Hydrologic Outlook - Alert

.. STRAIGHT FROM NOAA TO YOU

Alert:	...The potential for snowmelt flooding will be increasing over the next few days... Warmer air will slowly move northward into portions of Southwest and Central MT over the next few days. As a result, expect the snow pack at lower elevations to begin to melt. The melting of the snow could start to accelerate by Tuesday and Wednesday, as afternoon highs climb into the 50s. The water from snow melt could flood low lying areas, flow over roadways and possibly flood basements. Small streams and creeks are likely to begin running, with ice starting to break up on larger rivers. Unpaved rural roads will become muddy, possibly becoming impassable for some vehicles. The severity of impacts from melting snow will depend on how rapidly temperatures rise over the next few days and if over night temperatures can remain above freezing. Now is the time to move equipment and livestock out of low lying areas, and away from waterways. If you have significant snow drifts along side your house foundation, take steps to prevent water making it into basements. Also try to remove snow from locations where the water needs to drain, such as storm sewers or culverts. Stay tuned to the forecast for the latest temperature trends. If flooding is observed, report it to local law enforcement and ask them to pass it on to the National Weather Service.
Target Area	COUNTIES
	Beaverhead Blaine Broadwater Cascade Chouteau Fergus Gallatin Glacier Hill Jefferson Judith Basin Lewis and Clark Liberty Madison Meagher Pondera Teton Toole

A Corporate Takeover ?

KIM-YONG-TRUMP

Grandma Said

HEARD ABOUT IT

Saw It Coming

"like" comes in bunches

ONLY PARTIALLY AT FAULT

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.. Grandma gets smarter as we get older.
.. She was full of nifty bits of wisdom: ". . .  a stitch in time." "Many hands make light work." "A penny saved . . ." and so forth: your grandma said 'em all too.
.. She also said "Like comes in bunches." Well, a  'bunch'  just arrived. [1]Yellowstone National Park has banned felt soles on waders and wading boots, [2] Yellowstone National Park has instituted a new  'boating season,' [3]Yellowstone River fish kill = more than meets the ear, [4] Gallatin River is in for another turd storm.
.. #1 - News release that announces the felt sole ban is here,
.. #2 - News release for new boating season is here,
.. #3 - The rest of the story about the 2016 fish kill on the Yellowstone River is here,
.. #4 - Mumblings from the neighbors down canyon [old news may be happening again] here.

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PROTOPLASM MOVEMENTS

 .. We have noted in the past, ( #1, #2,) that the ban on felt soles is a poor and only partial solution to the spread of pioneer species.

NOT BANNED

.. Bits of protoplasm get transported between watersheds in wader seams, boot seams, boot laces, wet fly lines, wet nets, shaggy bison legs, waterfowl feet and feathers, hooves of ungulates, etc.
.. The better solution is, of course, adequate cleaning of all wet and dry gear between drainages. This is a much tougher task and it is hard to legislate moral behavior. So be it!

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NOT BANNED

.. "Invasive Species" is not a scientific term. It's a press-form term like fake news.
.. Scare - scare - an invasion is coming.  Poobah: it's always coming!
.. It really means, (usually in economic or æsthetic terms:) 'those things that will hurt me.'
.. It is a term designed to scare the shit out of folks that know not the way of species propagation and migration.
.. Highly adaptive species move from one landscape to another landscape as pioneers. It is a constant process. The scientific term is "Pioneer Species."
.. Depending on their 'adaptability' these pioneers die, survive, or thrive depending on their in-built adaptability. We are all the product and result of pioneer populations - one way or another. POOP!
.. The fight against "Invasive Species" is really a fight against folks, of the human variety,  moving biological bits through several environments. Fat chance it will be very successful!

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MONTANA INSPECTORS

.. WOW! Golly Gee Whiz! Now there is a boating season in Yellowstone National Park.
.. Now, at last, we can enforce behavior.
.. We can watch the volunteers and and seasonal employees guarantee that boats coming into the park are sterile and carry no pioneer species that are banned.

MONTANA LEADS THE WAY

.. We've seen it done. Nary a trailer hubcap was ever removed, (they do have drain holes - clogged?) Not a brush was used to scrub the mating of wheel to tire at the tire bead, (brushes must cost too much.)
.. We do wonder if the water sloshing around inside the lenses of the lights is devoid of any protoplasm, (who knows these things?)
.. Hip, Hip, Hurray - now there is an 'official' boat season. Now enforcement of clean boat hygiene will proceed in Yellowstone National Park - we're pleased to see it. Montana has been at it for several years.

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., Infrequently we get to fish the Yellowstone River. We did just a bit ago. We saw too many dead fish: Trout and Whitefish.
.. We noted it in a blog post and mentioned it to the counter help at the local fly shop. They put it down to the hot river water and the hot air temperature.

