Emergence

Lunch

WHEN HUNGER HITS

Frugal Repast

(Apologies To Pablo)

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.. Many of the visitor-centered eateries in our village are closed in the winter. Probably a good thing. Most of the commercial food in town comes in on the same truck.
.. Our locally owned and family run restaurants operate on a small margin. They need the neighborhood business, and will cook your burger to order. Local beef is featured. The patties are freshly made. Rare fare and delicious too.
.. Should you find yourself up this way we suggest you avail yourself of the local hamburgers.

The Rays Burst Forth

TOO BRIGHT TO FISH

Earthquakes And Landslides

time to hit the road

SO THAT'S WHERE THE MUD COMES FROM

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.. The last few days have seen wet and more wet. The rains, or the earthquake, or the mudslides, must have kept Sasquatch in his den - we survived the Myrtle Point woods and caught a fish, (or so.)
.. We were about drowned in the heavy surf as well, but managed to also catch a fish, (or so,) there.
.. So then today, as we're counting our blessings and drying off and packing gear - the sun explodes like a SOCAL summer day. Go figure.


Blueback At Dusk

.. The town of Brookings, Oregon is reeling from back-to-back storms that did considerable property damage and taxed the city's drainage system. The totals are not in but millions of dollars will have to be spent to fix everything.
.. The mud in the river has something to do with a pair of landslides and the runoff associated with the storms. The fish are loving it. The fishers are philosophical, ". . . "It is what it is. . .  "

CRACK SOME

.. The start of the crabbing season is just so-so. We ate some. Yum. The Bluebacks are all along the coast and in the surf. None reported from the rivers yet.
.. Steelhead are in the rivers and scurring upstream under cover of mud. Can you say Spin and Glow? Very few fly-caught fish on the Chetco River. Some, however, in secret places on the Coquille River. Ghosts!
.. The Chetco River is at historic high flows, {LINK.} and you'll have to get someone local to show you the ropes. It's a grand and glorious river. Check out THE MAP courtesy of WILD RIVERS FISHING.
.. Should you like to see "What's Da Hap's?" around here just click on over to the WILD RIVERS FISHING report for a glimpse. They have the right stuff. Chaeck it out {LINK.} Those folks will even take you to the Smith River if you've a hankering for some Golden State Steelhead. As big and wild as they come!

CAN YOU BELIEVE IT ?

.. There are some very nice and placid pools on the upper reaches of some of the other rivers around here. Not what would normally be thought of as Steelhead water - that's the best part of local knowledge.
.. We've been gifted with a visit to one. Looks like a city park in the middle of the deep forest. The fish are eager right now.
.. So then, the clouds are rolling back in and we're trying to get gone before the passes get messy. There is a bit of snow up there: not too cold, lots of rain, and mudslides. We're told it's just a normal transition to Winter.
.. Well, it's off to the pizza place. Then, a nap. Then, back to the other pizza place. Then, a nap. Then, a giant dinner at the ART ALLEY GRILL. We will have to see what the market price is for some local fish - OR - maybe a rack of lamb - OR - maybe both. Overnight, then hit the road.

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IT'S SO WET THE BIRDS ARE STUCK IN THE MUD

. . . But You Can't Hide

BIG WIND - BIG RAIN

Big Flood ?

all in a day's work

MUD OUT  -- WEATHER IN

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.. So, it's supposed to be wet when you're chasing steelhead. It's supposed to be dreary and damp and dank and miserable. It's supposed to be thankless, tedious, exhausting, and frustrating. But, is it supposed to be dangerous?
.. Slick roads, trees down, flooded roads, and Sasquatch are thrown into the current mix. Not high adventure but it keeps one alert.
..Well, so it's been. But, at least it's a warm deluge and the snow level is staying at about the point where the upstream fish should be. Roads will be on the dampish side. Small creeks will be "out-of-bank." The Chetco river will be full of whitecaps and mud. Glad we're here to see it.
.. We're constantly checking the NOAA river watch sites. Try THIS LINK for current conditions and predictions. There is also a high surf warning. The kids are loving it. Maybe we should try it.
.. A day or two away from the fish is standard this time of year. It looks to be a little more than that. we'll see. Rumors abound about sea-run cutts in the harbor. Maybe tonight.
.. The crabbing has been good and the neighbors are going to burn a few. This is a rare pleasure and you can bet that we'll need some cold one's to get it all down.

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THE STORM COMETH

By Request

VERY SIMPLE RECIPE

Rare Ingredients

bring those earth-shattering appetites

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So, O.K., guys and gals here it is:

HUCKLEBURGERS FOR BREAKFAST

* Very fresh ground, freshly-butchered and larded beef;

  -- 4# of sirloin is our base,

* Wild Huckleberry Syrup,

  -- 1/8 cup per pound,

* Wild Huckleberry Barbeque sauce,

  -- For basting while grilling & dressing,

* One extra large egg,

  -- Beaten with a dash of warm water,

* Worcestershire Sauce,

  -- Add to taste, (about one teaspoon per pound.)

