Big Lost River 5-15-12
Flow out of Mackay Dam was upped to 600 cfs on May11th. Flow remains that high, so forget wading the river below the dam for a while!
May 2012
Still Waters 5-15-12
Not much change in these since our May 12th report. Daniels Reservoir remains the star of the show. Try indicator fishing with midge pupa in shallow waters such as the upper end for best results. Don’t overlook using an intermediate line in shallow water for trying anything looking like a damselfy nymph.
Small Streams 5-15-12
Any of these draining high country will have increasing run-off because of our warmer than normal weather. Fall and Teton rivers and much of their higher drainages are seeing increased flows. Look at our May 12th report for smaller waters not so much impacted by run-off. Check to be sure these are presently open for catch and release fishing .
Henry’s Fork 5-15-12
Sightings of large stoneflies flying last weekend in the Warm River to Ashton reach are greatly exaggerated. High-flying birds may have been mistaken for these, or maybe a few bugs were coming over from Warm River. For sure the big stonefly nymphs are moving in Warm River to Ashton, in Cardiac Canyon, and the river below Ashton Dam. No doubt a few adults have formed by now. But fish are likely full of nymphs, so wait a while before they begin keying on the adults which will surely increase in number. Best chances for top water fishing success in these parts of the river are from caddis and March browns. Speaking of the Ashton Dam, draw-down began on May 11th. That means the river below will be off-color now through opening day and beyond. We’ll keep you posted about the effects of draw-down which should not be as drastic as last year.
Big Lost River 5-12-12
Flow out of Mackay Dam went from about 250 cfs up to near 500 cfs a day or two ago. Now it is down to around 400 cfs. Makes for tough wading,and fluctuations like this are tough on fishing.
Small Streams 5-12-12
Warm weather means run off will return big time. Look at all the snow left in the Grand Teton Range and the Yellowstone Plateau. Its all gotta come down! Warm River is an exception. Stoneflies are flying on the lower river. The lower Blackfoot River from the dam down to the Morgan Bridge area offer good fishing. Discolor is coming in from tributaries draining higher country. The Birch Creek family area is offering twenty fish afternoons to anyone coming there with lightweight gear.
Still Waters 5-12-12
Chesterfield Reservoir continues to be great for indicator fishing in shallow waters around willowy shorelines. Don’t overlook offering anything that looks like a damselfly nymph. Everything just said also applies to the upper end of Daniels Reservoir. Small fish with a rare lunker are quite active in Hawkins Reservoir. Nothing yet on Treasureton Reservoir ; so it must be very slow or very good.
Henry’s Fork 5-12-12
The information Tim placed on the Henry’s Fork yesterday is good and informative, but lets now give you an alternative river location. The Henry’s Lake Outlet section of the river is open to catch and release fishing with numerous cutts spawning in the upper reaches down into the Flat Ranch Preserve. We fished here late last week, avoiding the spawning redds but trying adjacent cover. Any wooly bugger type or streamer was effective in catching not only cutts but brookies hanging around for drifting eggs. Even encountered a rainbow or two, but not the size we were hoping for. Flow at the time was 140 cfs but has since dropped to 110 cfs ideal for wading. As soon as the general season opens this part of the river will be crowded and many fish will be creeled. So enjoy it now.
South Fork 5/11
Flows have been coming up for the past few days. The flows today are 10,500 cfs. Fishing right now is pretty much all nymphing and Streamers. We have had reports of Blue Wing Olives on the lower river by the Heise bridge but the fish rising have been sparse and inconsistent. As far as flows go and when we expect them to go up or down is weather dependent. Runoff has not started for the tributaries on the South Fork and that really could happen anytime between now and mid June. We will keep you all updated as things change and start to move into Summer fishing….It’s going to be a GREAT year!
Henry’s Fork 5/11
The release from the Ashton Dam was delayed and we believe that they will start to release water today. We will keep you all updated and although I don’t think the water quality will be fishable because they don’t have to do any excavation.
So far the only Stonefly action is on the warm river. some of them have been moved down to the stone bridge below the confluence of Warm River and Henry’s Fork. Caddis, March Browns, Blue Wing Olive and Stonefly nymphs have been effective on the lower river. Through Box Canyon you will find some BWO hatches and a few caddis hatches right now. Nymphing will be your best opportunity for hooking fish through the Box Canyon.