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South Fork

Jimmy's All Seasons Angler / South Fork (Page 12)

South Fork, November 9th, 2021

We might be down to winter maintenance flows ( about 950 cfs at Irwin, 1400 cfs at Heise, 850 cfs at Lorenzo). Water is becoming too cold for BWO activity, so top water fishing may be down to only midge activity. Presenting streamer and woolly bugger patterns will get you more activity in these pre-winter days.

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South Fork, November 6th, 2021

Flows along the river are about 950 cfs at Irwin, 1410 cfs at Heise and 900 cfs at Lorenzo. These could be much of what we will have during the winter as all effort will be made to fill Palisades Reservoir. Low flows or not, now is the time to present streamers as brown trout are migrating. On going further downstream, the more brown trout will be encountered.

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South Fork, November 2nd, 2021

Flow out of Palisades Dam was dropped to 825 cfs today. This decrease has yet to reach downstream, so is yet to be detected by Heise and Lorenzo flow gages. Flow into the Dry Bed has been stopped which will impact flows at these gages. This drop will certainly concentrate fish in deeper waters, dry up many side channels, impact aquatic life forms, and add dangers to boating.

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South Fork, October 30th, 2021

Flow in the river is now at 1310 cfs at Irwin,1860 cfs at Heise, and 428 cfs at Lorenzo. These flows make walk-in wade fishing of holes and deep runs most attractive. Many side channels are de-watered. IDF&G salvage orders are in place for the entire canal system meaning fish in these waters, including cutthroat trout, can be creeled by any legal means. Refer to the IDF&G 2019-2021 Fishing Seasons and Regulations bulletin or web site to determine legal methods and regulations for doing so. Consider that these fish, if not harvested, will be wasted.

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South Fork, October 26th, 2021

Flow out of Palisades Dam was reduced yesterday to 1320 cfs ( now 2030 cfs at Heise, 700 cfs at Lorenzo ). Flow this low can de-water many side channels. Especially from Lorenzo on down, wading is the best way to approach the river. BWOs still offer good top water fishing, but presenting streamers and woolly bugger types is gaining in being effective.

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South Fork, October 23rd, 2021

What applies to the Henry’s Fork applies with respect to fishing strategy applies here. Palisades Reservoir is at only 5% of capacity, and with winter snowfall quantity ahead uncertain, further reductions in flow could happen.

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South Fork, October 19th, 2021

Other than flow out of Palisades Dam being reduced slightly to 1750 cfs ( now 2350 cfs at Heise, 910 cfs at Lorenzo), there is no significant change on the river. So use the fishing strategies we offered in our Saturday, October 15th fishing report.

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South Fork, October 16th, 2021

With Palisades Reservoir down to 5% of capacity it is no wonder that flows are being reduced (now 1820 cfs at Irwin, 2430 cfs at Heise, 960 cfs at Lorenzo). This makes the river a ” fly fishing heaven” for walk-in wade anglers but creates some tough places for the boating angler. Nevertheless the BWO and mahogany dun and PM caddis activity continues. Presenting streamers becomes increasingly effective. Crowds are down, but fall colors are all but gone, Good fishing with better tranquility reigns.

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South Fork, October 12th, 2021

The storm will make back country roads along the river a bit difficult. But this situation is only temporary, and days of good fishing will remain for weeks to come. Windfall of this early storm is that it begins the water storage year in the drainage as snow will likely stay at higher elevations, and it adds acre-feet to in-line reservoirs. Flow in the river is at normal levels for this time of year (3540 cfs at Irwin, 4140 cfs at Heise,1790 cfs at Lorenzo) and usual activity (presenting BWO, mahogany dun, midge life cycle, double nymph rigs, streamer patterns) continues.

A tip from Jimmy G. is that on seeing rising fish in good numbers, presenting soft hackle patterns of taking could bring happy results.

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South Fork, October 9th, 2021

Palisades Reservoir is down to 6% of capacity, and that is the reason for dropping flows in the river below (now 3490 cfs at Irwin, 4280 cfs at Heise, 1680 at Lorenzo). More drops in flow are coming. Nevertheless, the river offers a variety of good fishing from top and near-top water with BWO, mahogany dun and caddis life cycle patterns being effective. Streamers and woolly bugger types are becoming more productive as the fall season advances. Don’t let the current unsettled weather stop you from trying any of these types of fishing as each picks up under unsettled weather conditions.

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