Thundershowers are predicted for this weekend. If they happen, look for fishing on most streams to pick up. Only “fly in the ointment” would be a shower with a direct hit on stream side formations with a tendency to erode and slough into the stream. This happens on the Lamar and Snake rivers frequently during big showers. Go with tricos for early morning action, and switch to terrestrial patterns around mid day for most streams.
River below Mackay Dam is in good wading shape, and tricos are out.
We found that fish in the Grey’s River were quite cautious until a few PMDs came out late last Thursday afternoon. They loosened up a bit then, and we landed a few gorgeous Snake River Fine Spotted cutts. If you have never visited this classic freestone stream, consider doing so. It is just a few miles east of Alpine, Wyoming. The countryside, even with the prevailing haze, is as beautiful as it comes. Above the Murphy Creek Bridge fishing is legal with flies and lures only. You can buy a license ($14 for a non-resident single day) in Alpine, and stop for a “stick-to-your-ribs” breakfast. Take a good camera, terrestrial and PMD life cycle patterns.
Mackay Reservoir offers the best still water fishing in the area. Fish the river and creek channels coming into the upper end. Midge pupa patterns and damselfly nymph patterns, both under an indicator are good ways to meet action from big rainbows and kokanee. This is a high country reservoir where air is cooling down, so barring big draw-down water should remain cool for good fishing barring a big draw-down.
Best news here is that PacifiCorp, the owner of Ashton Dam has decided not to lower Ashton Reservoir to stop seepage under the coffer dam. See details on the Henry’s Fork Foundation web site on how they plan to stop the seepage. The solution PacifiCorp proposes keeps the best interests of the Henry’s Fork fishery up front, something we all want to happen. Meanwhile go to the upper river around Harriman, Last Chance, and Coffee Pot for best fishing. Go early in the day for the trico activity, switch to terrestrial patterns when they fade out. Switch to caddis in the evening, and don’t forget that hair mouse! If you fish The Tubs area above Mack’s Inn, go very late or very early in the day to avoid the recreational floaters. Try streamers in the deep runs that give The Tubs their names.
It is that time of year again. Companies are coming out with new gear, so we are closing out the old! We have our sale rack set up outside the shop with some great items from both Simms and Patagonia. Just a few items out there include some layering/underwear from Simms and a lightweight rain jacket from Patagonia. There is lots more on the rack though, so make sure you come check it out.
We will be covering some of the new gear we have received early next week so be sure to check back with us online.
The flow is still stable at 10,900 cfs. If you are willing to be a member of the Dawn Patrol there is some good fishing from daylight until 9 or 10 am with chernobyls and hoppers. Monday night’s drop in the water made some of the riffles appear which has improved the mayfly hatches and fishing. Overall we have been experiencing better fishing the past week in addition to more consistent reports from anglers who are coming into the shop.
With each drop in the flow we should see more of the wingless golden stones emerge so the chernobyl patterns should continue to fish well. Finally consider fishing a small terrestrial (ant or beetle) about two feet behind a bigger hopper or chernobyl. Try this two fly technique latter in the day especially if fish look at the fly and then turn away.
Two things today guys. First off, we have the new drake in the shop! As you all know, they go really quick, so come get yours before we are out.
Second is a new fly box we are carrying in the shop from Anglers Image they call their “slim boxes”. These are great new boxes that will enable you to carry a bunch of flies while adding minimal bulk to your vest/pack/pocket. The boxes are only 1/2″ thick and have various styles of slit foam to hold everything from small/medium size streamers to tiny midge patterns. They are also clear allowing you to see everything in your box without opening it up. Come on into the shop and check out these awesome all-around boxes!
So far this season the gulpers on Hebgen Lake have been rather spotty in their activity. No one knows for sure why, but there are a lot of discussions out there on the subject. The peak of activity is usually right about now. Some good advise seems that moving around from location to location as the days go by can bring more success.
Now is a great time to try small streams for action and a good measure of solitude. Off the beaten path, the Salt River tributaries coming out of Idaho are worthy of a visit. Jackknife, Tincup, Stump, Tyhee, and Crow creeks are mainly cutthroat fisheries, but all have more or less brown trout. South Fork of Tincup Creek is all cutts. Early in the day tricos can be seen on each, and by mid day terrestrial patterns bring action, later caddis swarms bring action. Traditional attractor patterns in smaller sizes always work. Lightweight rods (2 to 4 weight) are ideal for each. For sure most of the fish run small, but some large specimens are present and can really fool you.