Big Lost River 5-14-13
Flow out of Mackay Dam raised to 150 cfs three days ago, and to 320 cfs yesterday. This put an end to easy wading in the river below the dam and also puts fish down for a while.
May 2013
South Fork 5-14
Flows are going up on the South Fork! As of yesterday the flows were increased and will continue to increase until they reach 18,000 cfs on the 18th of May. Once this is sustained for a couple days the flows will drop to it’s normal summer flows around 13,000 cfs in time for Memorial Day weekend. Apparently we have enough snow pack in the mountains that they feel we can have a flush this year. The reservoir is only 43% full right now but the inflow into the lake is rising very quickly.
We don’t advise floating the river during the flush due to all the trees and debris that will be floating down the river. Time to focus on the Henry’s Fork for a week to 10 days.
Here is the press release from the Bureau of Reclamation:
Snake River Flows Increasing to Benefit Native Fish
BURLEY, Idaho — The Bureau of Reclamation will increase flows in the Snake River below Palisades Dam this week to about 18,000 cubic feet per second (cfs). Each day, starting May 13, the flow will increase about 15 percent until the maximum is reached on May 18. After the high flow is sustained for two days, it will be slowly decreased. The flow will return to the 30-year average of about 13,000 cfs during Memorial Day weekend.
“One objective of this operation is to approach 20,000 cfs at the gage near Heise, approximately 48 river miles downstream of Palisades,” said Roland Springer, Assistant Area Manager for Reclamation’s Upper Snake Field Office. “Providing high flows at the same time that nature would provide them benefits native fish.”
These water releases will not affect Reclamation’s ability to meet its water delivery obligations. American Falls Reservoir will store the water that is passed through Palisades Reservoir to be used farther downstream.
The river will be fast and cold during the high flow period. Please use caution and be aware when recreating near the river.
South Fork 5-7
Just wanted to give you guys a heads up that the flows on the South Fork have been increased to 9,000 cfs. Still the same game of nymphing egg patterns, bead head nymphs and stonefly patterns. Concentrate on the slower water and the riffles. There will not be many fish on the bank until the water temp increases.
South Fork 5-6
The flows were raised the last few days to 8,600 cfs. This has been effecting the fishing a little, but give it 12-18 hours since the last increase in flows and the fish seem to settle down and start eating again. Rollin guided this weekend and they caught a good number of fish on egg patterns and stonefly nymphs. The gauge at the Irwin site reports the water temp is at 40 degrees. So as things warm up the fish will become increasingly more aggressive towards streamers. I would still fish a streamer right now though I would however continue to concentrate on the slow water and deep pools in the water. Ripping a piece of meat off of the bank right now will most likely not prove to be that effective given how cold the water is.
I don’t know when the water is going to stop rising…probably in the fall, right? Seriously though the water flow is going to keep increasing for the next few months and watching the flows can really help improve your catching rate on the river.
Lorenzo boat ramp is still all screwed up and the word from the BLM is the new ramp will not be in order until this fall. Please use common sense when launching and taking out at Lorenzo. It is only big enough for one boat at a time…So use caution.
Henry’s Fork 5-6
Well the Caddis are hatching! Very good fishing this past weekend on the lower river from Warm River confluence to the Fun Farm. The caddis hatch is bringing all sizes of fish to the surface. The nymphing is also very good right now while you are waiting for the hatch to come off. The water below the Fall River confluence is a little off color but don’t let the discourage you from going. The fishing is still good and the water clarity is not that bad. This is going to change as things continue to warm up and we will keep you posted when that happens. The streamer fishing is also picking up, I had a good report of fish chasing streamers from Warm River to Ashton on Saturday. The flows on the river are normal for this time of year so make sure you get out there and get some fishing in. Be sure to swing by the shop or call us for any information or up to the minute reports.
Harriman Fish Pond
Harriman Fish Pond
Not only is this a pond of legend, it is also among the safest of public still waters to be found in the Island Park area. It was created by the Harriman family in the early twentieth century as a place to take Railroad Ranch guests fishing. The family dammed Osborn Creek and a couple of smaller intermittent creeks to form it. IDF&G has used it on an experimental basis to test trout suitability. It is not very deep, but rich in nutrients, so over the years it has gained a reputation for producing huge rainbows and trophy-sized brook trout. It has endured misuse from dewatering and bank erosion, yet properly maintained and kept at full pool year round, it is a superb fishery. If you are familiar with fishing the Henry’s Fork from Wood Road 16 access, you go by the pond to the south a few hundred yards. That creek entering the Henry’s Fork just above the access is the outlet from the Fish Pond. I’m not going to say anything about the fish in that creek below the pond! You can get to the Fish Pond from the Mesa Falls Scenic Route. Drive down the Route from Highway 20 just above the Osborn Bridge. A bit more than a mile on the right the access road to river near “Pine Point” goes to the right. Turn off here and take the immediate left, a primitive road that takes one to the north end of the Fish Pond, and on to the west end dam. You can fish from the dam without needing wading gear. To fish effectively anywhere else here you will need to get out on the pond with a non-motorized craft because the pond bottom is mostly deep silt. But the pond is ideal for float tubing or pontoon boating, and launching such from the north end is easy.
