September 14, 2013

Lamar River

Last week, we were back in Yellowstone.  Above are the meadows along Soda Butte Creek, with peaks of the Beartooth Range rising in the background. 
Steve practiced his fishing skills again, mostly along the Lamar River.
Quite a few 14-18 inch cutthroat trout succumbed to the siren call of his homemade dry flies. 
Since our last trip, he has been busily tying a supply of simply irresistible dry flies, the exact identity of which he is unwilling to reveal here.  (Hint:  not a hopper pattern.  And absolutely no night crawlers. Also, he insists that I report that he did not stoop to nymphing.)
As usual, he released all trout to be caught another day. The cutthroat left a swirl of water and a trail of silt behind him as he scooted off, stage right. 
Yellowstone fishing rules now require the release of all trout with any cutthroat markings.
Numerous pronghorn antelope graze in the Lamar Valley.  (The buildings in the background are the old Buffalo Ranch, now called the Yellowstone Institute.)
These graceful creatures will take off running sometimes, apparently just for the fun of it.  A couple of tourists, excited to share, told us these were elk.  Sadly, we had to disillusion them.  They seemed just as happy to have spotted a couple of pronghorns.
A group of common mergansers floated along the river.
Here's the osprey nest we saw last trip.  The young osprey have fledged, but we saw a couple of them flying back to the nest, probably checking to see if mom and dad had brought any snacks home lately.
Along Slough Creek, we spotted this badger peeking out of his burrow.
Look at that bull bison shamelessly goosing a cow right in front of all the tourists.  Why, some of them might have been impressionable children!  How rude.
This calf decided it was lunch time.  Neither he nor mom cared if they stopped traffic while he enjoyed a long drink. 

21 comments:

  1. Love the Lamar Valley - when the wolves were introduced in 1995, Mary and I went in with guides to track them and took classes at the Institute. My son is an avid fly fisherman. Did you see any bears?

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  2. I just popped over from Denise's blog. This was so interesting since I love Yellowstone. I've been stuck behind those bison too.

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  3. Funny about the "elk" sighting. I usually don't say anything and let them go on their way thinking. Neat capture of the Badger. My only encounter was from much further away.

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  4. I have no idea what 'nymphing' means, but I assume it is a good thing that Steve doesn't do that. I see the buffalo are as rude this year as they were when we were there last year.

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  5. Yellowstone is divine. Love the Badger.

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  6. And a good time was had by all! (Except maybe those people in their cars awaiting the bison move.)
    Your header just dazzles, its so pretty.

    Cheers,

    Jo

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  7. Steve was in his realm and enjoying every minute. The bison gave you a great photo op.

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  8. Having just been in Yellowstone, I loved seeing these posts. Thanks Janie. Wonderful adventures and superb photos.

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  9. What a wonderful place to visit and enjoy nature, looks like it was a beautiful day! Great pictures, love the badger. :)

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  10. What a trip you guys had. I love your photos and I love Steve not sharing the design of his flies.

    Those really aren't elk?

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  11. Oh how we love Yellowstone... We were there about this time last year... Shame on those shameless Buffaloes.... ha ha... Those big animals LOVE to hold up traffic. Think they do it on purpose... ha ha

    Hugs,
    Betsy

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  12. awesome place...loved all the snaps...

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  13. Fascinating pics from Yellowstone. Good animal sightings too !

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  14. My husband used to make his own flies so I understand that Steve doesn't like to give away his secrets. ;) I'm sure I would have missed the badger. What good eyes you must have for spotting wildlife!

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  15. I love your adventures....how cool to see a badger...

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  16. Wow, the skies were certainly beautiful! Looks like another great time at Yellowstone. Great photo catch of the badger!

    ~Lindy

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  17. The fishing looks great and the wildlife watching fun as always. The Lamar, Soda Butte, Slough and Pebble Creek as touch wonderful memories in me. Sad to say it's bee way to long since I've been there....

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  18. The buffalo rule the road. I was interested to see the badger - rather different markings to our badgers, currently being culled in parts of UK because of bovine tuberculosis.

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  19. I think those buffalo are aware they are as big as they are. One time when we were in Yellowstone a bunch of tourists were about 10 feet away from a Bull Elk snapping his picture. I just kept watching expecting him to get up and toss them around with his antlers. I respectfully gave him a wide berth and stayed in the car.

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  20. I've been there 3 times and it's been far too long since my last visit. I miss Yellowstone. I've always wanted to take some classes at the Institute! I laughed out loud at your "elk" story, pretty funny. And those buffalo... honestly, I think they think they own the park, and they might not be too far away from right!

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  21. oh geeeeez, I love the Yellowstone area. And I went fly fishing for the first time a couple of week ago and I want to fish that river!!!!! (I don't want to catch any fish, or at least let them go, i just want to fly fish there!)
    Gorgeous country, lovely pictures!
    - The Equestrian Vagabond

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