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Author: cheeseburger

Jimmy's All Seasons Angler / Articles posted by cheeseburger (Page 42)

Today at Jimmy’s 11/15

We have got a few new items in the shop I would like to share with you all. With the weather getting cold it becomes really important to start layering your clothing under your waders and wading jacket. All three of the clothing companies we sell here at the shop Simms, Patagonia, and Redington have really good pieces for layering.Over the next few weeks I am going to be outlining what layering is and how to do it. I meet people all the time still wearing jeans under their waders. Not only is this uncomfortable but if you fall in and get wet the cotton will pull body heat from you making you much colder.

Today I am going to spotlight some Simms clothing that is essential to keeping you warm while out in the weather and fishing this time of year through the winter.

Simms has come out with a new line of what we call “next to skin” clothing or “long underwear.” It is a Merino wool top and bottom. Wool has always been a great layering piece for cold weather mostly because it still keeps you warm and traps body heat when its wet. However when we think of wool we don’t think of comfort, especially when it is next to our skin. Merino wool is a more refined softer type of wool that is very comfortable as a next to skin piece and surprisingly breathes fairly well. The Simms DownUnder Merino baselayer comes in a zip neck top and an elastic waist bottom.

The next piece I would like to feature is the Simms Waderwick Fleece Top. Fleece is the next piece of clothing I put on after my “next to skin” garment when layering up to go fishing. Fleece is an incredible peice of material. It is soft on the skin, retains heat and breathes extremely well. Also when fleece gets wet only 3% of the material will absorb water. Ever notice when you wash fleece and pull it out of the washing machine it already feels dry? Simms has been producing the Waderwick Fleece Top for many years, its a must for any fisherman in cold weather or during the nights and early mornings of summer.

The Simms Waderwick Fleece Top comes in Simms Orange (pictured) and Black.

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South Fork 11/15

Flows have remained steady at 3,700 cfs. I don’t see this changing for awhile. Lots of wading access to the river this time of year with the low flows. Once the snow starts flying the boat ramps will out be of commission, and its probably a good idea to just leave the boat at home and wade to the sweet spots. Fish those holes and spots during the warmest part of the day for the best action. Look for fish feeding in the foam lines, back eddies, and the slow moving water in tail outs of riffles. Midges are still hatching and fish can be caught on the surface. Nymphing is really catching lots of fish and so is the streamer.  Streamer fishing will slow down as the weather continues to get colder.

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Henry’s Lake 11-11-2011

We have not heard if the lake has iced over, but any day now it will.  As soon as we hear, we will post it here.  Meanwhile be ready to move around the lake to find where fish are active.  Bring intermediate and floating lines to concentrate on shallow waters and warm clothing.

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Still Waters 11-11-2011

Question now is “when will these ice over?”.   Chesterfield Reservoir bays and shorelines, anywhere on Springfield Reservoir, and the upper end of Daniels reservoir is fishing quite well.   To any of these bring big flies, that is woolly bugger and leech patterns in fall colors, and small flies; that is midge pupa patterns.  Concentrate on shallow waters during warmest times of day and don’t fall in.

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Henry’s Fork 11-11-2011

Expect turbidity spikes in the river below Ashton Dam as work on the outlet tunnel and coffer dam proceeds.  Midge emergences are big time on the lower river, and small bead head nymphs, pattern of your choice,  catch fish, but streamers are catching the biggest fish.   Box Canyon and The Tubs are the place for big fish on the upper river. Dress for the occasion if you venture to these.

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South Fork 11/11

Flows have been reduced to 3,700 cfs out of the Dam. I imagine this will be the last drop we see for the winter. Fishing has been really good on the river. Lots of Midges being taken on the surface and below the surface. Fish have been keying in on the Midges in the foam lines in the shade. Rubberlegs and Zebra midges have been working as a good nymphing strategy. I have heard from a few people that in the fall all I tell people to fish with is zebra midges and rubberlegs when it comes to nymphing. Yesterday one of those customers called me while on the river and said “I understand why you always say to use rubberlegs and midges this time of year….It works!”

Streamers have also been producing nice fish. Stick with it through the day, change colors until you start to get some action. You should find better streamer success towards the end of the day vs. early in the morning.

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Still Waters 11-05-2011

Now that the weather is turning for the worse, Chesterfield Reservoir is living up to its reputation as a great fishery. Try your favorite leech patterns in shallow water.  Same thing with the upper end of Daniels Reservoir–fishing is turning on with leech patterns in fall colors and damselfly nymph patterns.  We hear the same for Blackfoot River Reservoir, especially along the south side near Dike Lake.   Here’s a thought about this famed reservoir which seems to have fallen on hard times. It will hold abundant water this winter meaning good holdover trout next year.  With this high water some of the pelican habitat is flooded, so better days may be ahead.

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Henry’s Fork 11-05-2011

Inspection work on Ashton Dam requires reducing flows as low as 300 cfs from time to time over the next week. This fluctuation will  impact turbidity in the river as well as fish activity.  PacifiCorp will begin filling Ashton Reservoir on November 28th.   Best news is that because Island Park Reservoir holds abundant water, flows out of Island Park Dam will be at least 500 cfs through the winter. This is great news for fish especially the youngest which need bank side water for shelter.  Best way to enjoy top water fishing on the river now is with midge life cycle patterns as BWOs will begin to diminish.  Nymph patterns will also work, but streamer fishing is the best way to encounter the largest fish these days.

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South Fork 11/3

Flows have stayed steady at 4,000cfs. Water temps will be dropping as we continue to get this cold cold weather in the mornings. Blue Wing Olive hatches are most likely finished with but Midges will still continue to hatch. Look for fish feeding on them in the foam lines, eddies, and the calm flats.

Nymphing is probably the best action you will find for catching fish. Streamer fishing will also produce some fish as well. Optimal days are when its overcast and snowing above freezing temps when it comes to streamers. As the water temps drop slow down your presentation with streamers.

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