Generally best action is found through presenting terrestrial patterns on streams and presenting patterns for gulpers on still waters. Days are shortening and we are beginning to cool in the high country. These are signals to begin thinking about presenting streamers.
Except for gulpers most fish are holding deep. Better days are ahead when we begin cooling off in September.
Spruce moths are providing action on many streams, and gulpers are still going good on area lakes.
No big changes since last report. One specific thought is that the afternoon flav emergence on Big Elk Creek is near its peak. Redfish have migrated miles up the creek, but most anglers chasing them do not walk far.
Wading remains a bit tough with flows out of Mackay Dam at 360 cfs. But flows ae coming down so better days are ahead!
Warm water has slowed action, especially on the lower river. Stick to early mornings and evenings for the best chance of action. Streamers near twilight offer a great chance for late day action on the lower river, in Box Canyon and below Coffeee Pot rapids. If you must fish during daytime terrestrial patterns will be your best bet for action.
Best action will come as we get into September and October. For now be patient and try creek mouths and spring holes.
With the Henry’s Fork fishing slow because of warm water the mainstem Snake River is a great alternative. In the early morning trico activty and well placed streamers are bringing action. During evenings around and after sunset streamers are the best way to encounter large trout.
Flow out of Palisades Dam has been stable (around 9400 cfs there, around 10000 cfs at Heise) for five days. Riffles are producing as PMDs, slate cream duns, caddis and a few sallys are active. Great fishing with chernobyls and hoppers against banks, evening streamers, small nymphs, two fly rigs (chernobyl and beetle, chernobyl with small bead head, rubber legs with a tungsten bead San Juan worm), and even rubberlegs make for a great working variety. Pick the one you like and have a great time.
Fishing is slow because fish are running deep to find coolest waters. Exceptions are gulpers which are active on surface in mornings when surface waters are coolest and such as speckled duns and trico clumps are easily visible until wind comes up.