Super Secrets

TOO COLD TO FISH ??

The Neighbors Tie !

fly designs revealed

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.. The good folks at PARKS' FLY SHOP are busy working away at replenishing the empty bins in their fly section.
.. They have generously taken some time to post videos on YouTube that reveal some of the secrets for their custom flies that are in high demand.
.. As noted on their web site there will be a fly per week through Spring. If Spring arrives late we can anticipate a fine collection of instructional videos from these guys.
.. Four videos are up on the home site, (CLICK HERE.) The videos emphasize both the techniques used and the reasons for them. These flies are the same ones available in the custom bins at their shop in Gardiner, Montana.
.. The ever-expanding collection of custom flies at Parks' represents a return to their historical roots. The business was established in the late 40's as "Merton Parks Custom Fly Tying." They opened for business as a full-service fly shop in 1953.
.. We appreciate the effort made by these folks and eagerly anticipate the video about their wildly successful Prom Queen Salmonfly. Thanks guys.

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One of our favorite Cutthroat pictures.
Click image for full disclosure.

Snow Down

THIN WATER IN
SECRET CREEKS

We Need Some More H2O

think snow

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.. The snow pack is running at about 80-85% of the average in the Madison and Gallatin drainages.
.. The forecast is not encouraging. The cool weather has set in a bit early. It's a dead-still 40 below this morning. Pray for less high pressure and more moist air.
.. Yesterday at noon it was on the cold side of 10 below. We didn't fish the Secret Brook Trout Creek.
.. It was a poignantly sad site. There were dimples everywhere. The midges were thick in the midday light. The fish didn't hide from us. They hung at the surface and sipped the food. The water was so low and cold it would have been a crime to exhaust the little darlings. We took some snapshots instead.

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Snow & Snow Flies

SNOW DON'T SLOW MIDGES

Blowin' & Snowin'

only the neighbors dare

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.. There's a winter storm warning. There's a pile of warm air riding up over the mound of cold air. There's a pile of snow on the ground and more coming. It may hit twenty below tonight. LET'S GO FISHING!
.. There are bucketfuls of midges being pounded by the monstrous snow flakes. There are barrelfuls of trout eating the bucketfuls of midges being pounded by the snow flakes. There are only two fishers between the lakes on the Madison River. There will soon be three.
.. Apropos of the moment Craig Mathews over at Blue Ribbon Flies has made his YouTube debut with a video about the midge.
.. Using his favorite zelon it only takes one minute and 55 seconds for him to tie the little darling. A hungry trout will gobble it in a much quicker tempo.

Watch the video:

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Caution Advised

WARNINGS & WATCHES

From The NWS

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Winter Storm Watch

Statement as of 9:35 PM MST on January 03, 2010

... Winter Storm Watch remains in effect from late Monday evening through Tuesday evening.
* Timing: snow will spread south over the area late Monday
afternoon and Monday evening. Periods of heavy snow are
possible in the mountains late Monday night into Tuesday
night.
* Snow accumulations: 3 to 6 inches in the valleys and 6 to 12
inches in the mountains.
* Winds: northerly winds of 10 to 20 mph will spread south over
the area Tuesday afternoon and evening. Gusts of 20 to 30
mph are possible especially through mountain passes.
* Impacts: the northerly winds could cause poor visibilities in
blowing and drifting snow. There is a threat of whiteout
conditions over mountain passes. Very cold wind chill
temperatures of 10 below zero to 20 below zero are possible
Tuesday night and early Wednesday.
* Locations affected include: Ennis... Twin Bridges... Raynolds Pass... Boulder...Whitehall... Homestake pass... Townsend...White Sulphur Springs...Bozeman... Bozeman Pass... West Yellowstone... Targhee Pass.

Precautionary/preparedness actions.

A Winter Storm Watch means there is a potential for significant
snow... sleet... or ice accumulations that may impact travel.
Continue to monitor the latest forecasts.

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Areal Flood Warning

Statement as of 10:38 AM MST on January 03, 2010

The National Weather Service in Great Falls has extended the Flood Warning for... locations along the Gallatin river in southwest Montana - - -
* until the ice jam breaks on the Gallatin river
* at 1030 am MST the Gallatin river remained over it banks due
to a major ice jam near Big Sky... including areas along Highway 191 at Rainbow ranch Road. Little change has occurred in the overall level of flooding and ice buildup along the river over the last 24 hours.
* Impacts... when the ice jam breaks... there is the potential for a significant amount of water to rush down the Gallatin river quickly... causing more flooding problems downstream. Additionally... there is the potential that damage could occur
along the shoreline and to bridges crossing the Gallatin river... from ice and other debris washing down the river.
.. Anyone who lives along the Gallatin river from Three Forks to Big Sky should be prepared to move quickly should flooding occur.
.. Anyone who plans recreation activity on the Gallatin river should be prepared for possible ice or debris flow... when the ice jam breaks.
.. A Flood Warning means that flooding is imminent or has been reported. All interested parties should take necessary precautions immediately.

Precautionary/preparedness actions.

Most flood deaths occur in automobiles. Never drive your vehicle into areas where the water covers the roadway. Flood waters are usually deeper than they appear. Just one foot of flowing water is powerful enough to sweep vehicles off the Road. When encountering flooded roads make the smart choice... turn around... dont drown.


Lat... Lon 4524 11135 4543 11132 4566 11133 4567 11150
4579 11167 4589 11156 4597 11137 4611 11124
4606 11095 4539 11093 4538 11106 4469 11108
4478 11131


Hoenisch

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They're Off

A WONDERFUL START

Two Mickey's And No Mouse-------

.. The artistic collaboration between Jeff Kennedy and Jason Borger is off and running. We'd post the images here but that would spoil the fun. Visit their sites, [HERE & HERE,] to see the results of these 30 minute wonders. Full technical details and commentary are included.

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.. Get over to the TROUT UNDERGROUND for a nice piece on the "Year In Review." It's just the thing for a snowy winter's afternoon.

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.. The snow-pack is way down up here. The alternating cold and warm weather has kept the ice-clogged Lower Gallatin River at or above flood stage for a week and the weather forecast is not promising.
.. Avalanche danger is high or worse and the clear cold nights have produced more than the normal amount of surface hoar. It must be January!
.. Ice fishing has been so-so and the catching is about the same. The town is suffering another maggot shortage and the thrummers are not getting the job done. The Narrows at Hebgen Reservoir and down near the dam seem to be producing as many whitefish as trout. The whitefish are bigger and, better eating too.
.. A couple of the neighbors are scouting Between The Lakes today. Rumor has it that the snow flies are carpeting the banks of the Madison River around Campfire Lodge. Given the shallow snow cover the access has been better than the catching so far this winter.

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The Baby New Year

FLY FISHER IN TRAINING
HAPPY NEW YEAR !

Nothing Like Nostalgia

WHERE DID IT ALL GO ?

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Those under 60 - don't bother to click HERE.

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For Tim, Mom, & the "Damn Beaver"

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For Jerry & the old gang!
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