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Still Water

Jimmy's All Seasons Angler / Still Water (Page 10)

Still Waters 10-13-18

 

Daniels Res

Looks like you can find the best still water fishing around at Daniels Reservoir. The upper end is the best location there, and midge pupa under an indicator in relatively shallow water and small leech patterns are producing. Do not overlook presenting leech patterns back towards shore when wind strong enough to muddy the water (see above pic) arrives.  We have no reports on how Sand Creek Ponds are fishing. No news is not good news in this case.

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Henry’s Lake 9-28-18

Henry’s is finally starting to show some signs of life the last week or so. Although there aren’t a lot of the bigger fish being caught right now, a fair amount of fish have moved into the shallows and are providing decent action. Most of the good fishing has been from the pintail point area south all the way to hope creek. The wind has been mostly out of the southwest this fall, so the western shoreline is a little more protected and has cleaner water. The fish have been relatively shallow 3-8ft so a type 1 or an intermediate line is really all you need. Fly choice doesn’t seem to be critical, darker leeches in size 6-8 have been best (Black Crystal Bugger, Brown Crystal Bugger, Canadian Brown). Hopefully the lake continues to pick up and we have a good October, stay tuned for more reports.

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Still Waters 9-25-18

 

 

Mike Miller  at Sheridan

It seems to have been a slow summer on most of our still waters.  Cooler weather is upon us, so look for improvements in fishing success. When we get good reports, we will relate where they came from and what brought success.

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Stillwater 9-10-18

Most the stillwater fishing in the area would be classified as “Fair”.  The best stillwater fishing the last couple weeks has been at Hebgen. We are still hearing of some gulper fishing, but the indicator and slow sinking lines have been taking a fair amount of fish too. Smaller leeches and Callibaetis nymphs would be what I would start with. Folks are having decent fishing on Daniels, Chesterfield, and Springfield Reservoirs, but nothing crazy yet. I think all three are ready to open up and start fishing very well as soon as we get some colder weather. We have heard Chesterfield has a mild algae bloom, but it should totally dissipate as the weather starts to cool. When it does chironomids and leech patterns should be very effective in the shallows all around the lake. Like our Henry’s Lake report mentioned, I would strongly recommend having at least 3 different lines with you to fish our area stillwaters. On the reservoirs outside of Henry’s Lake, I would recommend having a floating line set up for indicator fishing and dry & dry dropper set ups. The Rio Gold has been our best selling floating line and performs perfect for the tasks mentioned. Second, I would have an intermediate sinking line for fishing the 3-8ft depth range that we commonly fish on the southern reservoirs. We have a few different options for intermediates in the shop, but the SA frequency and Cortland Clear Camo line seem to be the best performers. Last, I would have either a type 3 or type 4 for those days where things just aren’t happening in the shallows and you really need to get down to the fish. Here I would recommend either the SA wet cell type 4 or the In touch Deep 3 from Rio. The intouch deep 3 from rio has the new “non stretch” core that really transmits feel and strikes better than any full sinking line I’ve used before.

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Henry’s Lake 9-10-18

If you wait all season to hear a report of Henry’s Lake picking up, you may miss the fall season completely. Numbers appear to be down considerably on the lake, but the size of the fish is more than making up for it. There have been many large hybrids caught this season by folks paying their dues and if you want to have your shot at one, I’d go sooner rather than later. There hasn’t been any one area that has been on fire, I’d pick a spot on the west or south shore in 6-10ft of water and fish hard. Fly choice doesn’t seem to be too important, I’d stick with all the traditional mohair leeches and crystal buggers in sizes 6 & 8. This fall, its going to be about putting your time in at the lake. Make sure you have an assortment of fly lines with you as depths your fishing and depths the fish cruise can vary throughout the day. We’ve been having success with the new SA frequency type 1 line for the shallows, the cortland clear camo intermediate for the 5-8ft range, and the revamped SA wet cell lines for the deeper water. We get folks in all the time asking for the best “do all” line for Henry’s and the honest answer is none. You really need 3 lines minimum to effectively cover your bases on the lake, any less and you leave yourself the chance of being unprepared for certain situations. We have all the lines above in stock at the store and would be happy to help answer any questions and get you set up for your trip. We have a few guys fishing it weekly in the shop here, so check back with us for updated reports.

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Still Waters 9-8-18

 

Daniels Res

Daniels Reservoir remains offering the best still water fishing to the south. Try midge patterns deep under an indicator, or small leech patterns in shallow water. If wind muddies shorelines through wave action, present those leech patterns close to the clear-discolored water interface.

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Still Waters 8-25-18

Sand Creek Ponds 2

A fish salvage order is applied to Treasureton Reservoir. Looks like the future of all fish present is limited to a matter of days. Our warm dry weather lasting several weeks results in slow fishing, especially in the smaller, shallower lakes and ponds.  Exceptions include Daniels and Chesterfield Reservoirs in early AM hours where fishing at depth (ie midge pupa patterns under an indicator) can be effective.  Try bloodworm patterns around Island Park Reservoir springs.  Try fishing for warm water species at such as Condie, Johnson, Winder, and Glendale Reservoirs.  Or wait until October!

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Still Waters 8-4-18

 

 

 

Aldous Lake

So many of our lower elevation still waters are suffering the “mid-summer blues” with algae blooms, depth reduction, and warming water temps. There is one still water, that if you do not mind packing a flotation device a bit more that a mile on a well-maintained trail tends to have these issues in reduced amounts.  That is Aldous Lake northeast of Kilgore. This is the time of year when speckled dun and damselfly activity interests every cuttie in the lake.   You can fish from shore and have success only on a limited basis, but the flotation device gets you onto the lake to the springs where most fish concentrate. It also gets you away from the diminishing mosquito population.  Mid-day to early evening is the best time to enjoy this somewhat remote still water.

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Still Waters 7-28-18

 

Paul Res (2)

Our lengthy hot dry (excluding hit or miss thundershowers) weather has been a main reason for many of our still waters heating up or having an algae bloom.  We had a report of water temperature in Sand Creek Pond #4 being in the mid 70s in degrees F.   Shallower places in Daniels Reservoir have water temperatures around this level. Water temperatures this high will slow down fishing anywhere, and playing fish at these water temperatures can be a death sentence. Might be best in such a situation to wait out these water temps until they reach a level not so tough on fish.

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Still Waters 7-17-18

Sand Creek Ponds 2

Sand Creek Ponds are now open to boat fishing, but we have yet to receive fishing success information to pass on. Anyway, speckled dun and damselfly life cycle  and leech patterns should be in your fly box when you visit. Present these on floating lines in the shallow waters and intermediate lines in the deeper waters along the rip-rap. Early mornings are the best time to avoid crowding at this popular still water.  Horseshoe Lake is another place you can avoid crowding just about any time. A bonus for fishing here is the presence of grayling. Best success at Daniels is to fish midge pupa deep (that means ten to twelve feet) under an indicator.  As all our still waters begin warming during summer look for fish to seek the coolest water. That means look for them to frequent depth, submerged springs, and inlets.

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