Fish are pretty much scattered around the lake. Cool weather is coming meaning they will tend to move to shorelines as we cool down. Some action has been going on in front of the cliffs at the southwest corner for those using small leech patterns and scuds.
With flows now close to 200 cfs out of Mackay Dam, the river around Mackay is very accessible. Get out and enjoy this great little river for the next few months. for now terrestrial, BWO and midge patterns will bring action.
Daniels Reservoir remains the best of these. The upper end around the trees and the west side bay are best locations for action. Use your favorite leech pattern or midge life cycle patterns. Springfield Res. is weedy and Chesterfield Res. has an algae bloom that covers its surface, but both have some action for those fishing leeches and halloweens on intermediate lines.
Cool weather made for some BWO action on some streams but slowed action resulting from terrestrial patterns. Green drakes are emerging on Slough Creek. With warming weather a return to action for those presenting terrestrial patterns is sure to happen on all streams. Fall River Basin streams still feature AM trico spinner falls, and Beula Lake remains the best still water fishing in the Park until cold weather hits.
Look for small streams to remain good fishing as long as air temps stay in the 60s and 70s in deg. F. Teton River in the Basin has been producing for those using terrestrial and PMD patterns. Warm River below the spring to the cascades has produced well for those presenting traditional attractors, terrestrial and caddis patterns. Birch Creek bows and brookies remain active in the Family area above Lone Pine.
Flows are still considerably higher than usual for this time of season. This makes for tough wading, but float fishing has been somewhat productive for those using streamers and terrestrial patterns tight to banks.
Big news here is that trouble with head gates at Hebgen Dam has closed the door on fishing the Madison River downstream to Ennis temporarily. Flows as high as 3500 cfs rushed down the river causing minor flooding and erosion. The river will clear soon, and good fishing will return. Some gulpers are active on Hebgen Lake, and spruce moth patterns bring action on the Gallatin River and the West Fork of the Madison River
Flow out of Palisades Dam has remained constant at just above 10,000 cfs because of late demand for water by the agricultural community. Look for flows to drop later this month. Meanwhile, stick to the hoppers and other terrestrial patterns close to banks. We have a few reports of BWOs and mahogany duns and fish taking them along the river during our cooler weather this last weekend, so best include patterns for these in your fly box when weather like we just had during the second half of Labor Day happens. These will be important emergences later this month. See the patterns we recommend for these in the pane on the left. Also be sure to have streamers in your fly boxes if you will be on the river early or late in the day.
Flows have been dropping out of Island Park Reservoir making for tough fishing in Box Canyon. At Last Chance-Harriman, speckled duns and tricos are still providing some activity in the morning with terrestrials giving action during mid day. In the evening the caddis emergence provides some action. From Warm River to Ashton presenting big nymph patterns brings the best action, while below Ashton Dam action has slowed. Terrestrial patterns will be your best bet there for action.
Weather like we had the last two days is just the ticket for improved action. Cool, stormy weather will bring fish to the shorelines. Until that happens creek mouths and spring holes with your favorite small leech patterns is as good as anything for action.