Flow out of Palisades has been ramped down to 12800 cfs and probably will stay around there for a while to balance with expected run-off inflow and fill the reservoir. A flush to help manage cutthroat and rainbow downstream is possible late this month. For now fishing the river channels in Swan Valley with large nymphs and streamers will be the best way to find action. Run-off from tributaries below Swan Valley discolors the river making fishing success difficult.
Hebgen Lake is now mostly ice-free. Try woolly buggers and streamers around the north shoreline. The Madison River above Cabin Creek below Hebgen Dam is fishing well for those presenting nymphs or streamers. Clark Canyon reservoir is fishing well. During mornings fish shorelines and in 5-10 feet of water. Use midge pupa patterns. Later in the day fish move to deeper water. When the lake becomes choppy because of wind, switch to streamers presented deep.
Birch Creek remains the best place to try. Wind will reduce the BWO & midge emergences, but small nymphs will always work especially when they are lifted through the water column in view of resident trout.
For now forget the river below the Fall River confluence-Chester Dam. The river above remains good fishing but is rising some because of run-off. This week looks to be cool & windy, so run-off should not increase to make the river unfishable. Streamers and nymphs presented on sink-tip lines will bring the best action.
Our spring wind is making it difficult to take advantage of the dry flies on the Henry’s Fork. Not only does it depress the amount of emerging insects, it quickly whisks them away from the surface. Early mornings and evenings, if the wind dies, can make for some good fishing. All this also applies to the caddis emergence. Look for streamers presented near cover, overhangs, and off sheltered banks to provide some action. Fall River remains high and holds discolored water. The Henry’s Fork below Chester Dam receives it, and therefore does not offer fishing as good as upstream reaches.
Carp Classic V will take place on the Blackfoot Reservoir May 15th and 16th. Three person teams will compete with prizes, raffles and give-aways. Roads to the reservoir are open, and the carp are waiting! This event is more than a tournament: it is a fund raiser for the Eric Gagel Family College Fund. To enter or for more info on this event, contact Brooks Montgomery–208-756-3303 or [email protected].
Daniels Reservoir has cleared and is fishing well for those using midge pupa patterns. Same applies to Hawkins Reservoir. The Dairy Creek Road from Hawkins Res. to Daniels Res. is open. Springfield Reservoir offers fair fishing for those using midge pupa patterns. Experiment to find the taking depth. Chesterfield appears to have turned over last week, but remains somwhat discolored near the Toponce Creek diversion inlet. Small leech patterns bring some action.
Almost unfishable with flies because of the high flows.
The river is running a bit high, but is quite fishable from Warm River to Chester (except for closed area from Ashton Dam to Vernon Bridge). Caddis life cycle, BWO life cyle patterns during PMs, nymphs and streamers bring action. Fall River has introduced run off from recent rain/snow storms which will slow fishing a lot below Chester.
Birch Creek remains the star of the show here, but most small streams will not open to fishing until the general season opener late this month. On Birch Creek the PM BWO emergence during low light afternoons brings action. So do small nymphs. McTucker Creek is also open to fishing with some suckers still spawning. Try some of the soft egg patterns downstream of the suckers.