Main Stem Snake River 9/11
Even though flows remain somewhat high, streamer fishing is picking up all along the river. When flows drop some more. streamer fishing will be terrific.
Author: cheeseburger
South Western Montana 9/11
Flows out of Hebgen Dam remain well over 3000 cfs, so we do not recommend the river below as a destination. Water level in Hebgen Lake is very low because of the situation at the dam. Look for still waters such as Elk Lake, Hidden Lake, Wade Lake and Cliff Lake to offer some great deep water streamer fishing soon.
South Fork 9/11
Flow out of Palisades Dam was dropped to 10,000 cfs early on 9/09. That small amount will not impact fishing, but look for more flow decreases out of the dam coming up. We will pass them on in this fishing report to help you plan a South Fork trip and to help understand conditions on the river. For now stick to hopper types, foam or otherwise, close to banks. With cloudy or stormy conditions, be ready with BWO and mahogany dun life cycle patterns, and don’t forget those streamer patterns.
Henry’s Fork 9/11
Island Park is cooling off, and BWOs are beginning to show on the river there during cloudy and stormy times. Trico spinners offer some early action, but it’s been relatively slow fishing on the upper river, so this will make for a welcome change. Evening caddis flights are going on up and down the river, and they result in some late day action. There are still plenty of hoppers all along the river, so keep those hopper patterns in your fly box.
Big Lost 9/11
Midges and BWOs are making for some interesting dry fly fishing on the river between Mackay and the dam. Terrestrial patterns will also bring some action on the river.
South Western Montana 9/8
Flows out of Hebgen Lake remain over 3000 cfs making for tough fishing on the Madison River below. This also has impacted the Hebgen Lake gulper activity which is about over anyway. On overcast days look for good BWO emergences on such as the South Fork of the Madison River, and the West Fork of the Madison River.
Still Water 9/8
Daniels and Twenty-four Mile reservoirs currently offer the best still water fishing in our part of Idaho now. Your favorite leech pattern on an intermediate line should produce on either. So will midge pupa patterns fished at the taking depth. Chesterfield Res. will pick up as cooler weather helps disperse its algae growth. If you plan to visit Island Park Reservoir, the Trude Springs area is the place to be, and blood worms are the taking fly. All you must do is find the taking depth.
Yellowstone Park 9/8
With cooling weather and frosty nights terrestrials will become less important, but so far their populations are holding up. But look for streamer patterns to become more important as we get into fall fishing. Here’s why. Watch for Lewis River system browns to become active and begin moving towards outlets and inlets of Lewis and Shoshone lakes. Increasing numbers of Hebgen Lake bows and browns will begin going towards inlet streams. If you are a dry fly enthusiast, be sure to have BWO and October caddis patterns in your fly box, especially if you are heading to the Madison, Firehole or Gibbon.
Main Stem Snake River 9/8
With flows considerably higher than normal fishing is a bit tough unless you are float fishing the river. Bank fishing offers limited success from Gem Lake downstream for those using streamers. When the flow out of Palisades drops, look for fishing success to pick up.
South Fork 9/8
Flow out of Palisades Dam has been steady at around 10500 cfs, but change are coming, so more walk-in wade fishing location will be available. For now float fishing results in more opportunities. Present your hopper and chernobyls close to banks with cover when drifting, but do not overlook parking the boat and wade to explore side channels. Where cover is present fish these channels thoroughly as many are not fished by those who simply drift down the river. Towards mid week some cloudy weather is forecast, so if you are on the river then be sure to have BWO and mahogany dun life cycle patterns. This time of year always carry streamers and a sink tip line.