Sans Elbows

IT'S A NEIGHBORHOOD THING

Not Much To Say

catched a few

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.. Went to the neighborhood fishing hole; water high, temperature higher, mosquitoes in force, caught a few: came home.
.. There is a sparse midge hatch in the slow water near the park boundary. The nuisance bear closure is still in effect. The fish are still taking attractor flies. We like the old-fashoned Royal Coachman.

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It's All Hot !

TEMPERATURES SOAR

Sweaty Anglers Rejoicing

catching beyond belief

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.. Now that there's no place to sleep in West Yellowstone, and no place to avoid the heat, it's time to go fishing.
.. There is no cool place in town this evening. The pubs have the best air conditioning. Guess where the fisher folk are congregating? Guess what they are talking about? The best fishing possible on the west side of Yellowstone National Park. Guess what's about to happen? The heat will melt more snow. Then what?

.. The National Weather Service has issued both a FLOOD WATCH AND HEAT ADVISORY for our area. The Gallatin River may flood near Gallatin Gateway and Yellowstone Park may experience record breaking heat over the next two days. It may cool down just a bit for the Fourth of July.
.. Here's the current river status:
==> Firehole, about 225 cfs above seasonal average, colored & clearing, temp. spiking to 68° F, heavy bug activity, highly catchable.
==> Gibbon, about 100 cfs above seasonal average, colored & clearing, temp. spiking to 68° F, bug activity picking up, meadows drying, little water producing well, big water attracting stealthy fishers.
==> Madison, about 300+ cfs above seasonal average, surprisingly clear, temps holding in mid 60's, heavy evening White Miller and other caddis activity, ignored by many because of crowds and bison activity.
==> Gallatin, 300+ cfs above recorded max for the day, out of bank in some canyon sections, temp. at about 60° F, muddy and dangerous.

==> Lamar, about 200 cfs above recorded max for the day, still eating the road at confluence meadows & rising, Wild and Woolly Froth, some bugs seen running down the road to escape the muddy rampage, suicide wading discouraged,
.. [[ Road Press Release #1, Road Press Release #2, Hotline for road closure and conditions: (207) 344-2117.]] There is a distinct possibility for additional closures or heroic delays. Please use the hotline before you travel in the Lamar Valley.

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.. You won't need too many bugs in your box. Your favorite big bugs for the rocky and riffled areas of the Firehole Canyon and riffles near shore on the Madison River, (Yellow Sally, Golden Stone, Salmon Fly.)
.. White Miller Caddis & small Elk Hair Caddis for the afternoon and evening along the Madison River and Nez Perce Creek, (make noise and sing to the bears.)
.. Baetids in a few forms: emerger, spinner, dun, stillborn [mangled,] for any hatch you may encounter on the Firehole River below Biscuit Basin. If you are more picky than the fish use a PMD imitation.
.. Nymphs and streamers will be the way to go for those that want to catch astronomical numers of fish. King Prince and standard Prince should do, beadheads if you like. Two-toned Feather Duster, and Rock Worms should be enough for the upper Firehole River, Nez Perce Creek, the small meadows of the Gibbon River and all over the Madison River.
.. We're just back, (our orifices were clogged with caddis,) and can report that more fisher folk are reporting success than we've heard for many a Fourth of July. Veracity is never questioned when we chat with visitors!
.. There's a new watering hole in town and we're going to see if anyone besides the neighbors have found it yet.

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Preparedness

CURRENT BUG ACTIVITY

Anticipated Visitation

some interesting places to fish

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.. Well folks, it's just about as good as it gets. Although the rivers on the west side of Yellowstone National Park are above their seasonal discharge averages, they are rapidly clearing and the catching is getting better by the day. You, (and 150,000 others,) will not want to miss this opportunity.

