Snapshot

When nymphing, I usually use a "2 fly" rig, with a small splitshot between the flies, and a strike indicator 5' to 6' above the bottom fly, depending on depth and speed of the current. I use my "meat and potatoes" flies, and do pretty well. Constant mending of the line is a must. In the popular fishing spots around West Yellowstone, the bigger, and more wary trout, can get wise to bead head flies as the season progresses. I usually switch to smaller, and more sparse looking nymphs, after mid-summer when fish get more selective. Dry fly fishing is a blast when the fish are rising, but probably 80% of the fish I catch are subsurface, or in the surface film with emergers.

A Juicy steak....Baked Potato, and a big serving of sauteed "shrooms".

I don't have any pics from the Firehole. But, mid July, when the Yellowstone opens, you can catch big Cutt's like this. The Gibbon River is a fun place to fish also. Mostly pan sized trout, with an occasional bigger one. This fish was caught on a size 14 Pheasant tail nymph. I caught his twin, shortly after this photo.

You will have a lot of Competition on the opener of the Firehole, get there early if you can. Even if the fishing doesn't pick up until late morning, it's best to stake your claim to an area. The Yellowstone and it's tributaries don't open until July, to protect the spawning Cutts. Baetis Dry flys, and Nymphs (Blue WIng Olives) Maybe some Pale Morning Duns if the weather is good enough. Midges, Serendipities, Small Copper Johns. Maybe a little too early for Caddis. If no hatches are coming off, you will have to do alot of nymphing. A big Yellow/Orange Stimulator with a small nymph. or rubber leg dropper can be very effective if the stone flies are starting to wiggle around the bottom of the stream with the oncoming hatch. A 9' 5 weight rod, with 4x, or 5x leader and tippet is a good combo. If you are in the West Yellowstone area, stop in and see Bob Jacklin at his fly shop. He will hook you up, and set you in the right direction.;

Look for Morels at higher elevations in Burn sites if you can find them. I wouldn't know what Ginsing was if it bit me in the arse. The little Purple ones that make you laugh like crazy are the best ones

Both Species used to be huntable at the same time. I haven't looked at the Colorado hunting regs in quite awhile.

I never used to like cats that much. About 10 years ago, I was doing a job, and found a half starved kitten out by a dumpster. He could fit in the palm of my hand.I shared my lunch and water with him, and tried to find someone willing to keep the cat, but no luck. I took it home. Oliver grew up and became my good friend. We had a special bond. I guess he knew that I saved him. "Ollie" was one cool cat. Our two cats, and dog, had a mutual respect for one another, and they all got along. Each one of them was a stray, that we adopted.

In 1997 I took a pack trip hunt into the Weminuche area of the San Juans. I got a bad case of Giardia from unboiled river water used in camp. The outfitter had just bought the operation from Dirk and Colt Ross who died in a plane crash while flying over the area. This hunt was a complete disaster because the guides where idiots, and didn't know the area. It has been quite awhile since I have done a hunt in Colorado. In 1998 I hunted the first rifle season in October, up in the breaks off the Grand Mesa. It was a "do it yourself trespass hunt. I took a 5x5 Bull, and missed an opportunity on a huge Muley. IN 2000, I hunted general rifle north of Dove Creek up in the Oakbrush/Aspen terrain. It was a complete zoo, with lots of hunters. I missed a steep shot at a nice muley, and buggered a bull out of an aspen grove, but couldn't get a clear shot. I wouldn't hesitate to hunt unit 70. The High country up in Lizards head pass is all great elk country. It does take some effort to get in, and away from the crowds. Some of the breaks along the river will hold animals after the hunters push them into some of the rougher areas.

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I spent 2010-2011 in Montana, close to YNP. It was the big dang Buffalo you had to watch out for. I saw what a vehicle looked like after hitting one. It wasn't pretty.

My daughter is 26, grown up, and a girly girl, and is not into hunting. But it pays to be cautious anywhere we hunt. There is nothing better, than a protective father, carrying large caliber weapons.

True. But they never heard from him again. I don't use trail cams. I do have a quad that I putt around on occasion. Hope that makes me just half a girly man

Did you see the guy's name scratched in the rock down there?. I knew the idiot that did it. Gave him all sorts of grief for defacing a historic area. What are you talking about? The Petroglyphs at Huerfano Butte. If it is the same place as some of the others.? A guy scratched his name on the rocks among the Glyphs. There are the Petroglyphs, and the pockets in the rocks where they used to grind corn.

Did you see the guy's name scratched in the rock down there?. I knew the idiot that did it. Gave him all sorts of grief for defacing a historic area.

"My Den....or yours"?

Your wife said I do just fine without them. Funny, snap your (ex) said the same! (Sorry about the low blow... I had to) My ex is a worthless pile of Dung. May the fleas of a thousand camels infest her. There seems to be a lot of low blows around here lately. Getting pretty gritty on the forum

COngratulations. She's a cutie.!

I think he means "traditional Archery" shooter

Now.......... if they made a drone big enough to haul my deer or elk out of the hills

There is gold in the Santa Rita's. Maybe bring a small Gold Pan?

I had a case of Giardia once. contracted in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado. It was a horrible experience.

Your wife said I do just fine without them.

I want those for Christmas

C'mon guys. Tony is a good dude. He did me a big favor once. Because of generation gaps, some of us have a different outlook on things. Doesn't make us right or wrong.

Snapshot will probably buy a few thousand himself. Maybe in about 10 years. Still have plenty of lead in the pencil.