Fish are moving to shallow water, but fishing has been a bit spotty in some places. Right now best shallow water fishing on the lake is around the State Park where there are plenty of places to wade. Leech patterns in fall colors on intermediate lines result in the best chances for action.
Snowstorms kept some folks away from this part of the country last week, but now roads are clear, and we have heard of good responses to BWOs and midges. With flows out of Mackay Dam around 150 cfs the river is in ideal condition for walk-in fishing.
Most reservoirs are fishing very well, thank you. Action at Chesterfield has picked up since we have cooled off. Fall color (halloweens, purple, brown or olive mohair, dark crystal buggers, green apple, bead head peacock) leeches presented on intermediate lines are very effective here as well as on Daniels, Springfield and Twenty-four (be careful when traversing the mud flats) Mile Reservoirs. Springfield features the best midge fishing, and even Hawkins, low as it is, is producing fish for those presenting leech patterns.
Flow out of Palisades Dam dropped to 3600 cfs last night. This makes for even more walk-in fishing along the river. On overcast days, day-long BWO emergences up and down the river make for great fishing, as well as for good streamer fishing. Look for more drops in flow coming out of Palisades Dam.
Did you lose a Canon digital camera in the river a bit below Cottonwood? One has been found, and the card within held pictures, still of good quality, taken back in July. That’s bad news for the camera with respect to being water logged, but if it is yours and you want it and/or the pictures, call 208-300-3030.
Winter is making an early appearance. The big considerations now are to dress accordingly and to watch driving conditions. On doing so, BWO emergences all along the Madison drainage are in high gear, and trout are responding. Of course terrestrial populations are taking a hit because of the weather. Streamer fishing remains the best way to encounter bigger fish now particularly on the Madison, Snake, or Lewis drainages
Streamer fishing is really producing well up and down the river. Evenings, low light, and early hours are best. Low light conditions will also bring on BWO emergences and resulting action from feeding fish. But presenting streamers is the surest way to encounter the big fish here!
Big consideration is the weather. Through this weekend, pay attention to road reports before traveling to the Salmon or Clearwater rivers. Fish are coming in in good numbers in both rivers, and the best fishing lies ahead.
The Madison River below Hebgen Lake is fishing well. Want to catch some Madison Browns? Streamers are the way to find them. The same holds true for the Beaverhead River where browns are moving.
Flow out of Palisades Dam has dropped to 4120 cfs. USBurRec is dropping flows stepwise which gives fish a good chance to adjust to resulting changes in the river below. This management goes a long way to preserving the South Fork fishery when compared to the old way of dropping flows all at once. So cheers for USBurRec! Look for more step-wise drops in flow out of the dam as water is stored for use next irrigation season. This weekend features cold, stormy weather up and down the river. The result is good day-long BWO emergences up and down the river and good streamer fishing. With dropping flows out of Palisades Dam there will be more safe locations for walk-in fishing. Come into the shop and talk with us to learn some great locations to do so.
On the lower river, around Last Chance and Coffee Pot BWOs are providing action on these cold, dreary days. In Box Canyon nymphing with big patterns is producing. Streamer patterns are producing best during low light conditions in Box Canyon and almost anywhere on the lower river.