.. So then, we received a blessed couple of days of sleeping weather. It slowed the terrestrials, surprised the dudes and newcomers, wilted the pansies, and - best of all - soothed the souls of our overextended front line workers.
.. As previously mentioned, both fishing and catching have been very good. All of our local streams and rivers and lakes and ponds have settled into their seasonal excellence.
BY THE NUMBERS
LITTLE FRIENDS
1] Firehole River. The canyon above Old Faithful showing some early spawners. The gentle water on the Lone Star Geyser Trail has the most beautiful brook trout in the park. They are just lighting up now and taking anything that you throw. Biscuit Basin is becoming cool and look for Baetids after this weekend - otherwise hoppers late afternoon and soft hackles all of the time.
2] Madison River.
Small streamers everywhere, hoppers and other terrestrials in the
afternoon warm meadows, exploration of the last 3 miles for the
adventurous seeking early runners.
BIG EYES
3] Gallatin River. Spawners above Bighorn Pass trailhead. It's a trek but, with good legs, worth it. Hoppers and ants when warm in grassy areas. Spawners nosing around Bacon Rind confluence. Small spawners near other tributaries. Soft hackles and small streamers working. Small fish all through Grayling Creek.
4] Hebgen Reservoir.
If its warm and, with no wind the calibaetis are still there. Cool
morning in all tributaries will find clouds of tricos. Below the dam is
full of hungry resident fish and, Quake Lake near the outlet has pods of streamer-hungry fish, (near the trees.)
SELDOM FISHED
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.. Coming attractions: Saturday rain, Sunday heavy overcast, Monday broken clouds and warming. This is coming on a perfect weekend!
.. 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.
.. With the introduction of the new Nissan 370Z roadster comes the one off 370Zki.
.. A great promotional vehicle for those of us that don't retreat to the lowlands for the white season.
TRADITIONAL SOFT HACKLE
.. On a more plebeian subject: it's tie-em-up time.
.. It's no secret that the soft hackle fly pattern is a favorite among our neighbors.
.. It's also no secret that our woods are full of Falcipennis canadensis.
.. This little bird is slow to flush and often will not get out of the way when hikers approach on a trail that they have claimed.
.. On rare occasions, (during nesting time,) we have picked up a wild spruce grouse hen and pointed her back to the woods when she wandered into a road.
BEAD HEAD SOFT HACKLE
.. These pudgy little birds provide us with the absolute best soft hackle feathers in the world -- or at least in this part of the world.
.. Fool grouse or not we cherish these little ground dwellers.
.. They frustrate the true sporting mind when they jump up and flap twice and land on a branch. Hardly 'high sport' to blast them from a lodgepole pine at the distance of 6 yards.
.. We prize their rump feathers. They are nicely barred and come in all the right sizes. They wiggle enticingly in the water and, tie up easily. A double handful from Alice will last a couple of years.
Falcipennis canadensis: PURE GOLD TREASURE
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.. Yesterday's light rain made mush of some of our streets and put a glaze on the ice of Hebgen Reservoir.
PICK A MIDGE - POKE A TROUT
.. This year the "mid winter thaw" started early and is unusually persistent. Save for next Tuesday, we will have mid day highs way up in the high twenties and low thirties.
.. With the upcoming ample sun and some sparse spittings of snow the neighbors will be digging the midges out of their ears.
.. Find those dark slow back eddy locations in the river. Sneak a little. Just dap the fly on each nose that you see.
.. Between the lakes on the Madison River and, down to Quake Lake the poor fish have no chance.
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.. The morning light is arriving a skosh earlier these days; no complaint here! We'll forego our mid morning nap and walk off the breakfast calories. It's just too nice out to tie a couple of dozen -- right now.
.. Full bore until November 6, (or thereabout!) Hie thee hither and join the funfrustrationelationdisappointmentjoy satisfaction that derives from poking a slimy fish with a sharp instrument.
PICK YOUR POISON
.. For the moment the rivers on the west side of Yellowstone National Park are living up to their fabled glory.
.. This is the yesterday you should have been here for.
PICK YOUR POISON
.. Neither the recent warm weather nor the rise in both temperature and discharge has deterred the fish from biting or even the fishers from flinging.
