Beautiful Weekend

SNOW IN THE SHADOWS

GREEN IN THE MEADOWS

Early Gentility Abounds

snow soon ?

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.. Three days IN - A - ROW above 50 degrees in mid April is a gift not to be ignored.
.. The meadows are greening up early, the snow is lingering in the shadows. Yellowstone National Park is resplendent in it's early spring raiment.
.. The fur and feather crowd is basking in the sun. The noses are rising. AND - itty-bitty-tiny, (very dark,) mayflies are hatching.
.. The rapid changes in our spring temperatures have the USGS river gauges exercising their full range.
.. Despite the rapid fluctuations in water levels and discharge rates the water is just a bit tea colored and would be very fishable.
.. It was a serene weekend and visitors and neighbors were behaving like it was mid summer.
.. Bicyclists were riding three abreast, "U-Turns" at 30 mph were common. Stopping for views of ground squirrels inhibited travel.
.. Mobile condominiums were practicing creative parking, and there was not a single ranger in sight.
.. Children ran, unattended, into the traffic stream and the geriatric set brought lawn chairs to watch the Madison River and Firehole River spin rows of foamy bubbles down the distinguishing currents.
.. Maternity herds of bison are awaiting contractions. Herd bulls, (elk and bison,) are avoiding the chaos of birthing and already moving to their lonely haunts.
.. Geese have paired up and staked out nesting territories. Eagles are currently warming eggs.
.. Swans are guarding the nearly completed nests. Robins and sandhill cranes are a couple of weeks early. Bluebirds, nutcrackers, gray jays, and others will soon fill out the inventory.
.. Ravens are pestering eagles for scraps of fish and carrion. Slicing and squawking can be seen and heard at every turn.
.. The wolves, bears, coyotes, and other predators are walking, not running. They can be seen sleeping in snowbanks to keep cool. 'Tis a rare opening weekend indeed!
.. Friday was it's normal gentle opening day self. Saturday morning saw lines of cars around 10:00 AM at the west entrance. Sunday provided a steady stream of visitors from dawn to dusk.
.. License plates from California, Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho were the dominant banners of visitation.
.. This sort of opening weekend is an unusual and wonderful happenstance. We looked less at the rivers and more at the critters and scenery of the park. The runoff is a week or two away, (depending on temperature and precipitation.) We found ourselves wishing for an early opening to the fishing season - oh well!

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VIsitation / Participation

NPS VISITS WEST YELLOWSTONE

Small Turnout - Big Input

information & education

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.. The open house for the "Native Fish Conservation Plan / EA" was attended by some of the neighbors. Fewer, however, than in Bozeman, MT. or Cody, WY.
.. The well prepared staff was eager for input prior to drafting the Environmental Assessment (EA) that will delineate the management policies for the foreseeable future.
.. Those attending had the opportunity to submit their concerns and recommendations during the gathering. These will be addressed in the draft document.
.. Public input at this stage of the process is disproportionately significant compared to later stages in the process. The draft document will reflect this input. Later changes and modifications must address the scope of the document and it's contents. We're pleased to see our concerned neighbors taking advantage of this opportunity.

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.. The species addressed in the EA will be the West Slope Cutthroat, Yellowstone Cutthroat, and Grayling, (and perhaps the Fine Spotted Snake River Cutthroat as well.)
.. The genetics, population dynamics, numbers and distribution of these species, within Yellowstone National Park, has been muddied by introduced invasive species, and the planting of natives and exotics throughout the park.
.. We've mentioned the problems before:
==> Lake Trout in Yellowstone Lake eating Yellowstone Cutthroats,
==> The "Cutbow Conundrum,"
==> The replacement of fluvial Grayling with adfluvial populations,
==> The upstream retreat, hybridization and disappearance of West Slope Cutthroats.
.. There are also other ancillary, (rapidly becoming central,) problems that need to be addressed as well. The belief of fly fishers that catch and release is a religion rather than a management technique is one. Others include: non-piscine invasive species, reduced river flows, river warming, excessive fishing pressure in some areas, etc.
.. The job ahead is a tough one and there is no silver bullet or single action that can address all conditions at once. It is envisioned that a series of pilot, (or extended,) projects will be undertaken. Alarmingly, the possibility exists that for some fish populations it may be too late.

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.. It's not too late to make suggestions for solutions. It's not too late to voice your personal concerns.
==> Read about it HERE.
==> Comment HERE.
.. You must use the comment form. Email comments are not acceptable. There is adequate space for comment on the electronic form, (35,000 characters = 10 page letter.) If you intend to submit a longer comment there are instructions for filing a hard copy.
.. For an example of the types of comments and a professional response check out the blog entry from PARK'S FLY SHOP.
.. Thanks go to the staff who left Mammoth in a blinding snow storm to visit sunny, (52 degree,) West Yellowstone. AND THEN, had to drive back.

