Countdown

PERFECT BLUSTER COMING

Today Was Too Nice

. . or forever hold your piece . .

THE SUN SETS OVER ANOTHER SEASON IN YELLOWSTONE

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.. Just a note to remind you that if you're not here, it's too late. Although Yellowstone National Park closes "officially" at 8:00 AM on Monday, November 5, 2012, you can't fish on Monday . . . or so we've been told.
.. Today was way too gentle for a November day. Happily, the bluster will pick up this evening and should be full blown by Sunday.
.. The neighbors and remaining visitors that fish are catching with astounding regularity. This year the west side rivers are showing off for the late season faithful. There are little bugs all over the surface of the Firehole River, (the Madison River, Nez Perce Creek, the Gibbon River, and the Gallatin River also!) But it's the Firehole River that is really alive with hatches. It's living up to what the neighbors call "the river of no tears." If you're not catching fish - - - your fly is not in the water.
.. Like a broken record, (now there's an anachronism,) we continue to note that the runners are showing off all the way to Gibbon Falls and are taking any fly that is outsized, splashed in their face, or swims by with a bit of action.
.. We wish every year had ended this wonderfully.

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THE LOWLAND MADISON IS STILL DOING NICELY  --  THANK YOU.

Do It Right Now

BIG FISH FISHING

Little Fish Fishing

it's all good for five more days

Fishing With Bobber & Spinning Rig Is legal If There Is A Fly At The End Of Your Line.

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.. Join  the fun. Drive in the slush, and ice, and sleet, and rain, and snow, and enjoy the clouds and sun and wind and everything about the next few days. Soon we'll be counting down the 200+ days until we enter the fray of swollen rivers, mud, and potholes. All too soon this year will fade. All too soon the fish will grow and the pain subside.

.. The bite is on like in days of yore and even the Chamber of Commerce can't find words glowing enough.
.. The snows have come: wet, intermittent, slushy, and warm. This is typical for the Fall to Winter transition. It's a bit late this year but not out of the window.
.. The good thing is that the roads in Yellowstone National Park are mostly clear of the white stuff for propitious amounts of time. BUT: be prepared with tire chains and/or snow tires. A couple of more days of balmy 40's and 50's then some grunge for the weekend. How usual.

.. We're in the standard "Late Fishing Frenzy" mode. Folks are anxious and antsy about getting in a few more days of fishing. The fish are agitated and vigorously perusing their sexual mandate.
.. Park staff is eager to leave their summer posts and get gone to warmer climes.
.. Seasonal counter clerks, some on commission, are busy selling wash tubs for nets in an effort get the necessary gas money for a quick getaway on November 6. The scene is hardly that of the post cards portraying the idyllic fishing behavior that is rumored to exist in Yellowstone National Park.
.. There are places where fish are easy to catch. There are places where big fish can be caught. The two are seldom the same. Plan on wearing your cocoon outfit. Plan on cold fingers and the occasional frozen guide, (of the human and chrome and tungsten variety.)

.. There is fantastic surface action on the Firehole River with the Baetis imitation of your choice, (when the little darlings hatch in the dreary overcast fog.) Try BWO and CDC patterns in the smaller sizes = 16 - 20. We like the dinkers tied for the guys at Buzz Basini's shop.
.. When the bugs are not on the top the fish are still eating at a glutinously rate. Use a drowned Baetis and a Prince Nymph of the appropriate size, (= small!)
.. Of course the head hunters of the Madison River are out in force. Many are sporting double fisted Spey Rods that are useful for casting to the pools a full 30 and 40 feet away. It's not a herculean effort since the rod usually covers half the distance to the fish.
.. Most of these fishers have perfected the art of walking right through the deep dark water and kicking the fish in their belly. This is a technique rumored to produce greater spunk and fight in the submarines hiding in the deep spots.
.. Many of the neighbors are seeking fish away from the crowds. Up on the Gallatin River, (which is way too cold to fish,) there are places where only the bears and fishers go. The bears run from the boisterous neighbors and their raunchy limericks. The fish seem to run toward the screaming noises.
.. Try it: "There once was a bear from I stuck it . . ." etc. Best sung in a loud and lilting contralto.
.. Or, the neighborhood favorite: "Here bear! Hear Bear!" it seems that the bears do things opposite from folks.
.. We've been fishing and catching in none of the above mentioned places in Yellowstone National Park. They are not places worth mentioning because folks just don't fish there. So we do.
.. We like the idea of catching several dozen brightly-colored feisty Brook Trout that willingly come to whatever bits of fluff we happen to have. We like the idea of being shielded from the biting winds by a tunnel in the Lodgepole Pines. We enjoy getting in the car with no waders and no cold, wet boots. We enjoy getting home and popping a cold one without the hassle of undressing and re-dressing. We seem to have weird priorities. It must come with age and decrepitude.

