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July 2015

Fly Fish Food Jimmy's / 2015 / July (Page 2)

Henry’s Fork 7-21-15

July 21, 2015
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Fishing Reports, Henry's Fork

This morning flow out of Island Park Dam was increased by 900 cfs to 2000 cfs to test low-head hydro turbines at Chester Dam. Flow will remain at 2000 cfs for two-three days, then at least by Friday, July 24th, should be returned to around 1000 cfs.  Because of this near doubling in flow, take caution while wading and consider that there will be some reaction from fish.  By this coming weekend, fishing success should return to what it was last weekend. By then consider that hopper and other terrestrial insect patterns are going to be increasingly important occupants in your fly box anywhere along the river.

If you wish to get away from the effects of the flow increase, consider trying the river (Henry’s Lake Outlet to some folks) in the Flat Ranch Preserve. Flow out of Henry’s Lake Dam is nearly 100 cfs,and cooling effects on shallow, slow running water through nighttime heat radiation help fish stay active.  Therefore morning spinner falls can bring good responses from them and terrestrial insect activity should interest them well into daytime hours.

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Yellowstone Park 7-18-15

July 18, 2015
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Fishing Reports, Yellowstone Park

Stealth is the name of the game on all Fall River Basin streams these days. The best time to fish is during days when thunder showers threaten because higher relative humidity brings on denser aquatic insect hatches and clouds mean more overhead cover. However getting hit directly by such a shower isn’t desirable because of discoloring water and bringing on a rapid rise then fall in flow. So hope for a glancing blow or near miss. The bulk of aquatic insect hatches are over on these streams, with speckled duns (#12-14) emerging in the meadow sections, some smaller (#18-22) PMDs, and tricos coming on later. Do not overlook drifting an adult damselfly pattern on the meadow sections, Keep ant and beetle patterns in your fly box, and get those big hopper patterns ready for action.  These thoughts also apply to any meadow stream in the Park, so whether Slough or Soda Butte Creeks or the Lamar or Gibbon Rivers, consider them.  And yes, Beula Lake still offers some of the fastest fishing in the Park.

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Small Streams 7-18-15

July 18, 2015
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Fishing Reports, Small Streams

With the crowds on our icon rivers, it is a good time to consider visiting some smaller streams. These are usually less crowded, some to the point that you may not encounter another angler during a visit. Be assured that some of these also host trout that rival in size those in the Henry’s Fork, Madison River, and the South Fork.  A few are suitable for float fishing. The river in Teton Basin is barely suitable for drift boating, but better for pontoon boats. Rafts are better suited for fishing the canyon but only in the company of a person knowing the river. Lower Fall River is currently dewatered because of irrigation demands, so is best fished late or early in the day by wading.  The lower Blackfoot River from the dam down to Morgan Bridge can be floated, but is subject to varying flows.  If you prefer walk-in wade fishing, candidates  for a visit are numerous. We keep up as much as possible on conditions on the small streams because so many offer quality fishing with a chance for some solitude as well as great scenery.  Want more information on small streams? Visit the shop, or get in touch because we can help!

 

 

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South Fork 7-18-15

July 18, 2015
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Fishing Reports, South Fork

There have been many recent discussions and even front page press ( see Idaho Fall Post Register, Saturday, July 18th edition, or go to the Post Register web site) about the South Fork Reach of the Snake River being crowded. Visits there are for good reason: this is likely the best trout fishery, at least in the western USA. The bulk of anglers visit from 8 AM to late afternoon.  Thus one way to avoid crowds is to launch late in the day. With sunset currently about 9 AM there are a number of shorter floats requiring three to five hours that offer excellent fishing. Fishing this time of day may also require some strategy changes, so get in touch with us (524-7160, [email protected]) or visit for suggested locations and fishing strategy ideas.

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Henry’s Fork 7-18-15

July 18, 2015
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Fishing Reports, Henry's Fork

There are plans to significantly increase the flow out of Island Park Dam on July 22nd-23rd in order to test turbines at the Chester Dam low head hydro facility during July 23rd-24th.  This short but significant increase is sure to temporarily impact fishing on much of the river. Final figures on flow will not be established until Monday, July 21st.  When we see more information on this action, we will post such here.

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South Fork 7-14-15

July 14, 2015
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Fishing Reports, South Fork

Fishing remains great! Flow out of Palisades Dam was dropped about 500 cfs to 13000 cfs this AM. That amount will not impact fishing. Water temp at the dam is around 57 in deg. F., and about the same at Lorenzo.  In-flow to Palisades Reservoir is about half of out-flow, but we are going into the peak of irrigation season with the reservoir at 80% of capacity which is good for the fishing future.

Riffle fishing remains great and is attracting huge numbers of boating anglers. Golden stoneflies may be pretty much gone, but older, larger fish still look for them, especially close to bank-side cover.  Hoppers are small and just starting to appear along the middle and upper river.  So another aspect of great South Fork fishing is not far in the future.

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Still Waters 7-14-15

July 14, 2015
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Fishing Reports, Still Water

Springfield Reservoir is mossing up as usual this time of year. That means fishing channels between weed beds is the best way to avoid catching “salad,” and using a floating line is almost necessary. Try presenting dry damsel patterns or a damselfly nymph just under the surface along the channels.  Island Park Reservoir has been fishing quite well for those going to the west end springs. Blood worm patterns fished deep under an indicator seem to bring the best results.  The Harriman Fish Pond was stocked a few weeks ago. As with Springfield Reservoir it mosses up, making fishing dry speckled dun and adult damselfly patterns the best way to go, especially early and late in the day.  Sand Creek Ponds will open to fishing from boats Thursday, July 16th.  Ponds #2 and #4 are the places to fish. Look for fish to take speckled dun and damselfly life cycle patterns, but play them quickly and revive them thoroughly because waters will be very warm.

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Henry’s Lake 7-14-15

July 14, 2015
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Fishing Reports, Henry's Lake

Other than around spring holes and creek mouths fishing is slow so far this year.  Trying creek mouths early in the day is a best bet. Use intermediate lines with standard Henry’s Lake patterns (gold or olive crystals, Gartside wet mouse, mity mouse, beadhead peacock leech, Henry’s Lake renegade).

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Henry’s Fork 7-14-15

July 14, 2015
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Fishing Reports

Flow out of Island Park Dam was dropped to 1310 cfs from near 1700 cfs yesterday. This means easier wading in the river at Box Canyon, Last Chance-Harriman-Riverside and below, but more of a tendency for the river to warm a bit. Early AM spinner falls and later in the day flav and caddis activity still interest fish, but terrestrial insects are coming on.  Try fishing during these times for another reason—–fewer visitors. Frequent thundershowers have helped cool things off during evenings.

Flow out of  Ashton Dam has dropped a bit (2600 cfs to 2300 cfs) and is subject to irrigation demands. Fishing between here and Chester Dam remains fair with best times for action being early and late in the day. Don’t overlook using terrestrial insect patterns when you visit the river; here and anywhere else.

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