YELLOWSTONE RIVER TROUT

.. Not being familiar with the river we accepted that explanation and went home - pooped and dry.
.. Come to find out there may be a far more sinister possibility that has been uncovered by the folks at "Montana Trout" the online fly fishing magazine.
.. Shitty water may be a contributing factor and it may have been hidden by the Montana Department Of Fish Wildlife and Parks - or maybe not.
.. Read the lurid details here,  (just click on the magazine image and turn to page 39.)

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.. Yesterday when the neighbors got back from a mad dash down canyon to fish the Gallatin River they assembled at their corner booth and told stories.
.. One of the stories was that the turd whirlers at big sky were burbling over the edge again, (see our old post here.)
.. This is absolutely unverified!!  But, fishers from that down canyon bit of water had a cold one with the neighbors and said that there were turds floating in Yellow Mule Creek and the West Fork of the Gallatin River.
.. They attributed it to the increased visitation of rich wealthy very wealthy ludicrously wealthy folks in their enclave and, the rapid freeze-thaw cycles that we've been having.
.. Dear, dear, dear,  grandma seems to have been prescient. A bunch indeed.

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.. The sky has become leaden and there is a flake or two wafting about. The porch light is working just fine now and the trusty horse is still accessible.
.. The neighbors will be knocking  pounding beating on the door at any minute. Best to put on some glad rags and enjoy the day.

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WALLPAPER: 'BURGER STEAK AND EGG BREAKFAST

Spring Fever

THE ROOF SLID

Pavement Appearing

kids in short pants

WALLPAPER:    THE NEW COFFEE BAKERY

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.. Our great piles of brilliant white snow are dwindling down to the dirty parts.
.. Last weekend's warm sun brought out some kids in short pants and a few bicycles.
.. The streets are not conducive to bicycle riding but the kids mush through anyway. There's a couple out there now. Must be lunch time.
.. There's more snow on the way and the snow piles will soon be pure white again.  It's not yet Spring but the fever is in the air. Bright sun and longer days makes the neighbors a bit twitchy.

SO THAT'S HOW IT WORKS !!

.. Folks take more time at the hardware store.
.. They cluster in the parking lot of the grocery stores and the Post Office.
.. They spend a few minutes less at the coffee shops.
.. They twitch and wriggle when their boots encounter the pavement of sidewalks and roadways.

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ORANGE EGG

.. The maniacal fishers on the block are tying and stockpiling spring flies.
.. These are mostly flies that are unacceptable to the swell sports with the $800 rods and $300 waders and $600 reels.
.. These are the flies that catch fish with regularity right now. These are flies that take advantage of the very most base instincts of the pea brained denizens of the deep.

YELLOW EGG

.. Some patterns are scorned; as if the fly fishing code was not about catching fish but fishing with acceptable patterns. So be it.
.. The patterns being tied and stockpiled are worms, eggs, and fry. These are what the trout gobble without a thought, (do they?)
.. Eggs from the tail end of the spawn plus, the best midge hatches plus, the early appearance of tiny fish larvae and fry provide an ample lunch sack for the trout.

SAN JUAN WORM

.. Right now there is a lot of food for the fish after a cold and lean Winter.
.. The emergence of the earliest "famous flies" are still many weeks away up here but, the fish are hungry and eating.
.. The Madison River Between The Lakes is getting a mite crowded with neighbors and visitors from foreign countries like Utah, Idaho, and Bozeman.

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PURE WIRE WORM

.. Our local midges can complete a couple of life cycles during the winter and the blood worms are abundant and a source of protein.
.. The group of Chironimidae are found mostly in slack water and in lakes and ponds. All are prolific and rapid propagators.
.. Their larven [OBS] are in the soft sediments of the bottom. When they mature and hatch they can be fished throughout the water column and on top.

WRAPPED WIRE WORM

.. The top water fly patterns are legion and work for those folks that need to see their fly to catch a fish.
.. The subsurface flies are scorned by some effete folks as not even flies.
.. Strokes, folks, catechisms, and habits are widely variable among the fly fishing religious.

CHAMOIS WORM

.. Right now we are having a fairly prolific midge hatch. It's not as strong as it can be and it probably provides blood worms aplenty.
.. Top water fishing will happen with a frenzy during the next sunny spell - for sure! Right now the neighbors are busy with the devil worms. They catch batches too. Some folks have even purchased this year's fishing license.

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.. Twisticated an ankle yesterday and need a rest and relaxation spell. Probably hobble to the kitchen and sooth the pain with some vittles. Simple gratification and perfect accompaniment to streaming old movies.
.. Perhaps "Grumpy Old Men" to offset "The Old Man And The Sea."

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WALLPAPER:  KEY LIME CURD TURNOVERS

Good Friends And Neighbors

A FEW FACTS

Eh, What ?

beer prices to climb?

ALUMINUM SHOULD BE RECYCLED

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..We've always felt that America and Americans had a few really good friends both near and far.

