Last Thursday, March 15th, marked the end of the Winter Season in Yellowstone National Park. I would have posted these shots that night, but things have been super busy for us here in West Yellowstone. There was the end of season party at Alpen Guides, then a Half...
Thanks old friend….
.......you were a great companion.....a machine in the field. One of the finest bird dogs ever. Hardly a dead bird was lost, maybe two, in nine seasons. As for the knack of finding birds? Well, if they were there, you found them. It was privilege to hunt with you...
Is it really private?
This photo was taken back in 2006, just after the Madison River opened up for the general season. We didn't get pictures last season, which had higher water than that of 2006. Some of you have walked by this sign while fishing your way up the river. Once the river...
YNP, Snowpack & the Madison River Rec Plan
The blizzard which came through over the past fours days, bumped up the snowpack to respectable numbers. We are slowly getting it, but it will take all winter to accumulate a normal snowpack. The south entrance to YNP, near Flagg Ranch, has been hammered with snow...
YNP, the Fam and fishing the Madison
YNP continues take up most of my time these days. Running around Yellowstone in a vintage Bombardier is a fabulous way to get a paycheck, and honestly, I wouldn't have it any other way. The shot above didn't turn out as good as the real thing. If you tilt your...
Patagonia’s New Rock Grip Wading Boots
Awhile back I saw a pair of crampons with metal bars screwed into them. They were being tested for wade fishing, as an alternative to felt, as states like Alaska and Missouri don't allow felt anymore. One look at these new wading boots from Patagonia made me...
Madison River Fishing Report 02/04/2012
This week's warm weather has made for good fishing down in the valley. There has been some decent midging and the rubber legs has worked well when they aren't rising. Regardless, the weather has been super nice.....almost too nice. Some folks are starting to...
Red Dog and such
Today, we had a spectacular day of wildlife watching in Yellowstone. Our snowbus saw three dogs, a cat and three large weasels....aka...a wolf, coyotes, fox, bobcat, river otters and a beaver. Two otters were cruising downstream near the eagle's nest. One coyote...
Snowpack Update
Madison - 78% Gallatin - 76% Jefferson - 81% .......not too bad compared to where we were sitting just a couple of weeks ago. Of course, the actual snowfall is about 10 percentage points higher, but moisture content is what really matters. Like I have said before;...
Rufus
On our way out of the Park this afternoon, I saw a wildlife biologist sitting in a pull-off just downstream of 7 Mile, off her sled and looking over the river bottom. While she didn't appear to see anything, and I didn't stop to ask, she looked as if she had seen...
Summertime
http://youtu.be/XR4FhKAEDdc If you are remotely like me, then you love to fish dry flies for rising trout. Especially large dry flies that seduce big browns. This is what summer is all about.....and I miss it......terribly. The accompanying music was left out because...
Participate…..
.............take this survey. Have you fished the Madison River? If so, then now is the time to voice your opinoin about the upcoming Madison River Recreation Plan.
Madison River Mngt Plan Update
The email press release showed up in my inbox this afternoon. Read on for more information. For those of you who may not know, my name will be thrown in the ring and hopefully I will be selected for the Citizens Advisory Committee. FOR IMMEDIATE...
Have you seen her?
.....................La Nina, that is......hmmm.....we haven't either. She showed for a few days over the past 8 weeks, but overall she's been absent for 2012. I heard BZN got some snow today, West Yellowstone called 1-3 inches....just a tease. Once in the Park,...
Warm winter day
When leaving the house this morning, the W was no where to be seen. Forecasters were calling for 30 mph gusts with a sustained 15 all day. After running some errands in town I headed for the Madison Valley. There were some fellas at Renyolds, so I went on...
YNP
Life has been really busy thus far in 2012. Many miles in Yellowstone NP have been driven and the phone continues to ring with inquiring minds requesting information for 2012 fishing trips. I have no idea when the Salmonflies will hatch.....I won't even try to...
Madison River Fishing Report 01/07/12
With all the warm weather over the past several days, I just couldn't help it. After a few chores around the house, I finally made it to the river around 2pm.....late, but not too late. Stella ran ahead, burning off the edges of her energy. Deep snow drifts help...
Ermine
This little guy popped out of the snow yesterday, not far from the road while we were parked. It hopped around the snow and gave us plenty of opportunities for photographs. The downside was that this ermine was just a bit far away. Notice the longish...
YNP
If you look closely in the eye of this bison, you can see the reflection of my vehicle. More bison have come out of the high country over the past few days. Yellowstone's snow pack has risen, making it more difficult for the wildlife, therefore, they are spending...
Tomorrow
We entered YNP, wheeled, at 7 am this morning. Things went as planned until Madison, but we were headed to Mammoth and once we hit the Gibbon Canyon, things were a bit western. A wind loaded road, combined with on coming traffic, 40 some odd north bound bison, a...