The wonderful late summer has slowed the fall mayfly emergence here. We are getting colder night times, and stormy skies will be more frequent. This means the consistent BWO action and mahogany duns are coming, and streamer fishing will pick to make up for slowing action from terrestrial insects. For now hoppers, caddis & streamers in the evening are the best way to find action.
Fishing here has been inconsistent, but with October coming on look for a change for the better. Best fishing will be in the shallows. To be ready for the great fall fishing here, be sure you have an intermediate line and a good amount (at least 50 yards) of backing. Stout leaders will also be best, that is 2X, 1X. Be sure you have a good selection of leech patterns in fall colors: that is halloweens, peacocks, Californias, and mohairs. Remembering that the lake is quite cold, be sure you have plenty of insulation for the long periods of being in the water.
Right now terrestrial patterns get you the best action on most streams. With cooling and shorter days the Firehole River will offer better action from such as BWO and cadds activity. Trico spinner falls bring action on all Fall River Basin streams. Brown trout are beginning to forage before spawning runs. So be sure to have streamer patterns in your fly box. As we move through autumn, rely more and more on them to bring action.
Gulpers are diminishing in general, and so are spruce moths. Its time to start thinking streamers as browns will be active especially during evenings and early mornings. Look for action to pick up on lakes hosting browns. This means Hebgen Res., Quake Lake, Ennis Lake, Wade Lake, Smith Lake, and Clark Canyon Res.
Action will begin to pick up all over as we begin to cool. Daniels Reservoir currently offers the best fishing. Try shallow areas such as the east shoreline and the upper end. Use midge pupa patterns with a strike indicator, or try small leech or BLM patterns trolled as slowly as possible. When action picks up on other reservoirs, we will pass on information here.
Here are a few details on which of these waters seem to be producing the best fishing. The flavs are still producing great PM fishing on Big Elk Creek. Hoppers and attractor patterns are bringing action on Palisades Creek. Hoppers are beginning to produce on the upper Blackfoot River. Warm River just below the spring is a great choice with caddis, BWO and terresttrial patterns bringing action. Trico spinner falls still bring action on the Birch Creek diversion. There is a lot more! Get in touch or visit us to find out more info on these waters.
With flows out of Mackay Dam dropping to just under 400 cfs, cautious wading will get you into action from trico spinner falls, BWOs, midges, and terrestrials. And the river will offer even better fishing as we move through autumn. We will keep you current on this improvement.
Becoming increasingly important as a fishery as we move into autumn. Here is a great option to float fishing the South Fork, especially if you enjoy presenting streamer patterns. The mainstem may not have the same beauty as the South Fork surroundings, but it is no slouch. Neither are the fish which in size more than rival those in the South Fork and the lower Henry’s Fork.
Same story for now: early & late in the day are best times to fish. But we are not far away from changes up and down the river. With cooling weather BWO and mahogany patterns will soon become more effective. Same with streamers and even big nymph patterns. Terrestrial patterns will gradually be less effective, but evening caddis swarms will provide good action. We will keep on top of these changes and discuss here how you should adjust your fishing strategy accordingly.
We had several inquiries about fishing action here. Action is picking up in shallow water here, and is sure to improve as we move through autumn. Brookies have begun to move into creek mouths. With cooling water weeds will begin to break up meaning less food forms hosted and more open water near shorelines. Think intermediate lines and leech patterns. We will stay current and pass on here which fishing techniques seem to work best.