The Kreelex flash had arrived! This flash has been requested by some of you for tying the Kreelex Minnow. We now have it in 14 different colors. This stuff looks really good and will have many different applications. As I was putting the flash on the display my mind kept thinking about all the different types of flies one could use this material for besides a Kreelex Minnow. Come down to the shop and check it out you will be impressed.
We got a new shipment of Buffs in with 2 new colors of Buff gloves. If any of you have Saltwater trips planned both of these items are a must for sun protection. Many people have the buff for their face but neglect to think about their hands. The Buff gloves are really comfortable and provide great protection from the sun. We have many different colors and designs.
Spirit River is becoming really innovative in developing materials for steelhead patterns. We just keep getting hooked and more of their UV2 Material. We just got in the UV2 Intruder Spey Hackle packs. They also have a Hackle starter kit. A must for any of you tying Intruders, large steelhead/salmon patterns and don’t forget adding a little to your favorite streamer pattern!
Just want to give you a heads up on the Salmon river for Steelhead Fishing. The only boat ramps available for floating is Shoup, Town and Carmen Boat ramps. All other boat ramps are froze shut. The river is in good condition but expect self ice along the banks. We will update you when we hear the boat ramps are clear.
The South Fork is beginning to pick up. Right now its mostly all nymphing. Make sure you are getting deep enough and fast enough. This means you need to have split shot and a long leader. The fish are on the bottom of the deep holes and seam lines. If streamers are more your style use a full sinking line and fish the deep dead water. Midges are also hatching on the warmer days, you got to find spots where they are hatching in good numbers. Not every hole will have fish rising.
The majority of the river is accessible for wade fishing. You can drive up the canyon road till you reach the road closed sign, than you gotta hike or ski. There is plenty of great water between Wolf and Road closure to fish.
Zebra Midges, Hare’s Ear’s and Prince Nymphs worked really well last weekend, and we have had many customers report that rubberlegs have been really hot as well.
Hopefully all you guys out there have gotten out with this “warmer” weather we have had recently. We apologize for not updating the fishing report in such a long time, but there just has not been much going on. The Henry’s Fork and South Fork are fishing very well with the recent warmer weather. Nymph fishing continues to dominate, but if conditions are right fish can be had on top on small midge patterns. Jimmy has been having good luck with streamer patterns on sinking lines in the deep runs on the South Fork.
Springfield reservoir should be fishing well around the springs for those needing a stillwater fix. Fish at Springfield will respond to small (think size 16 and smaller) chironomid pupa and larvae patterns.
The Big Lost is fishing well on midge patterns and small nymphs.
It looks like things are steadily starting to get warmer so get out there and enjoy some good fishing and the small crowds! As always, if you guys have any questions about where to go and what to use stop in or give us a call.
Hey guys couple things going on this week in the shop. First off, tomorrow (Saturday the 16th) we have Greg Schoby in doing a free tying demo in the morning from 10a.m. to 1p.m. Greg is a fisheries biologist for the Fish and Game and will have some great patterns and stories to share with you all so be sure to come check it out!
Second, we are now a HATCH reels dealer! In the shop we have a 5 plus, 7plus, and 9plus reel. The 5plus handles line weights from 5-7, the 7plus handles lines 7-9, and the 9plus can hold 9-12wt lines . If there is a size or finish you want from Hatch that we don’t have in the shop we can certainly get it in for you. I have personally used these reels quite a bit over the last few months and I am very impressed. They have handled everything from trout to sharks for me and have performed flawlessly. I would highly recommend these reels to anybody wanting a bombproof high performing reel. Head on over to their website (www.hatchoutdoors.com) and check out the different sizes/finishes and be sure to read about the drag system, pretty cool stuff!
Just wanted to give you all a heads up on some tying classes that we are offering. We have a Beginner class going on right now with John Stenersen and we will be doing another session as soon as the current session is finished. We also have a list of Special Topics classes that will be taking place. These classes are great for learning new techniques and patterns for our local area. Check the list of classes out here.
Tomorrow is Valentines Day and we have some specials going on at the shop. If your looking for something for your special one we have lots of items on sale both women’s and mens clothing. Don’t forget we have a few Patagonia RIO Gallegos waders still on sale for $250! This is a great deal and these waders have received many awards in the industry for quality and design.
