South Fork 11-5-19
Because of the nice weather predicted for the rest of the week and low flow, currently 1000 cfs out of Palisades Dam, think about taking advantage of these for an outing before bad weather sets in!
Because of the nice weather predicted for the rest of the week and low flow, currently 1000 cfs out of Palisades Dam, think about taking advantage of these for an outing before bad weather sets in!
It froze over early this year. Currently too much ice to troll or cast, but not thick enough yet for ice fishing.
Flow out of Palisades Dam was dropped to 990 cfs (1420 cfs at Heise) yesterday. This action will make boating tougher, but makes walk-in wade fishing a more attractive alternative. Hopefully this will be the last flow reduction this year.
Tomorrow is the last day of the 2019 Yellowstone Park fishing season.
Current weather makes traveling over back country roads to some of our small streams downright dangerous because of blowing, drifting snow and wind chill. Consider checking with county road maintenance operations before going to such as the Blackfoot River drainage or the Teton River drainage.
It’s a few weeks early, but Henry’s Lake iced up yesterday. It’s unlikely to thaw considering the upcoming cold weather.
Flows are dropping making either walk-in wade or fishing through boating practical. Migrating browns are the big attraction and respond to well placed streamer patterns whether presented through boating or wading. Consider that there are more brown trout in the main stem from American Falls Reservoir upstream than in the South Fork and the lower Henry’s Fork.
Winter has arrived meaning accessing certain waters is no longer available. To see which roads are closed o the the Yellowstone Park web site and look for road closures. Sunday, November 3rd is the last day for the 2019 park fishing season.
Weather like we are having today may be difficult with the snow, wind, and falling air temperatures, but it is almost perfect for success through pitching streamer patterns for migrating browns. This applies to anywhere on the river below lower Mesa Falls to the South Fork confluence. Dress accordingly!
Flow out of Palisades Dam has been steady at around 2100 cfs for week. Further reductions in flow are coming as the Palisades Reservoir water storage season is upon us. Look for winter to increasingly impede your comfort as you fish on the surface for fish attracted to BWO activity or pitch streamers to those aggressive migrating browns.