Main Stem Snake River 6-26-10
Discolored, but flows are dropping. Best way to fish is from a boat and throw streamers on sink tip lines.
June 2010
South Fork 6/26
The South Fork has been consistent with flows for the past week at 16,000 cfs. Flows into the reservoir have steadied out and the fishing is picking up. I was on the upper section yesterday and the nymphing was really good. We found most of our success on the rubber leg and the san juan worm. The bubble back PMD worked well in the afternoon below the rubberleg. No sign of dry flies yet. The water still needs to warm up a bit, but I would expect to see dry fly action picking up by the next weekend.
Henry’s Fork 6/26
Everything is out on the Henry’s Fork! Golden Stones, Pale Morning Duns, Green and Grey Drakes, and Caddis. This is the prime time to be fishing dry flies on the Henry’s Fork. Warm River to Ashton and Ora Bridge down has been really good for fishing. The Ranch is fishing well and the Box is consistently producing fish. We have lots of different patterns that have been successful stop in the shop and we will get you hooked up…literally!
Small Streams 6-26-10
Big exception for being in great shape are Teton River drainage streams coming off the Grand Teton Range. Bitch Creek, especially, is putting discolored water in the river. Robinson Creek green drakes are emerging, so are PMDs, caddis and a few golden stones are left. On Warm River, PMDs and yellow sallys are emerging, a few goldens are around , and the PM caddis hatch makes for a great time to try light weight equipment. Want some pan-sized brookies? Try the upper reaches of Buffalo River, Tom’s Creek and Partridge Creek. No reports yet on the Little lost drainage, but most Salt River drainage streams coming out of Idaho (Jackknife, Tincup, Stump creeks) are in great shape. Use golden stone and yellow sally adult patterns, PMD and caddis life cycle patterns. Fall River giant stonefly emergence is way up the canyon and approaching the Cave Falls area. The Ashton-Flagg Road is not officially open –needs to dry out on the highest (middle) stretch.
Henry’s Fork 6/23
The fishing on the Henry’s Fork is really good. Everything is hatching a little later than normal. Pale Morning Duns, and Caddis are in good numbers on the river. Green Drakes are also beginning to hatch in good numbers. We have reports of Green Drakes up to the Warm River Confluence. Golden Stones have been producing fish on the surface as well. To get away from the crowds fish in the morning and the evening time.
South Fork 6/23
Flows on the South Fork have been bumped to 16,ooo cfs. They are matching the outflow with the inflow to the reservoir. More snow is coming down the system from the warm temperatures. We could see an increase up to 18,000 cfs or higher if it gets really warm. So what does that mean to us as fisherman? Well the good news is were not totally screwed. Remember that fish still need to eat and they will do so no matter the water flow. Insects will not get washed away and they will hatch when the water temperature triggers that reaction. As far as clarity goes the river is in good shape and these small increases will not affect the color that much. Since fishing on the South Fork right now is primarily nymphing the fish will continue to key in on those nymphs. As we get closer to the Salmon Fly hatch they will really start to key in on Stonefly nymphs. Fish a big size 4 brown rubber leg or a Mega Prince. I would also fish a smaller stonefly nymph behind that. Yellow Sallies hatch about the same time as the Salmon flies. Big Copper Johns in a size 14 or 12, the Tungsten Yellow Sallie Nymph or the Golden Stone Nymph would be a good option to imitate the Yellow Sallie in its nymph stage. For any questions call the shop.
Still Water 6-21-10
24-Mile Reservoir: Damsels, Callibaetis and midge nymphs are working well. Damsels are the best ticket. Fish are averaging 14 to 17 inches. Lots of small fish have been planted. Fish deeper to get past the planters. A #2 , intermediate or sink tip line work best. Deep nymphing with an indicator can also be beneficial.
We just haven’t caught any “bigger” fish in the past year. We are still looking for that 24-26 inch fish that always kept me coming back to this reservoir.
Stay tuned for more, as temperatures and conditions warm, good hatches of Callibaetis and Damsels will continue and proliferate. Look for surface activity with fish taking both adult (dry) Damsels and adult Callibaetis. This can be some superb gulper fishing—not just yet–give it a couple of weeks.
Best Fishes
Tom
Chesterfield Reservoir, June 21
Fishing yesterday on Chesterfield was overall, very good. These have got to be some of the strongest fish I have ever caught.
Water conditions are great-the reservoir is full, and for this time of the year, that bids well for the rest of the season also. the cool, wet weather has slowed the damsel
fly hatch, but I can assure you, they are on their way.
Right now the fish are still relatively deep. Use either an intermediate , sink tip, or #2 sinking line with a damsel nymph. Indicator fishing with a beadhead damsel can be very good as well.
Callibaetis nymphs are a good bet as well, with things expected to pick up even more this next week.
Best Fishes
Tom
Henry’s Fork 6/21
On the lower river Caddis, Pale Morning Duns, Green Drakes and Golden Stones are the ticket for dry fly fishing. Mayfly hatches in the mid day and spinner falls in the evening with the caddis hatch. The water from the Fall River and the Warm River have lowered and the water clarity is good. The Box Canyon is still fishing well with nymphs and caddis dry flies. I would be fishing the Henry’s Fork in my spare time right now. This is the prime time to be on the Henry’s Fork, but it is also the prime time for crowds. Call the shop if you have any questions.
South Fork 6/21
Flows on the South Fork have dropped to 12,000cfs. Fishing on the river has picked up considerably with the drop in flows. Streamers, and Nymphs are your best option for catching fish right now. I would be fishing 2 rubberleg nymphs under an indicator on the banks and the riffles. San Juan worms, bead head nymphs will also produce fish. A few notes on floating, Twin Bridges is still not accessible for floating, and will not be available for the summer. Check the side channels before you float them and make sure they are clear. Don’t forget about the new regulations that were implemented last year for camping in the canyon. You will need a fire pan, and a poop bucket that seals. You are expected to pack out what you bring in, including ashes. If you have any questions on these regulations we have some literature here are the shop for you convenience. For any other questions call the shop.
Recommended flies:
Streamers:
- Gallup’s Peanut Envy
- Jailhouse Bugger
- Space Invader
- Sex Dungeon
Nymphs:
- Pats Rubberleg
- Tungsten Redemption Nymph
- Sunkist
- Bubble Back Bead Head Emerger
- Red San Juan Worm