Still Waters, August 1st, 2020

Pauls Reservoir

Blanket statement: the current warm weather raises water temperatures and sends fish to deeper waters, cold flowing inlets, and spring holes everywhere.

Do you  have a youngster or physically challenged person that wants to visit still water were fish are active and a minimum of physical effort is required to enjoy them in tranquility?   Pauls Reservoir may answer to these questions.  It is off the beaten path for sure: go north on I-15 to the Humphrey exit near the Montana border. From the exit follow old US Highway 91 to the Modoc Road.  It goes underneath I-15 then about nine miles through dry country to the reservoir. With a bit of care even a sedan can pass along the road. Developed facilities are not present, nor is potable water or anyone selling food. Bring your own of these. Park at the dam and walk a few yards to begin fishing for small cutthrout trout that are usually eager to take small leech, speckled dun emerger or damselfly nymph patterns. If rises are frequent, switch to dry patterns that are in the size of the emerging duns.   Light weight gear is best, waders are not needed because fish cruise the shoreline in front of weed beds.  So with ability to cast about thirty feet, action is nearly  guaranteed.  A fifteen inch fish is a “bragging fish,” but who cares if the action is fast.