We had several inquiries about fishing action here. Action is picking up in shallow water here, and is sure to improve as we move through autumn. Brookies have begun to move into creek mouths. With cooling water weeds will begin to break up meaning less food forms hosted and more open water near shorelines. Think intermediate lines and leech patterns. We will stay current and pass on here which fishing techniques seem to work best.
With flow out of Palisades Dam still around 8700 cfs fishing has been quite stable. Use the same “slam the banks” strategy with terrestrial patterns until we have cloudy days later this month. When BWOs & mahogany duns emerge in good numbers then and streamers become increasingly important, change your fishing strategy. Notice that the river is not as crowded as a few weeks ago and that foliage is turning colorful. We are into one of the best times of the year to be on this great river. Get in touch with us to get ideas for changing your South Fork fishing tactics.
Gulpers are beginning to wind down. spruce moths still provide some good dry fly fishing. Crowds are beginning to thin out, and streamer patterns are becoming more effective.
Daniels Reservoir remains the best of these. Midge pupa under a strike indicator is the best way to find it here. Watch for all of these to improve later this month as we cool down.
Terrestrial and attractor patterns remain effective on most of these. Action on the upper Blackfoot River is really picking up. Palisades and Big Elk creeks remain good bets for action, too. Tricos are still aplenty on Birch Creek.
Flow out of Mackay Dam is up to 400 cfs for a final irrigation shot. After this look for much lower flows and easier wading when BWOs become numerous.
Streamers in the early mornings and evenings to dark are producing quite well. So are terrestrial and chernobyl types slammed toward banks out of direct light. Look for BWO emergences to begin big time up and down the river.
Action is picking up nicely. Creek mouths are a best bet, and fish are moving towards shorelines. Use sparkle leeches such as Californias, bead head peacocks, mohairs and halloweens.
A good shot of cold weather would really help fishing here. For now rely on best fishing to be early and late in the day ( AM spinner falls and streamers, PM caddis swarms, terrestrials, and streamers). Best bet for daytime hours remains terrestrial patterns on waters with overhead cover. Towards the end of the month BWOs and mahogany duns will bring action throughout the river.
With flows out of Palisades Dam stable at around 8600 cfs for several days fishing has been holding up. Hopper and chernobyl types slammed close to banks are a great way to go. Evening caddis swarms make for good fishing. PMD numbers are decreasing as is natural this time of year, so fishing riffles is slower. But as we move through September look for BWO emergences to become more numerous especially during overcast days. Mahogany duns will soon make an appearance. Streamers will become more important, and as we move through October terrestrial and chernobyl patterns less important. So it is time to get ready for upcoming changes.