Erin Fable

IT'S TOUGH FISHING

Mates On The Mere

Straight from MONTANA GAEL comes a very fine Irish insight into 'one of those days.'

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.. From Heroes For Zeroes
.. Website

WANTED: Fishless Lakes

NO FISH = MORE OF

EVERYTHING ELSE

Yellowstone Missed The Boat Once

will they miss it again ?

.. A note at HDW-Mobile caught our attention. We looked at the article in the New York Times. It piqued our interest.
.. The state of Maine has over 6,000 lakes. Only about 107 of them were historically fishless. Now, about 50% of the previously fishless lakes contain fish. Of course the dedicated and rabid fishers amongst us rejoice at facts like this.
.. It has been estimated that at one time more than 70% of Yellowstone's waters were fishless. However, as we've mentioned before, the 19th and early 20th century mentality could not abide a statistic such as that. Our desire to fish demanded that we stock, stock, and stock some more.
.. Researchers in Maine have discovered an interesting phenomena that exists in fishless lakes. The assemblage of critters in fishless lakes is completely different than in lakes with fish.
.. Fishless lakes are "hubs of biodiversity," according to biologists. The variety and abundance of species far outstrips that in lakes with piscine predators.
.. California and Washington have taken note of the fact that not only are amphibians such as frogs toads, and salamanders present in greater abundance and diversity in fishless lakes, (#1, #2,) but that the general health of the lakes suffer when non-native fish are introduced.
.. Recently we have been alerted to the double threat facing Yellowstone Salamanders. A change in the climate and the expanded populations of invasive fish. The Crystal Salamander and the Tiger Salamander are both affected.
.. Yellowstone National Park is often touted as a natural wilderness. It is often touted as an intact ecosystem. Neither is true - particularly from an aquatic standpoint.
.. The Bambi-ecologists love the large and cuddly and tend to ignore the complexities of the ecosystem. "If it's furry it's fine, if it's finny it's useless."
.. Wolves and bison have friends that have rearranged management priorities. Salamanders, however, have fewer friends than do the invasive trout of Yellowstone.
.. Feather merchants and rabid fly fishers have also rearranged management priorities. Whereas the friends of the bison and wolf have concentrated their efforts on what should have been or what can be; the rabid fly fishers have concentrated their efforts on protecting invasive species for their own selfish sport.
.. It's time to reexamine the management priorities of the aquatic landscape in Yellowstone National Park.
.. Currently, fishless lakes are probably not in danger of receiving "officially planted" fish stocks. But it's time to seriously address the rivers.
.. We have seen the damage done to the native Cutthroat Trout population in Yellowstone Lake by the introduced Lake Trout. What we haven't admitted is the damage done to the Firehole River, Slough Creek, the Gibbon River, or Grebe Lake.
.. The balanced dynamic ecology of the evolutionary history in lakes and rivers visa viz their inhabitants, be it 10,000 years or 10,000,000 years, is easily and quickly modified by the introduction of invasive species. We have demonstrated that.
.. Brown Trout & Brook Trout & Rainbow Trout, (in most waters,) in Yellowstone are invasive species. It's time that the public servants that manage Yellowstone acknowledge it. It's time that they treat them in the same way that they treat Spotted Knapweed (Centaurea maculosa).
.. As much as we would miss the eager Brook Trout and the reclusive Adfluvial Grayling of the upper Gibbon River, we would feel better about the park if they were eradicated.
.. You will not find any mention of the damage done to Yellowstone rivers and lakes in respect to the invasive fish - other than Lake Trout - in the park literature. Managers have accepted these interlopers as a fact of the "new ecology."
.. As pointed out by the New York Times article: fishless lakes and waterways could serve as refuges for species during the impending and present swing in the climatic regime.
.. It's way past time for the managers of Yellowstone's waters to decide just what it is that they are protecting - and how.
.. Are they protecting the feather merchants and rabid fly fishers along with their invasive trout? Or, are they protecting a National Park that is touted as an intact ecosystem - but isn't?
.. Many decried the reintroduction of wolves as impractical. Many believe that the battle against invasive weeds shouldn't be continued. Many cry foul when the restoration of rivers is mentioned. We hope that the managers of Yellowstone are not among them - fly fishers though they be!

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RESOURCES

--> National Parks Conservation Association: Invasive species in National Parks. Does not address invasive trout in Yellowstone.
--> Wang Fang Database: Invasive trout impacts in the Frank Church Wilderness.
--> SpringerLink Database: Invasive trout impacts on distribution of amphibians in the Frank Church Wilderness.
--> USGS Data Sheet: Impacts of introduced trout on mountain lakes and ponds.
--> Conservationevidence.com: The recovery of amphibians after the removal of invasive trout species in California.
--> Conservation Biology: An evaluation of restoration efforts in fishless lakes stocked with exotic trout.
--> USGS Data Sheet: Ecological Impact of Introduced Trout on Native Aquatic Communities in Mountain Lakes.
--> International Journal of Wilderness: A Study of High Mountain Lake Fish Stocking in the U.S. Sierra Nevada Wilderness.

