A tunnel is being blasted to send water around Ashton Dam so construction work can begin there when the reservoir water level is reduced by about 17 feet. Release of water will begin after the tunnel is completed and is certain to impact the river below. As we receive information on Ashton Dam construction and impacts on the river below we will post such information here.
Flow out of Palisades Dam (8560 cfs) is just where it should be considering annual averages, and dry fly fishing success is beginning to be the same with respect to using terrestrial patterns and such as chubby chernobyls. Look for great September dry fly fishing coming up with success from terrestrial patterns continuing. Mahogany duns and BWOs will be coming on later in the month to add variety in top water fishing.
We received an announcement from Park fisheries personnel.
Attention Trout Anglers on Yellowstone Lake
“Beginning August 18th, 140 lake trout in Yellowstone Lake will be tagged with an internal transmitter. All lake trout in this study will have their adispose fin removed. The chemical used to anesthetize tagged trout requires a 21-day wthdrawal period prior to human consumption. Lake trout without an adipose fin caught in Yellowstone Lake prior to September 21, 2011 should not be consumed. Please report your catch and return tag to an NPS Ranger Station (Fisheries Program PO Box 168, Yellowstone NP, WY 82190).
We hear that Slough Creek is producing like it should for the time of year. That means put most of your efforts on presenting terrestrial patterns. The further upstream you go, the fewer folks you will find fishing. If you are not into walking the several miles needed for a round-trip visit there, try Soda Butte Creek which is also producing well, but expect crowds. The Lamar River is another in the northeast corner of the Park that is fishing well for those presenting terrestrial patterns, but is the most subject to becoming discolored because of thundershowers in its larger drainage. Forget fishing Trout Lake until later in October. On the diagonally opposite end of the Park, Fall River Basin streams remain a bit high for this time of the season, but fish will come up to carefully presented terrestrial patterns. And, yes, Beula Lake still offers, and will continue to offer for weeks to come, some of the fastest fishing in the Park if you present speckled dun, trico, and damselfly life cycle patterns.
Good speckled dun activity is taking place on Daniels Reservoir. Springfield Reservoir is so mossy that dry fly fishing is most practical. Sand Creek ponds continue to produce well with speckled dun life cycle patterns leading the way for activity. The upper end of Mackay Reservoir is a good bet for action with speckled dun life cycle patterns. Success on Chesterfield Reservoir depends on who you talk to.
Big news is the Hebgen Lake gulper activity. It is good, but seems not to have peaked yet. We hear that sites along the Madison Arm and in west side bays are best locations. Speckled duns and tricos are what’s bringing fish up.
With flow out of Mackay Dam dropping near 300 cfs, the river below is in great shape for walk-in wade fishing. This time of year tricos begin attracting fish in the mornings, and flavs take over in the afternoons. Of course the tricos are more numerous! The other big attraction to fish will be terrestrial patterns. The real old-timers fishing here prefer to fish streamers as darkness falls. So consider!
This is the time of year when they are at their best. Terrestrial patterns are likely the best choice on any of these. Here is one that is a great choice if you want to minimize your traveling time and plan on easy access. Beaver Creek above Spencer, Idaho is the place, and travel all the way is on Interstate-15. A good access point is the Interstate-15 interchange a few miles north of Spencer. From here one can walk upstream into the canyon (look out for an occasional freight train) to fish free-flowing water or beaver ponds or walk downstream to fish the same. From this Interstate-15 interchange one can also take the frontage road on the west side of the creek to access parts further downstream. Brookies and rainbows are the residents and they are eager enough to take any terrestrial, caddisfly life cycle, or traditional attractor pattern you present. Fish here range up to the mid-teens in inches with a very few of the bows getting larger, especially in the beaver ponds. Afternoons offer the best fishing.
As some folks have noticed, the road accessing Big Elk Creek has been closed. The reason is road work to widen narrow stretches close to US Highway 26. The road opened today but will be closed from time to time for finishing work. The best way to learn of the closings schedule is to contact the Palisades District Ranger Station at 523-1412.
Flow out of Palisades Dam was dropped to 8500 cfs early this AM. That is the normal flow for this time of year. Look at Tim’s South Fork report on 8-16 for strategies up and down the river. If he has been on the river for that many days, he is a first hand source for information. The only thing I would add is that with decreasing flows likely coming up, dry fly fishing will improve.
Fishing is holding up very well for this time of year. Again, best locations are in front of Targhee, Duck and Howard creeks. Use intermediate or floating lines with mity mites, beadhead peacock leeches, peacock A. Hs., crystal leeches and your favorite damselfly nymph patterns. Expect crowds if you get into fish.