Western Clave Rookie's Report..Loooong part Three..Slough Creek (Bugs, Waater, and Cutts), Yellowstone River, and the final trip to the Madison

I had Slough Creek on the list of possible stops while I was planning my
adventure to the Montana/Yellowstone area, and had intended to fish it my
first day in, but the Canyon to Tower Road was closed. Later in the week
the topic came up, and by that time I had convinced myself that I was in
good enough shape to make the hike, and reasoned that even though I didn't
have true wet wading gear, I could manage with my old sneaks and some shorts
(yeah right). If you haven't been, and hear how hard the first few miles
are, take heed, it's probably not too bad for those who are adept to the
terrain, but not for one who has carried a few bad habits around for several
decades (also not a bad idea to check ahead to see if the biting bugs are
about).

I made it a few hundred yards or so before I thought to myself, what the f$%
have you gotten yourself into. The scenery helped to keep me going as we
made our way through the highly vertical section, although I lagged several
yards behind Warren "Sherpa" Findley, and Jeff "Marathon Man" Miller, pretty
much all the way into the first meadow. I'm sure they would have been much
further ahead but I suspect that were moving slowly because of me and kept
just a little ahead to keep me going. I had packed, and filled, the new
handy, dandy, water pack that Warren had picked up for me, but after that
first segment, I think I probably had gone through a 1/3 of it already, a
fate that would hurt me later. Another phenomena, which I had never
experienced, was a swelling and numbness of the hands as we were making out
way up. I had actually started wondering if my number was about to be
punched, when I noticed Jeff was rubbing his hands together and confirmed
with him that he was experiencing the same sensation. (Anyone know what
that was? I chalked it up to the combination of being out of shape, and,
unaccustomed to the altitude).

Warren spotted a Grizzly and Cub that had just moved up onto Ridge off of
our trail so we stopped, to let them clear and take a few pics (bear dots on
my measly camera, but I'll attach a pic on ABPF). There is definetly a God,
as it was not only amazing to encounter one on that hike, but as I think
back it gave me enough time to catch my breath. We surveyed the first
meadow but after seeing several others already on the stream we decided to
press on into the second. We were rewarded with some excellent fishing for
several hours. It took a while to get a hang of hooking those trout,
something I hadn't experienced with any other trout, how smoothly they could
slip the hook set. After finally landing one I was also delighted by the
soft, creamy-smooth, surface of their skin, unlike any trout I had caught
before. Jeff and I made our way up the Eastern side of the stream switching
leads as we went, and Warren had crossed opposite of us. Once we found a
few flies they liked, we couldn't keep them dry (a green drake extended body
seemed to do the trick for me).

Thankfully, we were all spoiled with many tight lines quickly, as a variety
of black flies, mosquitoes, and several other assorted blood suckers
descended on us, seemingly attracted by the 100% Deet we had applied in
vain. They actually appeared to be a bit repelled, but, for me, as I waded
the legs were quickly rinsed of the modern miracle, to their extreme
delight. From that point on I spent about 80% of the time swatting, so much
so that the only remedy was to wade thigh high in the slightly cool water
where possible. To add insult to injury, the drinking water supply went dry
a few hours before our journey came to an end (for all of us), and although
the Miller fishing machine made his way down through the first meadow, and
Warren was just taking it all in, I made my way back to the parking lot
hoping to find some source of water. I did pick up my last fish in 0
meadow, after begging a swallow of water off of some tourists (they got a
kick out of it) and got to witness the Miller Sprint to the Finish when he
made his way back (have an action sequence to be posted on ABPF).

On Thursday, we made out way over to what turned out to be the annual
Yellowstone Opening Day Fishing Festival and Quasi-Poaching Tourney. I have
to admit, I think that it had been my idea based on my trip up through the
park a week earlier having witnessed those monster Cutts rising to bigger
bugs (definetly some Yellow Stones with a few Salmonflies mixed in).
Although I was in full recovery mode from Slough, it was actually a very
enlightening, group, fish with most of the Roffian crowd, Navigable Buffalo,
and a decent "Green Drake" hatch (not sure it was truly a Green Drake, but
was the closest Mayfly in appearance anyway). Don't think I'd do the
opening day thing again, but I will make my way back to the Yellowstone some
day.