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FISH THE WEEDS !!

End Of The Line

FORGET "PRETTY" DAYS

Welcome Fishy Days

bring your "A" game

THEM WERE THE DAYS. THAT'S STILL THE PLACE!

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.. It's finally hit! What would be called winter in much of our country is now fall in the high country. The neighbors are dancing with glee. Fishing is spectacular in the snow and rain and sleet and grappel and hail. We finally get to wear long pants again.

My What Big Eyes You Have.

.. Some very large streamers and other monstrosities are sprouting on the short, heavy tippets of the fly fishers around here.
.. There are some peculiar habits and attitudes that come to light when the fishers seek the submarines of Fall. One of the most peculiar is the need to tie half of a chicken to the end of the line and call it finesse.

"Cute" little fly.

.. Interestingly the same attitude is called forth when presenting itsey-bitsey flies to the same fish. Right now the fish are eating both extremes and everything in between.
.. We suspect that almost all fishers on the west side rivers in Yellowstone National Park believe, in their innermost being, that they are finessing the fish to hand - no matter what fly they have chosen. We'll let them have it.
.. As is usually the case for this time of year, the neighborhood kids are preparing their Halloween costumes. Most of the costumes are designed to fit comfortably underneath a snow suit. Fishers should take note.
.. There's just a couple weeks left for legal fishing in Yellowstone National Park. Make the most of it. There are surface bugs galore, there are nymphing opportunities everywhere, there are the famous runners of the Madison River, (and other places for those that know,) and there are sheltered roadside pull-outs for telling lies and warming fingers.
.. Grab a double handful of the high country Fall and wade right in. Displace as many fish as possible - it's the social thing to do. Bring a hip flask if you're driving a BMW. Bring a thermos of amber liquid if you're not. If you are serious about this circus you should bring at least an 18-pack per person. Some jerky and stale bread will distinguish the dedicated from the counter crawlers.
.. Remember to fish the shadows. Remember to fish the dark water. Remember to fish the shallows. Remember to fish the seams. Remember to fish the pillow and the cavity. Remember to fish the rocks and downfalls. As a matter of fact - fish it all, you may just stick a fish that hasn't been walked on.

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The Gallatin River is low and the trout are in the dark water. Mostly!

Countdown

BE HERE NOW

2 Weeks Left For Catching

some snow has spit at us - no stickeee

MADISON RIVER AT THE PARK LINE - VERY FISHY  !!

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.. As the peaks around Hebgen Basin can attest - some snow has fallen in the neighborhood. It even made it to the ground here in town. It melted as soon as it hit the ground. There's none here now. The fish near are here and loving it.

Tradition Will Out  !!

