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October 2011

South Fork 10/31

Flows were decreased to 4,000cfs on the 26th of October. The streamer fishing is really beginning to pick up on the river. Still have some good Blue Wing Olive hatches going on but Midges have begun to take over for the predominant dry fly on the surface. Nymphing is always producing fish and in good numbers. Try fishing a Zebra Midge and a Bead Head Pheasant tail with a split shot 3 feet above the two flies. Its beginning to become that time of year when streamers and nymphing is the best techniques for getting fish. With flows dropping this low lots of wading access is available and feel free to leave your boat at home.

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South Fork 10/26

Flows on the South Fork are remaining at 4,500 cfs Fishing is still holding strong on the river. Fish are rising to Blue Wing Olives and Midges. Nymphing has been successful with rubberlegs, tungsten Zebra Midges, and Blue Wing Olive nymphs. The streamer fishing has been really good as well. Streamer fishing is more effective in the mornings, evenings and on cloudy days. No brown trout spawning activity yet, if you do happen to see a Brown trout redd please avoid stepping in it. The fishing on the South Fork should remain steady as long as the weather continues to stay nice. When we get those cloudy rainy days its worth suffering through the weather to chase those big fish that seem to get active in those conditions. Look for fish in the soft water and the foam lines sipping dry flies.

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Big Lost River 10-25-2011

With flow out of Mackay Dam at just over 200 cfs, wading conditions are great and there is enough water to give fish good overhead cover. Days of good weather are limited, so get out and enjoy trout responding to the afternoon BWO activity.

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Yellowstone Park 10-25-2011

Brown trout are a major presence in the Lewis River Channel between Lewis and Shoshone lakes, the Gardner River near the north entrance, the Madison River and the Snake River at the south entrance. You need sink tip lines and streamer patterns to enjoy these big fish.  Keep an eye on the weather and road conditions, and remember that the Park fishing season closes on Sunday, November 6th.

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Small Streams 10-25-2011

Action on most of these is reduced to looking for responses to afternoon BWO and midge emergences, nymphing, or pitching small streamers.  Best ones to try include Warm River below the spring, Blackfoot River below the reservoir, Teton River below the dam site to the forks, Fall River near the Idaho-Wyoming state line, and the Portneuf River along old Highway 30.

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Still Waters 10-25-11

With cooler weather here success is picking up on such as Daniels, Chesterfield, Twenty-Four  Mile and Springfield reservoirs. Leech patterns in fall colors are working well on all these. So are midge pupa under indicators when the taking depth is found.  Don’t overlook damselfly nymph patterns remembering that they are always  available for fish. Concentrate on shallower waters.

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Main Stem Snake River 10-22-2011

Flows are still a bit high for best walk-in wade fishing.  Float fishers are doing better. Some walk-in places are accessible such as below Gem Lake Dam and below the Shelly I-15 connector. Pitch streamers with evenings being a good time to intercept migrating browns.

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Henry’s Lake 10-22-2011

Fish are where you find them. The “for sure” place is at the State Park where cutts have congregated along the shoreline.  Trouble is so have anglers.  So to avoid the biggest crowds, the west side is a good bet, and so is the Duck Creek-Hope Creek area and the north shoreline.  Try olive crystals, bead head peacock leeches on an intermediate line. Early AMs and evenings are best times for action.

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Henry’s Fork 10/19

Water quality has not improved below the Ashton Dam. We have been keeping in contact with a few individuals about this project and will update you as soon as we hear the water quality improves.

Warm River to Ashton stretch is fishing well with Blue Wing Olives, and midge Patterns. There are a few October Caddis out but nymphing seems to be the ticket for getting into large numbers of fish. Zebra Midge patterns and Mayfly bead head seem to be the most effective. Streamers have also been effective on the overcast days.

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South Fork 10/19

Flows on the South Fork have remained steady on the river at 4,500cfs. Fishing has really been good this month. There are good Blue Wing Olive hatches, some October Caddis and a few PMD’s still fly around. The streamer fishing has picked up as well. On the bright sunny days you will not have as much success as on the overcast day but don’t let that discourage you from going. Fish late into the evening or brave the chilly mornings. Nymphing is also really good. Any assortment of bead head nymphs and rubberlegs seem to be the ticket for catching fish below an indicator.

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