There is a possibility that both Chesterfield and Treasureton reservoirs could be drawn down to levels that will support very few fish. So even though these are at low levels now and have warmed up, consider an early morning or evening visit to either that may not have a good number of carry overs for next year.
On any of the Park’s meadow streams, ie Lamar, Bechler, Madison, Fall, Lewis, Gibbon rivers, Boundary, Duck, Slough, Obsidian, Soda Butte creeks, its time to be the “Henry’s Fork Hunchback”. It’s a great time of the season to be on this type of water. But low, clear slow flowing water offers less overhead cover in mid summer, so fish are more skittish. Keep out of sight as much as possible and do everything you can to present those terrestrial patterns with a natural drift. Also best times for success are early and late in the day.
Steelhead maniacs rejoice, we now have the third Skagit Master DVD in the shop. Just like the previous two films in the series, this one promises to be another good one. The great thing about the Skagit Master series is the different topics that are covered in each DVD. Skagit Master 3 focuses on fly design for steelhead. This is not your ordinary tying film though, they examine flies under various light and dark conditions and even use a flow tank to demonstrate the flies action in water. I have seen this video a few times now and there really is some awesome, informative material on it. Come check it out!
Yesterday Bruce called the Bureau of Reclamation and reported on the fishing report that flows will stay at or near 13,500 cfs for at least two to three more weeks. In August we usually start to see the emergence of the wingless golden stones that a lot of folks refer to as mutant stones. The mutants generally emerge after the water starts to drop and more cobblestone is exposed. With water level not dropping it may delay the goldens activity for awhile. On the flip side we should have great year of hopper fishing. With a warm and dry spring we have a large hopper crop. Combine that with the dry vegetation conditions that will concentrate the hoppers next to greener bank vegetation and the river is bank full is why I’m thinking it could be great hopper fishing year.
Meanwhile the river continues to fish well. There are a lot of different insects hatches so you could see everything from Pale Morning duns, to sallies, golden stones, and caddis in the late evenings.
We wanted to pass on the following information from Kim at the Henry’s Fork Foundation concerning the boat ramp at Ashton.
All – We just received word from IDFG that the boat take-out at Ashton Reservoir will be completely closed on Thursday, July 26. They will be seal-coating the parking lot and road down to the ramp that day.
Please share this information. -Kim
Kim Ragotzkie
Stewardship Director, Henry’s Fork Foundation
& Hold the Line Project Coordinator, High Country RC&D
208-652-3567 office
208-569-9775 cell
Time to think terrestrial patterns on streams and shorelines of lakes. That thought applies to almost all Park waters. One exception is the big stoneflies moving up through the Yellowstone River canyon above Gardner. A good way to enjoy fish responding to them is to take a four-mile walk to the river down Blacktail Deer Creek. It’s a big river here, nearly the size of the South Fork reach of the Snake River, and you will have to commit to either side.
Fish deep and early or late in the day on all irrigation reservoirs. Some of better still water fishing is on the west end of Island Park Reservoir around Grizzly Springs and Trude Bay. Try bloodworm patterns under an indicator. You will have to find the taking depth.
Riffle fishing has not reached its peak on the river. Best riffle fishing method these days is to use dry-dropper combination. Otherwise try hitting the banks with your favorite chernobyl type big enough to support a small bead head dropper. This technique has been working very well on the upper river. Be ready to break out streamers at the end of the day.
From a fishing standpoint we have been fortunate to have stable flows below Palisades Dam for several weeks. According to US Bureau of Reclamation it is likely that flow out of Palisades could remain constant through August to replenish water in American Falls Reservoir and to maintain flows for irrigation just above the reservoir. When water in the reservoir is at a comfortable volume to cover irrigation and demand for it just above the reservoir slows, look for flow out of Palisades to drop. We will be in contact with US Bureau of Reclamation to keep on top of flows in the South Fork.
Hoppers are becoming a significant food item for trout in most streams now. Be sure to have patterns for them wherever you fish. On higher gradient small streams remember that traditional attractor patterns are as effective as ever and that some are meant to imitate terrestrial insects.
Only significant change here is that flow out of Henry’s Lake has been dropped from 100 cfs to 71 cfs. This drop in flow means especially larger fish in the Outlet section will begin moving downstream to find cooler water and more cover. So the best fishing here is ending for the year. Look for further drops in flow as we move through summer. Elsewhere along the river start gearing up for terrestrial patterns being the most effective during daytime hours.