Tag Archives: Yellowstone Park

For The Record

November 2, 2009
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.. Now the fun begins. The vast majority of fishers that invade West Yellowstone plan their visits to coincide with the 'summer season' in Yellowstone National Park.
.. Absolutely the best fishing in the neighborhood is going on right now and will continue for about four or five more weeks.
.. Postcard pools and willow-lined runs are visited by the neighbors on a regular basis. Worms, gear, flies; are all used by most. We somehow just haven't been able to fathom the intricacies of separating fishing from keeping in this part of the world. Among the best fly fishers in the neighborhood are some folks that haven't visited a feather merchant in years. They tie their own, (and very simple they are - the flies that is.) They keep and eat many fish.
.. They also release many fish. More than they keep. They select according to need: smoking, frying, baking, etc. It's a daily ritual for some and it lasts all winter.
.. They smile and nod when confronted with the catch and release religion. They then softly mention that most of the fisheries in Yellowstone Park & the neighborhood are artificial and composed of invasive species.
.. They wonder out loud why the religious fishers continue to encourage the demise of native fish by releasing invasive species. They, on occasion, can be heard muttering about the role that their tax dollars play in protecting the invasive fish of Yellowstone Park.
.. Then they return to the best catching of the year. The invasive species in Yellowstone are left to slowly and insidiously displace the natives by interbreeding and out-competing them.
.. The neighbors love killing Brown Trout. They smile when they fillet an eight pound Rainbow. Most release any thing that could be a Cutthroat. They catch enough that they don't have to keep the natives. They don't apologize for either action - killing or releasing.
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.. There's a note over at Chi Wulff about the ongoing Grayling catastrophe. It seems that there may be a review of the combined stupidity of federal managers and decision makers. We're not holding our breath. We've followed this stupidity for about five years. It's been bad for 25 years. It's getting worse.
.. Then again, we've heard that miracles do happen. Maybe the native fish of Slough Creek will be saved too - pshaw!
.. We'll write our letter. We'll send an email. Then we'll watch as the Big Hole natives go the way of the natives in the park. Oh well!
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A Bit Of Weather

October 7, 2009
THE BUGS ARE HERE
The RUNNERS Are Here
the boats are here
the snow is here (kinda)
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.. Despite the ominous weather warnings fisher folk are crowding the Firehole River and the Madison River - and - many of the neighbors have taken to their boats to intercept the runners in the major estuaries of Hebgen Reservoir.
.. The Madison River and the Firehole River are jammed full of anticipatory fishers.
.. The total amount of fly gear entering the west entrance of Yellowstone National Park on any given day amounts to an estimated $4,769,123.00. This does not take into account the gasoline that powered each and every $40,000.00 SUV or $2,000.00 fish car.
.. Boat fishers on the reservoir are taking large fish on Kastmasters, Rapala Trout, and Rooster Tails. They are doing very well with aluminum boats and an "Old Pal" tackle box.
.. Fly fishers whine about the gear fishers. They forget that the Madison River Fishery in Yellowstone Park is artificially inflated by a man-made structure: Hebgen Dam.
.. PPL Montana is pleased to inflate the fishery and egos of the Madison River. They are busy repairing the dam right now.
.. Things on that front are progressing apace despite the lack of interest shown by fisher folk and the fly guys of the region. Despite the nation-wide realization of the harm that dams do: this is one dam adored by the fishers of the world.
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.. It would bring barf to their mouths to let the elite know that most of the gear fishers also troll with a streamer fly. They would curl up and whimper to know that many of the gear guys tie their own streamers. They would lose enormous amounts of vitriolic conversation to discover that catching fish does not require wading belly-deep in the holes where the fish were.
.. Can it be true that some of the neighbors can cast a fly rod accurately - and - place a worm precisely with a gear rig?
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.. The weather brings bugs and boats. It brings tales and tails. It brings a classic confrontation of Weltanschauungs. Do we torture fish for our own recreational pleasure and then release them to be tortured again - or - do we catch and kill them for food?
.. Seldom do the gear guys and the fly guys discuss this. They visit different pubs. They have different sorts of jobs. They each assume, (righteously so,) that their practice is proper and holy. Neither bothers to remember that they are partaking of an artificial situation.
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.. Well, the weather has changed. The boats and bugs are here. The runners are running. The Baetis are emerging. The fishers are fishing, and the construction continues on Hebgen Dam. May artificiality be forgotten and may the torture and killing begin.
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So You Want To Live Here ?