.. It's an interesting thing that's going on right here and right now. The neighbors are smacking the fish in the tributaries and shallow parts of the lakes.
.. The visitors are smacking the low water on the main stem of the Madison River, Gallatin River, Firehole River, and even the Mighty MO!
.. Although the Madison River and the Firehole River are at - OR - just a smidgen below seasonal flows; the Gallatin River is off by quite a bit.
.. Of course the neighbors are clustered around Specimen Creek, Bacon Rind Creek, the West Fork, and other secret debouches along the course of the river.
.. Bears be damned, (carry the spray and sing and dance and fish with a friend,) this is the time of year that Campanula Creek, Grayling Creek, and Duck Creek are visited by sturdy and adventurous souls. Bless them all and the bushels of fish that they catch.

Right Form, Wrong Color, Works Guud !!

.. Despite all of the myriad flies available for catching the migrating submarines of our waters, the Woolly Bugger continues as a favorite fly of the neighbors and visitors alike. We prefer the Snortle or a simple Woolly Worm ourselves.
.. The Curmudgeon Corps in the neighborhood is busy with the entertainment of the hour.
.. Enjoyment, for them, comes in the form of gently poking fun at both the neighbors and visitors who catch enough fish to feed Wyoming - and keep none of them. [[Curmudgeon defined below*]]
.. They, themselves, are busy catching and smoking fish at a rapid pace. Some have even gone to the trouble of seeking the lowland hardwoods for their smoking chores. Alder and Apple are this year's choice.
.. We usually give them a wide berth at this time of year. We will nod if we pass them at the grocery store. We do smile as we wait in line at the post office. We wave to the familiar vehicles on the street.
.. Engaging conversation, however, is reserved for those times, (coming soon,) when they accost us and offer a fish or two - YUM!
.. Well, with just a couple of weeks left for legal fishing in Yellowstone National Park, we're headed up to a shady, undercut bank, on the low-water Gallatin River. Rumor has it there's a flotilla of giant fish engaged in some sort of sexual shenanigans in the adjacent waters.
.. Finally, with a gentle whisper, we do say: "confluence of Nez Perce Creek and Firehole River."

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Afternoon Sunshine + An Undercut Bank + Pea Gravel + Aerated Water = FISH

[[*   ".. A curmudgeon's reputation for malevolence is undeserved. They're neither warped nor evil at heart. They don't hate mankind, just mankind's absurdities. They're just as sensitive and soft-hearted as the next guy, but they hide their vulnerability beneath a crust of misanthropy.
.. They ease the pain by turning hurt into humor.
.. They attack maudlinism because it devalues genuine sentiment.
.. Nature, having failed to equip them with a serviceable denial mechanism, has endowed them with astute perception and sly wit.
.. Curmudgeons are mockers and debunkers whose bitterness is a symptom rather than a disease. They can't compromise their standards and can't manage the suspension of disbelief necessary for feigned cheerfulness. Their awareness is a curse.
.. Perhaps curmudgeons have gotten a bad rap in the same way that the messenger is blamed for the message: they have the temerity to comment on the human condition without apology. They not only refuse to applaud senseless mediocrity, they howl it down with morose glee. Their versions of the truth unsettle us, and we hold it against them, even though they soften it with humor."

- - - JON WINOKUR ]]

A Blessed Deluge

SNOW ON THE WAY

Fish Now

bring layers

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.. It couldn't be more welcome - - OR - - timely.

Bluster At Last

FISHING HOT

Catching Good

weather colder and grunger

THE END OF AUTUMN IN THE HIGH COUNTRY

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.. It's been cool for a couple of nights. The low clouds have spit a bit and the sparse electric colors of our gentle and dry Fall are gone.
.. Mustard, brown, rust, amber, gray, leaden, and other late fall descriptors should be in your vocabulary if you visit here. You should also practice words like monster, pretty, giant, kype, streamer, rubber legs, woollywhatever, favorite Baetis, etc.
.. It's popcorn time on the Firehole River. Noses are everywhere and Baetis-Sipping can be heard for yards and yards. Splashing is the order of the day when the afternoon sun is just right and the Caddis take wing in frenzied flight to avoid the airborne trout.

