Fishing has been quite good on the river. Flow out of Palisades Dam has been steady (11000 cfs) for several days, and water quality is excellent. Up and down the river rubber legs patterns trailed by a San Juan worm have been taking fish. Streamers, especially under low light conditions, are effective. Consider that the current cloudy, cool weather is “BWO weather.” Fish are responding to emerging BWOs, so bring life cycle patterns.
On this opening day of general fishing season the most asked question is “Where’s the bug (giant stonefly) hatch on the Henry’s Fork?” Right now the bugs are hunkered down waiting for a warm-up so they can do their thing. Yes, its cold where they have come out from just above Chester backwaters to Riverside Campground. Fish are aware of their presence. So regardless of weather they will be taking offerings. The trick is finding where fish are responding best to them. Right now that would somewhere in Cardiac Canyon. So boating from Riverside Campground to Hatchery Ford, from the Lower Mesa Falls slide to Warm River and even from Warm River to Ashton are the best choices to encounter fish taking giant stonefly patterns on the surface. It’s a bit early for fishing dry stonefly patterns in Box Canyon, but when it warms up that will change. Other than stoneflies presenting streamer patterns along cover out of direct sunlight, especially evenings is the best way to encounter large fish. This really applies to the river from Ashton Dam to the Chester Dam. Our current weather is “BWO weather”, so don’t overlook that life cycle patterns for these can be effective.
We now have 2012 Yellowstone Park fishing licenses at the shop.
Action is picking up on all the irrigation reservoirs below Pocatello. Reason is that waters are all in good depth, clear, and damselfly nymphs are moving around. Go to shallow waters on any of these, especially around vegetated shorelines. Present your favorite damselfly nymph pattern on an intermediate line or hang them under an indicator on a floating line. You can also have action on these reservoirs from midge pupa suspended under an indicator.
It’s not safe wading below Mackay Dam today. Flow coming out of dam is over 500 cfs.
A lot of snow remains on the Grand Teton Range and the Yellowstone Plateau. All this must come down Teton River and Fall River respectively. So it will be a while before these waters and such as Bitch Creek and Robinson Creek are good fishing. For now stay with Warm River and other streams that do not drain high country.
Flows were increased yesterday to 11,000 cfs. I think this was for irrigation demand. As of right now they are trying to fill the reservoir so I maintain my earlier statement that I don’t expect to see the water level raised on the river. However when irrigation demand comes the flows will go up and unfortunately we have no control or information when that might happen. We can only share with you when it does happen.
If you are looking to get away from the crowds that will be flocking to the Henry’s Fork for the Salmon Fly hatch. The South Fork can offer some really good fishing. Blue Wing Olives have been hatching in good numbers. The nymphing and streamer fishing has been good as well. This would be a great weekend to go camping in the canyon because of the lack of people fishing the South Fork right now. Not much has changed for nymphing techniques. Rubberlegs with an assortment of beadhead nymphs will be highly effective. Don’t forget about the San Juan worm, its a favorite this time of year.
We have gotten all of our new fly patterns in for the season. We have some really great new flies stop by to get some and go catch some fish. As always feel free to call the shop for up to the minute details.
So much talk about the Henry’s Fork right now. It is definitely the place to be if you want to chase some dry flies. The stonefly emergence is happening right now on the lower river. From Warm River down to Chester you will find those big boys on the bank hatching and flying around. I haven’t heard any solid news of flies above the Warm River, however I expect them to start happening soon. Big stonefly nymphs have been catching fish as well, don’t rule out this fly when the dry fly action slows down. Don’t hesitate to put a stonefly nymph below a big dry salmon fly. We have a great selection of Salmon flies that will float a weighted nymph. Caddis have also been working well on the surface.
The water quality below the Ashton dam has been fairly good. I would not rule out floating from Vernon to Chester you will find some really good fishing here and fewer crowds of people who have been scared off by the construction of the Ashton Dam.
Flows have remained steady at 10,500cfs out of the dam. I got a water report today and now they are afraid they might not fill the system up, which means we can expect to see flows stay fairly steady until they have to spill water once the reservoir is full. We should see fishing starting to pick up as the water begin to warm. The only thing that will throw the fishing off now is high flows from the Dam, which isn’t going to happen anytime soon…I hope. Or runoff from the tributaries like Pallisades Creek, Falls Creek and Pine Creek. As I write this right now these tribs are not putting dirty water into the river.
Nymphing Rubberlegs, San Jaun Worms, and a variety of little nymphs will be your best technique for catching fish. Blue Wing Olives have been hatching in good numbers on the lower river. Look for fish sipping dry flies in the foam lines of eddies and back water holes.
Salmon flies are starting to hatch on the Warm River to Ashton Stretch. This is the beginning of the hatch the Salmon flies are not out in huge numbers but they are there and trout are eating dries and nymphs. You also have a good showing of caddis out and hatching. I expect the Vernon to Chester stretch to start soon and we will update the report as soon as we know.