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Author: Bruce_Staples

Fly Fish Food Jimmy's / Articles posted by Bruce_Staples (Page 21)

Henry’s Fork, August 22nd, 2023

August 22, 2023
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Fishing Reports, Henry's Fork

Headlines from Dr. Rob Van Kirk’s Henry’s Fork Drainage Water Status Report Filed Yesterday (8/21)

  • Yesterday was the wettest day in the watershed since December 1, 2022, increasing water-year total precipitation to 109% of average; we will end water year 2023 with at least 102% of average precipitation.
  • Natural flow increased by 6% over the weekend, while diversion dropped by 5%.
  • Outflow from Island Park Reservoir is being decreased by 200 cfs to around 670 cfs this morning. The reservoir is 62.3% full, compared with 54.5% on average.
  • Water quality was excellent throughout the watershed yesterday.

The current overcast and cooler weather is ideal for increasing the spinner falls, trico and speckled dun activity up and down the river. It may slow hopper activity a bit, but warmer, brighter days will return and bring back activity from these bugs. Flying ant populations are building, and for weeks to come trout will key on them.

 

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Henry’s Lake, August 19th, 2023

August 19, 2023
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Fishing Reports, Henry's Lake

Early AM visits to creek inlets and submerged springs are the best places to find action during the current slow fishing times on the lake.This time of the season trout prefer these places having the coolest water in the lake. Floating lines to present standard Henry’s Lake patterns ( See Bill Schiess’s book” Fishing Henry’s Lake) under indicators and intermediate lines to present the same patterns around shallow to deep interfaces work well.

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South Fork, August 19th, 2023

August 19, 2023
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Fishing Reports, South Fork

We are at the peak of fly fishing season on the South Fork. There is something for every fly fisher to enjoy whether it is early AM spinner falls and stone flies, PMD and pink albert activity, hoppers and other terrestrial insect activity, afternoon caddis activity, streamers during increased cover periods and more. This is a “river in demand,” so launch facilities are during mornings and again during afternoon hours. Social conditions during these times can test one’s ability to stay composed as not all folks, whether they are anglers or recreationists, present will be considerate and exhibit proper behavior. So if using these facilities at peak activity periods is planned, be patient and strive to accept that being on the water to enjoy what the river offers will soon come and the “hustle & bustle” of the launch facility will soon fade into the distance.

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Yellowstone Park, August 19th, 2023

August 19, 2023
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Fishing Reports, Yellowstone Park

Hering Lake Cuttie

We continue to suggested that Beula Lake is one of the best places for still water fishing success in the region. We also suggest that although the lake offers good shoreline and wading opportunities, the best way to realize what this lake offers is through packing in a flotation device. If using such a device is chosen, consider trying it on nearby Hering Lake which is an easy quarter-mile walk south of Beula. Hering is about two-thirds the size of Beula but offers very little wading locations. Using a flotation device allows fishing the west side of the lake where deeper water host a good poulation of Yellowstone Cutthroat trout and the forested shoreline holds an abundance of terrestrial insects as well as damsel flies, cinnamon caddis and speckled duns. Although fewer trout are present, Hering Lake trout grow to larger sizes than those in Beula Lake. Consider fishing Hering Lake when upcoming flying ant activity becomes dense enough to attract the trout population here.

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Henry’s Fork, August 19th, 2023

August 19, 2023
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Fishing Reports, Henry's Fork

Construction on U. S. Highway 20 will impact access to favored angling locations on the Henry’s Fork, waters around West Yellowstone, and access to Yellowstone Park’s west entrance. The highway will be reduced to a single lane with flaggers directing alternate travel during on-going work from Pinehaven to Island Park Lodge. Almost twenty miles of road is being paved with target completion being in September.

Early AM spinner falls and trico activity along with flying ant and terrestrial insect patterns later in the day provide the best times for success on the upper river. The same insect activity applies to the lower river where a relatively unsettled weather pattern for the upcoming week could improve fishing success without the access problems coming from road construction.

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South Fork, August 15th, 2023

August 15, 2023
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Fishing Reports, South Fork

Flow out of Palisades Reservoir has been increased slightly but not enough to influence fly fishing success. The reservoir is about three-quarters full, so at this time of the season there is enough water for downstream irrigation demands. Big news is the early AM mutant golden stone fly activity working up the river. So no significant change since our last fishing report as normal summertime conditions prevail.

