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Author: Bruce_Staples

Fly Fish Food Jimmy's / Articles posted by Bruce_Staples (Page 22)

Still Waters, August 15th, 2023

August 15, 2023
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Fishing Reports, Still Water

Daniels Reservoir on a Windy Day

The Idaho Department of Fish & Game’s (IDF&G) Southeast Region office has put out a very interesting news release on the quality and quantity of trout in four popular area reservoirs: Daniels, Springfield, Treasureton and Twenty-Four Mile. The news release shows that even though summer is a ” down time” for still water fishing success, fish in good numbers and sizes are present in each. To read this informative article, go to the IDF&G’s web site and look under News Releases. Store the given info on each reservoir report for your visits during upcoming fall months.

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Southwest Montana, August 12th, 2023

August 12, 2023
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Fishing Reports, South Western Montana

Tricorythodes (trico) may fly

Speckled dun activity has been spotty so far on Hebgen Lake, but AM trico activity provides good fishing during wind-free days. Below Quake Lake, good top water fishing can be had with traditional attractor ( goofus bug, renegade, P-chute Adams, Wulff series) patterns and hopper-dropper combinations. During rainy periods switch to nymph patterns. Terrestrial insect patterns work best on the Gallatin River. Accept that the closer you approach the Big Sky community, the more anglers you will encounter. Thus fishing this river in the Park upstream from the highway will diminish your angling company.

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Yellowstone Park, August 12th, 2023

August 12, 2023
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Fishing Reports, Yellowstone Park

Soda Butte Creek

A word of caution: Soda Butte Creek will be closed to fishing from August 14th to 18th. This closure is in place as activities to remove brook trout will be undertaken by Park fisheries staff. Brook trout have been removed through past actions, but the the mechanism for their return is being studied. This closure will certainly transfer anglers to nearby Slough Creek and the Lamar River.

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Henry’s Fork, August 12th, 2023

August 12, 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.

Yesterday’s mean temp was right at average for this time of year, and water-year precipitation stayed at 108 % of normal.

Lower watershed stream flow is still well above irrigation season targets, so outflow from Island Park Reservoir was reduced to 575 cfs this morning. As natural flow continues to drop, an increase in out flow may happen next week.

Island Park Reservoir is 63.7 % full compared to 60.6 % on average.

Turbidity at Island Park Dam continues to drop , and is at average as of today.

Dr. Rob Van Kirk

Senior Scientist

Henry’s Fork Foundation

There is no significant change in fly fishing conditions since our last report. Mornings and evenings remain the best times for fishing success up and down the river.

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Small Streams, August 12th, 2023

August 12, 2023
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Fishing Reports, Small Streams

Bitch Creek Slide to Reach the Bitch Creek Confluence With the Teton River

As with the South Fork, many smaller waters are in top fishing shape these days. Where smaller waters beat the much deserved popularity of that river is in tranquility. For example, you may fish in the Blackfoot River Wildlife Management Area with seven miles of meandering meadow stream and encounter a fewer number of anglers than fingers on one hand. The Palisades Reservoir tribs offer a variety of fishing with McCoy Creek and its bank side terrestrial insect population attracting Snake River fine spotted cutthroat and a scattering of brown trout into action. The Big Elk Creek western green drake hatch is on going to offer some of the best afternoon fishing in the area. If you can hike several miles, Bear Creek is essentially untouched by anglers so far this season. Palisades Creek offers great riffle and run fishing for cutthroat trout ranging to trophy sizes. Use traditional dry fly and caddis life cycle patterns. Few places offer the physical beauty that the Teton River in the Basin offers along with great top water fishing with PMD, caddis and terrestrial insects convincing trout to rise. Morning and evening visits here minimize recreational boating activity. And if you are sturdy enough to descend to the where Bitch Creek converges to the Teton River in the canyon you could be the lone fly fisher present. Warm River Spring maintains high quality cool, clear water to the the river on downstream with its caddis and terrestrial inset population making for an active brook, brown and rainbow trout population. With its stair-step beaver ponds hosting numerous cutthroat trout, the South Fork of Tincup Creek beckons a visit.

