I’ve fished the Madison in Yellowstone 12 days total since September 22, and this is the first legit lake-run fish that I’ve caught. It has been so bright and sunny, some of the willows along the bank think it is spring and have started to bud!

But what a fish, just look at that orange belly! It ate an olive Zirdle Bug at Bakers Hole in the afternoon.

Two more days to departure… The bad weather and snow will arrive just after I leave, motivating the fish to move into the river.

Sigh.