As we reported last Saturday, the flow out of Palisades Dam is ramping up. Current flow out of dam is just over 15200 cfs on its way up to 19000 cfs later this week. For the next week, you may as well go to the Henry’s Fork and look for fish taking earlier than usual big stonefly adult patterns!
Big stoneflies are flying from Vernon Bridge down to top of Chester backwaters. We have reports of folks catching fish on big dries in this area. So even though this event is about ten days early, it’s time to keep track of the adult stage moving on up the river. We have not heard of them flying further up the river, but any day now reports will come in and we will post them.
We have received some information from IDF&G’s Southeast Region on warm waters fisheries that might help in deciding destinations during this season.
Twin Lakes is in recovery mode from being drawn down. This action seemed to impact bluegill population more than bass.
Johnson Reservoir has a high bluegill population, but they run small.
Lamont Reservoir has some big bluegills and the same for bass
Glendale Reservoir is good for bass and bluegill and has some crappie
Winder Reservoir is also recovering from a draw down happening about five years ago.
Treasureton Reservoir has an illegally introduced bass population with individuals in the 12-14″ range.
Flow out of Mackay dam was reduced to 225 cfs two days ago. That means the river below the dam is in better wading shape for now .
Even though they are not filled, fishing on Chesterfield and Twenty-Four Mile Reservoirs has been good, with some nice ‘bows being caught. Action on Daniels Reservoir has picked up. There is more water here because a conservation pool applies. Hawkins has action with cutthroat responding near the dam. What is interesting is that leech patterns seem currently to be working best in all these waters.
Big buzz here is that stonefly nymphs seem to be moving in the Warm River to Ashton part of the river. So get those favorite stonefly nymph patterns into fishing shape. With our recent stormy weather we’ve also had reports of good responses to afternoon BWO emergences in both the Vernon Bridge-Chester backwater and Last Chance areas.
Here are details about the upcoming flush out of Palisades Dam. Beginning Monday, May 11th, flow out of the dam goes up gradually to 19000 cfs by Friday, May 15th. Three days later flow will begin ramping down to 13000 cfs. So expect cold, fast water in the South Fork for several days beginning Monday. This is an effort to flush out developing rainbow trout eggs and fry to the benefit of native cutthroat that historically spawn later. Thinking of giving the South Fork a try with streamer and rubberleg patterns? Best do so this weekend!
From Vernon Bridge to top of Chester Backwaters caddis are still emerging and fish responding. Start presenting big stonefly nymph and rubberleg patterns because the naturals are beginning to move. With cloudy weather upcoming next week, expect better conditions for BWOs emerging. around.
The days of easy wading in the Big Lost River below Mackay Dam are over for a while. Early yesterday flow out of the dam was raised from just under 100 cfs to 573 cfs. Now the best way to fish here is to float through. We’ll keep up on when the river returns to a flow safer for wading.