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South Fork, August 12th, 2023

August 12, 2023
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Fishing Reports, South Fork

Let’s not deny him a share of fish

We try to keep up to date on this river because of its popularity and what it offers to fly fishers this time of the season. Flows have been reduced a bit, much to the joy of walk-in wade anglers ( 7900 cfs at Irwin, 8100 cfs at Heise, 3400 cfs at Lorenzo). Water is in great shape being clear and cool. Morning mutant golden stone activity is moving up the river to provide interesting top water fishing. Mid-days are the time to run errands, photography, observe wildlife, or having a great lunch in a nearby “watering hole.” If you must fish during mid-days, nymphs from rubber leg patterns down to the array of small beaded or beadless patterns presented close to overhead cover can produce. PMDs and afternoon caddis are active, and pink alberts are making an appearance. As soon as waters have warmed by early PM, terrestrial patterns will become most effective, especially under windy conditions, for trout foraging vegetated banks. Streamers presented during evenings can fool that big brown trout searching for minnows during the increased overhead cover. So the river now offers some of everything for the fly fisher to try, and that variety and determining what food item to simulate at a given time makes for interesting fishing few other streams can match!

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Main Stem Snake River, August 8th, 2023

August 8, 2023
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Fishing Reports, Main Stem Snake River

Flow out of American Falls Dam is about where it should be for this time of the season ( about 11000 cfs). The river is in great shape for boat travel to enjoy large trout and smallmouth bass. The bass population is perhaps the best in this part of Idaho, and offers a considerable alternate to the great trout fishing present. Streamers and woolly bugger types are best flies, especially when fished along submerged structure.

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Yellowstone Park, August 8th, 2023

August 8, 2023
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Fishing Reports, Yellowstone Park

Beula Lake

We continue to suggest that if you want the best still water action in the area during mid summer, Beula Lake is the place to try. A walk of about two and a half miles is required and packing a flotation device gets one onto the whole lake. But places along the inlet, east side shoreline, and near the outlet can be waded. Currently, speckled dun mayflies, cinnamon caddis and damsel fly life cycle fly patterns will be taken by all trout ( only Yellowstone cutthroat trout are present) present. Traditional nymph and small leech patterns always produce here.

If the walk to Beula is too far for comfort, the walk to Riddle Lake is about half the distance and through flatter country. The same trout as in Beula Lake are just as active, but they run smaller in size. Both lakes are in “bear country.” so take proper precautions.

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Southwest Montana, August 8th, 2023

August 8, 2023
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Fishing Reports, South Western Montana

Gulpers have begun emerging during wind free AMs on the Madison and South Fork Arms of Hebgen Lake. Activity seems to be varying day by day, but is good enough for a visit. There are several launch site along the Madison Arm Road and at Lonesomehurst campground. Consider that other lakes, such as the upper end of Quake Lake Hidden and Elk Lakes, hosting gulper activity.

The best times for fishing success on the Madison River below Quake Lake is not mid day. Try morning hours for spinner falls and upcoming mutant golden stone fly activity. Socialize, visit a good restaurant, or try the South Fork of the Madison and its PMDs being active because of colder water during mid day. Come back to the Madison River during late afternoon to enjoy long drag free float along banks to encounter trout looking for hoppers, beetles and ants and solid caddis fly activity.

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South Fork, August 8th, 2023

August 8, 2023
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Fishing Reports, South Fork

Palisades Reservoir is at about three-quarters of capacity. Flow out of Palisades dam continues to drop; now 8500 cfs at Irwin with 9000 cfs at Heise and a bit over 4000 cfs at Lorenzo. Lowered flows result in more wading opportunities and approaches to riffles where PMDs and caddis flies are active during PM hours. In particular, there are increased wading opportunities along the river road above Heise and along the road above Fall Creek falls. Mutant golden stone flies have begun hatching during early AMs on the lower river. Soon hatching in significant quantities will work its way up the river. That’s another reason for dropping flows to be timely!

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