Browns are migrating up and down the river. With flows dropping there are many locations for walk-in wading, but floating gets you to more of the best places. Either way streamer fishing will be the name of the game. Be sure to have them in colorful and somber shades, and have a stout rod to present them as we have plenty of windy days coming up. Come in the shop for a visit to pick up tips on wading locations and for the same for float trips.
The lower river is fishing very well with BWO and mahogany dun hatches providing good top water fishing with emerger, dun, and spinner patterns. Don’t overlook the numerous midges on the water. Look for some very good fishing action coming up as we expect some stormy weather from now to the rest of the week. Under low light conditions streamers will be effective earl and late in the day.
Daniels Reservoir remains the “star of the show” here. If you do not enjoy presenting midge pupa at the taking depth under an indicator, try your favorite small leech pattern or anything that looks like a damselfly nymph. The upper end and the east shoreline are good locations to begin fishing.
Lewis River below Shoshone Lake
Yes, because of the shenanigans currently going on in Washington DC you cannot get into Yellowstone Park to enjoy and appreciate what happens in Lewis River between Shoshone and Lewis Lakes this time of year. But if those “pols” ever recover their reason, do their job and open government functions before the end of Yellowstone Park’s fishing season the first weekend of November, consider the following (that is weather and roads permitting). Here’s what goes on there: you will see the densest population in the Park and maybe anywhere of brown trout congregating to spawn. They come from both lakes into the riffles in the upper part of the river to seek the right substrate for spawning. Like the beginning of an Old West gold strike the males move in to establish a “claim” (spawning territory in this case). They scrap to keep out interlopers ( claim jumper in the case of humans). Soon the hens come in to take advantage of the claimed territory, and the spawning begins. Because of the brown trout population in both lakes, the Lewis River system hosts the biggest brown trout population in Yellowstone Park. Their spawning run between the lakes begins late in September and peaks about a month later. For decades it was almost a secret shared by anglers from Jackson Hole , West Yellowstone, and other communities close to the Park. But in the 1960’s an angler craving notice published in a national magazine an article on the spawning run, and its presence thus became common knowledge. Now this event is a destination for many anglers.
There is a way to avoid the resulting crowds that slosh through the river and by doing so put many fish down. Get there early in the day before the disturbances start and more action will result. It may mean beginning the four mile walk from the trail head just above Lewis Lake at “oh-dark-thirty”, camping for the night at the outlet campground or at one of the nearby canoe campsites (permit needed), or waiting for a stormy day. But if you are successful in being among the first on the three-quarters of a mile of river where the fish concentrate you can be in for unforgettable fishing. All you need is a fairly stout rod (six or seven weight) and strong (3X-2X) nine foot leader, floating line, and large (4-2/0)streamer flies in either colorful or somber hues. Trying to keep a low profile or presenting from as far away as possible while swinging a streamer in front of a school of browns will result in hard, deliberate strikes. These strong fish range from around seventeen on up to near thirty inches and they do not give in easily, such is their spawning urge. Warm clothing, reliable waders and good physical conditions are required. So is preparation for bad weather. I recall a trip when three of us arrived at the same time as a storm came in. As snow accumulated and winds dropped wind chill to uncomfortable levels, anglers left in droves. We, however, fortified with “potable antifreeze” spent the night and awoke to an abandoned river which offered unbelievable streamer fishing. It cleared off that night, making wake-up air temperatures around ten below in degrees F. But the three of us had the river to ourselves, so cold did not matter.
Here’s something to consider: if those Washington DC shenanigans end sometime this month, those browns will have been undisturbed for days if not weeks. The first several fly-fishers visiting the river will experience unbelievable fishing. That could be YOU!
Flow out of Palisades Dam is now at 3000 cfs. That makes for terrific wading conditions in the river below, and we can help pinpoint candidate locations when you get in touch or visit the shop. Lately the South Fork offers some of the best fishing of the year. Another round of stormy weather is expected the end of next week, so get ready for some good BWO and mahogany dun activity then. Be sure to have streamer patterns handy. As a matter of inconvenience, Kelly Island Campground is closed because of the government shutdown.
