Streamer fishing is really producing well up and down the river. Evenings, low light, and early hours are best. Low light conditions will also bring on BWO emergences and resulting action from feeding fish. But presenting streamers is the surest way to encounter the big fish here!
Big consideration is the weather. Through this weekend, pay attention to road reports before traveling to the Salmon or Clearwater rivers. Fish are coming in in good numbers in both rivers, and the best fishing lies ahead.
The Madison River below Hebgen Lake is fishing well. Want to catch some Madison Browns? Streamers are the way to find them. The same holds true for the Beaverhead River where browns are moving.
Flow out of Palisades Dam has dropped to 4120 cfs. USBurRec is dropping flows stepwise which gives fish a good chance to adjust to resulting changes in the river below. This management goes a long way to preserving the South Fork fishery when compared to the old way of dropping flows all at once. So cheers for USBurRec! Look for more step-wise drops in flow out of the dam as water is stored for use next irrigation season. This weekend features cold, stormy weather up and down the river. The result is good day-long BWO emergences up and down the river and good streamer fishing. With dropping flows out of Palisades Dam there will be more safe locations for walk-in fishing. Come into the shop and talk with us to learn some great locations to do so.
On the lower river, around Last Chance and Coffee Pot BWOs are providing action on these cold, dreary days. In Box Canyon nymphing with big patterns is producing. Streamer patterns are producing best during low light conditions in Box Canyon and almost anywhere on the lower river.
If you can bear the weather, Henry’s Lake is producing some great fishing. Almost anywhere in shallow water and along creek mouths, your favorite leech patterns will get action. Use intermediate lines for shallow water presentations and dress warmly. Beware of the wind if you plan to get out on the lake. Consider fishing sheltered areas and be ready to act if wind directions change.
Daniels Reservoir remains the best of these. Look for Springfield Reservoir to improve as the cooler weather and shorter days help break up weeds. Same applies to Chesterfield Reservoir: cooler weather will make those big fish more active. Bring your favorite leech patterns to any of these places for action. Want to bring a youngster or physically challenged person to a very safe still-water location to enjoy some easy fishing? Try Crystal Springs, now operated as a family fishery by IDF&G. Its open year round and can be fished from shore as well as from a small boat.
Fall run ‘bows and browns are in the Madison River and the Gibbon River. This will make for some great streamer fishing. You can also have some excellent streamer fishing by walking the Lewis Lake shoreline. Best locations are below the campground and the upper end of the lake. The upcoming cold snap will put an end to the terrestrial insects, but good BWO emergences will remain on streams in the Madison River drainage.
Warm River, Fall River, the lower Blackfoot River, the lower Teton River, Robinson Creek, and Birch Creek are providing the best action. All have BWOs and some tricos going through life cycles. Small beadhead nymphs work well on each of these. Some browns are moving into the Salt River tribs, but they are about as wary as a trout can be. Want to test your “big fish in small waters” skills? Try fooling browns in Stump, Crow and Jackknife creeks.
It’s streamer time on the river! Browns are moving, and your best chance for encountering them will during low light conditions. Use sink tip lines and your favorite streamer patterns. Float fishing will be most effective, but with water levels dropping there are plenty of walk-in locations to try. Come in and talk to us to find where some of these are.