Red Fox

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 was two miles below Madison Junction walking the river bank, the other in the Hayden Valley. On our way to Canyon Village, the fox above, loomed around a small bison herd for about twenty mintues and hunted rodents.  The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone was suberb with blue skies and not too much wind.  Towards Hayden Valley there was this gaint beaver on the ice eating his winter stash.  After making the turn towards West Yellowstone, where the river comes right next to the road, there were about fifty bison on alert, some puffed up and stomping towards the forest line.  Another bomb and myself were pulled over watching the seen when we figured out a lone black wolf was sleeping, all cured up, underneath a leaning Douglas Fir.  The bison could smell the wolf and decided to hang out in the open meadow.   We watched for a bit and then pulled away.  Not but a mile or so down the road, on the south side of the Madison, there was a bobcat sneaking about the bank.  

Epic day for wildlife.

By now, the sky is dark and I sit here wondering about what this evening will bring………..

Buried Deep

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; the months of Feb, March, April and May will give us more moisture.  With snow in the forecast for the next 10 days, this winter should turn out to be just fine – it just started out slower than most would have liked.  Currently, the wind is howling out of the south with clear skies.  Gonna be cold tonight if the clouds don’t roll in.   I am hopeful to spend tomorrow fishing midges on the Madison…..nymphing would be fine to, but casting to risers sounds like more fun. 

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 the sound of the river flowing by was just too pleasant to tune out.

Water flowing freely is symbolic on many levels. This sound is therapeudic.

………….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.

 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                        January 19, 2012

Contact: Cheryl Morris, 406-994-6359

 MADISON RIVER RECREATION PLANNING UPDATE:

PUBLIC MEETINGS SET, CITIZEN ADVISORS SOUGHT

BOZEMAN—Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks will host four public meetings in the upcoming months as the first step towards developing a recreation management plan for the Madison River. FWP is seeking input on how the public views recreational use on the river. This information will be used in the preparation of a draft management plan, which will then be circulated for additional public comment. The goal of the plan is to help preserve the quality of recreational experiences and protect natural resources.

 FWP is also seeking applicants to serve on a citizen advisory committee that will be asked to develop recommendations for managing recreation on the Madison River. The committee application form and information about the planning process are available on the FWP website at fwp.mt.gov/recreation/management/madison/default.html.  Applications are due by March 16, 2012.

 The Madison River is highly valued for the quality of its recreation opportunities and is often the most heavily fished river in the state. Due to this popularity, concerns have been raised about congestion on the water and at access sites, as well as social conflict between different user groups.

 The scheduled public meetings are as follows:

 Ennis, Wednesday, February 15, 6-8PM at the Ennis Middle School

Bozeman, Thursday, February 16, 6-8 PM at the Comfort Inn

West Yellowstone, Tuesday, February 28, 6-8 PM at the Holiday Inn

Whitehall, Thursday, March 1, 6-8PM at the Whitehall High School

If you are not able to attend one of the scheduled meetings you may complete an online survey at fwp.mt.gov/recreation/management/madison/default.html or comment by sending an email to mrrp@mt.gov.  Comments will be accepted throughout the planning process.

 For additional information on the Madison River Recreational Plan, please visit the FWP website at fwp.mt.gov/recreation/management/madison/default.html.  Any questions may be directed to the River Recreation Manager, Cheryl Morris, at 406-994-6359.

Not this winter.....

…………………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, there seemed to be a bit more snow and everything looked clean.  A fresh layer of white always spruces things up during dry winters.

 I just checked the thermometer on the porch and it read 22 below.  Stary night as well.  Cold it will just before the sun rises.   Rumor has it that La Nina is coming through later this week, probably for another one night stand. 

Winter Bow

 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 downstream a ways.

Aspen reflection

 There’s a storm a comin’ they say…….I’ll believe it when it shows.   At one point the temp registering on the Sequoia read 37 degrees……..balmy….and windy it was.  A dowstreamer, hence the warm weather.  The fishing was consistent for the hour and half I spent on the water.  Rubber legs and a zebra midge fooled plenty.  

Standing tall

Asleep.....

 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 guess right now as the snowpack has us all quessing about the 2012 Season.  Those with 10 + years under their belt know that we can get feet in snow in just a few days and that Mother Nature will always keep us on our toes.  A big storm is headed our way and with months like Feb, March, April and May still ahead, there is plenty of time for snow to fall. 

 Snow Pack Report:  Slim is the word….for now…….if coming to MT to ski, you better bring your rock skiis.

Jefferson  – 66%

Madison – 64%

Gallatin – 67%

Sweet ride for the newlyweds.

Three Dollar Bridge

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 slow her down, but we are lacking those in the Madison Valley.  Once to the river, I watched for a head or two, but saw none and rigged for nymphing.  This is when I realized that I had forgotten my spool of 8lb Maxima.  My leader was as thick as cable, so a rubber legs was tied on and then a midge dropper below it.  A few nice trout bent my Freestone 906 quite well.  One brown, about 14 inches, found it’s way into Stella mouth.  Upon hooking the fish, it jumped twice, right in front of us.  On the third jump she launched off the bank and caught the fish mid-air.  The 906 bent all the way over with Stella pulling hard as she swam back toward the bank.   I grabbed her collar and went for the trout.  She didn’t want to let go, but quickly realized that I was right.  The brown seemed a bit stunned by all this, but swam away unharmed. 

A new puppy....Dixie.

This is not our typical late December/ January in southwest Montana.   Most of December was cold and dry, then finally it warmed and the snow began to fall….but only for a few days….enough to allow tracked rigs in Yellowstone.  Actually, our snowpack doubled in about 48 hours last week.  We are light in snow compared to the past three winters and could use some moisture.  The Madison, Gallatin and Jefferson are all hovering around 70% of snowpack – remember, I always report the snow/water equilvalent and not the actual snow fall.  There is still plenty of time left for moisture to build up, as the snow falls for another 5 months around here.  The next few days are going to prime for winter angling, get out there while you can.  If you can’t, well,  keep reading as I will try to get down to the river ateast once a week for the next three months. 

Stella