.. The Madison River has been great, even in the sunlight, for the Fall-run fish from Hebgen Reservoir. Fishers have found the dark water in places never before fished. The books are obsolete right now. Some of the giant fish that have been pulled from the Madison River have left holes in the water that took hours to fill in.
.. Of course, if you are like us - and had your fill of the conga line, the upper Firehole River is yielding about 20 neon Brook Trout per hour to any competently presented fly, (above or below the surface:) fewer elbows and shielding from the wind by the dense lodgepole desert, are a Fall delight indeed.
.. The open secret of the week is the Gallatin River. A rig with two nymphs of the Prince variety, (different sizes - mind you,) is the current neighborhood choice. Surprisingly this also coincides with the advice from the counter help at many feather merchants.
.. Again this year, the neighbors are tying the KING PRINCE NYMPH. Runners seem to enjoy large nymphs as much as streamers and Woolly Worms Buggers.
.. The big bends of the Madison River in Yellowstone National Park in the now closed Bakers Hole Campground are being visited by folks willing to walk for their fish - there are many in the deep pools and undercut banks of this "fishy" bit of water.
.. Many of the neighbors believe that the biggest fish from the reservoir will not show until the snow arrives. That could be tonight, tomorrow, or as late as Wednesday. So be it.
.. The poor sister of Fall fishing is showing great form right now. The Gibbon River is nearly devoid of elbows above the falls. There are many unmolested fish eager for a dance partner. Drowned Caddis or Baetis cripples should accompany your standard Adams in the big meadows. Cute little bead head nymphs could yield a Grayling above Norris Campground on either Solfatara Creek or the Gibbon River's skinny, but dark, water. Of course the eager Brookies above Virginia Cascade will dance with any thing they can get in their mouth.

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Forgotten Riffles And Runs Of The Gibbon River Are Solace To Trout

Wader Friendly Lodging

FISHERS INVADE WEST

Stay For A Spell

torment a fish or two

Built in wader hangers.

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.. 'Tis a real pleasure, (and just a mite entertaining,) to have visitors from around the globe in town to catch some fish. These are single-minded folks with a pleasant and determined attitude. "Serious" does not go far enough toward describing those involved in the Fall Fishing Frenzy.
.. Of course, (this year anyway,) the salubrious weather has made them just a bit grouchy. They seem to prefer sleet, rain, snow, wind, and fog. Hang on, you'll soon have to dry your waders inside!

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JUST A SKIFF  --  FOR NOW!

A Quandary

IS IT THE FLY ?

Or The Presentation?

or is it the damn fish ?

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.. The kid behind the counter at the fly shop said to try one of these if the other seven didn't work! He said we needed a dozen of each!
.. One of the absolute pleasures of fly fishing is being unsuccessful with many flies.

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As Good As It Gets

Crisp, Bright, Still, Fall Afternoon;
hatching caddis and rising fish.
FIREHOLE RIVER IN OCTOBER

Unbelievable

A GLORIOUS WEEKEND

Fishing Great

catching slowed a bit

TOO PRETTY TO FISH

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.. The neighbors ditched their rods for a full three days. We succumbed to only a single day with rod in hand. The cause? JUNE IN OCTOBER.
.. Bright sun, gentle breezes, wispy clouds, short pants and thongs. What more could one ask? Temperatures in the 50' & 60's? You got it.
.. Plans for the weekend were hastily arranged around outdoor meals, football at the school and in the city park. Bicycles were dragged out of storage and roller blades received an unexpected late season round of exercise.
.. The weather gurus are calling for a full week of spectacular visitation weather. Crisp nights in the 20's and days continuing in the 50's and 60's. A few clouds should buzz through the neighborhood and the ever-so-slight chance of a bit of precipitation may visit us.
.. Submarine sightings on the Madison River have been regular but fewer than expected. On the other hand the caddis on the Firehole River have erupted into clouds of afternoon dive bombers starting about 3:30 or so. There are even a few hoppers still gamely fluttering around in the afternoon rays. SUCH A DEAL!
.. Several Conga Lines have formed in the usual places and fishing has become a more social event than sporting event. Conversation, stories, lies and jokes are the fly of choice at the Barns Holes now and for the foreseeable future. It's all good.

