Just In Time

 FOR THE ICE

Through A Hole

we're ready

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WALLPAPER: SMALL TRADITIONAL ROAST BEEF

A Piggy Year

LUNAR NEW YEAR

Snow Depth Up

snow water too

WALLPAPER:  TIME FOR RIBS !!

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.. We're in the midst of an apparently Spring snowfall. The temperatures are in the high 20's and low 30's. The snow is wet enough for snowballs. The accumulation over the last few days has been in the low 'teens.
.. The forecast for the next few days is for another 20 or so inches. The high country is holding some snow and our maps show us at or near normal for the year, [LINK.]

GOOD  'UNS

.. We've had a nice run of cool nights and the surface slush has frozen on Hebgen Reservoir. This makes the ice fishers happier than they have been for the last few weeks.
.. Large Mountain Whitefish and even larger trout have been squeezed through little auger holes in the ice.

RAPALA JIGGER

.. Catching has been concentrated around the narrows rather than closer to the dam where the water is deeper. Conventional wisdom has it that this is because of the high inflow from the Grayling Creek. The discharge into the estuary has been so high and so warm that a couple of neighbors even took out a tube. Caught fish too. Need a snowmobile but, neoprene waders will keep you warm ???

KILLER  RIG

.. There is  even a single local feather merchant selling "Killer Rigs" that are hauling them in. Most of the neighbors gather up their rigs and other tackle at the marina, = better selection and prices.
.. Visitors are proliferating at the snow ride entrepreneur's guide shops. Sledheads are roaring into the deep powder of the Continental Divide. Avalanches are a daily occurrence. No deaths yet this year - only a couple of rescues - been a quiet season so far.

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.. We missed the most boring Super Bowl ever. We hitched a ride into Yellowstone National Park. Nice gentle day and even saw Old Faithful erupt. Might do it again next Super Bowl.

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WALLPAPER:   COOKIES AND MILK

Swamp Creatures

THE BEST WE HAVE

Just Ignore It All

the bard knows

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.. There is an old West Yellowstone adage: "Hire clowns: watch the circus!"
.. It's easy to be jocular as we ridicule Democrats. It's easy to be jocular as we ridicule Republicans. It's too easy to be amused by the tone of our national catharsis in the political arena.

SEMINAR ON SUCKING UP

.. There is enough blame to go around as our elected representatives, (of all stripes,) ignore principle, protocol, process, constitutionality, legality, and civility.
.. We should be outraged. We seem to be amused. There is an underlying seriousness about the circus playing out in Washington, D.C. All of us, (politically inclined or not,) should be paying close attention to the drama.

TAKE A PILL - IT'S OVER - YOU LOST

.. This comedy tragedy is not a footnote in future history books. This is several chapters  about the character of our constitutional republic and the rule of law.
.. This is about ass kissing and placing party above country.
.. This is about malfeasance of the finest kind.
.. This is about the pathology of power and it's ultimate consequences for our nation.

I'LL HAVE YOUR BALLS !!

.. Protestations from all stripes of the political spectrum demand that we examine the course of our nation.
.. Braggadocio and protestations within the current climate of our nation's capitol are too serious to ignore.
.. This, sad but true, is not politics as usual.  President Trump promised to "shake things up." We voted for that. We also voted for the sycophants and combatants that exist in the legislature.
.. This is most probably the result of emotionalism in the electoral politics of our moneyed campaigns.
.. We have gotten what we wished for. We have allowed ourselves to be swayed by money. It's the current American disease: money rules and that is it.

PLEASE FOLLOW THE RULES

.. It's most interesting for us to watch the pathological lairs from both sides of the aisle. They conform to the lair's code and do it so well.
.. Hell's bells, this was a code perfected by fisher folk in this part of the world.
.. Fly fishers themselves believe their own lies. Each and every fly tied by a fisher is the absolute best fly ever. That's why there are so many flies.