--> NewsReview.com: UC Davis predicts a fishless future for California Waters.
--> Yellowstone Science: Biodiversity and the "Crystal" Salamanders of Yellowstone.
--> Science Daily: Global Warming Is Killing Frogs And Salamanders In Yellowstone Park, Researchers Say.
--> National Park Traveler: Creature Feature: Yellowstone National Park, Home to Wolves, Grizzlies, Elk, Moose, and ... Crystal Salamanders.

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.. Well it's time for a mid morning snack. We'll clean out the fridge before the neighbors with badges get here.
.. The starters should include smoked Cutthroat fins with salamander roe dip, and sauteed salamander tail with Firehole mushrooms.
.. Stuffed spotted owl with sage gravy will be the main course. A sandwich of tomato and fresh Yellowstone dandelion greens will be thinly sliced and dipped in the broth of bald eagle feet and beaks, followed by fricassee of swan.
.. Dessert will most probably consist of candied wolf liver and jellied moose nose - both favorites of us rabid fishers.
.. We should probably follow the meal with a digestive aid such as a bit of toad-mint pudding and an El Rey del Mundo Choix Supreme cigar. Of course it will be accompanied by a light Bacardi cocktail swirled with Brookie milt and decorated with chum salmon eyes on a toothpick, (imported from California.)

Sparkle In Montana

HANG IT IN YOUR EAR

Montana's Own

for fishers & others

.. There's nothing wrong with admitting you fish. And there's nothing wrong with adorning your ears with flies.
.. There's nothing wrong with admitting you are geeky. And there's nothing wrong with adorning your ears with chips.
.. There's even some stuff for your neck, and wrist, and other parts if you so choose.
.. Just visit STEWART JEWELRY DESIGNS [a growing part of STEWART DOLLHOUSE CREATIONS] and try some original adornment of the creative style. It matters not whether you're male or female - these things are nice.
.. Nestled in north central Montana the Stewart's are unrepentant geeks and cowherds. They believe in expressing yourself with your jewelry - be it geeky or fishy.
.. You can have titanium or feathers; or surgical stainless steel or copper, your choice, and the popular line of jewelry is growing rapidly because the items are both attractive and affordable.
.. Hang a resistor in your ear. Hang a Prince Nymph in your ear. Love mint chocolate chip ice cream? Hang it in your ear.
.. Hand made, individualized jewelry does not have to cost an arm and a leg. Try 'em, you'll like 'em.
.. There are several themes of adornment from fishing to food. These will not be found at the mall!
.. Cows are tough to care for and require different skills than miniature doll houses or jewelry creation.
.. The wonder of it all is that these folks have mastered both and represent an interesting bit of the evolving New Montana.
.. If you wear jewelry, (or have a 1:12 or 1:48 scale dollhouse,) click on over and visit the Stewart's sites.
--> DOLLHOUSE CREATIONS
--> JEWELRY DESIGNS
--> Geek Girl Jewelry
--> Nature Girl Jewelry

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.. OH NO! TWITTER'S DOWN
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Fishing Essentials

MANDATORY
FISHING GEAR

Let Critters Beware

zap or repel ?

.. The usual visitor to Yellowstone National Park, (fishers included,) gets no more than about 200 yards from the road, (or front country trail.)
.. It's been estimated that 98% of visitors enjoy about 2% of the splendor of Yellowstone. So be it. If, on the other hand, you fish where the biting, crawling, buzzing, irritating insects throng to greet you, (like Slough Creek, The Thorofare, Bechler River, Boundry Creek, etc.): You need these essential pieces of gear.
.. Get a stylish, floppy, unobtrusive, insect-repelling-hat for fishing. Make sure it has a lifetime guarantee and has bonded-in the odorless EPA-registered insect repellent permethrin.
.. This fine hat will maintain its effective repellent power through 70 washings. Knowing the way fly folk worship their hats that should be about 11 lifetimes.
.. Here is an accessory that will keep the critters out of your nose and eyes and ears. It will be the envy of all your buds and budettes.
.. The hat is available from HAMMACHER SCHLEMMER and will only set you back $79.95 + $16.95 shipping and handling. That's only 1/10 of what you just paid for the latest soooper rod, not counting it's heavily padded travel case.