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Conga Line etiquette: carefully fish through the pool, stroll back to it's head, get in line, tell stories!

Short - n - Sweet

WEATHER COOLING

Snow A Possibility

fish on a rampage

A combined 50 years experience guiding on the Madison River - and still a discussion about the correct fly.

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.. As the temperatures return to the "SLEEPING WEATHER" range the fish are cavorting in all the usual, (and a few unusual,) places.
.. Go to the Northeast Corner of Yellowstone National Park for challenging fishing and rewarding catching. Slough Creek is low, aquatic bugs are intermittent, ants and beetles will prick a fish - BUT - there is no sloppiness tolerated. Soda Butte Creek is even lower and slower. The Lamar River, when clear, is providing some excellent catching in the still, & dark waters of the canyon and below the confluence with Cache Creek. Lucky fishers will bump into BWO's and Drakes, otherwise keep digging in your terrestrial and attractor boxes. Big nymphs and soft hackles should be available too.

Here; fishy, fishy, fishy.

.. The glorious colors of wild Brook Trout can be found on the willing fish of Obsidian Creek, the upper Firehole River, and the small waters of the Gibbon River above Norris Campground. Your favorite attractor should match the colors of the fish - catch as catch can!
.. Up on the park section of the Gallatin River there are still fish to dance with. The water is low and slow but the recent rains have finally added some substance to the flows.
.. This means additional terrestrial bits of chow as well as the occasional BWO hatch.

Bite Me.

.. The Madison River is providing a lot of exercise for fishers right now. The runners have dispersed themselves throughout the system and may be encountered just about anywhere. The further upstream you go the less dense the population, (with a couple of notable exceptions.)
.. Displaced resident fish are eagerly eating Prince Nymphs, Soft Hackles, and Shop Vacs. Stiff hackles and drowned and mashed caddis flies will also gather in the residents.
.. It's hardly fashionable to fish with patterns from the distant past. We do it because we're a bit of a slow learner.

Well Aged Meat

.. Several of the neighbors, (ourselves included,) have recently taken some good sized Brown trout on giant nymphs of the obsolete variety, and some wet flies. Shame on us!
.. The Casual Dress, Lead Wing - WET, and Gold Ribbed Hare's Ear - WET, are producing nicely for the retarded geriatric set.
.. It's a strange feeling to discuss these flies with visitors of the seasonal sort. They have read the books and bought the flies from the finest feather merchants across the land.

Silly Looking Fly

..They are here to participate in the Fall Frenzy. They never heard of the dumpy flies we use. Catalogs and seasonal counter clerks will out!
.. The Queen Of The West Side rivers is doing her finest right now.
.. The fall fishing and catching on the Firehole River has been,  (not to put too fine of a point on it,) SPECTACULAR.
.. Autumn weather has graced us with cooler days, intermittent rain showers, clouds to moderate the bright sun, and predictable bugs. White Miller Caddis are the staple with a smattering of BWO's, (or something similar.) The fish are perky. They are alert. They are plentiful.
.. Recruitment over the past few gentle winters has produced a pretty dense population of fish in the 10" - 14" range. A few monsters still live under the grass-draped banks just north of the parking lot in Biscuit Basin. Your footfalls will be heard if you go galumphing through these meadows.
.. By all means get here yesterday. There is a forecasted possibility of snow and blustery weather in the upcoming days and weeks. The cold and wet weather brings out the best in our west side rivers. Miss it at your peril. Have you reserved your room? The town has been full the last 5 days.

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Fish Here Only If You Know The Bears On A First Name Basis

Anomolies

WRONG TIME AND PLACE

Wrong Bugs, Wrong Fish

what's a fisher to do ??

SIZE 20, 22, 24 - THAT'S SMALL !!!

