South Fork, October 20th, 2024
Flow out of Palisades Reservoir was dropped to around 4000 cfs yesterday ( about 4700 cfs at Heise, 250 cfs at Lorenzo) and is sure to go lower as normal flow at Irwin for this time of the year is about 3000 cfs. These low flows concentrate fish into deeper holes and runs and make presenting wet patterns of all sizes (midge pupa patterns up to large streamer, rubber leg, and wooly bugger types) more productive and make walk-in-wade locations numerous to the “nth degree.”
For hard sided boats especially, this low flow creates hazards not seen earlier in the season. Sub-surface structure is much closer to the surface and thus can cause damage that can range up to catastrophic. Channels that were once well connected to the main stem can now be cut off making for back tracking to the extreme which can ruin a good day on the water.
Nevertheless, the river still offers good fishing and more tranquility compared to the more hectic days of summer. Afternoon hours can be comfortable and contain good activity from foraging fish. BWOs remain active during these hours; all that is needed is to find them (places with minimal sunlight). Wet fly fishing can be successful regardless of the weather.
Flies to try: