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Fishing Reports

Jimmy's All Seasons Angler / Fishing Reports (Page 15)

Yellowstone National Park, September 16th, 2023

This is a great time to visit Park waters. Number of angers is down on most waters as is traffic, and weather is comfortable at least for the upcoming days. Changes to unsettled conditions are expected for the upcoming week.

The Firehole River offers good fishing especially through swinging soft hackled patterns such as partridge and orange, partridge and peacock, and white miller. Small terrestrial patterns presented tight towards banks also produce. Upcoming unsettled weather will increase BWO activity.

Number of browns and rainbows running out of Hebgen Lake upstream into the Madison River is increasing, but so are the number of fly fishers pitching streamer patterns to them. Brown trout are active in Duck Creek, but with base level flows they are totally wary of any vibrations and the sight of bank side anglers.

Boundary Creek in Late Summer

Meadow areas of Fall River Basin streams are loaded with grasshoppers, ants and horse flies. Resident trout know what a horsefly is, so pitch that swatted specimen into the water. Go after the trout that rises to it with such as a beat up humpy, and a good tussle will follow. Cooling weather and shorter evenings mean the best time to fish is during mid day to around 5 PM.

Before venturing to northeast corner streams (Lamar, Slough, Soda Butte), consult with nearby fly shops because thundershowers can discolor streams here making for a disappointing visit.

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South Fork, September,16th, 2023

Low flow gives more walk-in wade opportunities

Look for unsettled weather predicted for next week to increase BWO and mahogany dun activity as well as streamer fishing success. Terrestrial insect patterns remain effective throughout the day, and afternoon caddis activity remains reliable. With normal late summer flow of cool, clear water ongoing without major changes, walk-in wading locations ( boat traffic is down) are numerous along the entire river. We at the shop can suggest which walk-in wading locations have been most productive for fishing success because so much of our customer traffic targets the South Fork.

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Big Lost River, September 16th, 2023

Below Mackay Reservoir

Flow out of Mackay Dam is down to around 300 cfs. Wading carefully is possible, and look for flow to drop further as we head into fall. Cool mornings are the rule, but by mid-day warm air temps will bring on good BWO, caddis and midge activity. So life cycle patterns for these will be effective. Terrestrial insect activity will also begin by mid day and will continue to be so until a killing frost.

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South Fork, September 12th, 2023

No significant change in water conditions or fishing recommendations since our last report. However, if you want a top water fly fishing challenge the Warm Springs Pond on the river road above Heise is the place to try. A high water river channel, now dry because of reduced flows out of the Palisades Dam, feeds into the pond earlier in the season. That channel enters what use to be a small impoundment above the pond. It, too, is now only spring-fed and holds a few trout. Very large, but finicky brown and cutthroat inhabit the spring pond and feed on scuds, shrimp, and any emerging mayflies. A stealthy approach, long leaders, minimal wading, and precise casting are in order here for fishing success. Early in the day or evening visits are best times for fishing success.

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Henry’s Fork, September 12th, 2023

No killing frosts on the upper river to date. That means terrestrial insects remain numerous but spinner falls are diminishing. For the river below, same situation (excepting for BWOs), but brown trout are beginning to move, so streamers are in order during low light conditions. Some other good news is that recreational boating on the river is fading away on the river.

Headlines from Dr. Rob Van Kirks Henry’s Fork Drainage Water Status Report Filed September 11th.

  • Last week was average in temperature and wetter than average; water-year total precipitation is 111% of average with only 20 days remaining in the water year.
  • Diversion and lower-watershed stream flow targets continue to be met with no reservoir draft.
  • At an average outflow of 468 cfs, Island Park Reservoir has gained 159 ac-ft/day over the past five days and is 63.5% full, compared with 46.1% on average.
  • Water quality is excellent throughout the watershed in all measures.

Rob Van Kirk, Ph.D.

Senior Scientist

Henry’s Fork Foundation

P.O. Box 550

Ashton, ID 83420

208-881-3407 CELL

208-652-3568 FAX

[email protected]

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Still Waters, September 12th, 2023

Island Park Reservoir

The blue-green algae bloom in Island Park Reservoir has reached amounts making water toxic for human and animal consumption and contact. Thus washing hands and equipment and keeping pets away from these waters is much recommended. However, now that shorter and cooler days are arriving this bloom will eventually break up, and submerged springs will be safer to fish. Most of these springs are off the north shoreline at the west end of the reservoir. Good fishing can take place around these through presenting midge pupa patterns in red, olive or black colors, all under indicators.

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Small Streams, September 9th, 2023

In Blackfoot River Wildlife Management Area

All small streams not influenced by upstream reservoirs are at base level flows. This means fish will concentrate in deeper water where overhead cover provides best protection and cooler water offers more comfort. The river in the Blackfoot River Wildlife Management Area is a good choice to enjoy relative tranquility, scenery, and improved fishing. Terrestrial insect populations are at their peak here, and although submerged vegetation is also at the same, top water fishing can best good especially through presenting terrestrial insect patterns at the head of deeper waters and close to overhanging banks. Trout population is improving in this part of the river thanks to normal seasonal flow levels and recent alterations made by IDF&G personnel

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Henry’s Fork, September 9th, 2023

Dogs can be great companions during fishing outings

There are a few early in the day spinner falls left from Last Chance downstream through the Harriman State Park reach, but by late morning, it remains best to switch to terrestrial insect patterns especially hoppers and ants (with and without droppers). These should be presented close to banks through long, drag-free drifts. Doing such applies to anywhere on the river. Try presenting streamer patterns up tight to well vegetated banks any where along thee river especially during low light conditions. There have been no killing frosts of any consequence on the upper river to date.

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Yellowstone Park, September 9th, 2023

Firehole River and Nez Perce Creek

With respect to fishing this time of the season, Park waters seem to offer something for every fly fisher. For example, the fall season has begun on the Firehole River where cooling weather has dropped water temps to levels where trout become active especially during AMs. BWO and caddis life cycle and terrestrial insect patterns are effective once again. For the still water enthusiast, Shoshone and Lewis Lakes have cooled enough where resident brown and lake trout will respond to streamer patterns presented around submerged weed beds and drop-offs. Killing frosts are yet to arrive on a widespread basis, so terrestrial insect patterns remain effective on streams having meadow reaches. Such include the Lamar River and its tributary Slough and Soda Butte Creeks, meadows on the Gibbon and Yellowstone Rivers, and all Fall River Basin streams. Brown and rainbow trout have begun migrating out of Hebgen Lake and into the Madison River drainage within the Park, and will respond to streamer patterns. Tourist traffic is diminishing, crowds are down or yet to come on many waters, and fall colors will soon peak throughout the Park. So September is a great time to visit Park waters for some good fishing and to enjoy its unique scenery.

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