.. Each and every rod is the best and so, the reel, line, brand, river, boat, etc. We see it daily. It can almost be forgiven at the merchandising level.
.. It's the American Way = believe the others lies and avoid the thought process of doing it yourself. It's easy to do and, fly fishing has capitalized on it commercially.
.. The American electorate and fly fishers have this in common: they are lazy and subscribe to connoisseurship rather than becoming involved in the rigorous endeavor of intelligent exploration.
.. At it's worst the American electorate knows neither the facts nor the substance of our constitution and the law of the land.
.. At it's best the electorate accepts the word of the media, religion, club, social group or, divinity.
.. There are simple reasons for strident protestations. The bard knew. His play within a play shows it nicely.

.. In Washington, D.C. and, across our nation there are plays within plays that are strutting their stuff and being believed or, being giggled at.
.. Protest loudly enough and the substance of the protest is lost in the strident play of words and deeds. It's a sleight of hand and mouth that is being perfected and practiced before us.
.. We are of the belief, sadly, that both fishers and politicians will continue to behave more and more in the current manner.
.. The Romans did it, The Hittites did it, The Sumerians did it. The Chinese do it. The Russians do it. The Catholics do it. The Protestants do it. The Koreans do it. The French do it. Volkswagen does it. Carrier does it. Americans do it - perhaps best of all.

THE TRUTH SHALL SET YOU FREE

.. They do it as it satisfies the ego. It is much more fulfilling to believe the good lie about oneself than to explore the world without rose colored glasses. No grains of salt in the American psyche, (or that of fly fishers?)
.. The lost art of truth telling makes for sorry choices. Pick the best lie and go on down the road.
.. Ask Orvis who makes the best fly rods. Ask Hardy. Ask Fisher. Ask your neighbor. It's all the same. Pick a lie and be happy in the self delusion.
.. Or, believe the Democrat on the tube, the Republican on the tube, Rachel Maddow or Sean Hannity  --  pick your lies and giggle as our national principles get washed down the toilet. At least you will know that you are the most correct of all the people in the world.

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.. Geeze it's warm. The ukulele strummers are having a hard time keeping their instruments in tune. The streets are turning into midday slush and the skiers have run out of the correct colors of wax.

PREGNANT SCUD

.. We will be treated to a couple more nights of cool temperatures and then even the night will be welcoming.
.. It's that time of year up here. This is the false Spring that has newcomers believing that our seasons match those of the lowlanders. HAH !!
.. Ice fishers are scoring with worms, maggots, hamburger, and pregnant scuds.
.. Down canyon, (in the regions around Four Corners,) the folks in Bozeman are taking advantage of the gentle weather and thrashing the Gallatin River waters to a froth. Very deep and very slow with a very sparse and very dark streamer will poke the best fish where it counts.

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WALLPAPER:  ALASKAN POLLOCK AND POTATOES

Birds Of A Feather

RESURGENT PATTERN

Neighborhood Variants

pardon the rust

WALLPAPER:  FORGOTTEN BUT NOT GONE

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.. For a myriad of reasons the original COACHMAN fly pattern (LINKS: #1, #2, #3,)  is gaining popularity in our neighborhood.
.. The fly is quick to tie, it is cheap to tie, it is easy to tie, variation is easy,  AND: it works!

TIME FOR ICE

.. It can be wet or dry. It can be hackled or not. It can be drifted, floated, jerked, bobbed, dapped, jigged etc.
.. Right now the neighbors are selecting and tying their own variations for use through holes in the ice of Hebgen Reservoir.
.. With our recent cold temperatures the ice on the reservoir has firmed up very nicely and a couple of weeks early. Most ice fishers use bits of worm or, maggots or, meal worms or, coarse ground hamburger or, minnow jigs or, even a Swedish Pimple.
.. Our neighbors do the same but frequently put a fly in front of the offering. Sometimes just a fly will out fish anything else.
.. It's a catch-as-catch-can sort of game and multiple rods and lures are the most successful. Hanging around and telling stories in the lee of a shelter is also a requisite talent.

