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Fly Fish Food Jimmy's / Articles posted by cheeseburger (Page 13)

South Fork 9-7-12

The flow has dropped to 9000 cfs from 9600 earlier in the week. We will continue to see these drops throughout the Fall. We are starting to see good hatches of Mahogany duns and some blue wings and the cooler nighttime temperatures we are experiencing now will make these hatches better. The cooler nights are actually making the water cooler downriver at Lorenzo where the water is 59.5 F versus the temp below Palisades Dam which is 62.4F.  Some years we have seen better hatches downstream due to the cooler water temps.

Fishing with Chernobyls should improve also with each water drop. Early Fall is also the time to start using streamers more.

Finally we received info from Idaho Dept of Fish and Game on the whitefish mortality. We’ve included their press release below.

  NEWS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE USE

 

September 4, 2012

 

PARASITE IDENTIFIED AS LIKELY CAUSE OF RECENT WHITEFISH DEATHS IN UPPER SNAKE REGION

 

IDAHO FALLS – Recent sightings of dead mountain whitefish have been reported from across the Upper Snake Region, including the Henrys Fork, South Fork Snake River, Teton River and main Snake River as far south as Firth.  Exactly why these fish are dying has been a mystery until now.  Preliminary results obtained by IDFG’s Fish Health Laboratory in Eagle show that the parasite Tetracapsuloides bryosalmonae (also called PKD or Proliferative Kidney Disease) may be behind the deaths.  This rare parasite has not been documented in Idaho’s wild fish before, although it has been reported in both wild and hatchery trout and salmon in North America and in Europe.  This may be the first time the parasite has been detected in any whitefish species.  The life cycle of the parasite is not well understood, but involves a freshwater sponge as well as a fish.  Transmission and disease signs are linked to elevated water temperatures, which have been common in area waters this summer.  There are no known health risks to humans or other warm-blooded animals.

 

Although a likely cause of fish mortalities has been identified, new questions are arising as a result of this information.  For instance, IDFG does not know the level of impact the current outbreak may have on mountain whitefish populations, or if the parasite will also affect other species, such as trout.  Currently it appears only mountain whitefish have been affected.  Also unknown is why only younger whitefish have been affected, if the kill occurs periodically, or if this is the first time an outbreak has occurred.  Scientific literature indicates fish that survive an initial infection develop strong immunity to the parasite.  Additional samples will be collected and analyzed to verify the preliminary test results, and to look for the presence of this parasite in trout.  Structured sampling this fall will provide an insight into how extensive the kill has been on the South Fork Snake River.

 

For more information concerning this matter contact Upper Snake Regional Fisheries Manager Dan Garren at 208-525-7290 or at [email protected].

 

 

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Today at Jimmys 9-5-12

With the “cooler” temperatures we have been having lately, a lot of guys have been coming in asking about when we are going to put our Steelhead flies out, well we did today! We have all the standby patterns in stock as well as a bunch of new stuff. The new stuff looks awesome, especially the skating dries.

Sticking with the Steelhead theme, we have another new jacket in the store from Simms called the fall run jacket. This will be a great insulator piece or a stand alone peace during nice fall days. Below is what Simms has to say about the new jacket.

“Fall migrations go in several directions. Upstream for giant browns en route to their natal dancing grounds. And virtually any points north, east, south, and west, depending on which direction you travel to intercept banner autumn fishing. Wherever you roam, throw on a Simms’ Fall Run Jacket for lightweight, packable performance in the form of PrimaLoft® One insulation. Jackets feature a winning warmth-to-weight ratio and the water repellency to take on wet conditions the world over.

  • Lightweight, packable PrimaLoft® One insulation to keep you warm even in wet conditions
  • PrimaLoft® One insulation offers the best warmth-to-weight ratio available and has superior water-repellency
  • PrimaLoft® One fibers are highly compressible & soft – like goose down yet maintains insulating properties even when wet
  • Hand warmer pockets and zippered chest pocket
  • Classic diamond quilting pattern with reflective logos
  • Corrosion-resistant YKK® zippers utilize nylon coil and slider”

The Jacket comes in Fury Orange, Khaki, and Dark Gunmetal. We have the Khaki in stock but could easily get any of the other colors in for you.