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Big Lost River, August 15th, 2023

August 15, 2023
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Big Lost River, Fishing Reports

Forget about easy wading and good fishing in the river below Mackay Dam until the fall season at the earliest. High flows will prevail until water level allows dam repairs to begin. The river above the reservoir offers good fishing especially below the North Fork confluence. Copper Basin streams are mostly at base level flows. Trico and other spinner falls provide early in the day action. Action slows during mid day, but well placed hopper. caddis life cycle, and traditional attractor patterns can bring responses from resident trout. Expect fly fishing company coming from the Sun Valley-Ketchum area.

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Southwest Montana, August 15th, 2023

August 15, 2023
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Fishing Reports, South Western Montana

Spruce moths are beginning to show up in good numbers on the Gallatin River and soon will do the the same on forested sections of the Madison River. There are specific patterns for these insects, but any simulating a caddis fly ( elk hair caddis, X caddis, etc) work just as well. If you prefer fishing smaller, less crowded steams, check out the West Fork of the Madison River to see if these insects are active. Anywhere you find spruce moths present trout love them as a food form.

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Yellowstone Park, August 15th, 2023

August 15, 2023
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Fishing Reports, Yellowstone Park

Meadow Section on Fall River in Yellowstone Park

Fall River in Idaho appears mostly as a riffle and run stream occupying a canyon. However, in Yellowstone Park it is of much different character. Here are stair-step meadow reaches punctuated by runs through thick forests and the most beautiful waterfalls anywhere. Some of the best fishing in Fall River Basin resides here, but access is not always easy. Two of the easiest access points are off the Ashton-Flagg Road. The nearest to Idaho of these is through turning off at the Loon Lake-Fish Lake Road and following it to the wilderness area boundary. From here a walk of about a mile takes one to the Park’s south boundary. A short connector trail into the Park connects to the South Boundary Trail where a decision must be made on where to fish: the meadow reach upstream or the same downstream. Making such a selection is more difficult because forested portions are present where overhead cover means more active fish but tougher casting conditions. Long, drag free floats of terrestrial insect and traditional attractor patterns work best in these portions. The other relatively easy access to Fall River is further east of the Ashton-Flagg Road. This is the Terrace Falls Trail with its short walk to the river. From here the visiting fly fisher should go upstream to enjoy some classic riffle and run water where caddis and traditional attractor patterns bring fishing success. Bring a camera as this part of the river features some unique cascades and waterfalls.

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Henry’s Fork, August 15th, 2023

August 15, 2023
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Fishing Reports, Henry's Fork

Water Quality Information from  Dr. Rob Van Kirk’s 8/14  HF drainage report

Water quality was good to excellent over the weekend, although afternoon high water temperatures have crept up a little over the past few days. However, afternoon highs have exceeded 70 degrees only at Buffalo River, St. Anthony and Parker, and then by lower margins than earlier in the summer. Mean daily water temperatures have been close to average at all locations. Dissolved oxygen concentrations have been good to excellent at all locations, benefiting from both cooler mean water temperatures (cooler water can hold more oxygen) and continued high photosynthesis from aquatic vegetation. Aquatic productivity is very high right now but not at the expense of high water temperatures and low dissolved oxygen.

In part as a result of Friday’s outflow decrease and in part because of improving water quality in the reservoir, turbidity at Island Park Dam has decreased by 1-1.5 Nephelometric Turbidity Units (NTU) since then and was below average over the weekend. Turbidity at Pinehaven is near the lowest we have recorded this time of year.

All in all, streamflow, water quality, and aquatic ecosystem productivity are about as good as they can get throughout the whole watershed right now. With another round of cooler, wetter weather expected next week, I anticipate conditions to remain excellent for another two weeks.

Patterns for Grass Hoppers are Effective During Summer Days

  • Same as our last report: Best fishing success is during AM spinner falls and trico emergences. Then again as evening approaches through using long drag-free drifts of hopper or flying ant patterns each accompanied by a small dropper of your favorite nymph pattern.

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