As you can imagine we are getting a lot of calls to see if the big salmon flies have started to hatch in the lower river around Ririe. We still haven’t seen any of the big bugs but we are seeing a lot of yellow sallies and pale morning duns. The big stones should appear sometime this week. Over the weekend we had had some good but brief action on the riffles in the afternoon. The most consistent action is still with nymphs and streamers.
Shoshone and Lewis lakes are fishing very well for those using boats. Look for weed beds and use full sink lines to present small leech patterns or lead-free fly rod jigs there. Firehole River is still a great location for life cycle PMD and BWO patterns. Don’t overlook white miller patterns. Madison River PMDs are attracting fish, too. Trout Lake is open now and should remain good fishing for another week or two. Here is your chance to encounter the biggest cut-bow hybrids in the Park. Fall River Basin streams will be better fishing when run-off leaves in a week or so.
Fish are keying on damselfly nymphs on all reservoirs now. Use a slow troll of your favorite nymph pattern in shallow waters. Look for submerged vegetation for best fishing.
The Ashton-Flagg road is open to four-wheel drive vehicles. Soft places in the road must dry up for a two-wheel drive traffic recommendation. Warm weather will help this happen. Fall River Basin and Teton River Basin streams draining high country remain high with run-off. All others are in great fishing shape. Get in touch with us to find the best of these at any time.
The Lower Henry’s Fork near Ashton has been fishing well. Early morning fishing consists of an adult Golden Stone (CFO Flammer Ant size 6) with a dropper such as a Red Copper John size 16. Noon fishing would be PMDs from 12 o’clock to 3 o’clock. From 5 o’clock to 7 o’clock Flavs (size 14) were coming off with fish taking them on the flats. Finally from 8 o’clock to dark, an improved x-caddis tan size 16 and 18 was the ticket. There are also some Gray drakes.
Flows were bumped yesterday to 11,000 cfs. This shouldn’t effect the fishing too much and I expect it to be back on track by the end of the day. Yellow Sallies, caddis and some PMD’s have begun to hatch. No news on the big Salmon Flies yet but I am expecting them to start staging within this next week. Fish have been responsive to dry flies presented on the surface. I would say the dry fly fishing is moderate at best right now but the nymphing is really good. As always call the shop and we will answer any questions you might have.
We wanted to give you an update on the water conditions and hatches for the South Fork . We are seeing more Pale Morning Duns and Yellow Sallies each day from Swan Valley down river through the canyon. By late next week there should be big stones on the lower river near Lorenzo. The flow is still at 10,200 cfs and clear. Palisades Reservoir is filling slowly and if it does fill in the next week or so the increased flow should have little impact on fishing conditions and hatches. Nymph fishing is still the most productive and some fish are taking Chernobyls from Byington down.
Tomorrow is opening day on the Ranch. Caddis and Pale Morning Duns have been hatching in good numbers. I would have also have some green drakes in my fly box as well. We have not had any confirmed reports of Green drakes hatching yet. However don’t be afraid to fish one, if some of these flies have been hatching the fish will be looking for them. Golden Stones have been producing fish as well. We have had good success on streamers from Ora Bridge to Chester backwaters the past few days. Don’t let the off color water scare you away from this stretch. The water is off color but not that bad and some big fish have been caught on streamers and stoneflies.
Fishing is getting pretty good on the South Fork. We have been hearing many good reports of lots of fish being caught on the gravel bars and the tailouts below the riffles. There is not much action on the bank right now but I would defiantly be fishing them between gravel bars. The streamer action is picking up every day. I have heard a mixed report on which streamer patterns are fishing the best. Be sure to bring a good selection with different colors and sizes. Fishing is still great with nymphs. big stonefly nymphs, yellow sally nymphs and an assortment of bead head flies have been working. Don’t overlook the san jaun worm, there have been many fish hooked on that fly.
We have been getting a lot of questions regarding the Salmon Fly hatch. As of right now we haven’t seen anything. I don’t expect to see any salmon flies until the last week of June. We all have our predictions but the truth is when they hatch we will let you all know by updating the fishing report.
Flows have stayed steady since the last increase over a week ago. Flows are 10,100 cfs. This is a great flow for fishing. This is also a great time to get out and do some fishing before all the crowds get here. The Canyon is really pretty right now and there is so secluded overnights to be had in the canyon for the next few weeks.
I finally got the chance to fish the Henry’s Fork this past week and into the weekend. The streamer bite is definitely on during certain times of the day. Rubberlegs and bead head have been working when the dry fly bite slows down as well. Golden Stones, Simulators, and Chernobyl ants are bringing decent fish to the surface. Pale Morning duns have also been hatching is decent numbers.
Last week I reported on the float between Ashton Dam and Chester back waters being off color. I had a chance to float the section on Friday evening and I was impressed with the water quality overall. At the Ora bridge the water was good and about a half mile down got a little dirty but fishable. Than it seemed to clear up as we continued to float down the river. This section is not being utilized right now because most of the guides are concerned about the off color water so they are not taking clients down this section. We I floated into Chester at 8pm. I saw lots of fish feeding on caddis and my truck was the only one in the parking lot. What I am trying to say is if you want some decent fishing with a chance to hook into a pig, float this section. No one is there and you will find the fishing to be good despite the water being a little off color.