Well, it's fair to say that we've had a less than stellar snow year so far. As a British friend of mine said on a chair lift yesterday, "it's somewhere between shitty and average".

It's snowing lightly as I write this in West Yellowstone where we sit at roughly 80% of average - not bad. However, the Madison River drainage as a whole is around 75% - closer to shitty. Other neighboring watersheds are in a similar boat. The Gallatin is around 82% and the upper-Yellowstone is 75%.

While we're not exactly choking on snow, it's not time to hit the panic button just yet. El Nino years like this are infamous for long, wet Springs. It's not uncommon at all for us to see most of our snow-pack build in March and April on years like these. So, hang in there and keep those fingers crossed for a wet end to our winter season.

There's a new vacation rental available in West Yellowstone. It's a cozy log house on Horse Butte overlooking Hebgen Lake. It's owned by a local fishing guide and his family. So, it's sure to have plenty of good karma. Hell, I bet you'd become more fishy just having breakfast there. Imagine what would happen if you spent a whole week.

For more information follow this link, http://www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p271324 or click on the photo above.

January's winding down, and after two weeks of warm, sunny weather we're back in the wintry swing of things. It's currently dumping in West Yellowstone with more snow in the forecast for several days. While it doesn't look like we're going to see the massive amounts of snow that the Sierras are getting out this storm, we should see enough to make some powder turns and add to our much needed snow pack.

I've been busy being a dad, skiing, and planning saltwater trips for this spring. But, reports of good to excellent dry fly fishing from the Madison around Reynold's and $3 bridge have had me itching to get out. We'll see what happens after this snow moves through. Damn tough choices; dry flies or powder tunrs?

Stay Tuned.

    In an attempt to save money in economically challenging times, Idaho Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter has recommended the elimination of the Department of Parks and Recreation, with park maintenance transferred to the Department of Lands and the fees portion transferred to the Department of Fish and Game. The consolidation comes with a massive cut to funds for Idaho state parks. And, worst of all, the action may violate the agreement that allows Idaho to own and operate Harriman State Park.

    The Harriman family stipulated when gifting the property to the state that Idaho develop a Department of Parks and Recreation to manage the ranch and other special properties throughout Idaho. This stipulation came with a caveat that in absence of the families wishes the property would return to the Harrimans.

    We are at risk of losing the 11,000 acres and eight miles of the Henry’s Fork that constitutes Harriman State Park to private ownership. If Governor Otter's proposal to close Harriman State Park goes through, the Park could revert back to the Harriman Family and then be sold. It could become a private ranch with no access. It could be developed into smaller parcels. I can hear the drool dripping from developers lips now.

    Please take two minutes and follow this link to join the official petition that will be sent to Governor Otter. http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/save-idaho-parks

    Here we go again. The ball has dropped. The tree is down. The craziness has ended. And, now it's finally time to start thinking down the road.

    I love this time of year, because it's a chance to look forward to all of the kick ass things we get to do each year. In addition to skiing as much as humanly possible, I've been busy planning trips to the Bahamas, Belize, Florida, Yellowstone, Montana, and Idaho. I've been dreaming about catching bonefish, permit, tarpon, cutthroat, rainbows, and browns. I've got a whole new hit list of back country streams in the park complete with corresponding pins on an old, tattered topo map. I'm working through my winter fly tying list one pattern at a time, and experimenting with new materials and designs. It's only a week into the new year, and I'm already nervous about getting it all packed in.

Here's to a prosperous new year full of adventure at every turn!