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Fishing Reports

Jimmy's All Seasons Angler / Fishing Reports (Page 75)

Main Stem Snake River, October 27th, 2020

Dave R. and friend

It is probable that the Main Stem Snake River hosts the best brown trout population in eastern Idaho. Currently mature brown trout are in a spawning mode   which begins in late September and extends into late autumn here and in other area streams (lower Henry’s Fork, Portneuf River, South Fork, Warm River). Brown trout sweep out their nests, we call redds, in relatively shallow runs having gravel bottoms with moderate currents of clear, well oxygenated water.  Redds can be seen in this type of water as light colored areas containing indentations and varying in size from that of a broad-brimmed hat to a picnic table.  Sometimes these areas are interconnected. Under low light condition browns move into these to build then spawn.  They leave as daytime lighting increases.  As many as several hundred fertilized eggs can be deposited in a single redd.  Redds are fragile, so should not be disturbed or walked through. Such action not only disrupts structure but crushes fertilized eggs and releases them to drift in the current.  Also, it is not of a sporting nature to try to catch fish in the act of spawning.

Before and after spawning episodes browns move to adjacent in-stream areas offering maximum overhead cover. Typically these are deep holes and runs with structured bottoms.  Here they are “fair game” for fishing.  Streamer and egg patterns presented using sink-tip or full sink lines with stout leaders make a good strategy for encountering them.  Stout leaders allow hooked fish to be played and released quickly thus preserving their energy for the spawning process.  So it is that redds hold what is developing into the next generation of brown trout. Therefore the more redds and spawning fish within are left undisturbed the better are the chances that the next generation will be plentiful.

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Henry’s Lake, October 27th, 2020

Air temperature  was way below zero in West Yellowstone Sunday morning, and area around Henry’s Lake was likely about the same. Ice formed around the edges making fishing from shore and boat launching nearly impossible. But look for melting as warmer weather is coming by the end of the week.

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Yellowstone Park, October 24th, 2020

Snow is on the ground and it is COLD in West Yellowstone.  A lot of folks remain in town or are visiting from other places to fish for run-up browns and bows in the Madison River any where you go above Hebgen Reservoir.   If you are considering fishing the Firehole River, which is fishing very good (BWO, white miller, soft hackle patterns),first check the Park web site for road conditions.

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Henry’s Fork, October 24th, 2020

From Box Canyon down to Rexburg the river a bit below normal in flow. It’s a good time to pitch streamer patterns because of the cloudy skies and easier wading conditions. However, wind will put a damper on BWO and midge activity. Cold weather coming up early next week could make any kind of fishing a bit tough.

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