Henry’s Lake 9-10-10
The cool blustery weather we are just coming through is just what is needed to get fishing going here. No big change in action yet, but we’ll keep tuned to reports comong in to let you know when things pick up.
September 2010
Henry’s Fork 9-10-10
As with other waters cooling weather will improve fishing on the lower river. Look for great BWO hatches and some mahogany duns emerging. Evening caddisfly activity will continue. This means life cycle patterns for these insects will be increasingly effective. Terrestrial insects will be available until we have killing frosts. So do not put those chernobyl, hopper, ant, and beetle patterns away for weeks to come. Browns will begin migrating towards spawning areas, meaning streamer fishing will pick up. So the lower river will offer good fishing for many preferences.
Main Stem Snake River 9-10-10
Now is the time of year when this river is as good as any other locally. Flows are at or near average. There are great walk in wade locations (contact us to learn some) and excellent boating locations (again, we can help you choose some). Cooler weather brings on afternoon BWO activity, evening caddis hatches continue, and as with the South Fork; chernobyl and terrestrial patterns presented towards vegetated banks are sure to bring action. But the cooler weather brings on what the river is best known for: streamer fishing. Evenings are best times to enjoy this, but with sunrise now around 7 AM, do not overlook early mornings for some good streamer fishing.
South Fork 9-10-10
Flow out of Palisades Dam has been very stable for a week or so at a bit over 8000 cfs. The result has been excellent fishing up and down the river. Mahogany duns and BWOs are in full swing on riffles, chernobyl, beetle, ant, and hopper patterns work well when pitched toward vegetated banks, evening caddis hatches bring action, and streamers produce early and late in the day. Walk-in locations abound, and boating conditions are good. Crowds are down, and cool nights are nipping off insect pests. What more could you ask for when fishing the South Fork? For many anglers this is the best time of year on this great river.
Still Waters 9-10-10
The cool weather we have recently is just what is needed to jump-start fishing in our irrigation reservoirs. The upper end of Daniels Reservoir seems to be improving for anglers presenting damselfly nymph patterns. The same goes for Springfield Reservoir where dry damsel patterns are also suggested. Try dry damselfly patterns on Sand Creek ponds, especially during evening hours when large trout are cruising. Look for fishing on Chesterfield Reservoir to be improving as fish begin moving to shallower water with our cooling weather.
Today at Jimmy’s 9-07-10
Chris Helm is coming to Idaho Falls on Saturday September 25th to teach a class on spinning deer hair. The class begins at 10 am here at the shop. The class fee is $25.00 and includes materials. All you need to bring are your vice and tools. The class is limited to 8 students and as of today there are two spaces left. I took this class several years ago at an FFF conclave and Chris showed us many tips on how to work with deer hair that I wished I had learned years before.
Today at Jimmy’s 9-4-10
In preparation for the 2011 we are starting to close out items that are being discontinued next year. We have both men’s and women’s clothing from Cloudveil on sale. The Simms pursuit shoe and pursuit wading sandal are also being updated for next year and we have those at 40 percent off.
Also if you you have not heard Simms is offering their rebate program again this Fall. Bring in your old pair of waders and get $50.00 off on a pair of G4Z, G4Pro or G3 guide waders. In order to participate you need to go to the Simms web page and print off a voucher which you then bring into our shop along with your old pair of waders. We have most sizes in stock and if we don’t have your size we can order it.
Yellowstone Park 9-02-10
A big visitor weekend is coming up with Labor Day, so expect company, even in some back country locations. Whatever streams you choose, terrestrial patterns are a must. This is really true if flying ant swarms are where you fish. Be sure to have some cinnamon ant patterns in size 14. Look for tricos to dominate AM fishing along some parts of Fall River Basin streams and the Madison River drainage. Slough Creek will feature a green drake emergence. We need to cool off more for the Firehole River to shape up to fall fishing form. Run-up browns and ‘bows from Hebgen Lake are beginning to show in the Madison River. Gulpers are still active on Beula Lake, but expect crowds on this last big weekend of the summer season. Small streams such as Obsidian, Cascade, and Polecat creeks host eager trout for light weight equipment fans. So there will something for whatever your fly fishing preference may be.
Still Waters 9-02-10
During Labor Day weekend expect big crowds at any still waters having easy access. It will be a time to practice courtesy and have patience. Speckled duns are still hatching around mid day to evening at some higher elevation waters such as Aldous Lake and the Sand Creek Reservoir ponds. For Chesterfield and Daniels reservoirs try leech and damselfly nymph patters in deep water. Dry damselfly patterns will be worth trying at Springfield Reservoir. Cooling weather will help bring back action throughout.
Small Streams 9-02-10
This is a great time of year to begin fishing the Blackfoot River below the dam and through the canyon at such places as around Corral Creek, Graves Creek and Trail Creek Campground. Flows will stabilize as irrigation demands for stored water decrease. With more consistent flows action will increase. Caddis life cycle and terrestrial patterns will be best bets for action with some isolated BWO hatches. Don’t overlook pitching streamer patterns as there are some very large cutts & bows in this part of the river.
Look for good terrestrial pattern fishing on such streams as the lower Teton River, the Salt River tribs, Little Lost River, Sawmill Creek, Birch Creek and South Fork tribs. Kokanee are thick in Big Elk Creek but do not interfere with cutts taking PM caddis and terrestrial patterns. Caddis life cycle and attractor patterns will work on all of these waters.