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Preview

YELLOWSTONE PARK OPEN

Today's The Day

fishing soon (May 29, snow ?????)

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Gone to the park, film at 11:00.

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See You There

MOM COOPERATES

Bring SPF 15 - 20

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.. After a bit of a blizzard, the yellow orb of heat is back and it should be perfect for driving to West Yellowstone.
.. The National Park Service, Yellowstone National Park, is holding the "Public Scoping Open House" for the Native Fish Conservation Plan / EA -- TONIGHT !!
.. Directions to meeting above, click for larger, printable view.

Gone But Not Forgotten

FOR LOVERS OF THE MARQUE

Not Fly Fishing Related

libido attached

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.. Some of our neighbors, (two to be exact,) still have, drive, and love their Fiero's.
.. There is an enormous, loving herd of women attached to this vehicle. Many of them are younger than the cars they love. You can find them HERE.

.. NB - some images are too racy for prime time! ..

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In Name Only

SPRING ON THE CALENDAR

Snow On The Ground

water in the madison

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.. The spawn is in high gear on the Madison River. The tailwater below Hebgan Dam is fin to fin with with sex-crazed Rainbow Trout. PPL Montana has started lowering the reservoir in anticipation of Spring runoff. The finny friends are crowding the raceway at Henry's Lake. Bears are awake and roaming around.
.. And, it's blowing up a mini-blizzard outside. {check the IMAX Webcam.} We're about to get a "backside dump" from a nice bit of moisture - good enough for now - more needed.
.. Our recent taste of Spring weather is but a dim memory as the snowplows return to the streets of West Yellowstone.
.. We call it Spring because the temperatures are above zero. We call it Spring because all the psyches in the neighborhood are feeling it. We call it Spring because there is a bit more light during the day.
.. Save for the occasional day or two, however, it's still winter. The lakes are still frozen, (though slushy.) The rivers are running a bit higher, (though bounded by snow.) The rain has made it's appearance, (but quickly turned to snow.)
.. Mom is at her capricious best this year: sunny and warm, (45 degrees,) followed by overcast and snowy, (0-10 degrees.) It's not too bad. It's still April and there will be snow well into June, (despite the travel brochures.)
.. Fishing is good between the lakes, BUT the neighbors are leaving the spawners alone. It's mostly license plates from afar that dot the parking spaces along the road by the tailwater. The neighbors are still fishing the estuaries and doing very well.
.. A few, (those with money for gasoline,) are venturing down-canyon on the Gallatin River. A few are traveling to the lowland Madison River. The travel is worth the effort.
.. It really is Spring down around Gallatin Gateway and at the hallowed ground surrounding the Madison River at Beartrap Canyon.
.. Nymphomania is in full swing and the overwhelming choice right now is the bead-head Gold Ribbed Hare's Ear. A distant second is the Yellowstone Badger and Prince Nymph. Very slow drifts; deep and in the seams for the river fishers. Estuary fishers are still using San Juan Worms and olive colored Woolly Buggers.

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A Couple Of Notes

MINNOWS IN THE MISSOURI

Need For More Papers

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Not our neighbors, but the neighbors in North Dakota have posted a picture of what they are describing as a "Missouri Minnow."

.. This Sturgeon was caught in the Missouri River north of Bismarck, North Dakota, two weeks ago. It weighed out at over 1,000 lbs and measured out at 11'1". It was 56" around the girth and took over 6 and a half hours, and 4 dozen beers, for the 4 guys taking turns at the reeling it in. Any Sturgeon OVER about five feet has to be released unharmed and cannot be removed from the water. They are brood / breeding stock and probably older than most of us.
.. Read about it HERE.

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.. The WILD TROUT SYMPOSIUM has extended it's call for papers to April 30, 2010. If you are still interested in presenting this September at Wild Trout X, submit your abstract today. Visit the website for complete details on abstract guidelines and suggested topics of interest.
.. You may now register online for the symposium at www.wildtroutsymposium.com/register.php The registration fee is $250. Starting September 1, 2010, a late fee of $50 will be added for general registrations. A $25 cancellation fee will be applied after September 1, and no refunds are available after September 14, 2010.
.. Your registration fee includes: social events, viewing of River's of A Lost Coast independent film and a special fly fishing casting clinic with renowned angler and fly tier Bob Jacklin. To register online: www.wildtroutsymposium.com/register.php
.. If you would prefer to register over the phone, register with MSU Conference Services in Bozeman, MT. Contact: Stephanie Stratton (406) 994-3333
.. The Holiday Inn Sunspree Resort is the host hotel for Wild Trout X. Mention the "Wild Trout 10 Symposium" or group code "WTS" and receive the special group rate. For a complete list of the room choices and prices, visit www.wildtroutsymposium.com/accomodations.php.

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