Big Elk Creek

Big Elk Creek

Thanks to deep holes hosting cool waters and abundant in-flow from springs, this stream remains excellent fishing in this year of low water.  You must walk up about two miles to enjoy the best of what it offers, but the further up you walk, fewer anglers will be encountered.  You get to the Big Elk Creek trail head by driving to the end of the road that begins off US Highway 26 on the northwest side of  Big Elk Creek Arm of Palisades Reservoir.  Driving up the road you pass the USFS’s campground just below the trail head, and this well kept campground could make a great base of operations for fishing the creek and other near-by waters during a several day stay.  Another plus is that like Palisades Creek , Big Elk Creek is non motorized. The lower end of the creek is mainly higher gradient meaning a smaller number of larger fish. Thus the need to walk upstream for the best fishing. Yellowstone cutthroat are the sole salmonid resident here except for kokanee which enter this time of year to attempt spawning.   These do not have a negative impact on cutthroat activity, but do bring a number of anglers trying to entice them to strike.  Fortunately, most of these stay within the lower mile of the creek. Unfortunately there is a remnant subculture bent on snagging these fish.  IDF&G asks that on observing such activity you report it to them. In fact IDF&G has undercover agents watching the stream, so that cowpuncher-looking gent or lady on horseback may observe you and ask for you fishing license. No problem if you are fishing dry flies which is by far the most interesting way for action on this creek.

So when is the best time of day to fish this stream and how about strategy?  It’s a  high country water, so it radiates heat as soon as the sun leaves, and that happens in late afternoon because of the adjacent steep country.  If you are a dry fly enthusiast the best time of day for action begins mid afternoon when water temps get into the mid 50s in degrees Fahrenheit.  Fish become more active then in search of terrestrial insects, so try around overhangs above depth and in front of undercuts with your favorite terrestrial patterns. But this time of year as soon as flavs begin emerging, action really turns on.  Look for fish in the deeper water, like that in the above pic, to take at the top of holes, or if the surface remains a bit broken throughout,  just about anywhere. Choose a pattern you can see on a broken surface.  My favorite is the out of style, but classic blond humpy in size 12. I can see it anywhere.  I’ve tried CDC renditions for flav duns. They work as well for sure as that out of date humpy, but they are no where near as rugged.  That being said, Mike L. might ask me to plug EP fibers for winging and to bring my fly selection into the 21st century! In any case your favorite flav dun will do if you present it correctly. In the case of this creek that would be an upstream presentation because of the angle the sun makes on the creek.  You can enjoy Big Elk’s flav activity into September, so there is plenty of time to give it a try. When you do, bring a camera because the country side is gorgeous.  Bring potable water or a purifier because as pristine as the creek looks, sheep graze some of the surrounding highlands. That is the only thing that alters the water quality in this unique stream.