BEAD HEAD SOFT HACKLE COACHMAN

.. Right now there are several variants that are emerging as favorites for the sub ice fishers.
.. Each is, (interestingly,) a successful fly in our local waters during the conventional fly fishing fiasco that exhibits itself in the neighborhood during warmer weather.
.. The "BEAD HEAD SOFT HACKLE COACHMAN" is similar to the 1847 "MARLOW BUZZ" fly. It was also known as the "LADY BIRD" fly, "HAZEL FLY," and "WELSHMAN'S BUTTON." 
.. It was initially fished dry in supposed imitation of a trapped and buzzing fly. Today the neighbors usually drown it and use it as an attractor fly.

BEAD HEAD COACHMAN

.. This fly is most often fished beneath the ice all by itself. It is usually found in the arsenal of those ice fishers with a fish finder and, used for luring big fish.
.. The "BEAD HEAD COACHMAN"  is a rather standard neighborhood variation that is fished as a dropper beneath a large dry fly for searching in the early Spring. 
.. Beneath the ice this fly is frequently paired with hamburger or a kernel of corn. It is dropped near weed beds and the edge of structure. It is a deep fly and a useful bit of weight for the ice fisher.

HACKLED COACHMAN

.. The "HACKLED COACHMAN" is a favored fly for both dry and wet fly fishing during the Summer months.
.. This is very close to the original coachman fly. It is a persistent pattern that is tied by most fishers and should be in all boxes.
.. Under the ice it is used with both maggots and meal worms. It is frequently used as 'depth specific' fly once the cruising fish are found. The choice of 'meat' is an individual preference.

ALBINO EMERGENCE

.. The "ALBINO EMERGENCE" is a Summer fly that has made it's appearance under the ice as the bright head of a bit of earthworm.
.. It was initially designed to work the film during those periods when fish are seen rising and nothing else works. It is an excellent ice-out fly as well.

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..  Yes indeed there is rust on some flies in the pictures. Sad, but true, these flies have been used to catch fish. We're not selling flies. We're not winning photo contests. We're showing flies that work.
.. Some have been 'retired.' Some have been lost for some time in the organizational system of a less than anal fisher. What ever the reason these rusty flies have been in the water and poorly curated. Most of them can be, (and will be,) salvaged with a few quick swipes of a diamond hone. Some certainly will break: absolutely earth shattering and devastating. Probably put us off our feed for months.
.. So there you have it.

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PREVIEWS OF COMING ATTRACTIONS

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WALLPAPER:  PRIME AS PRIME CAN BE

A Perfect Fish Tail

IT HAD TO HAPPEN

Through The Ice Hole

near big as a beluga

WALLPAPER:  PERFECT FISH TAIL

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.. The bright sun and the dead still of a 25°F afternoon on the reflective surface of Hebgen Reservoir will cause some interesting forms of disrobing. 
.. Although we have the revealing images we've been threatened with acts of deprivation that approach the inhuman if they are revealed. Use your imagination.

.. At a depth of 12', through a hole in the ice, a very small shop vac, tipped with a morsel of night crawler, did gall a very pudgy 23" trout, (of the rainbow sort.)
.. She was pulled through the the hole with alacrity, photographed with her head in the hole, and sent on her way.
.. The neighbors have been doing very well on the ice. Limits all around. We mention this as a community service. We doubt that there will be many folks from nearby foreign lands that will bother to visit us for these mere fish.
.. They are too big for a sandwich!

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SMOKED SALMON & AVOCADO WITH CREAM CHEESE ON CARAWAY RYE.   DILL-CHIVE SMOKED SALMON PÂTÉ.   A BIT OF CELERY & GOOD OL' WHEAT THINS.

Be FOD Alert

ICY INNOVATION

Beyond The Pale

feather merchants beware

courtesy: FIELD & STREAM  (LINK)

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.. As the ice fishers take to  Hebgen Lake there will be some unique bits of terminal tackle on display and used.
.. In the past these are bits of tackle that have had the commercial tackle makers changing their underwear.