The Park is closed to fishing for the duration of the government shutdown. Entrances are gated & locked, and technically access from points not at entrance gates are also closed. This includes such as access off the Ashton-Flagg Road, Baker’s Hole Campground, Duck Creek, Grayling Creek, etc. For more information on the shutdown phone Yellowstone Park Visitor Services Office; 307-344-2107. When we learn that the shutdown terminates, we will announce that information here.
Best news here is that the recent cool, wet weather has brought the lower river back to life. Mahogany duns, BWOs, and midges are making for great dry fly fishing. Early and late in the day streamers are attracting large trout around overhead cover. On the upper river flow out of Island Park Dam is around 300 cfs as water storage kicks in. Try two-nymph rigs during daytime. When clouds prevail try high-sticking big stonefly nymphs. Switch to streamers as daylight fades.
Fishing is really improving here, and that means all around the lake. Creek mouths well, especially the Howard Creek/State park area. The lake is low, and winds will stir up exposed silt. This action means that large leech patterns presented on either a floating or intermediate line are working well when fishing discolored water. Around creek mouths try patterns Everet recommends in the September 9th report. Also consider trying a prince nymph or snail pattern(both #12-14) under an indicator and in shallow water. Experiment a bit to find the taking depth. Be sure to watch the wind/weather up at Henry’s this time of year, the weather can change quickly!
Mahogany duns and BWOs are making for some of the best top water fishing of the year here. The weather is ideal for these mayflies to hatch, crowds are down, fall colors are coming on, and flow out of Palisades Dam has been hovering around 5000 cfs for a week making for great walk-in wading conditions. All this adds up to a great time to visit this best of rivers. Come in for a visit and to get information on some of the best locations .
Sand Creek Pond #4
For decades these ponds owned by Idaho Fish and Game have provided good fishing for the public. Amongst other reasons they were established to help support the elk herd wintering in the area. They are the still waters furthest west of the string of small reservoirs located in or near hillside hollows north and west of Ashton. All these except for Sand Creek Ponds are private waters. Some are closed to the public, others can be fished for a fee. Still waters at Sand Creek consist of four ponds, above which is Blue Creek Reservoir. In this year of drought only the largest, Pond # 4, offers fishing. From Highway 20 turn left onto the St. Anthony Highway 20 Business Loop. Cross the Del Rio Bridge, and turn right at the sign indicating 16 miles to the ponds. After a few miles pavement gives out to twelve miles of dusty but well maintained gravel. Pond #4 is the first that comes into view, and circling around its west end one takes a right to approach the primitive boat dock. There are restrictions on all of these ponds. Yearly one cannot launch a boat on any pond until after July 15th. Boats on all ponds must be non-motorized. Pontoon boats and float tubes are ideal for fishing these ponds, although hard sided boats work, too, but because occupants typically stand while fishing they are more visible to fish. Speaking of fish: rainbow trout are the main occupants of the ponds, and they grow to trophy sizes. A lesser population brook trout is also present. One can fish from the south and west banks where rip rap piled to form the pond is topped with enough soil to form grassy banks. These banks are usually populated by local bait and lure anglers, an their stories of big fish encounters can be entertaining. When one goes onto the surface of these ponds, the rich farm ponds of the rural southeastern and mid western states come to mind. Here are copious lily pads, cat tails and islands of bull rushes. No bull frogs or turtles are present though. Neither are “big mouth bass” catfish, crappie, or brim. Also no snapping turtles or water moccasins to the extreme joy of anglers using soft sided boats! When allowed on the pond surface by boat, the emergence one can expect is that of damselflies, and a most effective way to encounter some of the lunker ‘bows is through presenting dry adult damselfly renditions. A bit later in the season speckled duns and caddis emerge with resulting gulpers taking action. As summer advances presenting grasshopper patterns on the surface can be productive as windy days blow them in from adjacent grasslands. All the season long midge pupa, small leech, small fly rod jigs and snail patterns will work subsurface. Best times to be on these ponds are early and late in the day. Primitive campsite are near by to help in being on the water at these times. Bring water and take out your trash. being adjacent to the Island Park caldera thunder storms an be frequent, so be prepared.