STEEL PRODUCTION - USA

.. There is not a border wall between Canada and the United States. There is no wall between The USA and Mexico, (yet.)
.. Our immigrant population has close and mostly friendly ties with their homelands in Europe: Ireland, Italy, Germany, Spain, England, France, etc.
.. So too our recent immigrants from Korea, Japan, Mexico, Vietnam, India, etc.
.. And now we are imposing an interesting tariff on some essential raw materials from these places. Of course we voted for it.

THE FACTS:

>> The European Union is the number one supplier of steel imported into the United States. Canada is number two. South Korea is number three. Mexico is number four. China is number nine. [LINK-S1,][LINK S2.]
>> The United States does not have the capacity to produce the steel needed for it's demand, [LINK S3.]
>> Canada is the number one supplier of aluminum imported into the United States. Russia is number two. The UAE is number three. China is not in the top ten.  Production and output in the United States has declined in the last decade, [LINK A1,]

ALUMINUM PRODUCTION - USA

.. We are called to wonder why it is necessary to add a tariff to these metals while our economy is growing and has solid fundamentals.
.. We do wonder how long it will take to increase domestic production of these necessary raw products to meet our domestic demand and create jobs for Americans.
.. Happily we have elected our leaders and they know these things and act in the best interests of our friends and neighbors and American citizens. This will be a boon to the economy?
.. Friends and neighbors do squabble. We wonder if picking a fight is the way to Make America Great - at all?
.. Is reciprocity on the menu for America's friends and neighbors? Will our domestic products made of steel and aluminum cost more? Is this a sneaky tax on the American public? We'll see.

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.. It's bright overcast and nearly too white to bear. Even the best sunglasses cannot keep us from squinting.

MINION FOR THE MOMENT

.. Got another 4 inches of the white stuff and it is still coming down by the flake.
.. It's 35°F and the slushy slop is starting to build on top of the packed and icy snow in the village streets.
.. It's brunch time and there is a pile of chores awaiting.
.. We could call it a "snow day" and take a nap but then the tasks at hand will become tomorrow's dalliances. Don't need that.
.. Best thaw some steaks and sweep off the grill.

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WALLPAPER:  FAJITAS SENCILLO

Apropos Of Nothing

KINDER, GENTLER ?

Sexist Appeal ?

a robyn roy for you ?

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.. Diageo just announced that some bottles of Johnnie Walker Black Label Scotch will now carry a woman on the label.
.. The new moniker will appear in limited numbers in the U.S.A. and should be available tomorrow or, as soon as your local spirits merchant figures it out (LINK-1, LINK-2.)
.. This push by Diageo, the worlds number two producer of spirits, is designed to make sure that women know that it's O.K. to drink Scotch Whiskey. [[ The largest distiller in the world is Kweichow Moutai in China.]]

OUR PERSONAL PREFERENCE

.. The fly fishing world has also jumped on the "market to women" bandwagon over  the last few years.
.. We're alert to these trends and wonder if women feel that they need to be told that it's O.K. to fish with a fly or to drink scotch whiskey.
.. We'd like to make it clear that both are just fine - thank you. Here in America it's also fine if women enjoy any freedoms that men - or other sexed beings enjoy.
.. The neighbors are currently discussing names for future forays into fly tying and naming: starting with the "Royal Coachwoman," and extending to the "Boudoir Vac."
.. We intend to monitor this trend and will provide alerts when fly rods come in shades of pink with petticoats and skirts.

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.. Well, the dumping of white stuff has paused for a day or so. Clean up is proceeding apace with the city crews working double shifts to get the streets back in shape.

LADY JANE COACHMAN

.. Old-timers can be heard remarking that it looks just like the olden days. We haven't had a three foot dump in recent memory but, 31 inches over the last three days is nice to see.
.. We're in the midst of another mid-life morning and the whiskey news guarantees that we'll probably put on the coffee and rustle up some grub to tame the growl in the pit.
.. Nap time should come about daylight.

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WALLPAPER:  DUMPING DEEPER

Deviant Behavior

SILLY NEIGHBORS

Unscripted Behavior

assaulting pea brains

ONLY LEGAL FISHER IN YELLOWSTONE

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.. Just some Coachman Fly iterations. One from the dictionary and three from the fertile imagination of neighbor Jimmy. Never would make it as counter help. Too inventive!
.. It shouldn't be too difficult to figure out the recipes. These are all trout sized, ( 4 to 18,) depending on the pattern.

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.. You can match the image to the name. It shouldn't be too hard:
1) Coachman Bomber,
2) Royal Coachman Bomber,
3) Royal Coachman Nymph,
4) Royal Coachman Shamrock Bomber.

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.. And now for our combined strength and aerobic stint with the snow shovel. This will give us the incentive to tackle some breakfast.

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WALLPAPER:   FAJITA FIXIN'S