Carp Classic V will take place on the Blackfoot Reservoir May 15th and 16th. Three person teams will compete with prizes, raffles and give-aways. Roads to the reservoir are open, and the carp are waiting! This event is more than a tournament: it is a fund raiser for the Eric Gagel Family College Fund. To enter or for more info on this event, contact Brooks Montgomery–208-756-3303 or [email protected].
Daniels Reservoir has cleared and is fishing well for those using midge pupa patterns. Same applies to Hawkins Reservoir. The Dairy Creek Road from Hawkins Res. to Daniels Res. is open. Springfield Reservoir offers fair fishing for those using midge pupa patterns. Experiment to find the taking depth. Chesterfield appears to have turned over last week, but remains somwhat discolored near the Toponce Creek diversion inlet. Small leech patterns bring some action.
Almost unfishable with flies because of the high flows.
The river is running a bit high, but is quite fishable from Warm River to Chester (except for closed area from Ashton Dam to Vernon Bridge). Caddis life cycle, BWO life cyle patterns during PMs, nymphs and streamers bring action. Fall River has introduced run off from recent rain/snow storms which will slow fishing a lot below Chester.
Birch Creek remains the star of the show here, but most small streams will not open to fishing until the general season opener late this month. On Birch Creek the PM BWO emergence during low light afternoons brings action. So do small nymphs. McTucker Creek is also open to fishing with some suckers still spawning. Try some of the soft egg patterns downstream of the suckers.
With flows out of Palisades Dam remaining just above 16000 cfs and increasing to 18000 cfs at Heise, we cannot say fishing is great here. Some action from streamers is possible on side channels above the Swan Valley bridge, but not much else. Be sure to wade safely during these high water times which could remain until enough room is made in Palisades Reservoir to hold expected runoff. We will watch flows closely and report here any changes which improve fishing conditions.
General fishing season opens Saturday, May 16th. Hebgen Lake remains frozen solid with snow on the ice.
The Madison between Hebgen and Quake lakes is open to fishing year round. Right now it is fishing well from Hebgen Dam to Cabin Creek with a bit above normal water flow. Nymphs on the bottom are bringing action. Cabin Creek is putting in run-off that discolors the river down to Quake Lake slowing fishing there. The River between McAtee and Ennis bridges is open to fishing with nymphs, BWO & caddis life cycle patterns, San Juan worm types and midge emergers producing.
The Beaverhead River is open to fishing below Pipe Organ Bridge with flows about two-thirds of normal. Some Mother’s Day caddis activity remains, and presenting nymphs and streamers along the bottom produces. During overcast or low light conditions look for afternoon activity from BWOs.
Today our sales rep from Simms Fishing Products was in town to show us the new fall line for Simms gear and to talk to us about the new Streamtread Vibram sole wading boots. Up to this point I was really scepticle about the new rubber sole beause it didn’t feel sticky and gummy. After learning about the new Streamtread sole, and the extensive testing that went into developing this product, I can’t help but be very excited. Simms has always had a reputation for being the leader in fishing gear. They were the first company to offer a relief zipper for waders, and now they are leading the technology for wading boots. Over the next few Today at Jimmy’s Posts I am going to address the issue of Invasive species and how we can be intrumental in stopping the spreading of these organisms. I am also going to address what the fishing industry is developing to help as well.
Fishing on the Henry’s Fork is holding up really well. Blue Wing Olive’s, March Brown’s and Caddis are hatching in good numbers on the river. Big rubberlegs are working very well under an indicator, as well as caddis pupas, and mayfly nymphs. The water on the fall river has cleared up this week because of the cold weather. Expect this water to start to get dirty again when the weather warms up making fishing below Chester Dam very hard. The Henry’s Fork offers the best wading oppertunities right now in the area. As we continue to get closer to Memorial Day weekend we will keep you updated on hatches.
The flows on the South Fork have leveled out at 16,700 cfs. It has been steady for the entire week. We do not recomend floating below the Byington boat Ramp to Lorenzo. There are two reasons why we are discouraging this. The water in the north channel going under Twinn Bridges is extremly dangerous! Lorenzo is still closed due to high water, and your next stop would be Menan. The fish are continuing to hold in there winter water. The water temperature is about 38 degrees, which is causing these fish to stay fairly lathargic. The water is starting to clear up and nymphing will be your best oppertunity to catch fish. A rubberleg with a beadhead dropper fished deep under an idicator. We will continue to keep you updated as conditions change. Feel free to call the shop for an up to the minute report.