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Fishing Reports

Jimmy's All Seasons Angler / Fishing Reports (Page 12)

Big Lost River, October 10th, 2023

Big Lost River Near Leslie Area

Flow out of Mackay Dam is around 200 cfs just below which is just a bit above normal (about 180 cfs) for this time of the year and making for good wading conditions. With flow being good (about 160 cfs) downstream at least as far as the Leslie area, it is worth considering trying to access the river this far below the dam. This good flow so far below the dam has not happened for several years and opens up some very good waters least temporarily with winter and the water storage season coming on.

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Yellowstone Park, October 10th, 2023

Park brown trout runs are in progress with respect to numbers, and the same goes for rainbow trout moving out of Hebgen Reservoir going upstream in the Madison River . Currently the major runs are in the Madison and Lewis Rivers with the run into the Snake River near the south entrance and the Gardner River runs following.

Lewis River channel on a blue bird October day

That blue bird day can change instantly! So be weather-wise.

The most numerous of these events, and least attended by fly fishers and anglers, is the Lewis River run between Lewis and Shoshone Lakes, and the best way to enjoy it is to camp at the outlet campground on Shoshone Lake in order to fish the river in the early AM before anglers crossing Lewis Lake arrive. If choosing to do so, be sure to determine the weather during camping,as this time of year can bring significant changes (see above photos).

If chasing brown trout is not your fly fishing preference, the Firehole River retains its excellent top water and near top water fly fishing situations. BWO, midge and white miller activities are the reasons.

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Henry’s Fork, October 7th, 2023

Well-fed rainbow from the Tubs area

With less daylight and cooler air temperatures, aquatic vegetation is breaking up along the entire river. It can be a nuisance when drifting veggies impact the course of your drifting fly pattern, but it makes for less places for fish diving into weed beds on trying to escape from that fly they have taken. BWO, and mahogany dun life cycle, honey ant, and smaller hopper patterns make up the best top water patterns anywhere on the river. Try double nymph nymph rigs, fly rod jigs and streamer patterns in deeper water such as in Box Canyon, the Tubs and just below Coffee Pot rapids. Unsettled weather is coming up around mid week, so all these technique suggestions should be appropriate.

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Main Stem Snake River, October 7th, 2023

Significant reduction of flow out of Palisades Dam will soon hit the river down to American Falls Reservoir. Brown trout migration is ongoing, so lower flows coming up will mean they will be more easily approached while moving. Look for lower flows in the river below American Falls dam as the reservoir is down to 19% of capacity, and water storage must soon begin.

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Big Lost River, October 7th, 2023

Flow has leveled out at a bit more than 200 cfs below the dam. This means good wading conditions, and good BWO and midge activity making their life cycle patterns effective. Streamers and woolly bugger types in moderate sizes swung through deeper water will bring results, especially early and later in the day and during upcoming unsettled weather. Repairs are ongoing to the dam above, and completion will begin water storage with more drops in flow below. The reservoir above is reduced mostly to a mud flat with a few fish in the pool just above the dam. So most attractive fishing is in the river above and below.

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South Fork, October 7th, 2023

Low flow: tough on boats, but great for wading

Flow has dropped like a rock ( now 2750 cfs at Irwin, 3750 cfs at Heise, 1240 cfs at Lorenzo) in the last few days. What is coming out of the dam now is about half of what was going out earlier in the week and signals that water storage season has begun in the reservoir above. It’s great news for walk-in wade fishing, tough news for folks using hard sided boats and telling fish to concentrate in water providing best cover. Unsettled weather is expected during upcoming mid-week and should will improve top water ( mostly through BWO and mahogany dun activity) and streamer fishing.

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Yellowstone Park, October 7th, 2023

Leave them be! He’s trying to charm that lady enjoying a salad!

The BWOs and white millers still offer great top water fishing on the Firehole River, but days are getting shorter and cooler. That means it is wise to check weather conditions before a visit there, especially with unsettled weather moving in next week..

The other big Madison River drainage event is the run of browns and rainbows out of Hebgen Reservoir and into the Madison River drainage above. This event has attracted numerous fly fishers seeking a “Fish of the Year” Thus your best fishing will be if you are on the river at first light and walk away from any access points before crowds move in. Run your streamer patterns through the deepest holding water for the best results, and consider that fishing under stormy conditions will diminish crowds and make for more active fish.

One other thought for those fishing near moose habitat: this is the rutting season, so keep away from any bulls looking for a mate. If you hear or see a bull acing agitated and grunting, retreat and give him plenty of space. An attack from a raging bull, especially in the back country could be a disaster.

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Henry’s Lake, October 3rd, 2023

October seems the best time to fish the lake, and the present unsettled weather will help bring that reputation happen. Some reports have fish moving to shallow water, and these opinions suggest fewer but larger fish in the lake. Those opinions remain to be seen as more anglers will be arriving. Effective and varied techniques will change as intermediate lines will be more suited for fishing in shallower water as will floating lines to present patterns suspended under indicators. Effective patterns are numerous this time of the season, and which of these are best depends on who you ask.

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Small Streams, October 3rd, 2023

Lower Teton River

Some of our smaller rivers still offer fishing worth a visit. The lower Teton River is such a location. A way to enjoy this is to launch at the Hog Hollow Bridge and float downstream to take out at one of the locations below that is timely. A dense afternoon BWO emergence with trout responding this time of year is quite reliable, and with a deep frost yet to happen terrestrial insects remain. So such as BWO life cycle patterns, hopper-dropper rigs and streamer patterns are effective.

Now that flow out of the Blackfoot River Reservoir into the river below has been reduced, walk-in wade fishing can be another worthy destination. Hard sided boats are not practical this time of the season as flows are low enough to turn the river into a “rock garden.” Cutthroat and rainbow trout here range to trophy size, May fly activity is reduced to sporadic trico spinner falls, but terrestrial insect and caddis life cycle patterns will remain effective until a killing frost arrives.

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