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.. It happens. Experts may have a fancy explanation. The fish figure it out very quickly. Fishers often remain befuddled. We got lucky.
.. Early morning is not our favorite time. The Firehole River and the Madison River have their compensations at this time of day. They are quiet, there are elk and otters, bears and moose, - AND - no tour buses.
.. We weren't expecting the damn fish to ignore the early caddis hatch. We weren't expecting to have to strain the peepers to get flies on the tippet. We weren't expecting an explosion of Tricos to clog our ears. But it happened.

.. Why would any self respecting trout ignore the perfect glut of caddis and BWO's? Why, given the smorgasbord of yummy morsels so dense that even we could see them, would they be sipping daintily on flies so small that they looked like dust in a maelstrom?
.. When we finally figured it out there were tourists of the "Granny Set" chugging around the pull-outs. We had to hike back to the vehicle and grab the miniscule box of microscopic flies.
.. Happily there were several flies that still had tippet tied to them by the kind and indulgent neighbor kids. We left the car. Galumphed back to the water. And wonder of wonders caught a 12" brook trout in a place that is currently being fished for 22" Brown Trout. That may just be better than a monster Brown! We'll take it.
.. Took a nap at noon and dreamt about spots of a different color.

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P.S. A skosh more rain. Rivers up. Color in some. Big fish racing upstream with new flows. Sky becoming leaden. No snow below 7,000' asl. Get on the rivers now.

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Grab The Groceries

BRIEF FRESHETTE IN RIVERS

Big Fish Bail Out Of Holes

estuary fish smell the bordellos

TIME FOR THE HEAVY ARTILLERY 

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.. Last night's gentle rain was scattered, mostly, throughout the Madison River drainage. It was just measurable in some areas and up to 2" in others. It was enough to raise the river level by as much as 10" or more and cool the flows to fish-stimulating temperatures.

SIZE 20 MADISON MAULER - DEADLY

.. Discharge on the Madison River near West Yellowstone increased by a meager  45 cfs. That is, however, enough to carry the enticing aromas of the river to the estuaries of Hebgen Reservoir.
.. There was a bit less rain in the upper Gallatin River drainage. The exposed point bars and segmented pools should continue to act as little hoosegows for the migrants - until a significant bit of rain bumps them out of their stupor.
.. Resident fish in both drainages have been displaced by the runners and migrants.
.. They are scattered in secondary hides throughout both systems. They are eating small scraps of fluff, anything that looks like a White Miller Caddis, or sundry nymphs of miniscule proportions and even little twigs.

TONE ON TONE AND SPOTS ON SPOTS

.. Some of these displaced residents, (in both drainages,) are up to 18" and surprisingly feisty right now, (is this displacement behavior?)
.. What ever the reason, and whatever the situation it's a good time for catching.
.. Big fish on little flies, giant fish on enormous flies, all fish on caddis of some sort - OR - a size 8 Parachute Adams, (brown variant if you have one.)
.. Over the weekend we observed one hole on the Gallatin River and one on the Madison River where it was difficult to see the cobbles of the river bed for the density of fish.
.. This is about to change. Yes they were, indeed, stacked in there like cord wood. They won't be there tomorrow.
.. There are many techniques for taking the runners and migrants. There is one constant that seems to hold true: HIT THEM IN THE NOSE!! This means moving and casting to cover lots of water. It means exercise and more exercise. It does not mean planting your duff in one spot and flailing the water to a froth - although we see it done this way each time we visit the rivers.
.. We hope the air clears. We hope the fires diminish. We hope there is a good crop of runners. We hope that everyone that wants one - gets one, (or a dozen.)
.. We've been lucky. Our quota has been filled. Perhaps by the coming weekend they will be up by Gibbon Falls and there will be a bright overcast afternoon. It's an annual event for the neighbors. Maybe we'll catch a few more.

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LOW WATER - CRAMPED QUARTERS - SMOKE - COLORS - BIG FISH