.. The big bugs are on the Firehole River and the fish have found them. There are Yellow Sallies as big as bananas, the Salmon Flies are like giant zucchinis and the Golden Stone Flies will dwarf a Mazda Miata. This co-emergence is not unheard of, but to happen for the Fourth Of July is a rare occurrence.
.. If you like to fish in the morning on the Firehole River you will find a cool light fog and a spinner fall, (PMD's,) from about 7:30 AM onward. BWO's, Baetids of a couple sorts, and drowned nymphs can gather up fish all day.
.. For the folks that want to catch a lot of fish a rig with a small, (size 12 or less,) dark, floating Woolly Worm followed by a Caddis Nymph, (Rock Worm, Gold Ribbed Hare's Ear, or even a Prince Nymph) imitation will take 10" to 14" fish all day in the deep riffles.
.. We like to use a drowned, green, stiff-hackle in these high water conditions. Sizes 10 through 14 are good depending on what your rock-turning indicates.
.. The forecast for the weekend is a few scattered clouds and a few thundershowers. If you're blessed with overcast at the right time a mid-day mayfly hatch will clog your orifices. You'll need perfect presentation to fool a fish because of the fantastic cloud of the little devils.
.. The caddis have begun to appear in numbers that the fish enjoy. Sunshine in the afternoon is not a cruse right now. A two-fly rig with a large elk hair caddis, (size 10 - 12, or even 8,) followed by either an emerger or nymph will get the attention of even the most wary of trout as dusk covers the valley.

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.. The Madison River at this time of year is touted as a streamer fishery: and that's true, but there are some heavy White Miller hatches happening now that will continue for another week or two.
.. The deep undercut bank, (on the far side of the river from the parking at Barns #1,) has grown to enormous proportions during this high runoff episode. There are fish in there that will suck the cleats from your boots.
.. Take the long way around and sneak up on the bank, (getting your knees dirty is a good idea.) A short line and short, heavy leader with a marabou leech or dark green Wooly Bugger will wake you and the fish. Be prepared.

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..  Nez Perce Creek, (poor neglected sister,) is providing catching so good in all the riffles that should make the legal stretches a designated children's fishery. It's too easy right now. That's probably why it's being ignored.
.. The wade-deep crowd just can't stand to have anything too easy. Drowned and mangled dry flies, big nymphs, or bright yellow Woolly Worms will take more fish that your story can convey.
.. Of course, it requires a walk of about 700 yards to get to the water that provides exceptional catching. That may be too far for the wader-laden visitor.

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.. Visitation is heavy now and will be astronomically high for the Fourth. Caution is highly recommended in driving, gawking, parking and walking.
.. Some of the best fishing in this post-high-water period is reached by parking in a narrow spot, crossing the road, and then a meadow with downfall and bears. Please be careful: restrict your posing for the tourists to the crowded parking lots.
.. The bison are busy re-paving the road from the west entrance station to Madison Junction. This early summer maintenance is a Yellowstone ritual. It has been made an even greater attraction this year because of the wet meadows. The bison don't like to lounge in a wet puddle any more that do the picnickers.
.. If you can handle not fishing in crowded waters we suggest the Firehole River above the cascades along the Lone Star Geyser Trail. There are just a few Brook Trout in the water, but most of them are eager to dance with you.
.. We'll mention the Gibbon River tomorrow . . . we promise. But for now, we commiserate with you if you haven't found lodging. This little burg in the woods has been full for a week. There are a few camping places left, but driving from Bozeman is not too far if you need to fish in Yellowstone National Park over this coming weekend.

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RE-POST

UPDATE TOMORROW

BUT

giant stoneflies on the Firehole right now!

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{{This is our post from last year. It's still the same with a couple of interesting changes. The weather will be pleasant instead of hot. The rivers will be a bit higher. The hike to Grebe Lake will be a bit more sloppy. The stoneflies of three types will all be active. Thunderstorms and overcast will improve the fishing. Updates coming!}}

.. It's an absolutely wonderful thing.
.. Fishing in Yellowstone National Park on the Fourth Of July is an epic endeavor for all. Everyone in the world will be in the park - and, they will all be fishing.
.. For those that still don't know where they will be wetting their line, here's some thoughts:
==> You might catch a fish on the Firehole River if you fish in the morning,
==> You will catch a fish on the Madison River  if you use a Bead Head Caddis,
==> You will catch a fish on Trout Lake,
==>  You will catch a fish on Obsidian Creek,
==> You will Catch a fish on Joffee Lake,
==> You will catch a fish on Grebe Lake.

