South Fork

South Fork 9/27

Fishing on the South Fork has been changing day to day. The Upper section through Swan Valley seems to be a little temperamental from day to day. One day it will be on fire and the next nothing. I have found fishing through the Canyon early in the morning hours has been productive throwing streamers and twitching Chernobyl Ants. The warm clear sunny days have put the PMD hatches down and there are still a few Mahogany’s hatching. Cloudy and or rainy weather will get the fish up and eating mayflies. Fishing towards the evening hours is also effective. Zebra Midges are great droppers for a dry fly presented close to the bank.

The cottonwood trees are beginning to change color right now the next two weeks will yield some very picturesque views while floating the South Fork.

South Fork 9-19-2011

Talk about stability, the last several weeks flows have not changed to speak of  (9000  give or take a few cfs out of Palisades Dam).  PMDs (#18-20) continue to provide action in riffles and terrestrial insects add a great supplement so that dry fly fishing is as one would expect in the late summer on the South Fork.  We are near the time of season where BWOs and mahogany duns take over for PMDs, and no doubt a few are showing up now.   Be sure to have those streamer patterns if you fish in the evening.

South Fork 9/14

The South Fork is really starting to pick up right now. Flows have stayed steady at 9,000 cfs. The Mutant Stones have begun hatching again and fish are up eating them. Throw Chubby Chernobyl and CFO Ant to emulate these bugs. Don’t forget to twitch them. PMD’s have been hatching in the later morning and in the afternoon. I have found great success by adding a dropper on my dry fly when things seem to slow down a little. Tungsten Zebra Midges, and Redemption Nymphs have been working well. If we get a rainstorm a BWO and Mahogany Dun hatch will emerge. There are still a lot of little fish being caught and the bigger sized fish we are used to catching this year are strong and healthy fighters. Truly a fun river to fish right now. With Fall coming the colors will really begin to pop and camping on the river should be top notch.

South Fork 9-13-2011

With constant flows (about 9000 cfs out of Palisades Dam) the river is fishing its best so far this season.  Early AM and evening streamers are bringing action.  Mutant stones are emerging from crack of dawn to mid day. Riffle fishing for small PMDs emerging and the same for a few slate cream duns during daytime is also productive.  So there is something for dry and wet fly enthusiasts just like the South Fork  of old.  Be on the lookout for mahogany duns and BWOs as we approach the end of the month.  One other item, be sure to keep your vehicles secure and cover any gear left inside. The break-ins reported last week at Lorenzo, Heise and Conant could happen again, especially if we become casual about being vigilant.

South Fork 9-9-11

We wanted to pass along some unfortunate information concerning vehicle break ins and the theft at several boat ramps in the past few days. Several parties reported that there vehicles had been been either broken in to or the keys removed from the gas tank before their trucks were shuttled.  The thefts occurred  at Lorenzo, the Heise Bridge and Conant Ramps.

South Fork 9-08-2011

Flow out of Palisades Dam (around 9000 cfs) has been steady for several days. This is about 1500 cfs above normal, but  with maximum water temps in the upper fifties in degrees F., small PMDs and pink alberts are emerging from riffles making for the daytime dry fly fishing for which the South Fork is famed.  Having terrestrial insects  in full abundance doesn’t hurt dry fly fishing either.   During the evening, caddisflies take over as the active insect, and streamers at twilight bring on the big guys.  So whether  you fish from a boat or walk-in wade, these are the days to be on the river.

South Fork 9-1-2011

Flow out of Palisades Dam has been stable for weeks, and that flow is near normal.  Finally we have the dry fly fishing for which the South Fork is famous.  The small late season PMD  is emerging from riffles, and fish are moving in to feed on them during daytime.  They are also looking for hoppers close to banks and overhead structures, so anything that looks like and is presented to imitate  a hopper will find interest.  Don’t overlook presenting streamers as the sun goes down.

South Fork 8/29

Flows have remained steady at 9,000 cfs. Fishing has not changed much in way of hatches of dry fly action. I have had some success on flying ants and small stimi’s. Twitching Chernobyl ants in the morning have also bee producing fish. Side channels still seem to hold the most fish, look for fish to be holding in water that tucked away from the main channel.

South Fork 8/24

Flows were increased today to 9,000 cfs. Not really sure why but I have a feeling it has something to do with farming and irrigation demand. That shouldn’t effect the fishing at all given the season were are having. Yesterday I didn’t have to put a strike indicator on all day! That’s twice this year! Fishing was good. We caught fish on PMD’s Chernobyl ants and bead head droppers below the dry flies. Hoppers are starting to fly so look for fish to be feeding on them as well. Mutant Stones have been hatching, making the morning Chernobyl fishing very good. The streamer fishing is picking up as well. Good luck and fish hard.

South Fork 8-22-2011

Flow out of Palisades Dam (8560 cfs) is just where it should be considering annual averages, and dry fly fishing success is beginning to be the same with respect to using terrestrial patterns and such as chubby chernobyls.  Look for great September dry fly fishing coming up with success from terrestrial patterns continuing.  Mahogany duns and BWOs will be coming on later in the month to add variety in top water fishing.