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South Fork

Jimmy's All Seasons Angler / South Fork (Page 6)

South Fork, June 10th, 2023

Flow out of Palisades Reservoir ( about 85% full ) was reduce slightly ( now 12800 cfs, 1500 cfs at Heise, 6540 at Lorenzo). River still a bit high and with some discolor. Rubber legs, annelid patterns and streamers might work in calmer waters. Only midges emerging.

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South Fork, May 30th, 2023

Let’s let them spawn in peace during June in tributaries below Palisades Dam

Flow out of Palisades Dam was raised to 14000 cfs yesterday (now 1,6000 cfs at Heise, 8600 cfs at Lorenzo). Discolored water in the river below is from run-off from tributaries. All South Fork tributaries below Palisades Dam will be closed to fishing during June to protect spawning cutthroat.

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South Fork, May 26th, 2023

Flow out of Palisades Dam was upped to 12000 cfs (15000 cfs at Heise, 6000 cfs at Lorenzo) yesterday. Water management plans are to keep it at this amount until May 28th when flow will be increased step-wise to 14000 cfs. Whether going into Palisades Reservoir or the river below, all tributaries are bringing in snow melt which impacts water quality. The above photo taken looking down Big Elk Creek Arm gives an example of snow remaining on mountains within the drainage. It also shows that the reservoir has enough room to capture resulting runoff given that flow out of the dam is being increased to satisfy downstream agricultural demands but not having the best impact on fishing success.

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South Fork, May 23, 2023

Flow out of Palisades Dam remains constant and the same applies to water conditions (cold and discolored) in the river below. With Memorial Day weekend coming up, and higher than normal amounts of snow remaining on surroundings above the reservoir, consider contacting the Palisades District Ranger Office for road conditions and campground status. To date the only reservoir tributary that is approachable by road is the Big Elk Creek Arm where fishing success is possible just outside the discolored water plume coming in from the creek. Woolly bugger and San Juan type patterns presented on intermediate lines are effective.

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South Fork, May 13th, 2023

Flow out of Palisades Dam was upped to about 8900 cfs ( now 11240 cfs at Heise, 6250 cfs at Lorenzo) yesterday. Tributaries such as Palisades, Fall, Rainey, Pine and Burns below the dam are closed to fishing during June but now are putting cold, discolored water into the river helping to reduced fishing success to presenting nymph or streamer patterns. The lower flow at Lorenzo is because canals are opened to provide irrigation water.

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South Fork, May 6th, 2023

Flow out of Palisades Dam has leveled at about 4500 cfs for several days, but is certain to rise as weather warms and downstream irrigation demands increase. Tributaries below the dam are releasing discolored run-off into the river.

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South Fork, April 30th, 2023

Flow out of Palisades Dam, now about 3400 cfs, is going up two reasons. First are Magic Valley irrigation demands, and second flood control because run-off from snow melt in upstream drainages is just beginning. Look for the flow of cold storage water to increase and thus have a negative impact on fishing for a while.

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South Fork, April 22nd, 2023

It is the time of year for IDF&G to resume their South Fork Rainbow Trout suppression activity while low flow (1130cfs out of Palisades Dam) prevails. This will take place in steps throughout the river from Palisades Dam on downstream to Lufkin Bottom. Rainbows captured through electro-shocking will be transported to other waters around the region. See the schedule below and see more information on this action on: F&G begins rainbow trout suppression on South Fork Snake River to benefit native Yellowstone cutthroat trout | Idaho Fish and Game.

South Fork Snake River Suppression Schedule

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South Fork, April 11th, 2023

The USBUREC kept its word about releasing about 900 cfs out of Palisades dam throughout the winter. Yesterday they increased flow from the dam a bit to 1150 cfs. Priority is to fill Palisades Reservoir for the upcoming agricultural season, but with at least 120% of normal snow pack in the drainage above, this should be readily done. Flood control will enter into the water management picture for a while as the amount of water released will be at a rate not to add to the potential for such in the valley below.

Fishing season has begun along the river below as receding snow pack means increasing access. Exception is that all USFS roads will remain closed until May 1st because of the effects of the past winter. To date whitefish seem to be more active than trout, especially to nymphing, but that will change as the season warms. Midges (snowflies) currently provide the major insect emergences with a few skwalas showing here and there.

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