October 2014

South Fork 10-4-14

In keeping with Jimmy’s actions to keep you up to date on this great river, here is the latest on conditions. Flow out of Palisades Dam was reduced to 3560 cfs yesterday AM and water temp there was 57 deg. F. Downstream at Heise, flow is 3880 cfs. These are ideal conditions for wading the river. Under the present bright conditions BWO activity will not be at its best. Still riffle fishing  should be good because of mahogany duns and caddis later. Hoppers patterns presented around vegetated banks and rubber leg and super-x patterns just below the surface and pulled away from that cover will bring action. For a complete list of patterns Jimmy suggests, see the 9-22 South Fork version of this report.

South Fork of the Snake 10-03-14

Just a quick note to report that flow dropped last night to 3730cfs. With these lower flows think about shorter length floats. Floating the canyon will take the entire day day and not give you much time to stop and fish riffles unless you take two days and camp.

 

South Fork of the Snake 10-02-14

The flow is now down to 4740 cfs which has really opened up many wading opportunities throughout the river. Look for the flows to drop more through October. When we hear what the winter flow level will be  we’ll let you know. Last year it was around 1700 cfs. It could be higher this winter with the better than average reservoir carryover we have.   Look for hatches of blue wing olives and Mahogany duns. For a complete list of patterns look at the 9-22-14 report.

South Fork of the Snake 9-22-14

Fall conditions continue to be excellent with clear water and cool water temps. On bright sunny days the dry fly fishing with big bugs (hoppers and chernobyls) has been slow so we have been using nymphs and small dries in the riffles. We have had very good fishing with chernobyls from daylight until the time the sun hits the water and then its back to nymphs and small dries. The last 1 1/2 hours before dark has been good too.

The flow today is at 7500 cfs but look for it to drop a couple of times sometime this week in increments of 500 to 1000 cfs. We are constantly asked how this will affect the fishing and I have seen both great fishing on a water drop and slow fishing so the best thing to do is go anyway.

The Fall colors are starting to really turn now and the canyon is gorgeous.

Here is a list of Fall fly patterns to use now through October.

Mayflies: Duns, Emergers and Nymphs

Blue Wing Olive Thorax Dun #18 and 20

Blue Wing Olive CDC Emerger #18 and 20

Blue Wing Olive Nymph #18 and 20 ( swing through the riffles or fish as a dropper fly under the Thorax Dun)

Bead Head Bubble back nymph #16

UV2 Nymphulator #14 and #6

Mahogany Thorax Dun #16 and 20

Mahogany CDC Emerger #16 and 18

Remember to fish the heads of riffles with these small dries even though there are no hatches.

 Nymphs:

Bennett’s Rubber Legs (orange and brown or black) #6 and 8

Black or Red zebra Midge #14 and 16

Olive Crystal Golden Stone nymph #12

Streamers:

Coffee’s Sparkle  Minnow (sculpin or silver color) #4 and 6

Sculpzilla #4 or 6

Wilson’s Articulated Sparkle Minnow #2 and 4

Galloup’s Articulated Circus Peanut ( white, tan, black or olive )#2

Galloup’s Sex Dungeon (same colors as above) Size 2    Remember to use rope for leader for the articulated streamers. 12 to 15 lb at least.

Big Dries:

Chubby Chernobyls (purple,brown or gold body() #8 and 10

Big Parachute Hoppers #4 and 6 (good below Byington, not very good above Byington))

Other patterns:

Sandy mite #12 and 14

Standard Renegade #12 and 14

Purple or Bright yellow and orange bodied Soft Hackles #14 and 16

Fish the last three patterns after the sun drops below the horizon. Just use a standard wet fly swing. Make a cast, let the fly swing and straighten out below you. Make two or three steps downstream and repeat. You can thank me later.