The last day, we decided on the Raynold's Bridge section of the Madison
again. Most of the crew went down to the bridge with Jeff, and myself,
making our way down from the Slide Inn this time, as my pet stretch was
actually closer to their cabin, then the bridge. We walked down, Jeff
staked out a monumental hole as I made my way back down to that those
braided islands where the Brown family resided. I crossed over for the last
time, and immediately I noticed that damn Black Net again, and contemplated
if I should pick it up or not. It did seem a bit too eerie, but after
figuring it was more good luck then bad I grabbed the now cordless net. I
went back to the only part of the stretch I hadn't tried yet, where my
nymphs had miserably failed before, and put on one of Willi's stellar
salmonflies that he gracefully contributed the night before. For some
reason on that magical piece of water, even with the fast moving water
running next to that deeply cut bank, with heavy brush and trees mixed in
just above the waterline, I was lucky enough to make a decent first cast
where the fly just touched the fast current before drifting back along the
run tight against the bank. It's was almost an out of body experience when
these fish would take, which may have helped me from setting the hook too
quickly, but I was quick reminded to keep the fish upstream from me, and
away from the bank if possible. I had been tossing the net along the bank
as I went, and that, combined with the training from the rest of the family
earlier that week, was enabled landing that fish much more quickly. I was
almost disappointed with the fight, as this was the largest fish I had taken
all week, but it was an extremely beautiful fish. I kept fishing my way up
the bank, and had a nice rainbow on that quickly reminded me that I was but
an amateur in these waters as it pinged a fresh leader.

Jeff and I were able to bring several more fish in as we made my way back to
the Slide Inn, but at that point I figured it just couldn't get any better.
I made a relaxing run into West Yellowstone with Joe that afternoon,
picking up the required family goods, enjoying a cup of coffee, and taking
in that last scenic drive along Hebgen Lake. Partook in that evening's
fireside chatter, got to bed late, woke up early, and headed out for Jackson
Airport. I went over to Idaho on the way back, taking in the Snake River,
and going up through the Tetons at the Jackson Hole pass before hopping back
on that jet plane bound for Philadelphia.

As always, I never get to hang-out and/or fish with everyone in attendance
but it was cool to meet you all.

A few special thanks - Danl for the food and drink in camp and on the road.
Helping me keep up enough of an energy level to continue on. Willi, for the
bank fishing demo early on, guidance on the Ruby and generally all around,
with a few valuable flies mixed in. John Hightower for some food/drink in a
dry camper, and Randy Kane for the use of lantern. John H./Randy K/ Brian
Nelson, and of course Warren, for the drift boat trip, quite an experience.
R.W./Bruiser for your wealth of fishing knowledge and manic missions along
the stream (how did you know what I needed?).

Jeff /Joe, for some fun time to start, and continued throughout the clave.
You are both gentleman and scholars. It was perfect to get some time with
you both once again and next time give me a head's up when you're preparing
the plans. I can get rental cars/trucks cheaper :^ ) and decent at finding
the economy lodging... It may be tough once again to make it down to N.C.
in October, but I'm trying to maybe plan a few days with the family down
there, as my fishing travel allowances may be used up already this year.
Either way I hope you can both come up to the Penn's Clave again, with the
water levels we are having again this summer (second year in a row) we
should have some healthy populations of trout in for ya.

Warren, you were the perfect clavemeister for an eastern boy, gone west. I
can't say enough, for me - supplying a place to sleep and put down my stuff,
guidance, food, beer, a hot fire, preparation and the parting gifts (look
for some questions forthwith) and as Clavemeister finding us the awesome
location in the middle of paradise (did I mention the guidance?), THANK
YOU.

Willi/Warren the CDs are in the mail along with your radio, Warren. I will
be posting most, if not all, of the better pics on ABPF too for everyone to
peruse.

A great trip, once in a lifetime for sure, although I know I'll be going
back to attempt to re-capture some of the fire from 2004. So many vivid
pictures in my mind that may take years to sort out, but I just can't thank
everyone enough for the help getting out there, along with the hospitality,
guidance, but mostly the company. If any of you come through the
Philadelphia area (or just generally the eastern half of PA) make sure to
give me a head's up and we'll get out on the stream, out to dinner, to the
local watering hole, whatever it takes.

Cheers!!

Mike

"Mike Makela" ten.tsacmoc@alekamm wrote in message
...
I had Slough Creek on the list of possible stops while I was planning my
adventure to the Montana/Yellowstone area...

snip-snip-snip

Just finished your final chapter...great report of what reads like an
excellent trip. If the claving industry ever needs a PR man, I hope they
offer you the job!

Cheers,
Bill

"Bill Mason" wrote in message
...

"Mike Makela" ten.tsacmoc@alekamm wrote in message
...
I had Slough Creek on the list of possible stops while I was planning my
adventure to the Montana/Yellowstone area...

snip-snip-snip

Just finished your final chapter...great report of what reads like an
excellent trip. If the claving industry ever needs a PR man, I hope they
offer you the job!

Cheers,
Bill


Sound like a plan, but where do I send my application?

"Bill Mason" wrote in message
...

"Mike Makela" ten.tsacmoc@alekamm wrote in message
...
I had Slough Creek on the list of possible stops while I was planning my
adventure to the Montana/Yellowstone area...

snip-snip-snip

Just finished your final chapter...great report of what reads like an
excellent trip. If the claving industry ever needs a PR man, I hope they
offer you the job!

Cheers,
Bill


Sound like a plan, but where do I send my application?