Fishing - Western Clave Rookie's Report..Looong Part One of ??

Finally catching a few minutes to squeeze in a trip report, or three, from
the Western Clave. I know where to start, but not sure if I can capture all
of the braids of excitement, events, and wonder, that took place on my first
visit to the Yellowstone/Montana area. I'll post some pictures to go along
with the story.

I flew into Jackson, Wy which is smack dab in the middle of the Grand
Tetons. It was amazing that the Super 80 could even land on such a short
runway, and once I stepped out of the plane I knew I was in for quite a
trip. My family had traveled quite a bit when we were young but I hadn't
been in this neck of the woods before, and I was like a Kid in a Candy store
(or a Fisherman in a Hatchery, if you would). The drive past some of those
spectacular peaks in the Tetons, leading down and around to the South
Entrance of Yellowstone was unforgettable, and it had only just begun.

I drove in past Lewis River, Lewis Lake, Yellowstone Lake, and Yellowstone
River. Saw what turned out to be the standard scenery and wildlife of:
Bison, Waterfalls, Geysers, Coyotes, Foxes, Black Bear, Mountains, and Elk
on this first leg up to the Canyon Lodge area (Even witnessed some monster
Cutthroats rising to Yellow Stoneflies and what appeared to be Salmonflies).
Didn't see Jeff, or Joe McIntosh around as I checked in there for the first
night ($48 a night), so I went out on a sightseeing tour of the astonishing
lower canyon. Did end up running into J & J later on when we continued the
sightseeing tour down to grant Village and to Fishing Bridge to gawk at the
monster Cutthroats.

The next day, after a hearty breakfast at the lodge, we headed off for the
Park's waters (passing a new roadside specimen, a Bull Elk). After teasing
me by driving by the lower Firehole into the Madison Junction, I was allowed
to make a few obligatory casts into the Firehole before heading up to the
Nez Perce. We also made some gratuitous casts here before we all realized
the low water level was not favorable. Back down to the Firehole, we
stopped along the highway and broke through with a few nice rainbows on
nymphs (saw and cast for a huge fish that politely ignored every fly I
dragged past it but it was good to know the Firehole harbored some nice fish
for next time around.). Beautiful water, and so close together, I could get
spoiled, real fast, around here.

Last but not Least, the mighty Gibbon. I have to admit I was ignorant
enough to cast a nymphs into a few holes (and had decided that this part of
the stream was totally barren of fish) before Jeff and Joe demonstrated what
the game was here, dry flies, particularly, the club sandwich. This was my
first experience with the foam flies I have been told to try, and honestly
had no confidence in, up to that point. Those Gibbon rainbows came out of
perfect hiding spots, with reckless abandon, practically hooking themselves
(if they were big enough, some were the size of the fly or smaller). Near
the end of the mission that day, we came upon a Bison right next to the
stream. For an Easterner unaware of what was to come, this was a cool
event, and actually still was a good ending for this Gibbon adventure.

On the way out of the park, after seeing a nested Bald Eagle (the spot where
the park signs say don't stop and there were 4 or 5 five cars parked around
the sign every time through) we made out way into West Yellowstone. Having
heard the weather report of a cool night, and possible rain, we decided to
acquire a room for the night in lieu of staying in a tent outside (thanks
for the offer though Warren). We ended up at the Dude Motel, right in town
(actually a good room with three doubles for around $80, not bad for being
in the heart of paradise). Joe made up some excuse about losin' his credit
card so we had to cover him, and he remarkably found that card a few days
later. : ^) We ate a nice meal at the bar in Bullwinkle's that night
(I recommend this establishment), with accompanying bar companion who worked
for YNP and was very open with his advice and information (can't remember
the guy's name, was it Dave??).

Hit the grocery store and Blue Ribbon Fly Shop the next morning and headed
over to the Madison where we picked up Willi, RW, John G., and Bruiser for
some fishing right across the street. I was prewarned to be in shape
(mentally and physically) for a mission with Bruiser and quite an
interesting first taste it was. We didn't end up getting into anything in
that quick run up the river, but it definetly Spiked my enthusiasm. Later
on, if I remember the sequence of events (and I could very well have this
all screwed up), that night I sat out from getting wet and took a few pics
of IJ, Willi, and Bruiser. We did get to witness an Osprey taking a decent
sized trout from the water in front of them.

The next morning we headed over for an excellent breakfast across the street
at 7:00am (which turned out to be a ritual most mornings, what was the name
of that place??) and then out on the Madison just downstream from the
campground. This was my first experience with the raging current of the
Madison. I'm accustomed to making adjustments to my leader and nymph (of
course) in order to find bottom, where the fish usually take'em, but the
Madison quickly turned itno a mystery and I pulled out of the middle of the
river (or as far as I could wade in) and tracked Willi down for some
insight. He took some time to instuct me on the delights of fishing the
banks of the Madison (where he had already took a few while I toiled in the
heavy water). We didn't stay there much longer and so far still no fish on
the Madison.

I'll take a break here, and I'm only three days in, but next TR (part deux),
Raynold's Bridge, the Black Net, the Drift, and beyond.

Mike