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.. So you're getting on a horse and riding to that legendary Yellowstone stream where the trout jump into your waders, yes you are! You planned for two years and depleted your children's inheritance. This will be glorious.
.. The outfitter has promised you that there is no limit on the gear that you can bring. The list of essential items includes 40 pounds of various insect deterrents, such as: OFF, CUTTER'S, CREAMS & SALVES, NETTING, etc.
.. You can surprise your outfitter by suggesting that solar powered bug zappers should be included. This will make those evenings by the campfire so much more enjoyable.
.. The 300 volt "ZAP" will kill over 200 varieties of insects. Eight hours of moderate sunlight will fully charge the internal batteries. And with the flick of a switch you can have an attractive night light to guide you back to your bear-proof Marmot rain tent.
.. A set of four of these murderous devils, with a lifetime guarantee will only cost you $99.95 + $16.95 shipping and handling. Get them too, at HAMMACHER SCHLEMMER.

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.. A not very well known WMD program has been unveiled by the WSJ. Weapons specialists and ghoulish scientists have just about completed operational lasers that will kill mosquitoes.
.. These WEAPONS of MOSQUITO DESTRUCTION are selective and effective. This outgrowth of the STAR WARS initiative from the Reagan Administration promises to be a boon to fly fishers and malaria fighters everywhere.
.. Soon you will need a gear belt with holsters for both bear spray and a mosquito laser pistol for fishing in Yellowstone.
.. The lasers are not yet developed to the point where they are available to the general fishing population. We expect that it won't be too long before Orvis and Patagonia develop their own versions; after all, you can make one from items on eBay, (#1, #2.)
.. The current prototypes are selective and won't hurt a butterfly and are accurate from about 100 feet away. Yes, Melinda, this will move fly fishing into the realm of rocket science.We don't make this stuff up, (#1, #2, #3, #4.)
.. We're waiting for a gear review from the folks near Mt. Shasta. Tom at the TROUT UNDERGROUND is a gear-head and this is right up his brownline. Let's see you get one of these to test!

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.. Well, yesterday's snow is melting and swelling the already full rivers on the West Side of Yellowstone. We're going back for a second quart of coffee and a light breakfast.
.. About a pound of ham slices, some scrambled eggs, toast, and mushrooms sauteed in butter. We'll have the last quart of buttermilk and wash it down with some fresh coffee. It should get us through to noon or so.
.. With all apologies to Tom & Alice at the Cutbow Fly Company, our version sets better in the gut than does yours.

A Dream Opportunity

SUN RANCH ON THE BLOCK

Not Enough Castles Sold

.. The 18,500 acre bit of paradise on the Madison River is for sale. It is encumbered with conservation easements and has some fancy home sites still sitting vacant. It's a pretty nice property and owns both sides of road and Madison River for an obscene distance.
.. This bit of paradise has fouled the dreams of several mega-plutocrats, and it can do the same for you.
.. For a mere $55,000,000 you too can move into the neighborhood, irritate the neighbors, restrict and redefine traditional land use, live elsewhere, shop elsewhere, shake up Bozeman, and drive in for interviews with the influential barons of the New Montana. Then, in a few years you can then sell it to another like-minded interloper. The Montana Monopoly Game for the rich continues.
.. If cows and conservation was such a good idea - why quit now?
.. Read all about it at NEW WEST.
.. Get the company line HERE.
.. Meet the plutocrat HERE.

A Bit Of Alright

QUICK READS
FOR GOOD INFO

It's Snowing - With Some Fog & Rain

we're going fishing

.. The beauty of the web includes the opportunity to quickly scan and selectively choose from a myriad of sources some tidbits that may be interesting, entertaining, or useful.
--> A great idea and a sentiment that we all probably have felt from the TROUT UNDERGROUND: "Guide Offers Free Trip To Winner Of Poacher Catcher."
--> Not only that! Poor Tom has to put up with a dog that out fishes all the neighbors and lives at an address where BROWN TROUT FALL FROM THE SKY. Real estate prices going up in a down market!
--> The Greater Yellowstone Resource Guide has expanded their fishing section to include a generalized hatch chart and some links to introductory articles about fishing in the park. Check out the note by Daniel D. Lamoreux. Fish where the folks aren't.
--> Enhance your TWEETS, amaze your friends, confuse your enemies, and look like an 'uber-nerd' by following the advice of the WAYWARD FLYFISHER, in the April 17 post. We just LMWAO, and then had WIW.
--> Just in time for the last of the heavy snow fly hatches comes a note from FLY FISH MAGAZINE: the ultimate trash fly. Brad Sprinkle has developed the "Pop Tart Wrapper Midge." The ingenious part of the fly is procurement of the materials. We're going to try it.
--> All things wet and wild are contained in the FRIDAY FISHWRAP from THE HORSE'S MOUTH. We discovered that a 'cougar is an older woman that dates younger men.' We pause to wonder what a panther might be.
--> The artistic talents of Jeff Kennedy at DRAWING FLIES will be hindered by some shoulder surgery. Visit the blog for nude shoulder fotos. Good luck kid and quick recovery - we're waiting for Brook. Noticed that the site has shown some progress.

