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South Fork

Jimmy's All Seasons Angler / South Fork (Page 70)

South Fork 6/21

Flows on the South Fork have dropped to 12,000cfs. Fishing on the river has picked up considerably with the drop in flows. Streamers, and Nymphs are your best option for catching fish right now. I would be fishing 2 rubberleg nymphs under an indicator on the banks and the riffles. San Juan worms, bead head nymphs will also produce fish.  A few notes on floating, Twin Bridges is still not accessible for floating, and will not be available for the summer. Check the side channels before you float them and make sure they are clear. Don’t forget about the new regulations that were implemented last year for camping in the canyon. You will need a fire pan, and a poop bucket that seals. You are expected to pack out what you bring in, including ashes. If you have any questions on these regulations we have some literature here are the shop for  you convenience. For any other questions call the shop.

Recommended flies:

Streamers:

  • Gallup’s Peanut Envy
  • Jailhouse Bugger
  • Space Invader
  • Sex Dungeon

Nymphs:

  • Pats Rubberleg
  • Tungsten Redemption Nymph
  • Sunkist
  • Bubble Back Bead Head Emerger
  • Red San Juan Worm
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South Fork 6/17

The flows have been dropped to 16,000 cfs today and the water report states that flows will continue to drop around 15,000 cfs by this weekend. I would expect the fishing to really pick up this weekend. San Juan worms have been the ticket for the high water, also stonefly nymphs have been really producing fish as well. With the high flows from this past week remember to check side channels for anything that would be hazardous to your boat and how it floats. Don’t let these high flows from this past week keep you from fishing the South Fork. You will find good fishing this weekend nymphing and pulling streamers. This weekend might be a great time to go camping in the canyon before the crowds come for the holiday next month. Call the shop for any questions.

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South Fork 6-15-10

USBurRec will be reducing the flow out of Palisades Reservoir in 1000 cfs amounts over the next few days.  At time of this message flow out of Palisades Dam is 21300 cfs.

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South Fork 6-12-10

Flow out of Palisades Dam was bumped up again last night to 21,400 cfs. Flow at Heise is about the same.  We  keep on top of the flows because so many of you are interested in impacts on access and the upcoming stonefly hatch.   What is going on is the USBuRec is equilibrating outflow with inflow for Palisades Reservoir.   Flows into Jackson Lake are dropping, and Buffalo Fork,  Hoback & Salt river flows appear to be leveling off.  The Gros Ventre River is still  high.   So the highest flows are probably going on now.    Given several days, and the South Fork will drop back to flows that make fishing easier.  Rest assured that the stonefly hatch will be on time.   For the next several days we recommend the Henry’s Fork for better fishing, but  we will continue placing information on South Fork flows and “fishability” here.

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South Fork 6/11

The river was bumped again last night to 19,000 cfs. They are making room for all the water coming into the reservoir. If you fish use nymphs and streamers, go to the back eddys and the slow deep pools.

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South Fork 6/10

Flows on the South Fork have been increased to 17,000 cfs. Flows have been increased to make room in the resevoir fo rthe increase of runoff water that has started to come into the system. As of right now the flows have not gone up this morning. I will keep an eye on the flows today to see see what happens. If they do not raise them the fishing will pick back up this afternoon and through the weekend. This level is not to high to fish and fish will be eating. The most important thing is the flows level out for a day or two.

I talked to a guide last night who had a trip yesterday and he mentioned that fishing was surprisingly good. Nymphing was the name of the game. He mentioned they had success on big rubberlegs, and san juan worms.

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South Fork 6/8

Flows on the South Fork have been bumped up to 14,00 cfs. They are making room for all the runoff that is coming down into the system because of the rain we got high in the mountains. 14,000 cfs is completely typical for this time of year and the fishing will be back on once the flows stabilize after a day or two.

Nymphing and Streamer fishing is the best tactic for catching fish on the South Fork at the moment. I like to fish a rubber leg stonefly nymph with a bead head dropper. I put my stonefly nymph about 6-7 feet from my indicator and my dropper 18-24 inches below the stonely. Fish riffles, banks and seam water. Good luck and be safe out there. Call the shop for any questions you might have.

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South Fork 6-7-10

In order to make room in Palisades Reservoir for run off the South Fork was increased today from 7,900 to 11,000 cfs. There will be another increase tomorrow of an additional 3,000 for a total of 14,000 cfs. Needless to say the Henry’s Fork above the mouth of Fall River would be a good option until the weekend. It would also be a good opportunity to try one of the many still waters in Eastern Idaho.   By the weekend things will have settled down on the South Fork and we will be able to start fishing streamers and nymphs again.

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South Fork 6-5-10

The South Fork has been impacted just about the least by all our rains. Fishing has been great. Flow out of Palisades at just below 8000 cfs ( 9700 cfs @ Heise) means a very accessible river whether you float or walk-in/wade.  Tribs are putting in some discolored water which is overwhelmed by the clear flow out of Palisades Dam.  Afternoons give downstream waters a chance to warm making PMs best fishing time.   Streamers (See our 5-20-10 South Fork fishing report for specific patterns), San Juan worms, rubberlegs and your favorite nymph patterns, with or without beads, are also great choices.  With warming waters look for action in riffles when BWOs and caddis emerge.

A reminder: If you decide to launch at Twin Bridges be prepared to push your boat to the North channel.

Check out our “Today at Jimmy’s” page for details on Boot Allen’s visit to the shop next Saturday, June 12th.  Boots will be here to sign copies of his recently released book “Snake River Angling: Through the Eyes of an Angler”.

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South Fork 6/1

The fishing on the South Fork just continues to get better and better. Nymph fishing is still the major technique for catching fish. However with the right conditions (crappy weather or overcast) Streamer fishing has been really good as well. The flows are at 8900 cfs. All boat ramps are open with the exception of Twin Bridges. Jimmy floated that section on Sunday. If you decide to launch at Twin be prepared to push your boat to the North channel.

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