BEND THAT ROD

.. For about 10 years a sneaky bit of angler innovation has been making it's way into the gear fishers repertoire.
.. The "BOTTLE CAP LURE" is now a staple of both warm and cold water fishers. Recently it has wormed it's way into the ice fishing scene.
..  A couple of small manufacturing companies were established about 10 years ago. They succumbed to the backyard builders and ease of desktop manufacture.

HEINEKEN'S FINEST

.. Locally there are some inroads being made among our local ice fishing contingent. The device is simple and easily made.
.. The most popular color is silver and the Coors Light cap is most accessible.
.. The other local favorite is the Green Heineken cap. it is often adorned with rubber leg bunches and other creative stuff.

THE SWEDE

.. Most of the time the cap is folded and occasionally augmented with beads to rattle inside the fold.
.. For jigging through the ice the caps are often used "Au Naturale." It seems silly but the bigger fish are often taken on these giants of the ice fishing world.
.. Of course, the traditional and ever popular Swedish Pimple will be in every anglers arsenal. This is an OLD favorite and works in most conditions and depths.

THE BUZZER

.. Other favorites include the complete range of fly fishing nymphs, scuds, and buzzers.
.. Many will be decorated with maggots, meal worms, and bits of night crawlers or red wigglers.
.. In the late Autumn scuds accumulate fat and become pregnant. A bright orange spot appears in their mid section and trout tend to key on the spot through the winter.

FROM THE LOCAL FEATHER MERCHANT

.. Scuds are happiest at about 15 feet deep in the water column. They can inhabit depths to 50 feet but the milfoil environment they prefer is not usually that deep.
.. Right now the fishing reports show the big fish being taken at between 7' and 20'. We're not speculators but, we do suggest that tomorrow there will be lots of scuds being used.
.. With the heavy snow of the last couple of days and the bright cloudless days there is a foot of slush on the lake. Could me a real mess come noon today.
.. EARLY BREAKFAST AND THEN INTO THE FRAY.

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WALLPAPER:  MUSHROOM & SWISS OMELETTE

It's Here

OPENING QUALIFIER

Limit  =  150 Teams

ice fishing tourney

AT LEAST $14,000 UP FOR GRABS

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..This is the weekend when we see just who truly enjoys our community activities. It's impossible to live in our village and not play in our winter wonderland.
.. This is the first year that the National Ice Fishing Tournament kicks off in West Yellowstone. It's a tribute to the success of the past few year's events. (Official Website.)

JUST ABOUT PERFECT

.. The event here is two-thirds education and one-third competition. Tomorrow is kids day: education, free gifts and prizes, prospecting, and food and fun dominate.
..  The Kids Ice Camp is held at Kirkwood Resort & Marina. There will be two different starting times.

GET AFTER IT

.. The first group begins at 11:00 AM with Boathouse classroom instruction and demonstration of ice fishing equipment, techniques, and safety, conservation & environmental stewardship.
.. Then, everyone heads out onto the ice for demonstrations delivered by experienced, certified NAIFC Pro-Staff instructors.
.. A second group will start at the Boathouse classroom at noon, followed by the on-ice experience.
..  A free hot lunch will be served from 12:30-1:30 PM to all kids who participate in the camp. Before leaving, all kids who participate also will receive a complimentary ice rod and tackle.

.. Tonight starting at 5:00 PM at the West Yellowstone Holiday Inn Conference Center you can meet local fishermen familiar with Hebgen Lake as well as nationally ranked ice fishermen.
.. A social hour and informal introductory for people new to ice fishing is the game. Afterwards, people can go in groups with a pro-fisherman to a local restaurant or pub to “talk ice fishing” over dinner.