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.. With all ingredients at room temperature: in a great big bowl mix the ingredients with your hands. Squeeze the goo through your fingers until it is well mixed and of a uniform consistency. Form patties by hand, roughly 1/2 pound each. Lay patties on waxed paper, (or foil if you must,) for 10 - 15 minutes, (or longer,) until a soft dry rind is formed.

.. Carefully salt and pepper top. Softly place seasoned side down on the grill over embers of dying wood fire. Baste lightly with Wild Huckleberry Barbeque Sauce. When the fat hits the fire with regularity gently turn the patties.

.. Salt and pepper and baste again. When the fat hits the fire again, carefully turn & move the patties to the edge of the heating circle. Peek inside with a pair of forks to see how red and juicy they are. Serve with lightly toasted premium buns and Wild Huckleberry Barbeque Sauce as garnish. (add lettuce, tomato, sweet onions, or beets, to your own personal taste.) Added ingredients tend to mask the delicate flavors of the Wild Huckleberries.

.. Beer is a great accompaniment to any and all burgers. We use cold black coffee with a dram or two of: Galliano, or Sweet Vermouth, or Jameson Irish Whiskey or Tullamore Dew Irish Whiskey, or a fine Scotch Whiskey. Some folks even add clotted cream and sugar . . . .
.. Believe it or don't: this breakfast guarantees phenomenal success during a full day of fishing. Catching is optional.

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.. There's a bit of snow on the ground and the fish are frisky. Baetis of some mysterious sort are still popping on the Firehole River and a new wave of submarines has entered the Madison River in flotilla force and is rapidly moving up stream at flank speed!

SNOW FUN

BREAKFAST BBQ

Have A Huckleburger

it's our own silly tradition

THE BEST BREAKFAST THIS WEEK.

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.. It's not mainstream. It's not fancy, exotic, elitist, or designed to "WOW" our visitors. It is, nevertheless, a damn good hamburger - even if we do eat it at the crack of dawn - in the snow.
.. One of our neighbors owns a little spread just west of town. His annual gift to the neighbors is a bit of freshly butchered choice Angus beef. We always select the hamburger because it's ground together with enough fat to be tasty and produce little fire-popping explosions - you heart healthy folks can cast aspersions as you wish.

LOOK !!!  A wood fire.

.. Juicy, not crispy, is the way we still cook the meat. Pinkish and with lots of carcinogenic wood smoke from the embers that were a fire, not some sort of pressed dung and mastic in little marshmallow shaped turds.
.. In celebration of the Last Week of Fishing in Yellowstone National Park we get up before the dawn cracks. Have some coffee, stomp our feet in the snow, talk about the balmy weather, and start the fire, (we do use gasoline instead of "fire starter" - for shame.)
.. By the time the coals are ready we've become warm and hungry and, have added some "juice" to the coffee - it's another bit of silliness we've concocted.
.. The burgers are served with plebeian accouterments such as salt and pepper and WILD HUCKLEBERRY BARBEQUE SAUCE. This morning we also had some home made french fries and sliced tomatoes. {{Wonder of wonders, there were decent tomatoes at one of the markets in the village.}}
.. Now it's time to load the caravan. We've decided to fish at the same spot this year. That should raise some eyebrows among the traveling hoards that are not visiting the park to fish. We'll monopolize the good water, commandeer the best pull-outs, and become, (for one glorious day,) the absolute asses that we despise and deride for most of the year.
.. Film at eleven.

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Today's Lovely Fall Colors - (as seen at breakfast.)

WEE PAWS FOR DIGESTION

It's The Berries - II

Double Sweet Shortcake, California Berries,
Fresh Real Whipped Cream, Hand Shaved Chocolate,
Golden Nectar Of The Gods

Rare Treats

SURF & TURF

LEFTOVERS

NOT AT OUR HOUSE

Desayunos Deliciosos

chorizo con huevos

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.. BASTA ! Adiós Turquía: hola sabores de la alegría. It's a refreshing occasion to have breakfast at 2:00 PM, with the neighbors and a 'BUD.'  VIVA!

The Butter Sponge

'TIS THE SEASON

Just Two Years To Go

. . . when it rains . . .

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.. Distilled in 1983, Bottled in 2003, Ready to Drink in 2013. Twenty years in French Oak in the dark cool underground breeds respect.