Anglers treasure the reach beginning just below Lower Mesa Falls Campground and ending at the Stone Bridge below the Warm River confluence. Waters of the reach host bountiful rainbow and a few brown trout with individuals ranging to several pounds. During springtime large stonefly emergences one of the most popular float and fly-fish trips on the Henry’s Fork is through here. From here also begins a water trip to experience one of the most remote reaches of the Henry’s Fork. This reach of the Henry’s Fork is also much valued by wildlife photographers, rafting enthusiasts, and sightseeing tourists. For several decades, beginning in the mid twentieth century, its use has been a significant part of Fremont County economy. Users rent lodging and vehicles, hire guides, and patronize eateries and other retail outlets within the County. Access to float the river here begins just below Lower Mesa Falls Campground and requires portaging boats, rafts and such for a few hundred yards down a steep and erosion prone slope. Through decades of use over multiple descending routes the slope has suffered erosion to the degree that sediments from it threaten to enter the river to foul water quality and fish habitat. Finally observing damage to the slope through portaging all types of boats downward over these routes, but realizing the public popularity of its use, the United States National Forest Service (USFS) studied potential here for environmental impact. Results of the study indicated that a trail down the slope, not to quicken descent, but to establish a single pathway for portaging soft-sided boats only will minimize chances for sediment eroding into the river. Hard sided boats, usually weighing much more and being more rigid than soft sided boats, dig deeper into the slope and move down it more quickly thus increasing potential for erosion. The USFS therefore established the lowest impact pathway with maintainable water bars down the slope to the river. The USFS also provided soil for plant material to re-vegetate the slope that would provide a natural barrier for impeding sediment from entering the river. The USFS will monitor the effects of use on this pathway on the slope. Although this is a hazardous route to the river and not advocated by the USFS, plans are to keep it open after discussions with fishing guides and other users. Despite establishment of the restrictive trail down the slope, it now appears that some users are pioneering trails to portage hard sided boats down to the river. Such actions make increased potential for sediments to enter the river. In an effort to prevent misuse down the slope, the Snake River Cutthroats and the Upper Snake River Fly-Fishers of Idaho Falls and Rexburg respectively are combining to establish signing at the top of the established pathway to indicate that restrictions are in place and the reasons for them being established. Members of these clubs and Trout Unlimited encourage other anglers and users to honor the restrictions here and to assist the USFS in policing the established trail. Any observed violation of this trail to the river should be reported to the USFS Ashton District Ranger Station: 208-652-7442.
We got a few new items I wanted to highlight today.
The Clic glasses are a new item for us. These readers come in variety of colors and strengths. From what I have been told if your over 40 you need a pair of readers.
Ice Dub Shimmer from Hareline is a new material that reminds me of sparkle organza but it has much more flash. My first thought was wingcases on nymphs and using it to add flash to collars of streamers or nymphs. It’s available in 5 different colors and we now have them in stock.
Aldous Lake
One August day about twenty years ago I traveled with wife Carol and Jessie our Lab to the Aldous Lake trail head north of the Clark County ranching community of Kilgore. Our plans were to spend the night away from civilization, relax, and do some hiking and fishing. We packed overnight camping gear, float tube, waders, fly fishing equipment, and enough for a few good meals during the stay. On arriving at the trail head around late morning, I curiously noticed a parked sedan. It sported Utah registration plates and rental car identity. We geared up, hiked the mile and a quarter up to the lake and saw a lone float tuber on it. We set up camp and noticed cutthroat trout rising as expected to emerging speckled duns on the lake. I donned waders, strung up with a speckled dun emerger pattern, hopped into the float tube, and paddled out on the lake. Catching was easy, and I began comparing the experience with the lone float tuber. To my surprise he responded in a thick New York accent. How in heck did he find this place! So I had to ask how because this remote little lake rich in cutthroat trout is off the beaten path.
” I came to Idaho to fish the Henry’s Fork, but crowds around the Last Chance-Harriman offered little solitude. So I stopped at Mike Lawson’s Henry’s Fork Anglers asking for fishing with solitude. They suggested this place, so I rented a float tube and fins, picked up some speckled dun patterns, and here I am. I got here a few hours before you and have had some of the best trout fishing of my life. Problem is I gotta leave soon to take this gear back to Mike’s, drive to Salt Lake, turn in the car, and catch an early morning flight back to LaGuardia. Sad to be leaving such a great time.”
Having a great time catching cutts ranging to around twenty inches was no problem that day, and doing so without any other anglers around was a real treat. Aldous Lake, no more that a pond, offers that experience if you are willing to pack a float tube and waders for a mile and a quarter up a well-maintained, non-motorized trail. You get there after traveling Interstate-15 to Dubois, Idaho. There you exit and go east on county highway A2 to Kilgore. From there you hang a left ( go west) to the nearby East Camas-Ching Creek Road, take a right and follow the road to its end at the trail head. From the Island Park area, take the Yale-Kilgore Road west to Kilgore. After a short but exhilarating hike, you come to the lake on the south side of the Centennial Range, and just below the Continental Divide. Yellowstone cutthroat trout inhabit the lake. Some limited spawning occurs in the outlet, so from time to time IDF&G enhances their population. All you need to enjoy these cutts is a floating line, long leader, and reasonable physical condition. If you choose to wade, bring your roll casting skills because most of the shoreline is forested. But a packable float tube gets you onto the lake to enjoy cruising cutts picking off emerging damselflies in late June or speckled duns emerging from late July into September. The same cutts will take small leech or scud patterns just about any time. The mostly uphill walk to the lake pretty much guarantees only a few anglers being present, and even fewer will pack a float tube. Bring potable water, a shielding hat, and sun screen. You will be in for a near wilderness experience.
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