Hawkins Reservoir is providing some good fishing through presenting midge pupa patterns under an indicator and black or olive leech patterns. To get there take I-15 south to the Virginia Exit, go west a few miles to the reservoir. Another good piece of news is that the Dairy Creek Road from Hawkins Reservoir to Daniels Reservoir is now open. We do not have fishing success info on Daniels to pass on, but with this short cut now open, such should come our way.
Either high run-off or bad road conditions, and in some cases both, prevent us from enjoying fishing outings to many of our small streams. There is one exception, and that is Warm River in the Three Rivers area. Warm River above the Robinson Creek confluence is not a major run-off stream through draining relatively flat lands in the eastern portion of Island Park where roads may still be in poor condition. Much of the lower river can be accessed near Warm River Campground and above by following the abandoned rail road line. Afternoon caddis activity, the same with BWOs, and from remaining March browns will interest trout. Thus life cycle patterns of these insects should be in fly boxes of anyone visiting to fish. The same goes for a variety of nymph patterns in small sizes, with and without beads. A four-weight system is ideal for use here, and certainly the fish (brook, brown, rainbow and whitefish) here run smaller than in the nearby Henry’s Fork. Nevertheless, solitude and tranquility will make for a pleasant outing.
Flow out of Palisades dam has been constant at just under 16000 cfs for about a week. That’s a few thousand cfs higher than average and may not remain at that level, particularly if our weather warms. Palisades Reservoir is filling and is near 60% full. Most effective fishing currently is through boating to present rubber leg patterns deep and the same for streamers under low light conditions.
To minimize crowding here avoid fishing on weekends, particularly Fridays, Saturdays, and Sunday afternoons. Because the South Fork is still high for the season and not yet fishing up to par, many enthusiasts are going to the Henry’s Fork to not only wade-fish but to fish from boats. This is the case mainly from Warm River to Chester where flow is about normal for this time of year. Monday or Tuesday are likely the best days for experiencing reduced crowding along this part of the river. No reports yet of significant big stonefly activity, but streamer patterns produce under low light conditions and large rubber leg and stonefly nymph patterns will produce when drifted deep through runs. For sure, giant stonefly nymphs are beginning to move meaning some are breaking free and drifting. For good top water fishing look for trout responding to PM caddis activity, to BWO activity, and diminishing march brown activity.
Biggest concern here is Fall River inflow and impact on fishing the river below Chester Dam. Currently Fall River flow below Yellowstone diversion is about 50% higher than normal and sure to increase. With warming weather much more snow on YNP’s Madison and Pitchstone Plateaus will melt and come down through Fall River Basin streams and into the river. This means an abundance of cold, discolored water coming into the Henry’s Fork just above Chester Dam, and this activity could continue through June. Let’s see how this shakes out after a winter of abundant snowfall.
Looks like the South Fork is on its way to reasonable fly-fishing conditions, but has a way to go. On May 1st flow from Palisades Dam was dropped to 13900 cfs (now 15400 cfs at Heise, 11200 cfs at Lorenzo) and remains there this day. The reservoir is currently about 47% of capacity and slowly filling. Warming weather and abundant remaining snow could speed up the filling rate. So for now stock up on well-weighted streamer, San Juan worm, and rubber leg patterns because better fly-fishing days on the river are soon to come.
We’ve had a few inquiries about Big Lost River fishing conditions just below Mackay Dam. Right now flow out of the dam is not far below 400 cfs making for difficult and dangerous wading there. That’s about double normal flow for this date. It might be a while before run-off and water demand allow for better wading conditions.
.
With most of our approachable streams running high with runoff, folks are looking at still waters for an outing. Most reports we have indicate slow fishing on most still waters. At Springfield Reservoir presenting a midge pupa pattern under an indicator at depth is the best bet. Chesterfield Reservoir action is as slow as molasses in January, and Twenty-Four Mile Reservoir seems to feature only small fish. We have no reports of action on Hawkins and Treasureton Reservoirs. Roads to Horseshoe and Teardrop Lakes remain snow covered.
You will have to go the long way around (through Malad City) to fish Daniels Reservoir. The short cut of Dairy Creek Road above Hawkins Reservoir is currently impassable but will soon be worked on.
If/when we hear of action picking up anywhere, we will post such here
Fishing success along the river from Warm River to Chester Dam has been about normal for this time of year. Flows here are a somewhat high. BWOs, and March browns have been providing top water action for those enthusiasts presenting emerger and dun patterns along with midge life cycle patterns. Big rubber leg and stone fly nymph patterns drifted through runs and into upstream portions of holes and pockets will produce with chances for more interest from larger fish. The same goes for streamer patterns presented under low light conditions.
Be ready to see more anglers, whether wading or boating, present anywhere along the Henry’s Fork because of the South Fork’s high water situation.
Yesterday flow out of Palisades Dam was increased to 18000 cfs. That flow makes for difficult near-term fishing. Over the last month the Palisades Dam flow graph looks like a step function, and for good reason. There is more than normal snow pack in the upper Snake River drainage. Thus the Bureau of Reclamation placed a public announcement on April 3rd giving their Snake River water management strategy. Here is an excerpt from it that impacts the South Fork reach and the main stem Snake River to just below American Falls Dam. Note Reclamation’s estimate of 114% of the recent decade average. That’s the basis for their management strategy.
Reclamation’s April through July volume runoff forecast for Heise is 3700 KAF, which is 114% of the 1981-2010 average. To begin advancing on updated flood control targets for Jackson Lake Dam and Palisades Dam the following changes have or will be made this week.
· Jackson Lake Dam discharge will be increased Thursday (4/5) at 10 am from the current 630 cfs up to between 1,000 cfs and 1,500 cfs.
· Palisades Dam discharge will be increased Thursday (4/5) evening into Friday (4/6) morning to go from the current 10,000 cfs up to between 14,500 cfs and 16,000 cfs by Friday morning.
· American Falls Dam discharges were increased today from 11,000 cfs to 13,000 cfs. Another increase will occur Wednesday (4/4) morning at 10 am to go from 13,000 cfs to 15,000 cfs.
The intent with respect to Palisades Reservoir is to decrease its capacity to around 50% ( Currently at about 70%) in order to contain expected run off. More increases in flow out of these three dams are possible, with weather being a factor in determining flow management. For additional information and resources, please visit Reclamation’s website at: https://www.usbr.gov/pn/hydromet/uppersnake/ .