Still the same if you are looking for big trout. For almost all of these, damselfly nymph patterns are your best bet. Concentrate on shallow waters. Again, see our 5-2-10 still water fishing report for fly selections.
Bluegills and crappies are becoming active in Twin Lakes. Rollie was there yesterday and did quite well using black poppers and white spiders in shallow water.
Streams here are still impacted by the recent big rains. Best exception is the Firehole River where water is a bit high. Caddis, BWO, PMD and yellow sally life cycle patterns are making for action. Duck Creek also offers some action with damselfly nymph patterns and streamers being best bets.
Most of these remain high and discolored because of the near tropical rains we have had. Birch Creek in an exception. Fish are not feeding on top because the slightly high water erodes banks to send food into the stream. For sure a 14″ ‘bow is a braggin’ fish here, but the action is unbeatable. Take the lightest rod you have, some nymph patterns, peacock woolly worms, San Juan worms, and head for the Family Area above Lone Pine.
When this stormy weather is over there will be many smaller waters to choose from for great fly-fishing experiences. We will post here the best of these for you to consider. You can always contact the shop for up to date information.
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.
Opening day fishing success depended on location. Near the hatchery and the State Park proved the best locations. Weather has been tough with wind rain & some snow, but looks to improve. Small leech (beadhead peacock leech) patterns seem best for fishing shallow waters for now. Let’s see what works as the weather improves.
Recent heavy rains have impacted Park streams almost everywhere. We suggest waiting for flows to drop (Fall River flows out of the Park doubled because of recent rains and run-off) for best fishing. The PMD emergence on the Madison River has been put down because of the rains. With drier weather it will resume. The Firehole River is fair fishing with PMDs, BWOs and caddis emerging, but will improve.
The big news is that damselflies are beginning to emerge on many southeast Idaho reservoirs. With warm weather coming such as Chesterfield, Daniels, Hawkins, Treasureton, Twenty-Four Mile and Springfield will offer some great fishing. Concentrate on shallow waters, around submerged vegetation and bays. See our 5-20-10 Still Waters fishing report for suggested fly patterns.
Now with warmer weather coming look for warm water species to become active. As soon as they do, we will post suggestions here.
Most of these have been impacted by our recent rains. This really applies to streams in the Henry’s Fork drainage. Wait for rains to stop and weather to warm for best fishing. One exception might be the Portneuf River above Pebble Creek where PMDs have been emerging big time.
Big bugs are out all the way to Box Canyon. Warm weather is coming, so look for them to be more active. Fish on the upper river have been exposed to them for a lesser time than those below. So the Box and the reach from Riverside to Warm River could be just great. When the fish are really on the adults, pattern selection (other than choosing one that is visible in broken water) is not as important as placing the fly in the right place. Watch for a fish rising repeatedly and with the right timing drop your fly just ahead of him.
Fall River has about doubled in flow because of recent heavy rains. This has slowed fishing below Chester Dam, so we suggest that locations above Chester dam will offer the best fishing.
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”.