Good fishing is going on at Chesterfield, Daniels, Springfield reservoirs and Sand Creek Ponds. Try small leech patterns in fall colors and damselfly nymph patterns. Midge pupa patterns under an indicator is the productive alternative.
Had a great day fishing the Beaver Meadows reach of the Madison River yesterday. Snow squalls, day long ice in the guides, and wind did not keep the run-up browns and bows from hitting streamer patterns presented in deeper runs. This is the story on all Park waters hosting browns: streamers are going to bring action. Be prepared for wintry conditions and slick or snow packed roads when you venture into the Park. Sadly only several days remain for fishing Park waters. Fishing season here closes on November 7th.
Many of these have shut down because aquatic insects are packing it in for the winter, fish have migrated down to larger waters that offer more cover, and certain roads are not maintained once winter sets in. Candidates to try include the lower Blackfoot and lower Teton rivers and Birch Creek and Warm River (watch road conditions)below Warm River Spring. Water is low on the Blackfoot and Teton. Streamers are working well on both rivers, while traditional attractors in small sizes and BWO life cycle patterns work well on Birch Creek and Warm River.
Flows out of Mackay Dam are at 100 cfs meaning good wading conditions. Midges and BWOs provide good surface action. Small bead head nymphs, your pattern choice, work well for wet fly fishing. Check road reports if stormy weather is coming on.
This is streamer fishing season whether you walk-in wade or float the river. Be more concerned with presentation that with particular pattern selection, except have light colored and dark colored patterns ready to go. Expect to do best during low light conditions, and during daytime concentrate on the heads and tails of deeper water. Flows are still a bit higher than normal, but sure to drop soon.
Fishing in shallow water seems to be good all around the lake. Leech patterns and small streamers presented on slow sinking or intermediate lines work very well. Brookies are stacking up at most creek mouths, so this draws attention from anglers. You can get away from such high attention locations and still catch fish. Try the west shoreline north and south of the county boat dock, the northwest corner, and east of the hatchery. Wherever you go be prepared for wintry weather and slick roads. It’s that time of year.
The lower river features BWOs & midges for top water fishing and streamer fishing for migrating browns and big ‘bows. This cloudy cool weather is just the ticket for both these, and with low flows the river is very approachable to walk-in wading. Box Canyon has the best streamer and nymph fishing on the upper river. The river at Last Chance has a great BWO hatch. Watch the roads, especially early mornings, when you travel through Island Park. Yesterday AM they were very slick just above Ashton Hill and again between Elk Creek and Mack’s Inn.
Flows have remained steady on the South Fork at 3200 cfs. All sections are still accessible at this time. However with the decrease in water flowing through the system many of the side channels and braids do not have water in them. Check them out before you float so you don’t get stranded. Remember that short floats will take the majority of the day to float. The Streamer fishing has really picked up on the river, especially on cloudy days. There are still good Blue Wing Olive Hatches and the midges have really started popping. Nymphing has also been producing fish a stonefly nymph with a beadhead is a simple way to catch fish this time of year.
Chesterfield Reservoir is the star of the show here. You can catch fish in both deep & shallow water with success. Midging (pupa under an indicator at taking depth) and small leech or damselfly nymph patterns all seem to work. More good news is that Springfield Reservoir was stocked about three weeks ago, those fish have equilibrated, and they are hitting small (black) leech patterns and bead head peacock leeches presented on intermediate lines. A midge pupa under an indicator is sure to work. The fish run 16-19 inches, but holdovers are running over twenty inches. Double digit catch days are common. Sand Creek Pond #4 is still producing for those using damselfly nymph patterns. Daniels Reservoir is good fishing, even though water is low enough such that upper end trees are out of water. Damselfly nymph patterns and leeches in fall colors work. Twenty-Four Mile Reservoir remains very low enough such that approaching the water can be tough going through mud.
Browns are moving in the Madison, Red Rock, and Beaverhead rivers. That means streamer fishing.