showers in the afternoon and heavy fog in the morning seems to have wrung some moisture from the air.
.. Some folks still insist that the drive to the northeast corner of Yellowstone National Park is where you will find that the fishing and catching is best. Farm out - have at it!
.. While you're over there look for the pretty colors in Soda Butte Creek. Flow testing with dye infusions started yesterday. Some sections of Soda Butte Creek will remain open. Some sections will be closed.
.. The electrofishing for cutthroat salvage will begin about mid week, (around the 19th of August.) Poison dumping is scheduled to happen on the 24, 25, and maybe 26 of August. Check with your favorite feather merchant for exact dates and stream section closures.

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PREVIEWS OF COMING ATTRACTIONS

.. Our weather continues to be a pub topic with the neighbors. One of our well educated fisher friends explains that we are already feeling the effects of this coming monster El Niño.
.. It seems that the persistent light precipitation around here is in response to the Jet Stream doing a hula as it moves north and south in response to warm air pulses from the eastern Pacific Ocean around Peru.
.. Of course it has to dodge the Great Basin High and slip underneath the polar vertexes. Hearing the jargon of explanation makes our head spin.
.. We have a better time with pictures and simple arithmetic.
.. In the simplest terms the current, rapidly building, El Niño has a better than nine in ten chance of being the biggest in the last 50 years.
.. We'll let you know come next April or May. Right now we're headed to Specimen Creek. Or maybe Bacon Rind Creek. Or maybe even the perfect Gallatin River.
.. We suggest that you avoid the noisy gulpers on Hebgen Reservoir.

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WALLPAPER:   FLAUTAS CON MACHACA