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Fishing Reports

Jimmy's All Seasons Angler / Fishing Reports (Page 10)

Big Lost River, October 24th, 2023

With a bit more than 100 cfs in flow coming out of Mackay Dam, the river is in ideal wading conditions. These flow conditions extend downstream as far as the Leslie township. If you visit the waters in the Leslie area, respect private land, but you are legal when staying within the river high water marks. BWO and midge activity will make for top water fishing, so bring their life cycle patterns to enjoy actively feeding fish, mostly rainbows with a sprinkling of brookies. Traditional nymph, small rubber leg and streamer patterns will also be effective.

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Irrigation Canals, October 24th, 2023

The IDF&G has placed a salvage order on irrigation canals in the Upper Snake Region. These canals are identified on the IDF&G Upper Snake Region News Release page of their web site. Other pertinent information is present on the news release page.

The following angling requirements apply.

All bag, possession and size limits are suspended.

Fish may be taken by any method except firearms, explosives, chemicals, or electrical current.

Sturgeon may NOT be retained, must be immediately release alive, and must be reported to the Upper Snake Regional Office by calling (208) 525-7290.

No live fish may be transported from the place of capture.

A valid Idaho fishing license is still required.

Anglers are reminded that some segments of these canals are on private property and permission must be obtained from the landowner prior to fishing in those areas.

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Henry’s Fork, October 24th, 2023

Headlines From Christina Morisett’s ( subbing for Rob Van Kirk who is taking time off to fish) Henry’s Fork drainage report filed yesterday

  • Last week was warm and dry.
  • Cold, wet weather is expected for the next week—including the possibility for snow.
  • Natural flow and diversion are 92% and 90% of average, respectively.
  • At an average outflow of 209 cfs, Island Park Reservoir gained 200 acre-ft/day over the weekend and is 72% full, compared to 52% full on average.
  • Christina Morrisett, PhD
  • Water Resources Consultant · Henry’s Fork Foundation
  • https://www.linkedin.com/in/christina-morrisett/

Henry’s Fork Foundation

P.O. Box 550

Ashton, ID 83420

Fun Farm Bridge at Dusk

With minimal wind, BWO and mahogany dun activity should be enhanced during unsettled weather coming the rest of the week. .Presenting streamer patterns of choice to migrating browns along the lower river and into good holding water anywhere in the upper river should be effective. But watch the weather because the first snows of the season mean many drivers have trouble adapting to slippery roads. Dress warmly, and be sure to fix any holes in those waders because water temps in the 40s, Deg. F leaking in can quickly dampen any trip to he waters!

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Yellowstone Park, October 21st, 2023

If you are a top water fishing enthusiast, the Firehole River offers some of the best fishing in the entire area with BWO ( see above photo) activity being the reason for such. Swinging traditional soft hackled patterns ( partridge & olive, partridge and tan, etc) works as well as anything. Afternoon dry fly fishing using small (#20, #22) BWO dun and spinner patterns of choice is also effective.

Brown trout runs in the Madison and Lewis River drainages are peaking with those in the Snake and Gardner Rivers coming on. Unsettled weather coming up should enhance fishing success in these runs, but be prepared for increased chances for snow and drops in air temps.

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Henry’s Fork, October 21st, 2023

Brown trout fishing success is happening on the lower river, and upcoming unsettled weather should enhance this happy situation. However, top water action continues because of BWO and mahogany dun, midge and caddis activity and fish feeding on these. Evenings are a good time to enjoy fish responding to this activity. Early sunsets make it convenient to head home or to a favored restaurant or ‘wateringhole” to enjoy a hearty dinner while savoring the day’s fishing success.

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Main Stem Snake River, October 21st, 2023

Snake River in Twin Falls Area

Brown trout are migrating throughout the river with streamer fishing the name of the game.

One thing with which we should be concerned is the quagga mussel infestation in the river around the Twin Falls area. Methods to poison these have been applied, but total elimination success is yet to be determined. Meanwhile, the river is temporarily closed to sporting activity, and a total fish kill has happened in the infested area. Why bring this situation up here? Simply because this infestation can happen anywhere. If you have fished this part of the river, wash your belongings ( boats, clothing, gear ) that have been submerged if you intend to use such to fish anywhere above Shoshone Falls. Certainly, we do not want these critters to be discovered in our waters!

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Small Streams, October 21st, 2023

Some of our small streams offer good fishing this time of the season. The Teton River in the Basin is an example where recreational boats: plastic, inflatable, and made of anything else have reduced to a minimum. A few duck hunters may be around. BWO and mahogany may fly and PM caddis activity make for good top water fishing most days. With frosts becoming deeper, terrestrial insect activity is reducing.. Whether you tie you own or purchase hopper patterns, remember that their body color changes with the season to match that prevailing in the terrestrial surroundings., Fish are conditioned to take well placed hopper and ant patterns when presented with drag-free drifts along vegetation overhangs. So don’t put away those hopper-dropper rigs yet. Watch the weather predictions as snow is possible in the Basin next week.

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South Fork, October 21st, 2023

Expect that snow line to drop as we move into November!

Flow out of Palisades Dam was reduced yesterday: now about 2300 cfs at Irwin, 3700 cfs at Heise, and 1200 cfs at Lorenz. This action will concentrate fish in deeper water except during feeding activity on aquatic insect emergences. Unsettled weather predicted for the next several days should enhance BWO and mahogany activity (if wind is not very vigorous) and make streamer fishing pick up.

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Salmon River Steelhead, October 17h, 2023

Are you a Salmon River steelhead fishing enthusiast ? You can keep current of conditions for doing so by opening IDF&G’s update reports for this activity on the Press Releases and Articles page of their web site. For example the page has a report on Salmon River steelhead fishing issued today, 10/17/23, on conditions and fishing success.

The Press Releases and Articles page also has current information on the quagga mussel situation on the Snake River in the Twin Falls area.

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South Fork, October 17th, 2023

Mormon Girl, an almost forgotten streamer pattern from Jackson Hole

Flow out of Palisades Dam has been constant for a week: about 2800 cfs at Irwin, 3600 cfs at Heise, and 1500 cfs at Lorenzo. On a windy day, like today, expect a reduction in numbers of mayflies hatching. It makes no sense to do so if they are blown away before finishing the task of mating and laying eggs! So switch to such as rubber leg, fly rod jigs, and streamers until the wind dies down.

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