Flow out of Palisades Dam has been reduced to 3160 cfs ( 3640 cfs at Heise, 1910 cfs at Lorenzo). This is great for walk-in fishing and locations for doing so are numerous. With the wind not quite as fierce as past few days BWOs will be more active. If wet flies are preferred, drop a bead head nymph off a rubberlegs pattern. But to try these approaches, you’d best hurry. Weather this weekend looks to be awfully close to that of winter!
The Blackfoot River below the reservoir is fishing well. Low flows mean that fish are concentrated in deep holes and runs. You will have a good chance for fishing success by presenting streamer patterns anywhere you can find deep water. If you are a top water enthusiast, the Warm River offers good BWO and midge activity from the spring on downstream. The Teton River also offers some top water fishing with BWOs and midges being active anywhere you approach it. Where it flows on the Snake River Plain grasshopper populations have diminished, so streamer fishing might be the best way to encounter larger fish.
Dropping flows mean more walk-in locations anywhere on the river. From below American Falls Dam to the South Fork-Henry’s Fork confluence, there are many of these, and we can help with which ones might be best with respect to access and fish activity. With respect to boat fishing there are several launch locations and also several diversions. We can help with information on each of these. If you are thinking of a trip here and want information, call (208-524-7160) or email us ([email protected]). Streamer fishing is the name of the game everywhere on the main stem this time of the year.
These windy days make fishing tough on the lake. It might be best to find a place on the upwind side to fish for the sake of safety. Also get there at first light before it kicks into high gear. Fish are spreading around the lake thanks to our cooler weather, and fishing is good. Using an intermediate line, try any pattern Bill Schiess recommends for this time of the season in his book “Fishing Henry’s Lake.”
Flow out of Mackay Dam is down to 51 cfs. This is really quite low for the river here and will concentrate fish into deeper water and make for easy wading. BWO activity is ongoing during afternoons and hoppers are pretty much gone for the year. So resort to presenting BWO life cycle patterns and drifting small nymph and streamer patterns into the heads of deeper holes and runs. Be ready for “brisk” weather.
Downstream from Island Park Reservoir flow is lower than normal at every gauge location. BWOs are abundant everywhere. Look for sheltered areas along the river for best activity from them and responding fish. Do not forget to place streamer patterns in that fly box, because brown trout are beginning spawning migrations and are in an aggressive mood. Low light conditions will give the best conditions for encountering them.
Flow out of Palisades Dam has been ramped down to 3980 cfs ( now 4610 cfs at Heise, 2380 at Lorenzo). This makes for even more wading locations. Even with the wind this is good BWO conditions up and down the river. There are plenty of sheltered spots along the river, especially in side channels. Don’t forget to have streamer patterns in that fly box; they are becoming more effective each day this time of year.
Chad Larson (208-346-1459) tells us Thursday evening he lost a green & black Cabela’s backpack between Kelly’s Island and Wolf Flat. Contents include a Pfleuger reel, multi-compartment box of flies, dual sided snap box of flies, and assorted tools. Chad would much appreciate recovery if you find this item.
Brown trout runs in Gibbon, Madison and Lewis Rivers are in full swing. The same can be said of fly fishers accompanying them. The same will take place soon on the Gardner and Snake Rivers. Sales of streamer patterns and materials to tie them are sky high in regional fly shops.
With respect to BWO and mahogany dun activity and steamer presentation on the lower river, what applies to the South Fork applies here. Wind can diminish the mayfly activity, but unsettled conditions do not hurt streamer fishing. Flow throughout is a bit below average for the time of year.
The river helps the BWO and mahogany dun activity by having a near constant flow ( 6050 cfs at Irwin, 6700 cfs at Heise, 3550 cfs at Lorenzo) of clear, cool water for several days, but it looks like a drop in flow out of Palisades is coming up. Everything these unsettled days works in favor of mayfly activity except for the WIND, that is, and lately it has been fierce during afternoons when they should be most active. So expect slower action when wind comes up. But that is not the case with streamers. Bad weather usually means they are effective because of increased overhead cover. So continue taking BWO and mahogany dun life cycle and streamer patterns and the gear to present them during the fall season.