Flows have remained steady at 18,000 cfs. The water is dirty and blown out, if you really want to fish I suggest the upper section in Swan Valley. Throw large heavy nymphs and fish them deep under an indicator. You pretty much are going to have to get right in front of the fish’s face, however it is possible to catch fish. I expect the South Fork to be off color and ripping high for at least 3 weeks. As conditions change we will keep you updated.
Improvements coming everywhere with our warming weather. For all of these midge pupa below indicators, once you find the taking depth, will work. So will damselfly nymph patterns and small leech patterns. If you try shallows on all still waters, which you should,don’t overlook dragonfly nymph patterns this time of year. Fish them right on the bottom, with a slow retrieve (towards shorelines) interrupted with an occasional twitch.
No big changes since last report–flow below Mackay Dam is at 450 cfs.
No change here; Birch Creek (family area or diversion) is the place to go. Remember; Birch Creek is mostly a spring creek and sees only small run-off.
With runoff starting fishing has become somewhat limited on the Henry’s Fork. Warm River to Ashton stretch has blown out, and so have the river below the Chester Dam. This basically leaves the Box Canyon and Vernon to Chester for fishing. March Browns, Caddis, and Blue Wing Olives have been hatching in good numbers. The river is probably going to feel really crowded these next few weeks. These sections of water are basically it for fishing right now. Remember to be courteous to each other and use common sense.
Flows got bumped back up to 18,000cfs over the weekend with the rain we have been receiving in the high mountains runoff has started. There is a lot of water up there and it all needs to come down. I would not expect to have ideal fishing conditions on the South Fork for awhile. All the tributaries are dumping in lots of muddy water into the river and there is a lot of debris breaking loose. When things start to slow down San Juan worms and rubberlegs will be the ticket.
Big question here is when will roads be passable, and when will ice leave such a Hebgen Res., Wade and Cliff lakes. Road to Lonesomehurst campground on the South Fork Arm of Hebgen is open, but snow-bound from there to Firehole Ranch. Same snow-bound conditions exist on county roads approaching Hebgen Res. Road over Red Rock Pass to Centennial Valley remains snow-bound. Clark Canyon reservoir is ice free. Fishing from shore with bead head nymphs is producing, but wind has made getting out on the water tough.
Flow out of Mackay Dam is a bit above 400 cfs making for tough wading. Best fishing is from Dam to just below Mackay. Look for calmer side channels here where fish will bunch up during high flows and take BWOs during PM hours.
Birch Creek family area above Lone Pine is fishing very nicely. It’s a great place to take that light weight rod. The creek is a few inches high, but clear. Run off is minimal because most of the water is from the springs around Kaufman. All snow is gone from surrounding area and hip boots are all that is needed for crossing the creek. In the early PM, BWO olive activity begins with fish taking duns later in the afternoon. Small wet attractors also work well. Around 6PM action begins to shut down.
Action is picking up on all reservoirs in the southeast corner of Idaho. Midge pupa under an indicator presented at the taking depth is working well. So are damselfly nymph and standard sized (#4-#8) leach patterns. Shallower waters and around submerged vegetation are best because they tend to be warmer and produce more food forms. Of these reservoirs Springfield seems to offer slowest action. Mackay Reservoir is fishing well at inlet channels. Try leech patterns. With respect to still waters at higher elevations, it’s going to be interesting to see when these become ice free. Ice on Henry’s Lake remains healthy and needs warm weather stretches to change. Same for Island Park Reservoir.