.. These few days of so called "Indian Summer" have brought the casual and the committed together in a nudging of elbows. Post card views abound and are wasted on the small sensors of cell phones: the result of learning to converse with one's thumbs.
THE GREEN LEG WOOLLY BUGGER
.. Right now it's streamer heaven.
.. Streamers are the preferred sort of fly for most of the hard striding headhunters. Soft hackles reign for the fishers of fish.
.. There was an eruption of small caddis on the Madison River near the Barns Holes this afternoon.
.. There were noses everywhere and not a single streamer could match the hatch.
BAKER'S HOLE BUGGER
.. Green legged Woolly Buggers were used by a couple of the neighbors to take some "decent sized" runners. Visitors were using the ever popular Baker's Hole Bugger.
.. This fly is not limited to the water around Baker's Hole. It is mostly confined to the dusty bins of some local feather merchants.
YE OLDE PHEASANT AND BLUE
.. One or two of the neighbors, (those with memories as long as their beards,) continue to use the old Pheasant and Blue Streamer.
.. It has an obscure history in these parts and is only used by the most grumpy of the most successful fishers on our block.
.. Many of the more normal of our neighbors have resorted to conventional wisdom, (highly unusual,) and tied on flies from their 'softie' box.
BEAD HEAD SOFTIE
.. One of the favorites for getting stuck in a rock is the Soft Hackle Bead Head Caddis Nymph. We're not sure if this is offered by the local feather merchants or not.
.. Right now, (the last few days,) this aberration is dredging up some bragging sized fish on the Firehole River near Biscuit Basin and in the water below the confluence with Nez Perce Creek.
.. We've not mentioned Nez Perce Creek much this season, (probably because we've been fishing it and enjoyed the lack of visitors on the Mary Mountain Trail.)
TRADITIONAL SOFT HACKLE
.. This unloved little sister of its master stream is spewing out fish by the apron full.
.. Olive or, green or. brown traditional soft hackles with just a bit of twinkle will prove the point.
.. Even the most cantankerous of our local curmudgeons have fallen into lock step behind the visitors using these classic bits of fluff.
..The fling'em'n'float'em crowd is still getting their kicks with BWO's, (when the clouds are right,) and with the steady afternoon caddis hatch on most days and places.
..We can only report some of the pub chatter about the mayflies that are currently hatching: "they are more green, more bright, and bigger than usual." We wouldn't know.
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.. It's getting late and tomorrow promises to be another bluebird day, (until late afternoon.)
.. When the clouds come scudding over the divide about 4:00 PM it should be gang busters on the Firehole River, Nez Perce Creek, and the Gallatin River, (above the Bighorn trail head.)
.. There are reports of big bears in the willows along this part of the Gallatin River. There are also reports of moose, wolves, and giant fish running up from the roadside meadows around the Fan Creek confluence.
.. In no way shape, sign, or show should you fish this area with out some other fishers that know how to make noise. Neither should you venture forth without a large canister of bear spray in your hand - NOT ON YOUR BELT!
.. Time now for a bedtime story and some sustenance. Tomorrow promises to be spectacular for both fish and fishers.
.. The last few days of very warm weather seems to have prolonged our high runoff waters. Despite the high water, river temperatures have continued to escalate to their seasonal norms.
LOOK FAMILIAR ?
.. The color varies by river and is slowly, (finally,) becoming recognizable as what water should look like - should you choose to fish it.
.. We may get a few more days out of the Firehole River with the forecast for upcoming cool and damp weather over the next week.
.. Just keep in mind the fish are already hammered and in a condition of stress. Temperatures on the Firehole River have been spiking to the mid 70's [LINK-FR.]
THESE WILL FLOAT !!
.. The color is good and despite the high water both the bugs and the fish have been doing the "Riverside Rag." Get off the river by noon and move on.
.. The Madison River, has shaped up nicely in the last week. It's still running above seasonal discharge rates but is beautifully clear and cool. Recent temperature spikes have just now topped the 70°F mark. Take a long lunch and you should have a full day of good catching, [LINK-MR.]
GALLATIN GREEN UP AND SLOWING FLOW
.. With an exclamation of final satisfaction we can report that the gooey colors of the Gallatin River seen last week have receded. .. Last Wednesday marked the turning point as the gauge height at Gallatin Gateway dropped to sensible levels for the season.