SPIT AND ARGUE WITH THE BEST

.. “Ice Fishermen Specials” are featured at local restaurants and pubs around town.
.. These group discussions, which are open to the public, are geared toward educating fishers and friends to the world of tournament ice fishing.
.. Also, tomorrow morning the serious stuff is introduced: meet tourney officials at the Kirkwood Marina.  Starting around 8:00 AM, Pro-Staff and representatives from ice fishing product companies will be demonstrating the latest techniques and equipment on Hebgen Lake. This is where you can try out the newest ways to catch fish through the ice.

.. Registration for the tournament runs from 4:30-6:45 PM at the Holiday Inn in West Yellowstone. A complimentary dinner for all registered team members, with cash bar and Montana spirit tastings, will be available.

.. At 6:00 PM, there will be a presentation by nationally-ranked ice fishermen geared toward educating local fishers and friends to the world of tournament ice fishing.
.. The Rules Meeting, which is mandatory for at least one member of each team, starts at 7:00 PM. At the rules meeting, the exact starting time for the contest the following morning will be announced.
.. On Sunday the contest starts shortly after daylight with the exact starting time announced at the mandatory rules meeting.
.. Teams go out on the ice on Hebgen Lake from Kirkwood Resort & Marina in the order of their registration. Fishing continues until 1:05 PM, when all teams must be off the ice for the Weigh-in.
..  The Sunday weigh-in starts at 3:00 PM at the Holiday Inn Conference Center in West Yellowstone.
.. Tournament winners are announced and awarded their cash prizes immediately following the weigh-in. Hang around for the cash bar and food - tell the stories.
.. This year the "KIDS AND SNOW" activities are especially exciting. Check out their website HERE.

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WALLPAPER:  HELPING THE KIDS

And A Happy New Year

TOWN FILLED UP

Town Hung Over

time to take stock

WALLPAPER:  DEGLAZE IT

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.. With great heroism and mighty resolve we arose at 10:00 AM, stumbled to the prearranged coffee pot, flipped the switch and sought great aunt Mildred's remedy.
.. By noon the party had cleared out and the mess was cleaned up, dishes done, shanks browned, and a mirepoix ready to be deglazed.

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.. Reflection is a soothing pastime for the morning after and most fitting for the first day of this new year. The last one was long by an extra second and, felt far shorter.

EAT MORE GUACAMOLE

.. Last year we fished and caught more and addressed this epistle less.
.. We retired once again and it seems to have stuck this time.
.. New Year's Resolutions can be either trite or momentous. We've made a few of both kinds.
.. Despite the outrageous prices of the avocado up here we resolve to eat more of them. Eat avocados in guacamole or, in omelets or, with bacon or, with just a spoon and, some salt - or sugar - or smoky lentils. This should be an easy resolution to keep.

Contemporary Conversation

.. Despite our rusty wheels and curlycue lumbar region we resolve to revisit those Yellowstone waters that we first met over 50 years ago. It shall be a chore, of course. But the reminiscences will be worth it - cell phones and elbows be damned.
.. Two resolutions should be enough for this year.

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.. Our water year still has possibilities. Snow depth is up and water content is down. We're hoping for a good run off. The rivers need it. Of course that delays the best catching for a year. We'll take it.
.. This Spring, in Grayling Creek,  the new resident grayling should be mature and feisty; we're going to dance with a few of them.

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WHAT A HOOT !!

.. Already the ice on Hebgen Reservoir is getting punched full of auger holes and giant whitefish are making their presence known. No monster trout yet but they will be taken soon enough.
.. The sun is out and the midges are frolicking Between The Lakes. If it wasn't for the cornbread we'd trot out there and try out one of the neighbors' latest creations, the Fan Wing Rubber Legs Royal Coachman.

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NEEDS CAST IRON

.. The cornbread is out and the pork shanks smell just grand. Time for the black eyed peas.
.. We're doing it again: from the Deep South this time. Food drives some of us. Some folks work to eat. Some folks eat to work. We're not sure where we fall but the food is important.

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WALLPAPER:   JUST WHAT THE DOCTOR ORDERED