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South Fork

South Fork, March 16th, 2024

At Heise Bridge

With the beautiful weather predicted to last for several days, it is time to get out and fish this great river! Flows remain low being at the ” winter maintenance levels” ( about 900 cfs at Irwin, 1300 cfs at
Heise and 700 cfs at Lorenzo). Locations such as the Heise bridge and around the Lorenzo boat access are good candidates to give it a try. The extra hour of daylight will help with low light conditions being best for foraging trout. So bring your favorite streamer, fly rod jigs, rubber leg patterns to entice them and your nymph patterns for activity in the rifles and heads & tails of runs.

The South Fork reach of the Snake River is a destination for an unequaled number of anglers. Of all regional rivers, it is most able to host a huge number of wading and boating enthusiasts. But environmentally and socially, it is closing in on its ability to do so and to give a quality experience.  Being aware of this agencies such as the Caribou-Targhee National Forest and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), whose lands the river flows through, are evaluating measures that will keep the river offering an excellent experience for the great number of those who love it. Currently, both agencies are evaluating measures to continue the quality experience for which the river offers to anglers, and other recreationists. Being examined are boat launch facility measures, camping, daily use limits, and social incidents. Public input is much desired for forming policies for these items. You can get a start by applying public interest input to Monica Zimmerman at 208-525-7543.

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South Fork, March 3rd, 2024

The current string of snow storms is a blessing for the South Fork drainage above Palisades Reservoir. The reservoir is approaching being 90 % of capacity with much more winter left to reach 100%. Yes, much access to the river below has become more difficult, however a full reservoir means better habitat for hosted salmonids in the river next season.

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South Fork, February 17th, 2024

At the Heise Bridge

Even though it is cool, a sunshiny day like today can be enjoyable for fishing the South Fork. The river flows crystal clear with a low to moderate flow, and there is plenty of room to walk around.and approach it. Midge emergence are thick enough to offer some top water fishing, and standard nymph patterns will always bring action around riffles and runs.

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South Fork, February 10th, 2024

Flow Rates remain at US Bur-Rec’s winter maintenance level, and will stay that way until irrigation season begins .Palisades Reservoir is a bit more than 80% full. Midge activity offers the only top water fishing. It peaks on pleasant mid days. Some of the best of these occur on the Dry Bed but either is not as good as that in the lower Henry’s Fork.

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South Fork, February 3rd, 2024

, With respect to midge activity, what applies to the Henry’s Fork below Ashton Dam, applies to the South Fork where it can be accessed. Flow remains at the winter maintenance level and will likely remain there because Palisades Reservoir is at 80% of capacity with plenty of time to fill even though snow accumulation in its drainage is much less than normal.

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South Fork, January 27th, 2024

USBR is keeping it word about South Fork flows this winter. Currently they are about: 950 cfs at Irwin, 1250 cfs at Heise, and 650 cfs at Lorenzo. Palisades Reservoir is about 80 % full, so there are no big concerns about it filling it even during this winter of below normal snow fall. Recent warm weather, which could extend into early February, may have removed snow from much of the countryside but unimproved roads remain mostly closed.

Same story continues with respect to fishing. Mid day hours are best for comfort, your rod guides, and your reel. These times will feature the best top water activity through midge emergences (Griffith’s gnat is still one of the best patterns for action), and trying slower, deeper water with streamer, fly rod jig and rubber leg patterns. Don’t try unmaintained roads; getting stuck can ruin an outing.

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South Fork, December 16th, 2023

What we said about the Henry’s Fork below Ashton Dam applies here, and access is good especially along the lower river. Flows remain at “winter maintenance levels.” Midges will provide the only top water fishing.and that will be during the middle of nice days.

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South Fork, December 2nd, 2023

Access is declining. For example, the River Road above the Table Rock Road is closed to motorized access. Boat launch facilities are becoming snowed in ( Spring Creek) or low water makes dragging boats across river substrate (Conant Valley).. Flows remain at “maintenance levels”: about 900 cfs at both Irwin and Lorenzo, and a little better, 1300 cfs at Heise.

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South Fork, November 28th, 2023

As with the Henry’s Fork below Ashton Dam, water temps are dropping to a level where fish are less active. Brown trout are still in a spawning mode, so streamers of choice are still effective when presented away from redds. Don’t overlook such patterns as rubber legs and San Juan Worms.

A gated closure to all motorized vehicles from the River Road-Table Rock Road junction upstream by the US Forest Service will begin December 15h to protect wintering wildlife. Access via skis and snowshoes is permitted as fishing remains open on the river.

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South Fork, November 21st, 2023

Almost overlooked by many fly fishers is the autumn run of brown trout out of Palisades Reservoir into Wyoming’s Salt River. Some of its hosted browns and those from the reservoir migrate into tributaries flowing from Idaho. Jackknife Creek, Stump Creek and particularly Crow Creek receive a portion of these brown trout, and both have flows enough for this migration to take place this year thanks to the big snowfalls of last winter. Jackknife Creek flows through National Forest land. Private land abounds on Crow and Stump Creeks, but a diplomatic approach can gain access from time to time.

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