GREEN IS GOOD
.. Temperatures are near perfect for catching and the neighbors have grudgingly joined the visiting elbows for the fine catching opportunities on the river, [LINK-GR.] .. The overcast and intermittent drizzle over the next few days should bring back the hatch of the Baetid bunch and provide good times for the float 'em folks. .. Just like a broken record we will suggest that fish can be taken on all three rivers with your favorite soft or stiff hackle fly.
NEIGHBORS FAVORITE RIGHT NOW
.. Use the smaller ones on top and the bigger ones underneath. OR, start with a floating big one and when it starts to sink - let it go. There are dance partners for either presentation. .. Right now the shaded water and dark deep protected hides are where the fish are. .. There are noses in the air all day long if you should choose to pause and watch the water before splashing your way to the "perfect spot."
MOUNTAIN PINE BEETLE
.. Whether it's just whim or real insight; the neighbors are using very sparsely tied flies for their excursions. You can pluck yours if they seem too bushy. .. We would be remiss if we failed to mention the beginnings of the availability of terrestrial food sources. Beetles have led the charge this year and the ants are close behind. .. White Miller sorts are also available and beginning to thicken up around noon - or thereabouts.
WE LOVE A CHALLENGE
.. In a fit of masochism we've been fishing a few fan wing flies. .. They are cute. Sometimes they float correctly. They even take a fish or two. .. The most rewarding bit though is, the wonderful fluttering noise that they make just before they impale themselves in your ear. We do have mental issues.
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.. The gray is here already and the drips from the trusty steed are making a line in the sand. Breakfast is early and there are lights on in the neighbor's kitchen. Must be time.
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WALLPAPER: PIZZA PIECES
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P.S.
-- Try Hebgen Reservoir in the still of the morning.
.. Fishing is a good escape from activism.The cares of the world rapidly slip from our shoulders and splash quietly in our favorite waters.
.. It becomes easy to ignore how the government plays with our future. It's easy to ignore the secrets of the back rooms in congress. Go fishing and let it pass.
.. On the whole, our society is fat, dumb and, happy. The leisure class and the poor class are very well off in world comparisons.
WHILE WE FISH
.. While we fish the current administration is gutting the health care system of our country. While we fish the EPA is, (by design and executive fiat,) enforcing less with fewer staff.
.. While we fish the interior department with even fewer staff is aiming to reduce or eliminate public land set-asides.
.. The oft, (wrongly,) cited example that "NERO FIDDLED WHILE ROME BURNED," comes to mind. Let us all fish as our democracy crumbles.
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.. Now that the overcast has exited stage right we are blessed with tourist weather.
WORKS WELL
.. There is still hope for serious fishers. The Firehole River is still worth fishing with PMD's and White Miller Caddis - if you like 'em on the top. Fish are still pretty angry and slapping soft hackles with gay abandon.
.. Should you need to catch more fish the bead head fuzzy flies are doing well. Fish them slow and in the dark water windows near the bank. Watch the sun and pick your shade.
WORKS BETTER
.. The Madison River has cleared nicely and is a good choice for catching. Soft hackles are the go to selection. In National Park Meadows there are still some willing takers for surface and sunken stoneflies = big or little = black or yellow. Have at it.
.. There are even some caddis flitting around the parking areas at both the Barns Holes and Baker's Hole.
.. Up through the construction area there are excellent places in the small canyon of the Gibbon River.
DOWN AT CHOCOLATE POT
.. If you are willing to brave some steep banks there are fine pools and riffled runs for the taking.
.. Even the Campground Pool at Norris is plunking out happy dance partners.
.. Even a Grayling or two can be had at this location.
.. Should you choose to investigate the 'too cold water' of the Gallatin River in the park we suggest that it's not too cold.
.. Soft hackles through the gentle riffles will serve you well. Smashed caddis and debris imitations through the slicks will easily entice the hungry fish.
.. There are a few deep clear bends that are entertaining. Get down and sneak up. Toss a Prince Nymph way upstream and watch the easily visible fish reach out and suck it up.
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.. The sun is out, the lines are long, the bison and ground squirrles are causing massive traffic jams. Most of the bears have moved up and all is well with the flood of visitors.
.. We're going to sleep off breakfast and then pack a lunch for this evening's frenzy.
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