--> If you tweet are you a twit? Do you send 'em quick and dirty? Are your thumbs quicker than your casting? If so; you need a shirt to express yourself. Straight from the tee hunter comes the ultimate his and hers T-Twits.-------

.. As a belated tribute to national pub day we're having the best of all pub foods for breakfast: Bangers & Mash.
.. Some left over squished spuds, pan-fried with homemade pork sausage, (robustly seasoned in the traditional way, with a hint of dried tomato added to the traditional recipe.) We like to serve them on spinach or arugula and smother it all with a thick onion sauce, then sop it up with crumbles of English muffins. Stays with us through the second or third fish.

Snails Attacking California

THEY'RE MOVING NORTH
they are spreading
like wildfire in montana
the infestation has begun to take it's toll

YES, MABLE, THE ANNUAL MUD SNAIL POST

.. The Golden State, named after a beautiful black queen, and filled with Audi fish-cars is experiencing a resurgence of the New Zealand Mud Snail.
.. The little mollusks are marching, (with just one foot each,) up the coast at a rapid rate and have infiltrated the rivers beyond the Oregon border. They eat the food that the bugs your fish need eat. How cruel is that?
.. The Malibu Creek Watershed Council posted a Public Service Announcement on YouTube in 2007 (Spanish version HERE,) for all to see..

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.. The friendly NPS Ranger in the English version seems almost delighted at the prospects of more snails stealing more food from the streams and rivers of Califia's Realm. The Spanish version seems a bit more urgent.
.. Mud snails have spread rapidly since their discovery near Hagerman, Idaho in 1995. They are in Yellowstone National Park and are a growing threat to our fisheries throughout the west.

.. There are now two morphs in the western United States and fisher folk should be able to identify both forms. They should also be able to distinguish them from other resident and native snails. It's far easier than mayfly identification and better for your rivers as well.
.. Montana State University has a research program and maintains a website for information about the crusty critter. It is the best online source for information about the mollusk.
.. The maps are most interesting and suggest that this threat will continue despite our best efforts. There are now over 1500 recorded locations - and the data base hasn't been updated since January.
.. The Greater Montana "dot map" is interesting: the watershed map is frightening - but only if you fish in the indicated areas.
.. The areal spread of snails in Calfia's Queendom is a bit more sobering. How long before there's no food for the queen's fishes?
.. If you are planning a trout fishing trip in the western United States, chances are you will be in mud snail territory. It might be useful to ask your guide or outfitter about the precautions they take to avoid the spread of these little gobblers.
.. A kind gesture might be to help clean the gear: boat, oars, nets, boots, waders, trailer, etc. Consider it a part of the tip you give them. Will they accept your offer? What is the guide's schedule like? What is your schedule? How much time do you spend each day inspecting? How much time do you spend fishing in infected waters? Food for thought - food for snails!
.. In the time honored flurry of finding the hatch and then fishing it do you change foot gear when you change streams? Do you have gear for each stream? Do you dash to the pub and hope the mud dries overnight? Are you too busy to take the precautions? What will your grandchildren say? Have none - don't care!.. Why talk about Califia's Queendom on a Yellowstone Blog? Because the California Department of Fish & Game still has the best research and guidelines for controlling the spread of mud snails on fishing and wading gear. Read about it HERE (PDF). And, Martha, because the file is hosted on the MSU computers. And, of course, because the 'mudsnail' pages on the California sites refer us to the MSU site, [ #1, #2.]
.. Mud snails are crafty critters and hide very well. Just because you've given up felt soles is no reason to believe that you are "clean." There are several methods of cleaning mentioned in the California PDF - some will destroy your gear along with the snails. Choose your cleaning method carefully.
.. Ask your guide, before you book your trip, what cleaning method is preferred for snail abatement. Ask about why the chosen method was chosen. Ask about the other methods not used.
.. Ask the local fly shops how they store their cleaning solutions and if they are fresh. Ask them where the cleaning stations are on the rivers in the area. Ask them where you can procure the ingredients for making your own cleaning solutions locally.
.. If you give a damn read the PDF from California and see if the methods you are using are successful or just for show. If you need additional information check out the California Mud Snail Warning Site.

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.. Time for a late breakfast and journey into wonderland. A little snow is present but so are the very moderate spring temperatures.
.. Digestion of S.O.S. is aided by a gentle drive along some of our glory waters - and vistas without snail spreading fisher folk.
.. We use wheat bread because the neighbors say it's healthy. We use butter and buttermilk because the flavor is better. We use two jars of dried beef because then you can see it. We add just a bit of nutmeg and Worcestershire sauce for the papillae on the sides of our tongue. We made it yesterday and heated it up today because that's the way they served it to us in the old days. Maybe there will be some left for tomorrow.