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.. This weekend will be a bit warm. The crowds will be a bit dense. The rivers will be a bit crowded. The fish stories will be a bit exaggerated. And, a good time will be had by all.
.. By all accounts, there will be enormous visitation numbers for this weekend.
.. In addition to the attractions and beauty of Yellowstone in early July, West Yellowstone is planning the largest fireworks display in Montana.
.. The West Yellowstone "WILD WEST RODEO" has grown to the point that it's not just a 'show' rodeo - but it's become a stop on the rodeo circuit. The bulls usually win!
.. The Dairy Queen has added 45 extra staff persons for the weekend.
.. The police department has given all officers the day off.

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WHERE TO FISH ??

.. Places where fishing will be good  --  AND crowded:
-- Firehole River,
-- Madison River,
-- Gardiner River,
-- Gibbon River, (below Norris Campground, the road construction will have no closures for the weekend!,)
-- Trout Lake,
-- Solfaterra Creek,
.. Places where fishing will be good  --  AND less crowded:
-- Firehole River, (along the Lone Star Geyser trail,)
-- Firehole River, (between Firehole Falls & Madison River,)
-- Little Firehole River,
-- Iron Spring Creek,
-- Nez Perce Creek,
-- Gibbon River, (between Norris Campground and Virginia Cascade,)
-- Obsidian Creek.
.. Places where fishing will be good  --  AND nearly empty:
-- Gibbon River, (along the Grebe  Lake trail,)
-- Fan Creek, (above the beaver pond,)
-- Duck Creek, (observe the bear closures,)
-- Grayling Creek, (please park  safely,)
-- Bacon Rind Creek, (beware of the moose,)
-- Gallatin River, (above the Fan Creek Confluence,)
-- Bechler River, (it's a banner year for mosquitoes,)
-- Boundary Creek, (if you walk more than 300 yards,)
-- Heart Lake,
-- Snake River, (in the Thorofare,)
-- Hellroaring Creek,
-- Trail Creek,
-- Mountain Creek.

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.. The weather is going to cooperate for the long weekend, (sorta - kinda.) Clouds, thunder storms, wind, and hot temperatures are predicted for the weekend.

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.. There are some distinct advantages to fishing in Yellowstone on the Fourth of July:
==> Compare ring tones while exercising your waders,
==> Meet folks with pink fishing vests,
==> Catch flies with flies, (under water,)
==> Observe casting form worse than your own,
==> Delight in fishers festooned in gear worth the price of your BMW,
==> Practice creative parking & master rapid rigging,
==> Exchange insurance information with celebrity chauffeur's,
==> Find and explore alternate fishing locations 'cause the good ones are full of turons,
==> Enjoy bathing beauties in your favorite riffles,
==> Discover the many and varied paint jobs on tour buses,
==> Pose for pictures taken by 90,000 digital cameras.

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.. Time to kiss a fish!

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With apologies to Stevekale - thanks.

.. P.S. If you's scanned this far you deserve a reward: There is a wonderful site about bugs that is making waves in the "BUGOLOGY WORLD" and the "FLY FLAILING WORLD." CHECK IT OUR HERE. (There is an English version for the non-Francorphhile.)

Very Brief Report

FISH HERE !!

.. Just in time for the biggest weekend of the summer all rivers on the west side of Yellowstone National Park are fishing well. They are high, and colored, and productive.
.. Fish the hatch when you see it. Fish anything else when you don't. We heard that in a local pub from a fishing guide. It must be gospel!
.. Secret places with few elbows for the Fourth Of July will be posted during the coming week. It might not be gospel.

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DON'T FISH HERE

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