Fishing here sure has been slow, and the reason is likely a combination of factors. Leeches presented deep seem to bring the best results up to now. But the way things are warming up, it is likely time to concentrate presenting traditional Henry’s Lake patterns at creek mouths. Begin doing so at first light, and expect oncoming company, especially if you are having good fishing.
Higher water releases from Island Park Reservoir draw down resulted in turbid water flowing through the Last Chance-Harriman reach on downstream a ways. This impacted fishing success for a few days, but should decrease with any decrease in flows. Some afternoon flavs remain, but rusty spinner patterns bring the most interest during evening hours. Fishing on the river below Ashton Dam remains slow with best times to do so being early in the day. But below the dam and above the reservoir to Warm River terrestrial insects are becoming more important in dry fly fishing.
We usually do not receive a lot of warm water fishing information because most information comes from trout fishing, the major angling interest regionally. This year we and other local shops are receiving even less on warm waters because of increased restrictions and added inconveniences. Here are a few. Invasive species regulations (up to date boat sticker purchase requirement and verification), no fishing from boats and no wading (only fishing from shore) on Deep and Devil’s Creek Reservoirs, and the lack of boat inspection stations in Franklin County, the location of so many of reservoirs hosting warm water fish species. The Franklin County situation is that the only boat inspection station is on U. S. Highway 89 just north of the Idaho-Utah border. Thus persons wanting to fish county reservoirs, including those further north in the county where most are located, must go almost to the Utah border first for an inspection and its verification certificate. Add to that the $20 fee required for non-Franklin county residents and good for only five days, and the result is that visitation to these reservoirs is way down compared to past years. For those willing to bear this burden, crowding is not a problem, but there certainly is an impact on fishing time for those anglers residing north of Franklin County.
Daniels Reservoir remains the “star of the show” for reservoirs to the south, and can be a bit crowded. Damselfly life cycle patterns work very well (adult patterns work better on wind-free days) as do midge pupa patterns under an indicator. You must determine the taking depth. Springfield Reservoir can be good for those presenting dry damselfly patterns on top of channels between weed beds, again being best during wind-free times. Twenty-Four Mile Reservoir is pretty much done for the year, Hawkins Reservoir is being drawn down, and Chesterfield Reservoir is not producing up to par. We do not have as much information as is usual for this time of year simply because people are not fishing these and other reservoirs to the southeast because of political-social reasons. If you go to our current Warm Water report, you will see an sketch of the reasons why.
Increased turbidity in American Falls outflow has decreased fishing success in the river below.
The Firehole River is now warm enough that you do its trout a favor by fishing elsewhere. Brown drake hatches are done for the year on Duck Creek and the Gibbon River meadow reaches. Concentrate on presenting terrestrial patterns for better dry fly fishing on these. Slough Creek is fishing well through presenting terrestrial patterns (but hosts almost as many fly-fishers as fish). Also concentrate on presenting these on Bechler River and Boundary Creek. Yellowstone River is now open to fishing above the falls. Big stoneflies are about to go through. Fishing on Shoshone Lake tapers off this time of year, but picks up in September, same with Lewis Lake. If you intend to fish Fall River in the park, water releases from Grassy Lake much impact fishing success this time of year. These releases happen on irrigation demand, and can be irregular well into August. For a few days after such a release wet fly fishing (streamers, wooly bugger types, SJ worms, etc.) beats dry fly fishing if you want to encounter the large cut-bows present in the river.
Now begins the season to think terrestrial patterns for best dry fly fishing on small streams, especially when trying their meadow reaches. Examples include Bear Creek, Birch Creek in the Family Area, Jackknife Creek, McCoy Creek, South Fork of Tincup Creek, Upper Crow Creek (too bad absentee landowners dominate the lower part), Sawmill Creek, Blackfoot River in the Wildlife Management Area, and Teton River in Teton Basin. Some of these will host decreasing PMD hatches, and almost all have caddisfly activity on-going. Traditional patterns will always work, especially those that imitate horseflies and deer flies which take over from mosquitoes as pests on many streams. Fishing on some streams will begin to slow a bit as their run-off component drops to zero. Include Boone, Conant, and Robinson Creeks in these.
Emerging PMDs and their spinner falls are providing action on the upper river and brown drakes are still emerging during evenings on the river from Wood Rd 16 up to the Osborne Bridge. Select locations within can become somewhat crowded. Flavs are coming on, too. Nymphing is the best way for action in Box Canyon. The lower river, mainly below Ashton Dam, is warming to the point that choosing another location to fish is worth considering. With summer coming on and accompanying low water, looks like mid-day fishing may not pick up until September. That means fruitful lower river fishing visits will take place during early morning and evening hours.
Here’s a notice recently given by the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (Montana FW&P) of interest to all anglers. Hoot Owl closures are in effect from 2 PM to midnight on certain areas of the following Montana Rivers:
Beaverhead
Big Hole
Gallatin
Jefferson
Madison
Ruby
For details go to the Montana FW&P web site.
Any small stream with a campground nearby will be heavily fished this holiday weekend. One exception might be the upper Blackfoot River. The river within the Blackfoot River Wildlife Management Area is the best water above Blackfoot River Reservoir and likely will not be crowded because of the South Fork turning on and the lure of the upper Henry’s Fork and the Madison River. Camp at Mill Creek campground to enjoy the evening brown drake emergence which may be relatively sparse during this low water year. PMD and caddisfly life cycle patterns and patterns to simulate the few gray drakes during afternoons will bring some action as will patterns to simulate a growing terrestrial insect population.
Palisades Reservoir tribs are in good shape now with PMDs, caddis, and sallies providing hints for effective patterns. South Fork tribs are also now open and in good shape with same insects as in Reservoir tribs providing food for trout and pattern ideas for fly-fishers. In fact, all area small waters not impacted by irrigation diversion are offering good fishing. Now may be the best time to fish small waters during the next several months because of the low water year we are having. So consider visiting a small stream now, then get in touch with us to see which may be fishing best at a given time.