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South Fork

Jimmy's All Seasons Angler / South Fork (Page 13)

South Fork, October 5th, 2021

Flow out of Palisades Dam was dropped to 3940 cfs yesterday (now 4660 cfs at Heise, 2090 cfs at Lorenzo). These flows are great news for walk-in wade anglers through making the river safer and offering even more locations for such an approach. Unsettled weather coming up the next several days is another piece of good news for top water fishing as BWO and mahogany hatches will be at a peak. Trout will also be more receptive to streamer patterns during this period of unsettled weather. If you want to enjoy the beautiful fall colors along the South Fork, you’d better hurry. They won’t be around much longer!

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South Fork, September 25th, 2021

Flow throughout the river is normal for this time of the season, but with Palisades Reservoir at only 9% of capacity more reductions are coming. The low volume means the river is cutting through silt beds giving some discolor to water coming into the river below. BWOs and Mahogany duns are active, but during these sunny days their numbers will be down with hatches concentrated in areas out of direct sunlight. Unsettled weather is predicted during the middle of the upcoming week, and such will intensify their activity.

streamer will bring action during evenings and early AMs.

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South Fork, September 21st, 2021

Flow out of Palisades Dam has been reduced to 6560 cfs which is about average for this date ( Heise 7390 cfs, Lorenzo 4020 cfs, both about average). These flows open up a great number of walk-in wade locations, and the fall mayfly activity peak of BWOs and mahogany duns is ongoing up and down the river. We can suggest which locations might be the best to visit for enjoying fish responding to this activity.

The above picture shows another reason for visiting the South Fork as fall foliage colors are changing.

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South Fork, September 18th, 2021

Palisades Reservoir is at 16% of capacity, and flow out of the dam is 7800 cfs ( 8830 cfs at Heise, 4400 cfs at Lorenzo) today with more reductions coming up. It’s been a slow year for mayfly activity on the river. Let’s hope the upcoming unsettled weather brings on decent BWO and mahogany dun hatches. With fall colors beginning to show, now is a scenic time to be on the river.

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South Fork, September 14th, 2021

Flow out of Palisades Dam has been reduced to a bit over 8000 cfs the last few days (now 9150 cfs at Heise, 4190 at Lorenzo). Let’s hope the cooler, cloudier weather predicted for next weekend brings on increased BWO and mahogany dun activity. Meanwhile, rely on hopper-dropper and two nymph rigs, afternoon caddis activity, and evening streamer presentation for action.

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South Fork, September 7th, 2021

Not much of a change since our last report. Flow throughout is gradually dropping to seasonal normal. Mutant golden stones are active but diminishing. We need some cool, cloudy weather to get the autumn BWOs and mahogany duns going in significant numbers.

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South Fork, August 28th, 2021

In the last week flow out of Palisades Dam has dropped from around 14000 cfs to just under 9000 cfs, ( now 10000 cfs at Heise, 5320 cfs at Lorenzo). These flow rates are at historic amounts for the river at this date and make walk-in fishing safer and open up more locations for doing so. Mutant golden stones are active early in the AM, then their activity ceases by mid day. Add fishing such as parachute adams or purple haze ( #16) blind to the list of currently effective patterns for the river

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South Fork, August 24th, 2021

Flow out of Palisades Dam was reduced to 10800 cfs (now11700 cfs at Heise, 6940 cfs at Lorenzo. ) yesterday. This brings the river closer to safer walk-in wading conditions where normal flow out of the dam for this date is about 8800 cfs. Fish the river early in the day to enjoy the mutant golden stone activity. Otherwise terrestrial insect patterns with and without a bead head nymph dropper seems to work well up and down the river. Later in the day,switch to caddis life cycle patterns and also enjoy the reduced boat traffic during evening hours..

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