The inflow into Palisades is beginning to drop and the outflow is now greater than than the inflow. The outflow dropped 800 cfs this morning to 22,800 cfs and we should see drops every day for several days. The Bureau of Reclamation feels the flow should be down to 15,000 cfs by next week and and then down to 12 or 13,000 cfs for the balance of the summer.

The big stones are hatching in the Twin Bridges to Byington stretch and will slowly move upstream for the next 10 days to two weeks. There are also good numbrs of yellow sallies and pale morning duns. If the flows do drop as the Bureau predicts and everyone hopes  we will get some good dry action next week. In the meantime keep fishing rubber leg nymphs and streamers.

If you do venture below Byington before the water drops please be careful as there will be new obstacles and hazards to manuever around.

No big stoneflies emerging from the Madison River from Ennis upstream yet, but that will begin any day now.  Big stonefly nymph patterns are producing very well along the upper river which a good indication that things are moving for that hatch.  The river has been very good fishing thanks to PMDs and other mayflies, caddis flies and sallys.  Leech patterns and midge pupa continue to produce on Hebgen.

Waters are really shaping up here. The Madison River drainage is in great shape with PMDs, white millers, caddis, and some golden stones providing action.  Now look for brown drake emergences on Gibbon River and Duck Creek to begin.   Shoshone and Lewis lakes are proviving great action for those presenting streamers and wooly bugger types on full-sink lines. The Lewis River green drake hatch is on its way.  Fall River Basin streams are dropping to near fishable levels. The Ashton-Flagg Road is open, so the southwest corner of the Park will soon offer some of the best fishing in the region.  Right now Beula Lake is accessible and fishing quite well.

PMDs are bringing some action, but so are mosquitos.  Much of the lower end of creeks are submerged by the ultra-full reservoir which limits streamer fishing.

Things are looking up.   Inflow to Palisades Reservoir is receding and is less than outflow.  Next week look for a significant drop in flows out of Palisades Dam.  A watch is on for big stone flies on the lower river.  We have reports of sallys and a few golden stones from Twin Bridges downstream.  Some hardy souls report that rubberlegs patterns sunk deep are producing in that part of the river. This is a clue that big stonefly nymphs are moving.  So with that and dropping flows, the stonefly event is not far from getting going!  We’ll update progress here.

Say good-bye to June, 2009 with a great gray drake emergence on the lower river. This includes the river from Chester to St. Anthony.  Strictly an evening affair, but the river offers many places to enjoy this event. Two of the best are the Chester Dam backwaters and the slow water at the Fun Farm Bridge.  If this is not enough, early and middle PMs will have action  thanks to PMDs, and so will the upper river.    Expect crowds this weekend, even though the South Fork is beginning to shhape up

Plan on all of those with easy access to be crowded this upcoming weekend.  That includes Chesterfield, Daniels, Hawkins, Island Park, Springfield, Twin Lakes, and Twenty-Four Mile,  But all will be good fishing.  Again try transitions, coves, weed beds, and shallows with midge pupa, damselfly nymphs, small leeches and callibaetis life cycle patterns.  These areas are also less attractive to boating recreationists, too

Anticipation is up for the damselfly emergence, the next big event here.  It may be underway already with the question as to when will fish begin keying on them.  Get those damselfly nymph patterns ready!

Just about all are fishable.  South Fork drainage streams will open July 1st,  but those draining really high country might not be the best choices. That also applies to streams draining the Teton Range.  For sure the Portneuf River, Warm River, Blackfoot River (opens July 1st above the reservoir) and the Buffalo River will be in good shape.  Sallys, PMDs and caddis patterns are good choices. So are attractor patterns.  The same can be said for Robinson, Birch, Beaver, Sawmill and Medicine Lodge creeks and those going into the Salt River from Idaho ( Jackknife, Tincup, Stump, Crow). And these certainly will not have crowds like those seen on the more popular waters.

PMDs are emerging. Warmer , less windy weather should help bring action there.  With the reservoir being filled to capacity and then some,  much of the creek below Cable Bridge is submerged, so fishing is quite limited there for those wanting to float and present streamers.