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July 2009

Fly Fish Food Jimmy's / 2009 / July (Page 8)

Still Waters 7-04-09

July 4, 2009
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Still Water

A lot of action is taking place here. Chesterfield is at its best at the upper end where you can get away from boating & skiing recreationists.  Try damselfly nymphs, midge pupa, speckled dun life cycle patterns and small leeches. At Daniels Reservoir fish shorelines with damselfly nymphs and speckled dun life cycle patterns before the wind kicks in.  When it does head for the upper end with the same flies and midge pupa.   Remember the gold ribbed hare’s ear? It is still the best callibaetis emerger (size 10-14) going when fished just under the surface.   Pretty much the same goes for Hawkins Reservoir when things turn windy.  Small black leeches and midge pupa are producing on Springfield Reservoir, and we have word that Island Park Reservoir is producing quite well for those presenting blood worm patterns at the taking depth.  Twin Lakes bluegills continue to be active, but so are boating recreationists.  So head for the willows there.  Want to try a gentle place? the Harriman Fish Pond is a good choice. Very few of the large fish remain, but the 10-14 inch catchables will provide good action for the neophyte, the physically challenged, or for the fly-fisher seeking just a change of location.

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South Western Montana 7-04-09

July 4, 2009
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South Western Montana

Madison River giant & golden stonefly hatch is above the Varney Bridge.  Evening caddis & PMDs action around Raynolds Bridge is worth sampling.  If you enjoy good but crowded fishing try the River between Hebgen Dam and Cabin Creek.  Use big nymphs. The Gallatin is improving and should provide good fishing thanks to caddis & PMDs in about a week.  Midging is the way to find action on Hebgen Lake.  Look for damselfly nymphs to provide action from cutts on Elk Lake.

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Yellowstone Park 7-04-09

July 4, 2009
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Yellowstone Park

The Firehole River chugs along with good caddis, white miller, and PMD activity providing action during PMs and an AM PMD spinner fall.  Don’t overlook trying dry damselfly patterns.  Expect the river to begin warming up and fishing to slow as we advance into summer. The Madison River in the Park features an evening caddis hatch that brings action. The Gibbon’s brown drake hatch should begin any day now, and the  Gallatin River is clearing & warming.  The Lamar River and Soda Butte Creek are still high and have some discolor. Fall River Basin streams are shaping up, but good dry fly fishing is about a week or so away. When that begins, look for PMDs and sallys to provide the first action.  Beula Lake currently provides some of the best fishing action in the Park.  The fish here are not as big as some other still waters, but 18″-19″  individuals are fairly common.  Only Yellowstone cutts are present.   Want strategy tips for  trying Fall River Basin waters? Get in touch with us.

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Henry’s Fork 7-04-09

July 4, 2009
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Henry's Fork

Big news here is the excellent brown drake hatch evenings with best being on the lower Harriman reach of river.  Be there early to get your favorite spot even though there is plenty of river.  Any big brown drake dry pattern will work if you present it carefully.  There are still a few golden stones around Box Canyon and from Riverside Campground down through the Warm River confluence.   Green drakes have peaked,  but caddis and PMDs are everywhere.  On the lower river gray drakes continue giving action from above Chester Backwaters down to St. Anthony.   Don’t forget your favorite streamer pattern for evenings on the lower river.  Through presenting them comes your best chance for that “fish of the year”.  It’s a great time to be on this storied river, and if you are waiting for the South Fork to subside, this river is the best alternate for you and that boat.

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South Fork 7-04-09

July 4, 2009
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South Fork

The flow out of Palisades Dam is dropping, but at a slow rate up to now. This AM it is 21,100 cfs.  Nevertheless the big bugs are coming off on the lower river, Twin Bridges to Byington.  Some folks are seeing good action from there, but the best way to find fish remains with big nymphs such as rubberlegs and with streamers fished deep.  Also being seen on the river are sallys and some PMDs.  When the river flow drops further, floating and fishing will be easier and more productive.  Look for that to happen in the manner given in our July 2nd report.  We will keep on top of how the flows are dropping and pass on such info in this report.  So keep on watching here because better days on the South  Fork are not far away!

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Small Streams 7-04-09

July 4, 2009
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Small Streams

Just about any of these are now good choices, exept for a few (some Teton Basin streams) draining the highest country.   All major South Fork tribs are now open, but the best days on them are ahead.  Want a particular small stream treat?   Try Robinson Creek.  The real fun here is not knowing which trout species you will get to respond.   Robinson holds cutts, ‘bow, brookies, browns and even a whitefish or two all living in harmony. True, they don’t rival the nearby Henry’s Fork in size, but there are some of size ranging up to around 18″.  It’s a great place for that light-weight rod, and to realize that good numbers of green drakes are not exclusive to such as the Harriman reach of the Henry’s Fork, Lewis River, Slough Creek and Fall River Basin streams.  Get in touch with us to talk access, flies and strategy.

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Henry’s Lake 7-04-09

July 4, 2009
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Henry's Lake

Lot’s of interest here because of the upcoming damselfly emergence. Recently best results are had by fishing midge pupa under a strike indicator.  But we have an indication the the fish are beginning to pay attention to damselfly nymph patterns.  That old Henry’s Lake standby the Mity Mite has been producing in shallow water.  So any day now damselfly nyphs will the only way.

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South Fork of Snake 07-02-09

July 2, 2009
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South Fork

The inflow into Palisades is beginning to drop and the outflow is now greater than than the inflow. The outflow dropped 800 cfs this morning to 22,800 cfs and we should see drops every day for several days. The Bureau of Reclamation feels the flow should be down to 15,000 cfs by next week and and then down to 12 or 13,000 cfs for the balance of the summer.

The big stones are hatching in the Twin Bridges to Byington stretch and will slowly move upstream for the next 10 days to two weeks. There are also good numbers of yellow sallies and pale morning duns. If the flows do drop as the Bureau predicts and everyone hopes  we will get some good dry action next week. In the meantime keep fishing rubber leg nymphs and streamers.

If you do venture below Byington before the water drops please be careful as there will be new obstacles and hazards to manuever around.

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