August 14, 2009
CAN YOU SAY CHAOS ?
Can You Say Celebrity Feather Merchant?
can you say big black suburban?
can you say obama?
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.. A busy weekend is planned in our little town. Bob Jacklin is holding his free casting clinic on the 16th. The merchants have discounted all their merchandise for Crazy Days, (14 - 16.)
.. The West Yellowstone Ski Education Foundation has planned a free guided tour of Yellowstone Park, (on the 15th.) The U.S. Forest Service has over 20 discrete events relating to the 1959 earthquake, (14 - 17.)
.. This is a free weekend in Yellowstone National Park - entrance fees are waived, (15-16.)
.. And, as well, Black Mountain Productions is presenting another free concert in the town park, (15th.)
.. Too, please, don't forget the Wild West Yellowstone Rodeo, and the most feared bull in the world "LUNATIC FRINGE"(13-15.)
.. Yes it's just another weekend in the life of the busiest entrance to Yellowstone National Park.
.. Some of the neighbors would like to see just a bit more activity during a typical weekend. Some would like less.
.. There are rumors of another event centering on our little town tomorrow too. The whispers have been circulating for a couple of weeks now. People are asking: "WHO KNOWS?"
.. The cooks know! The airport personnel know! The NPS seasonal employees know! Most of the neighbors know! The press is just guessing. But there are some telltale signs that it's happening all over again.
.. It recently happened twice when President Clinton visited Yellowstone National Park. It happened when Vice President Cheney 'officially' visited the park. It's happening now.
.. VH-60N helicopters are thundering overhead, so are a couple of UH-60's. For the less informed these are the kind of helicopters that President Clinton used to "tour" the Grand Canyon. They are, in common parlance: BLACKHAWKS & WHITEHAWKS.
.. We were told that helicopters from a squadron based in Virginia are busy inspecting spruce moth damage in the forest - sure thing - what ever you say!
.. The parking lot in the government area at Old Faithful is cordoned off. Rules about travel, walking, bicycling, etc, have been promulgated for today and tomorrow. Dogs with educated noses got to work early this morning. The rangers are even wearing complete uniforms.
.. There were even some stealth Chevy Suburbans cruising around Big Sky, Sun West Ranch, Ennis, Cameron, Buck's T-4, The Corral, and Eino's. Do those guys eat that much? Are they shopping for the folks back home?
.. When was the last time two dozen suits were seen in the kitchen of the Old Faithful Inn? Even the rodents are afraid of that place.
.. Now why do you suppose that a massive amount of fuel was delivered to the West Yellowstone Airport last week?
.. There are no fires in the neighborhood. Why do you suppose some "suits" have taken samples of the fuel to a lab in Salt Lake City for testing?
.. Just what is going on with the Big Black Chevy Suburbans always seen in two's and three's?
.. Never do these vehicles stop: - for signals, or stop signs, or pedestrians - they just keep putting along with some suits in the front! Suits - in West Yellowstone - in August - c'mon!
.. Just why are the usually verbose and gregarious celebrated guides at the most celebrated feather merchant's shop so closed mouth? Just why are they avoiding the pubs? Why are they paying particular attention to certain simple, (Big Tip,) runs and riffles near the Sun West Ranch on the Madison River?
.. The Ennis fishers are sure that the Prez. will fish a spring creek there. The gentry in Big Sky feel that their brand of sophistication will draw the Prez to the Gallatin River. We'll wait and see.
.. Even our village simpletons can figure it out. The Prez. will be here. While the press gathers around a hanger in Belgrade, the neighbors are doing their best to figure out how to not be in town tomorrow.
.. Well, we're going fishing - duh! The tourons will be awed - good on 'em. Stories will abound for weeks and months - hallelujah! We'll post a report, maybe a picture or two - just not of the Prez.
.. We may have a shot of wet reporters if they go fishing too. We may have an image of the BIG PLANE if it flies overhead.
.. Shucks, until four years ago we thought that Obama referred to a fishing port in Japan. We wonder: "what does Fujioka think?"
.. As they say near Mt. Shasta - 'see you away from the chaos.'
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