Flow out of Blackfoot River Reservoir was increased Wednesday from under 100 cfs to around 230 cfs as irrigation demands kick in. That’s a big change for this small river, so look for fishing success here to fall off until things stabilize, even though a big caddisfly hatch is going on.
Flow out of Palisades Dam is now just over 12000 cfs but rate of increase has really slowed last several days. Reason for increasing flow is irrigation demands in Magic Valley where growing season is way ahead for the time of year. Nymphing riffles is productive as water temperature is in low 40s, degrees F. throughout. Rainbows are spawning.
Flow out of Palisades Dam was increased each of the last three days making the South Fork water graph look like a step function. Now at 6530 cfs out of the dam, flow at Heise is a bit higher, and water temperature there is now in the low 40s in degrees Fahrenheit.
Another 500 cfs boost in flow out of Palisades Dam came about early on April 9th to 4500 cfs. This translates to about 4800 cfs at Heise. Water there remains around 40 deg. F.
Flow out of Palisades Dam was increased another 500 cfs early this morning to just under 4000 cfs. This increases the flow at Heise to just under 4300 cfs. Water temperature remains in the high 30s in degrees F. from the dam to Heise. In sum, these increases may make the river friendlier to drift boats, but leaves plenty of candidate locations for good walk-in-wade fishing.
Flow out of Palisades Dam was bumped up again yesterday early AM to about 3500 cfs. Water temp. still in high 30s in deg. F, there, but increases at Lorenzo to lo 40s same degrees.
The 2015 Eastern Idaho Fly Tying and Fly-Fishing Expo (EIFTE) is set for April 17th and 18th at the Idaho Falls Shilo Inn. The EIFTE is one of the largest fly-fishing shows of its kind. It features programs for women taught by women, programs for youth, and workshops for the experienced and entry level fly-fisher and fly tier. Several product vendors will be present, destination programs will be presented, and a fly tying theater will be in session both days. Over 120 demonstrating fly tiers will showcase their skills during tying sessions both days. Admission is free to the floor where demonstrating tiers, merchandise tables, daytime raffles, and vendors will operate and to the destination programs. Charles Jardine is the featured guest. More details on the EIFTE are available on the www.srcexpo.com web site.
If you intend to fish the river from the Vernon Bridge down to Chester Dam backwaters, be sure to include rubber leg patterns in your fly box and bring a sink tip line to present them. Drifting these patterns through riffles and runs in this reach has resulted in some great fishing recently.
Flow out of Palisades Dam was increased by 500 cfs early today. Flow coming into the reservoir from Grey’s, Salt, and Snake Rivers increased because of our recent warm weather, so flow out of the dam was adjusted upward to maintain reservoir fill rate.
This flow increase should not impact fishing. Temperature of water coming out of Palisades Dam is still in the high 30s in degrees F., but downstream at Lorenzo is in the mid 40s in same degrees. That means more active fish in the lower river which is good news for fishing.
Some of our still waters are beginning to shape up to the point of good fishing. Daniels Reservoir seems to be among the best. Try midge pupa patterns drifted a foot or two from the bottom and under an indicator. Try the same at Hawkins Reservoir which is also producing. The Dairy Creek Road, passable but rutted, leaves the pavement at Hawkins Dam to provide quickest access to Daniels Reservoir. Chesterfield remains slow with discolored water. Twenty-Four Mile Reservoir is beginning to produce, and the road is passable with care. We have very few good reports to date for Springfield Reservoir where water is low and somewhat discolored.