Bonus Week in the Banana Belt

[Mike Cline]

When the first Sunday in November is the last day of the first week in November, its bonus week in Yellowstone—a full extra week of fishing.  This year, plagued by incredibly nice, clear and warm weather, the park seemed like Summer for most of the Fall, but it didn’t fail to give up a few nice fish and lots of angling solitude.

For the last two weekends, I’ve spent a lot of lonely hours on the Madison, Gibbon and Firehole.  Although the Madison wasn’t deserted, the Firehole effectively was, especially a week ago.  A bit of rain and snow last Sunday essentially left the park empty.  This weekend was much nicer and the locals showed up in good numbers for the last hurrah, but for except the prime holes on the Madison, the rivers and parking lots were empty.

Fog shrouding Muleshoe Bend

Saturday morning saw the Firehole shrouded in a cold fog for most of the morning.  Too dangerous to venture into Goose Lake Meadows until it cleared for Bison were everywhere.  Once the fog cleared, the BWO hatch began and rising fish came to soft hackles easily. This was probably one of the feistiest rainbows I caught all year from the Firehole.

Rainbow from thin water in Goose Lake Meadows

At 1PM on Sunday it was 55 degrees, partly cloudy with a 10 mph south wind—a wind bringing along a Winter storm that will blanket Montana with snow on Monday.  Bonus week in the Banana Belt is over.  A few random river shots follow from my last days in Yellowstone this season.

Madison River, Sunday morning, 30 degrees at Talus Slope

The long glide below 7 mile bridge, Madison River

The Gibbon

One can only imagine what the Madison Valley along riverside looked like 100 years ago.

The view after the last cast, Biscuit Basin, November 7, 2010

6+ months to go till the Yellowstone opener, but whose counting.

[Jay Hake]

Mike,

Thanks for all your reports this year.

[keith b]

Very nice report, and your little bow loked as though he was trying to sit up for the picture.
I have never been out west, but viewing your pictures sure makes me want to go.

[Mike Cline]

 I am just afraid I am not angler enough to fish out there.

Our fish (an we have lots of them) are always hungry.  All one needs to do is put tasty morsels of fur and feather in front of them.  One must also learn how to wear rubber pants with style.  In all seriousness, there’s nothing special about catching fish here in MT/WY other that the fact that you have to show up and try.

[Mark Landerman]

Ya, anyone can catch those stockers from the Park.
😉

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