 

Come check out all the new gear to get ready for Steelhead Season!

 

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Henry’s Lake 9-4-12

Not much change since our last report on Henry’s Lake.  Fishing success is likely to pick up as we cool off, but that means visiting anglers will not diminish much.  Being such a great fishery it’s to be expected!

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Yellowstone Park 9-4-12

Word has it that Hebgen Lake browns are coming into the Madison River above.  Now that it and other rivers in the drainage above are open, look for good fishing in the AM with trico spinners and egg layers followed by fishing with terrestrial patterns.  The Gibbon River will likely be better fishing than the Firehole River until further cooling takes place.   Tricos in the AM, terrestrial patterns later in the day and an increasing use of streamers is a good general strategy for fishing the Park this time of the season.

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Henry’s Fork 9-4-12

If you venture to the Last Chance-Harriman State Park reach the fishing sequence is trico spinners and egg layers in the AM, flying ants later in the morning, terrestrials through the day to caddis in the evening. Not may anglers will be present, so you can pretty much choose your waters.    Flow out of Island Park Dam has dropped considerably making for easier wading conditions in Box Canyon.   Below Riverside campground go with terrestrial patterns along banks, and your favorite bead head nymph in deeper water.   Streamers should be effective below Coffee Pot Rapids and the best choice if you fish above Mack’s Inn.

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Small Streams 9-4-12

Many of these are low because of the hot, dry summer we are beginning to finish up, but there are some streams with flows high enough to ensure good fishing.   Warm River may be one of the best.  A great stretch of the river begins just below Warm River Spring and extends into the canyon. We recommended this part of the river a few weeks ago with its population of brookies, browns and rainbows.  Now it is one of the better small streams.  Buffalo River is another spring fed stream worth fishing this time of year.  It’s ideal for very lightweight equipment with its trico, BWOs,  and caddisflies.  Palisades Creek will always be a good choice because of inflow from its lakes.  Want to experience the best fishing on the creek?  It’s a five mile walk up a good trail, but the low gradient reach just above the lower lake  is worth it.   Teton River in the basin makes for a easy float trip. It’s ideal for pontoon boats, and fishing and recreational traffic there is now down considerably.   Trico, BWO, caddis life cycle and terrestrial patterns should be in your fly box for this one.   So there’s a few small stream possibilities. Get in touch with us to learn of more.

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Still Water 9-4-12

We have reports of drastically low water on most irrigation reservoirs to out southeast.  Whether or not there will be enough water to sustain fish populations through the winter in these remains a good question.   Springfield Reservoir seems to be the exception where  midge pupa patterns under an indicators are producing some very nice fish.  The same technique seems to produce well around inlets to Mackay Reservoir where water levels are also receding.

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South Fork 9-4-12

Young whitefish dying here remains a mystery so far.  Now the same is being reported for the main stem Snake River (below the “South Fork” -Henry’s Fork confluence) and the Teton River. Flow out of Palisades Dam is dropping slowly.  Today its down to 10200 cfs meaning little impact on fishing.  So keep on pitching hopper and chernobyl-like patterns toward banks and stream-side cover.   The storage season is upon us with agricultural needs dropping, so it’s a matter of time for flows to drop significantly.  The next big mayfly emergence will be BWOs and mahogany duns in a matter of weeks.  Likely by then flows will be at a level better for fishing.

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Still Waters 9-1-12

Now that days are shortening and cooling, the best thing for improved fishing is happening. That is waters cooling off to temperatures not dangerous for caught and released fish.  A big concern remains on some irrigation reservoirs that experienced deep  drawn down deeply because of irrigation demands during our unusually hot, dry summer.  We will keep an open ear for conditions going into the fall season and the outlook for next year on these reservoirs and report what we hear on them here.

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