BREAKFAST AT NIGHT

.. Ten years to mellow & soften thereafter is not too long to wait. The anticipation is driving us crazy.
.. And, truly, for everything there is a season: the current season demands a bit of mushroom for a midnight breakfast.
.. We are preparing them with a very finely crushed saltine cracker and egg breading, then slowly sauteed in obscene quantities an adequate amount of butter for 5 or 6 minutes, turning frequently. We put them on a paper towel and eat them as we cook the next batch in our 50 year-old cast iron skillet.  The last batch is served with unadorned waffles. It's beyond description.

*  *  *

.. The rivers have not slowed a bit and Firehole Lake is re-forming and gobbling up the valley. The stories are already being told. TSK, TSK, TSK.
.. We'd tell you more but the third batch is ready and it's a long rainy night ahead.
.. As we contemplate the deluge about to awaken the lowland fishers we need sustenance. We'll have a more plebeian beverage right now and spice up the offering just a bit. The fine amber liquid will have to wait for an even more auspicious occasion - in it's season.

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JUST ENOUGH BUTTER - don't burn it !

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Best Bar By A Dam Site

EVER TRIED

SWEET 'TATER FRIES ?

Good With Flame Broiled Beef

good food and good fun

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.. Now there's a change of pace. The Happy Hour Bar on the shores of Hebgen Lake is a haven in the winter time for folks that travel between the high country and the salubrious climes of the Madison River Valley down below.

.. This longtime favorite of local residents harbors good food, good drinks, and good fun.
.. It's a cozy place with "atmosphere" just dripping from the walls, (and ceiling.) This year-round watering hole is gathering place for the "LAKE PEOPLE." It's out here in the country where elbow room is more important than the minimal conveniences in the town of  West Yellowstone.
.. Sledheads find it in the winter as they cruise the vast expanses of a frozen Hebgen Lake.
.. Ice fishers call the place home, (and they can show you buckets of fish as proof that they really were fishing.). The adventurous cross country skiers willing to forgo the sweet and simple trails of Yellowstone National Park frequent the bar for a toddy or two.

.. In the summertime this is a popular destination for lake fishers, (both gear and fly,) who prefer the adventure of large trout taken from a boat. It's also a port of call for visitors meeting " . . . at the bar . . ."
.. Seasonal and local festivities center at the Happy Hour Bar. The Super Bowl Party was a scene of extreme gaiety. Through the year you may bump into Senators, Movie Stars, Famous Fly Fishers, and other not quite normal folks. Of course there are quite a few "not quite normal folks" that aren't famous and live right here too. You'll probably meet some of them as well.
.. This place just warms the soul and the toes if necessary. Grab a stool and order a burger done the way you like it and be sure to try the sweet 'tater fries.Let them know we sent you; but only when you're ready to leave!

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Burger, Fries, & A Coke

JUST GOOD GRITS

Breakfast At Eleven

a sensible sort of place

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.. Winter in West Yellowstone combines all sorts of silliness into a chaos that reaches a fever pitch about the second week in March with the World Snowmobile Exposition, (more about that later.)

.. Snowcoaches, Snow Machines, Snowshoes, Snow Skies, Ice Fishing, Just Plain Fishing, and the occasional Fly Fisher combine to enliven the town and it's environs.
.. Visitors explore Yellowstone National Park, Gallatin National Forest, and the few remaining eateries that stay open for this winter madness.
.. The "official" opening of the community ice rink takes place this coming Saturday: now there's an event to bring your blood to a boil.

.. While many critters, human and otherwise, slow down or sleep during this season, our neighborhood becomes a hive of activity. There are folks that revel in the cold white stuff  --  believe it or don't.
.. Food, of course, is needed to fuel this broad spectrum of activity. Besides being active, it's cold; and, food is the fuel to keep the body warm as well as fed.

.. The Canyon Street Grill is open in winter for this necessary pit stop. It provides simple fare, served with a flair.
.. The decor is aimed at bringing back memories to those old enough to have them. The storied '50's and '60's leap from the walls and insinuate themselves into your brain.
.. It's a fun, and warm place for good food and conversation.
.. Neighbors and visitors congregate for the food and conversation. Food is served like it was in the not too distant past - by a waitress that smiles and stops to visit with you. It is prepared to order so there is a bit of time to relax.

.. The hamburgers are made from "NEVER FROZEN" beef, the fries are made in-house from real potatoes, the malts and shakes are spun out from 40 year-old blenders, the soups and chili are home made, and it's guaranteed that your food will be hot and not at your table in 3 minutes or less. What a treat.
.. During the winter season, breakfast starts at 11:00 AM. Now, how sensible is that? It blends with lunch or an early dinner.
.. Even folks under the age of 60 have learned the litany of ordering in the old style: "BURGER FRIES & A COKE." Of course there are many burgers to choose from: Norma Jean, Wolfman Jack, Peggy Sue, Betty Boop, and the ever popular Little Deuce Coup.
.. The grill is primarily a sandwich shop, with soup, chili, salads, and other stuff available as specials. You can even get a hot dog grilled in the old style.

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