Fly-fishing season on the pond begins as soon as ice comes off and the primitive access road to its north end is passable. I have fished it as early as the end of April after a winter of scanty snowfall. During the early season any pattern resembling a leech or dragonfly nymph works. When midges begin emerging in number, life cycle patterns for them work until resident fish become filled. When that happens, go elsewhere. After the fish are over this “midge binge” try speckled dun life cycle patterns. By then, however, you may need to fish mostly on or near the surface because weed growth clogs so much of the pond that fishing wet is mainly good for dredging up weeds. Any time you fish here a floating line is best because for the most part the pond is so shallow. There is some deeper water in front of the dam on the west end and along the creek channel in its middle. I usually avoid the pond as July approaches because fishing there slows. But I come back very late, as late as the first of November when weeds are dispersing, and I present midge life cycle patterns or a small (size 12-14) bead head peacock leech. This is when I have caught my largest fish, but one can certainly encounter large fish here any time during the season. These big ones are a bit tougher to encounter in recent years because hatchery catchables are now present, but one benefit of those hatchery catchables is that if they hold over, they can become big guys. So if you are looking for a chance for a fish of the season under safe conditions compared to a wind-blown Henry’s Lake or Island Park Reservoir, or you have youngsters or have physically challenged folks wishing for the same, put this spot near the top of your destination list.
Henry’s Fork 4-30
Lots of action on the Henry’s Fork right now! The Mothers Day Caddis have been hatching in huge numbers from Warm River to Ashton. Along with March Brown Mayflies and BWO’s. Below Ashton we have seen some Skwala’s, March Browns, and BWO’s with only a few caddis. Traditionally the caddis do not hatch in the huge numbers we see from Warm River to Ashton. The fish will still key on them below Ashton and you would be foolish to leave those flies at home. If you don’t feel like dry fly fishing you can always fish nymphs with an indicator. Caddis pupa, stonefly nymphs, and pheasant tails, or any other mayfly nymph will be effective.
This is my favorite time of the year to fish the Henry’s Fork. I love the caddis hatch and there are not very many people on the water compared to June. The fish are hungry and willing to eat. They haven’t seen very many flies and this time of year offers the oppertunity to catch some monster brown trout on the lower river. Take advantage of these warm windless spring days and go fishing!
South Fork 4-30
Flows on the South Fork have leveled off at 6,500 cfs for the last 2 days. We don’t know when flows will be increase but for now things have settled down enough to expect some decent fishing. With the rise in water flows the water temperature has decreased which means nymphing is going to be the best option for hooking fish. The rainbows are also spawning so egg patterns will be effective as well as the standard stonefly nymph and bead head. Don’t forget the San Juan worm that always seems to be a trout favorite in the spring. Fishing streamers will also produce fish however presentations need to be slow and concentrated in the deep pools and slowing moving water.
With the cold spring we have been experiencing the snow pack has not begun to melt at all. This is a good thing because we are now at 100% of our average snow pack for the year. I am still hoping for more rain and snow in the mountains this spring. This will slow down the need for irrigation demand and hopefully allow us to add some more snow in the mountains. This will help us in August with cold water and hopefully more PMD hatches. All in all the season is shaping up to be good with great water conditions. I have been told we will be having a flush on the river. Similar to past years I expect that to be during Memorial Day weekend, however I have not heard an official word from the Bureau of Reclamation to confirm my assumption. We will update this report with any information we hear as soon as we know.
Stillwaters 4-27-13
Well….. its that time of year again, FINALLY! Now is the time to really start hitting our local stillwaters. I was out yesterday fishing various southeast idaho lakes and experienced some awesome chironomid fishing. The fish were in great shape and look like they wintered very well. Any darker chironomid in a size 12-14 and around 8-12 ft of water worked best. Leech fishing was slow yesterday, but that will improve as the weather continues to get nicer. Expect Chesterfield, Daniels, Springfield, etc to be fishing well and continue to improve with the weather. If you aren’t set up or fully stocked for the stillwater fishing this year we have the flies, lines, tying materials, float tubes, anything you need to get ready. Call or stop in at the shop with any questions or for updated reports!
Small Streams 4/27/13
Birch Creek is the best option for fishing a small stream right now. Being essentially a spring creek in origin, it is influenced little by run-off after snow around it is gone, such as now. See our web site article on Birch Creek for details. A strategy for fishing it is to present nymph and very small wooly worm patterns during the morning hours, then as the waters warm and insects (caddis, midges, BWOs) emerge during the PM hours switch to dry patterns. Warm River is another small stream not influenced by a large amount of high country run-off. It is open for catch and release fishing until general season begins. Consider the same strategy as we suggest for Birch Creek for fishing it this time of the season.