Just returned from Yellowstone Lake

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Yellowstone

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This morning I cranked up the diesel and hooked on the Far West II for a run to Yellowstone Lake - 185 miles south of W.S.S. I didn't anticipate the water was open. Slushy ice was still on the lake including the Bridge Bay lagoon with about 50 feet of open water all around the lake.

The roads were all bare with some snow in the trees. Yellowstone had low snow pack this winter, save what arrived this May. The lake is at least three feet lower than at the same time last year.

Xanterra was manning the marina office, so I checked on my reservation for the summer - Slip - B8. A lone wolf trotted along the edge of Bridge Bay while I was there. Buffalo bulls, the old monarchs, hang around the lake year around. Wonder what the wolves are finding to eat. Between Canyon Village and Mammouth Hot Springs, I saw several new born bisons. reddish brown, and tucked in close to their mother's flanks as they ambled along.

The good folks at the marina office told me to park the Far West in the spacious parking lot, which I did. Only one other boat was sitting in the lot waiting to be launched.

On the return trip home, I passed a wildlife water area about forty miles of White Sulphur Springs. Seeing a big patch of white on the far shore line, I stopped my pickup and grabbed my binoculars. Sitting all crowded together were 20 pelicans and some double crested black cormorants.


The marina strore was not open - operations are to start May 28. When will the lake be ice/slush free? The betting money says four to five days, perhaps when the Memorial Day weekend is over.

I had to drive to Lake Hotel and its deli to get a cup of coffee. They charge $2.46 cup, and believe me this wasn't Starbucks.

Enough of this non-sequenced Yellowstone Lake gossip. Fishing on the lake doesn't open until June 15. John
 
Thanks Robbi. By the way regarding those pelicans and cormorants. Those are the two main species that nest on the Molly Islands in the South Arm of Yellowstone Lake. This is just speculation on my part, but I believe they are waiting for the lake to thaw to return. If true, how do they know when to return?

All the lakes around here with fish in them are ice free. The osprey are already nesting on the Missouri and Yellowstone Rivers. Both pelicans and cormorants frequent all these waters, but the critters I saw today seemed to be resting,

Perhaps there is a C-Dog reading this who knows something about the migration issues. If so, chime in. John

P.S. Robbi. I believe your husband is retired now. Come join us in Yellowstone this summer. Bring your boat.
 
Thanks John was wondering when the ice would come off. I went looking for a web cam pointed out to the lake but there doesn't appear to be one. I missed the May trip to Lake Powell so maybe a June trip to Yellowstone.
 
Kevin - It will be interesting if the rangers are going to be at Bridge Bay this weekend. The little store is slated to open tomorrow according to park literature. Hope you can find some open water for your kayak.
John
 
Looking forward to seeing you next month, John. Thanks for the update. Reckon on joining for the Bighorn also, "if all's well and the creeks don't rise?"
 
Thanks for the report on the lake. We hope to meet up with you in early July! I read an RVers report a couple of days ago--there were only two RV's in one of the more popular campgrounds, and a little snow on the ground. Some of us in Florida, forget about the "other white stuff".

Take care,!
 
El & Bill - I'll keep checking on the inflow into Big Horn Lake. From Yellowstone Lake to upper end is about 130 miles. Starting at the lower end means a big detour via Billings and Hardin - too much unless you are heading to North Dakota.

Bob - Once your travel plans solidfy, email me. I'll keep early July open.
John
 
Thanks for the info, John. The Rupert Idaho C-Brats will be in Yellowstone about Mid July. The more news on Yellowstone Lake, the better. We still have winter here, it seems- I supose its the same in WSS? We had some friends on the Smith River afew weeks ago, and it snowed the whole trip. Glad we were in the San Juans and could make the great Friday Harbor event- otherwise I would have been on the Smith with them.
Roger
 
Roger - Consider yourself lucky you missed that trip on the Smith River.
Perhaps there has been a few decent days since the season began.
The river has been closed at times due to high water. The Smith through the eons has worn into rock walls at tight curves and under cut them. During normal flows canoes and small rafts can slide under these overhangs with safety, But in high water, there is not enough room for anyone sitting in their seats, and they literally get scraped out of their craft.

See you in July.

John
 
Roger - Still winter in W.S.S? Are you kidding? We have a saying around here that we have two seasons, winter and summer. I recall in the summer of 1972, it snowed four inches on the 4th of July. Ruined the parade and rodeo.

Not many folks here worried about global warming. A few weeks ago it snowed three feet. Severa Canadal geese nearby were sittings on their nests. After the storm, they were covered with snow. The next day their heads were above the snow, and in two days the snow was gone. In two more days they each had two golden goslings to show off. Survivors.

