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Fishing Reports

Jimmy's All Seasons Angler / Fishing Reports (Page 34)

Henry’s Fork, October 25th, 2022

Headlines from Dr. Rob Van Kirk’s water analysis report taken yesterday for the Henry’s Fork drainage are below

  • Wet, cold weather continued yesterday, keeping monthly precipitation at 98% of average.
  • Natural flow increased to 89% of average.
  • At an outflow of 157 cfs, Island Park Reservoir gained 460 ac-ft yesterday and is 50% full, compared with 52% full on average.
  • Water quality: Turbidity dropped at all locations yesterday; high phytoplankton growth continues in Island Park Reservoir.

Flow of only 157 cfs out of Island Park Dam makes wading in Box Canyon quite easy, and presenting streamers very effective. Rubber legs and large nymph patterns also work well. We also have great weather for BWO activity throughout the river. Bundle up and don’t put away that floating line yet!

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Yellowstone Park, October 22nd, 2022

The Firehole River features its usual great dry fly fishing now, but watch the weather as snow could make getting there a problem. Otherwise migrating brown ( and rainbows in the Madison) is the major attraction. With the current stormy weather, any time of day is good for action whether on the Madison or on the Lewis-Snake river drainages. Walking in to fish the Lewis River channel between Lewis and Shoshone Lakes could be a bit difficult with snow any time, but fewer anglers will be present to put the fish down.

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Henry’s Fork, October 22nd, 2022

Everything we said about the South Fork applies to the lower river. For the upper river, low flow in Box Canyon makes it a good choice for wading. Streamer and nymph patterns, such as rubber legs, should work well there and in the Tubs. Don’t overlook BWOs in these locations as well as at Last Chance and in the Harriman section where wading is also easier. Weather will determine if terrestrial insect patterns will be effective. It looks like our days with 60 to 70 degree F. afternoon air temperatures are gone with snow possible.

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South Fork, October 22nd, 2022

Flow out of Palisades Dam was dropped five days ago and so are leaves. Flow is about 3000 cfs Irwin, 2700 cfs at Heise, and 1200 cfs at Lorenzo. Great news for walk-in-wade fishing! More great news is that we will have good BWO weather for a while and likewise good conditions for streamer fishing. Hoppers will have a tough time becoming active, and boating will require some caution because of the “skinnier” water.

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Big Lost River, October 18th, 2022

Flow out of Mackay Dam was reduced to 79 cfs a few days ago. This action will concentrate fish in deeper water in the river below and make for easy wading. With nice days remaining until this weekend, now may be a good time to visit the river below the dam and take advantage of trout chasing hatching BWOs and midges and a few remaining hoppers.

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Main Stem Snake River, October 18th, 2022

With flow below normal from the Henry’s Fork confluence to below American Falls Reservoir ( a paltry 316 cfs currently coming out of American Falls Dam) now is the time to pitch streamers for migrating brown trout and the rainbow trout that will follow them. That low flow out of American Falls Reservoir, which is at around 4% of capacity, is thus likely to stay that low though the winter as another irrigation season with its demands for water will begin next spring.

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South Fork, October 18th, 2022

Leaves are falling, daytime hours are diminishing and flow out of Palisades Dam (now 3070 cfs at Irwin, 3250 cfs at Heise,1700 cfs at Lorenzo) is decreasing. This is to the joy of walk-in-wade fly fishers who have more locations to try and brings caution for those using boats.Unsettled weather is predicted for the upcoming weekend. Let’s hope that BWOs and mahogany duns take advantage of the increased overhead cover then and that trout now concentrated in deeper water come up to feed on the increased surface activity..

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Small Streams, October 18th, 2022

Let’s take look at an Idaho Department of Fish and Game action that establishes more locations for fishing.

The Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDF&G) ACCESS YES program reveals a tremendous effort to acquire legal trespass on private property for anglers and hunters alike. Several dozen properties around the state are in the program with many in eastern Idaho. There are several ACCESS YES properties allowing access to fishing waters in eastern Idaho. Some of these are “off the beaten path,” while others are on well-known waters.

Finding these is relatively easy. Go to the IDF&G’s ACCESS YES website section and open the Search Properties Guide.  Not only is the participating properties list in the Guide, but also locations, restrictions, travel directions, and, where permission to trespass is required, owner contact information. Also present for each is a map showing location and extent of each property.

You will see that currently there are properties on such area waters as the Blackfoot River, Camas Creek, Dan Creek, the Henry’s Fork, Teton River, Willow Creek and Henry’s Lake. If you visit any of these, accept restrictions given, livestock and structures. Help keeping these in a natural or undamaged state by minimizing your impact, and by picking up to remove any trash. The IDF&G is working to increase the number of participation properties and having a minimum impact on the already participating properties will help in bringing on new ones and in extending the tenure of those already on board.

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Yellowstone Park, October 15th, 2022

The brown and rainbow trout run up the Madison River is in full swing and so is the number of anglers chasing it. Attention to etiquette really applies here. Get in line at the top of holes and runs to take your turn to fish through them. Streamers on sink tip lines bring the best results, and if you have success with them, you might get crowded and at least will be questioned on what patterns you are using.

An alternative to fishing the Madison run is that the Firehole River now offers the best top water fishing in the Park with white mlller, other caddis, and BWOs hatching in enough number to keep fish busy feeding on or near the top.

firehole

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