Streamer fishing has been holding up (fish early, fish late) fairly well even with some increase in flow. Fishing from a boat is better than wading for now. When waters drop later in the summer more wading opportunities will come around.
High water and all below American Falls Dam, but the river there offers some success to those presenting streamer patterns. Try shallows where you find them and along overhangs.
Yesterday’s doubling of flow out of Palisades Dam has not impacted flow here to date and likely will have little effect. That is because most of the new water released will go into the canal system. So expect streamer fishing, so popular until runoff overwhelms things, continue to be good. Expect evenings to offer some of the best times for doing so. Post-spawning ‘bows will respond, but there is always a chance for that brown of the season.
We have reports from the USGS verifying that flow out of American Falls Reservoir has been increased to about 3000 cfs from around 450 cfs. This will make for better cover and water conditions for those big trout. But for those of us that wade, peril increases.
With flow slightly below normal, the river is in great shape for presenting streamers for migrating brown trout. Sunset is earlier this time of year, and there are many convenient locations to wade the river. So fishing the river is convenient. If you feel you ate too much during that “Turkey Day Feast'” consider working some of it off wading the river before dark trying for a big brown. If you want to improve your appetite for that feast, consider wading and casting beforehand. Either way, getting out this time of year is a gift if weather is reasonably nice. Happy Thanksgiving!
Spotty fishing along the river so far, but we have a story from a lady fly-fisher from California. Fishing the river here in town she landed two brown trout around twenty-four inches using rubber leg nymphs! She also had a few smaller browns. She brought in pictures to back up her story. Are high gas prices putting a crimp to your travels to find good fishing? It may be under your nose here within the city limits.
What makes the Snake River so attractive this time of year is the short drive to reach it at almost any location. So many of these are located off well-maintained roads, driving a relatively easy effort. With browns migrating and streamer patterns being most effective for encountering them all that remains is finding a location along their migration routes. Come in and talk to us about where to find these.
Browns are migrating in the entire river, and flows are near base level. That means it is time to consider fishing this river that haswith many convenient access points for walk-in wading. Come to the shop and get information on where and how to fish this river which hosts a great and under-utilized brown trout population. Late afternoons and mornings will be best times for fishing.
The river offers the most convenient streamer fishing in the area. There are numerous access points within minutes of Roberts, Idaho Falls, Shelly, and Blackfoot, and flow is down to seasonal normals. Try low light conditions such as daybreak or twilight for the best chance to catch big browns on the move. Consider trying it during cloudy or stormy days. Have bright and somber patterns ready for your sink tip line.
There are several good locations to wade the river now that flows are dropping. Big brown trout are responding to streamer patterns fished early and late in the day. Try below Gem Lake Dam on either side of the river, or off the Shelly I-15 connector.