John
 
This morning I called Bridge Bay Marina and discovered that the bay is now ice free. So I got the diesel fired up and traveled the 185 miles to the marina to launch the Far West II from the marina parking lot. The main lake is beginning to break up with open water a half mile to a mile from the shoreline.

It was overcast but not raining when I arrived. The ranger station at the marina was open manned by a volunteer. Same volunteer from last season, so we had a pleasant talk. A Xanterra employee handled the lines at the launch dock for me, and with no other boats waiting to be launched, I enjoyed a leisurely time of it, putting on the NPS sticker. going through the check list, etc.

Once the Mercury 115 EFI was in enough water to get the engine going (but still on the trailer), I turned the starter key on, and in two seconds it was running smoothly - no choking or balking and peeing a steady stream. It hadn't run since Sept. 11, 2009, but of course I had it winterized before storing it with full tanks treated with Stabil. The EFI IMO is the only way to go.

I parked the rig away from the launch area, and walked back to the Far West II noticing that only two (2) other boats were in their assigned slips.
one from Arizona and the other from Montana. It was a pleasant but short trip to my slip (B-8), but with no other boats in the B dock, and practically no wind and no one watching my seamanship, I simply made a three point landing, tied to two cleats, lifted the engine out of the water, dropped the curtains, and snapped on the cockpit cover and walked away.

The marina store with hot coffee was the next stop, and then it was park the trailer, unhook, and head back to White Sulphur Springs.

A few miles down the road just before reaching the Fishing Bridge turnoff, I saw what I assumed was a buffalo jam with parked cars on both sides.
But it turned out to be something else. Edna, who declined to come with me for this round trip, doesn't like this part of the story.

Instead of a big buffalo or elk, it was a huge grizzly boar in an open meadow about 100 yards away. He was pawing around at something.
Still in his dark brown winter coat, he was an impressive sight. Yellowstone Park grizzlies can weigh more than 900 pounds (fall flesh), and this was one of the big boys.

Just one of the highlights of the trip to Yellowstone today. The fishing in the lake begins June 15. The lake has risen three feet in one week.

John
 
Roger - Last summer a grizzly actually swam across the bay close to the docks during the days. Quite a sight according to those who saw it. Said the grizzly shook like a dog once ashore. Otters occasionally come on the docks for a look see. The grizzlies can go any where they want. It's part of the ambiance. John
 
Well, we have to get to Yellowstone Lake, but first we have to get retired! Counting down the days! Keep the reports coming, John, we are lovin' it!
 
Pat - Once you are retired you can say what I say to others who are still "gainfully employed," "with me every day is Friday afternoon." That perhaps sounds a little bit flippant, but it has some truth to it.

There is another way of looking at retirement. Ask yourself what percentage of your life have you already lived. Be totally candid with yourself. Factor in illnesses, accidents, etc., in this simple question, and perhaps you are at 90 % already. This may sound too calculating for some, but it worked for me.

Unfortunately, it didn't work for my only son. Just as little over a year ago I lost him, age 48, to a disease with no known cause and no known cure.

But whether to retire or continue working, the driving force ought to be, what brings the most meaning to your life. Some want to work and die in the traces. Others want to go play on the water like me.

You will enjoy your visit to Yellowstone Lake.
John
 
Yellowstone":2rky0ypv said:
Roger - Last summer a grizzly actually swam across the bay close to the docks during the days. Quite a sight according to those who saw it. Said the grizzly shook like a dog once ashore. Otters occasionally come on the docks for a look see. The grizzlies can go any where they want. It's part of the ambiance. John
Click to expand...

Grizzly, moose, and elk are good swimmers. One of our fishing guides took a photo of a momma grizzly swimming with a cub on her back. After seeing a moose swim across Flaming Gorge a few years ago, I read up on it... bears, moose, and elk all have hollow hair; it acts like a gazillion little PFDs, making them very buoyant. Quite a sight.

Just around that marina area in Yellowstone, I have seen moose, bears, buffalo, coyotes, elk, and a wolf. Toss in bald eagles and osprey.

John, the ice on Jackson Lake has been out for a couple weeks. Lots of boats in slips, people renting boats and kayaks, and plenty of people taking the scenic cruises.

Best wishes,
Jim B.
 
Great reports, and we are looking forward to being up there about the 8th of July. (give or take a day).

In AK one of the fisherman we met told of his crew grilling salmon when there was a grizzley on the shore. They didn't clean the grill. Sometime after dark (late) the skipper heard a commotion on the aft deck. The Grizzley was trying to climb aboard. The skipper grabbed an oar and whacked the Grizzley a few times and he swam off. Grizzley's make for great story telling!
 
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