Day #2 of our 12 Gift for the Holidays. Today’s gift idea is a Buff.
A buff is usually used as sun protection while fishing, but it has several different uses. A face mask while skiing powder, a hat, dog collar and my favorite, disguising ones identity while robbing a Bank. Whatever you decide to use a Buff for there is no argument that they make great Christmas presents. We just got a new shipment in with may different patterns for Men and Women.
Well its that time again when we feature our “12 gifts of Christmas.” Be sure to show this list to your loved ones so they know what to get you when they come to the shop looking for some Holiday gifts.
I am going to keep this pretty simple. Today I want to feature an item that has been fairly popularfor the last year and a half.
Patagonia Hats! We have lots of different styles and types. Our most popular has been the Patagonia logo inside a trout silhouette. We have many different styles, Trucker Hats, Traditional ball caps and beanies.They all wear great and only you can determine what style your prefer. We have lots of these hats in stock and they make great stocking stuffers. Don’t forget T-shirts we have a good selection of those as well…but maybe I should save those for another day.
Next to chasing pheasants in the fall I really enjoy fishing for steelhead. I did a quick run up to Salmon Saturday to see if we could find some fish. I left early that morning and got up to Salmon and found a run down river of North Fork. We hooked 4 fish and landed 3 in that run. We fished 4 other runs that day and fished till dark, but didn’t find any more fish. The hot fly was the Blue and Green Hobo spey fished with a RIO 10′ T-11 Mow Tip.
I had 2 pieces of equipment that helped make this day so much better. I have been using the Patagonia Aluminum Bar Wading boots. I have spoken of these boots in the past, but they are so good and honestly I don’t prefer anything else on my feet in a slick river like the Salmon. The second piece was my Patagonia Nano Jacket. This jacket is so warm, packable and makes the perfect layering piece under your wading jacket.
This is pretty late in the season for me to still be steelhead fishing. However the weather has held up and the water temps have yet to plummet below 40 degrees yet. There is something really cool about catching a steelhead in Idaho. However this time of year it’s so easy to just stay at home and think about catching fish. I have found when I do go out it’s always a good time and I find I am rewarded with a few fish and solitude on the river.
We at Jimmy’s have accumulated a fly-fishing experience unequaled in this part of the Greater Yellowstone Region. Yes, we target the most visited waters here, then in our fishing reports offer top grade information for having success fishing these. In addition, we continuously visit and fish quality but lesser known regional waters throughout the season. Many of these waters, still or moving, are “off the beaten path.” Others are on the beaten path but overlooked because of proximity to most visited waters or offer good winter fishing. Through this “visit as many as possible” approach we can provide solid information for planning your next trip in the region. This approach also helps reveal the nearly endless choice of quality waters available in the region to visiting and local fly-fishers. Thus a few times a month this winter we will offer web site articles featuring lesser known bodies of water offering a good measure of solitude, wildlife viewing, and scenic beauty in addition to great fishing. Look for information within on best time to visit, suitable fly patterns, tackle choice, and directions. And do not hesitate to contact us if you want more information on any water we discuss.
With flow slightly below normal, the river is in great shape for presenting streamers for migrating brown trout. Sunset is earlier this time of year, and there are many convenient locations to wade the river. So fishing the river is convenient. If you feel you ate too much during that “Turkey Day Feast'” consider working some of it off wading the river before dark trying for a big brown. If you want to improve your appetite for that feast, consider wading and casting beforehand. Either way, getting out this time of year is a gift if weather is reasonably nice. Happy Thanksgiving!
Jeff King (206-3713) reports finding on the South Fork several miles above Heise the bottom section, with left handed reel attached, of a 91/2, foot, 5 piece, 5-weight fly rod. Marking on the rod is “Fly Shop.” Contact Jeff if you are wondering where the rest of your fly rod is.
We have had several inquiries about fishing Chesterfield Reservoir. From what we have heard fishing there is very good. But because 60,000 hatchery ‘bows (enough to make smaller waters look like the contents of a sardine can!) have been planted this fall, you will have to get through these to get to the big holdover fish. Try your favorite patterns; all seem to work. Using midge pupa patterns expect to encounter more of the planted fish. Big leeches, scuds, & streamers give you a chance for holdovers bulking up for the winter. Although water level is low, the reservoir is slowly filling which is good news for next year’s season. Springfield Reservoir also has been stocked, but not with 60,000. These fish will also take anything but not offer the best of fights. As in Chesterfield, they will become stronger through the coming months. Another good one to try is Daniels Reservoir. Use same strategy as on Chesterfield, and expect that the larger wooly bugger types and streamers give a better chance at hold over fish.
Flows on the South Fork are now at the bottom floor for the remainder of the winter at 900 cfs. Techniques and fishing conditions do not really change on the river for the winter time so this is a fishing report for the winter season. However we will update periodically when the conditions require an update, you just will not see regular updates like you do during the other parts of the year. As always feel free to call the shop for questions regarding fishing.
Nymphing will be your best tactic for catching fish. Rubberlegs in a size 8 or 10, Small pheasant tails, zebra midges and lighting bugs are great for droppers below the rubberleg. Midges will hatch and fish will begin to feed on the surface on the warmer days. A full sinking line with a streamer is also a good technique in the slow deep pools on the river. Choosing your day is key for winter fishing. Look for warmer days and fish during the warmest part of the day. As always safety is pretty important during the winter. Always bring an extra pair of clothes and be careful. Small incidents turn into big mistakes and can become serious very quickly during the winter.
Drift boat fishing is not necessary this time of year. The boat ramps are not maintained for snow removal and the river is so low that it takes all day to float a short 3-4 mile stretch. We recommend wade fishing in the winter. The fish tend to congregate in deep holes and don’t hold on the banks like they do in the summer. So feel free to leave the boat at home and focus on finding a good hole and fishing it hard during the prime time of the day.
If you have any questions feel free to call the shop.
This morning we start the first of our Saturday fly tying demonstrations. We have Spencer Higa and Grant Bench from Falcon’s Ledge Lodge in Utah and they will tie from 10 am to 1pm. The tying demos will continue every Saturday through March. We saw Spencer and Grant tie at the East Idaho tying Expo the past couple of years and wanted to get them up here for a Demo. Drop by if you get a chance.
The South Fork flow out of Palisades Dam was dropped to 900 cfs this morning. Personally I was not expecting it to go this low. I talked to Mike Beus at the Bureau of Reclamation and he informed me that flows will not change or go below this level for the entire winter. Fishing tactics have not changed and you should expect to see good Blue Wing Olive hatches this weekend with the cloudy weather.