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Author: Bruce_Staples

Fly Fish Food Jimmy's / Articles posted by Bruce_Staples (Page 4)

Saturday Fly Tying Demos

March 9, 2024
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Fishing Reports, Today at Jimmy's

All good things must come to an end. Such is the case with our fly tying demo season with the last session being held this Saturday, March 9th.  And what a great season it was with a succession of talented tiers offering tying and presentation tips for an array of patterns for catching all kinds of salmonids and for a sprinkling of warm and salt water sportfish.  As the winter drew on, the hot coffee and snacks announced the welcoming atmosphere prevailing in the shop giving another reason for tying enthusiasts to come in to renew friendships, begin new ones, meet our staff, and be welcomed.

We began the demo season in November 2023 with Clark ( Cheech) Pierce presenting and setting the standard for quality and content coming from the tying vice. From there the succession of tiers ran from our own A. J. Jorgensen followed in turn by;

Keegan Berrett,

Lance Egan,

 Ken Bitton,

Cade Moore,

Jonathan Scola,

Michelle Babcock,

Danny Lane,

Brig Wllson,

Doug Kinney,

Hal Gordon,

Andrea Jeffrey,

Spencer Higa,

and finally, Scott (Chez) Sanchez.

That’s a great array of fly tying talent! So look for us to offer a similar schedule for the 2024-2025 demo season. We enjoyed offering this Saturday fly tying demo season and intend to continue its tradition begun years ago by Jimmy’s All Seasons Angler.

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Henry’s Fork, March 9th, 2024

March 9, 2024
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Fishing Reports, Henry's Fork

Rainbow spawning has begun at least on the lower river with most activity occurring under low light conditions. Thus it is vital not to disturb even unoccupied redds.because of the presence of fertilized eggs.

Headlines from Dr. Rob Van Kirk’s Henry’s Fork Drainage SWE Status Report Filed Yesterday3/9

  • More precipitation from the Monday–Wednesday event trickled into gages yesterday, keeping the water-year total at 106% of average. SWE dropped to 95% of average.
  • Modest precipitation is expected again next Monday–Wednesday.
  • At an outflow of 373 cfs, Island Park Reservoir gained 45 ac-ft yesterday and is 91% full, compared with 79% full on average.
  • The upper Snake River reservoir system is filling rapidly at 86% full, compared with 76% full on average.
  • Today’s precipitation-type take-home: Increasing spring and summer air temperatures have a doubly negative affect on water quality, directly via water temperatures and indirectly via lower water supply.

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Most of the SnoTel stations lost a little snow water equivalent (SWE) yesterday to sublimation, which is typical on cold days following a large snow event. That put net storm-total SWE increase at 1.4 inches, ranging from 0.2 inch at Crab Creek to 2.5 inches at Black Bear. Current SWE is 95% of average: 100% in the Teton headwaters, 97% in Fall River, and 89% in the upper Henry’s Fork. The watershed average currently ranks in the 54th percentile across the last 36 water years.

Rob Van Kirk, Ph.D.

Senior Scientist

Henry’s Fork Foundation

P.O. Box 550

Ashton, ID 83420

208-881-3407 CELL

 

 

 

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South Fork, March 3rd, 2024

March 2, 2024
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Fishing Reports, South Fork

The current string of snow storms is a blessing for the South Fork drainage above Palisades Reservoir. The reservoir is approaching being 90 % of capacity with much more winter left to reach 100%. Yes, much access to the river below has become more difficult, however a full reservoir means better habitat for hosted salmonids in the river next season.

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Henry’s Fork, March 2nd, 2024

March 2, 2024
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Fishing Reports, Henry's Fork

Yes, the current storms have limited access to much of the river and its drainage. But consider that this unusual amount of snowfall means better potential for great fly fishing next season.

Headlines  From Dr. Rob Van Kirk’s Henry’s Fork Drainage SWE Report Filed March 2nd

  • Moderate and more widespread precipitation yesterday ended a very wet month of February, increasing water-year total precipitation to 96% of average and SWE to 82% of average.
  • Heavy precipitation is expected to continue for the next week, with the March monthly outlook leaning toward above-average precipitation.
  • Mean outflow from Island Park Reservoir over the critical December–February period for trout survival was 411 cfs, 116% of average.
  • Island Park Reservoir gained 4,732 ac-ft over the Dec–Feb period and is 90% full, compared with 78% full on average. Outflow will be reduced to 375 cfs next week to fill the reservoir a little faster.
  • The upper Snake River reservoir system is filling rapidly and is 83% full, compared with 66% full on average.

Details

As important as the warm temperatures may end up being later this spring for reservoir ice-off and subsequent water quality, the bigger story of February 2024 was precipitation. The watershed mean for the month was 5.18 inches, 142% of average. February precipitation totals were 127% of average in Fall River headwaters, 130% of average in Teton headwaters, 143% of average in upper Henry’s Fork, and a whopping 218% of average in the valleys. That moved water-year precipitation from 84% of average at the beginning of the month to 96% of average this morning, ranking 18th out of the last 36 years.

Rob Van Kirk, Ph.D.

Senior Scientist

Henry’s Fork Foundation

P.O. Box 550

Ashton, ID 83420

208-881-3407 CELL

 

 

 

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Saturday, March 9th Fly Tying Demo Features Scott Sanchez

March 2, 2024
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Fishing Reports, Upcoming Events

A One Fly Vet

Scott Sanchez began tying flies at age 12. As a youth in Utah he offered his first of many fly tying workshops. He has worked in the fly fishing industry for decades, and is now the manager of JD High Country Outfitters in Jackson.  Scott has written articles and sold photos internationally, and his photos have won regional and national awards.  His books include Introduction to Salt Water Fly Tying, The Never Ending Stream, and A New Generation of Trout Flies.  In 2007, he received the Arnold Gingrich Lifetime Achievement Award for literature from the Fly Fishers International and in 2010 he was their recipient of the Buz Busek award for contributions to the fly tying world. Scott has been a featured guide on national TV programs. He is considered one of the most innovative fly tiers in the world. During the annual Jackson Hole One Fly he is in high demand for his ultimately effective flies. He has decades of experience fishing around the world but especially in the Greater Yellowstone area. It has been nearly a decade since Scott’s last tying demo at Jimmy’s. During the upcoming demo he will offer parachute style patterns fr fresh and salt water. Some of these will be intricate, and others will be “ standard.” This demo will be a great chance to add to your parachute style tying skill..

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Saturday, March 2nd Tying Demo Features Spencer Higa

February 24, 2024
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Fishing Reports, Upcoming Events

Spencer and Friend

Spencer grew up in Orem, Utah where he loves spending time outdoors fishing and camping with his family.
His dad bought him his first fly rod when he was 12. He grew up  just minutes away from the Provo River. Before he could drive his mom and dad would take him to the river and let him fish all day long. When he was 14 his dad enrolled him in a fly tying course that enhanced his addiction. In 1996 he began guiding at Falcon’s Ledge, an Orvis endorsed lodge in Utah. While guiding on the Provo River and other areas of the state he created the SOS. He fished the fly all over the west before Fulling Mill picked it up over a decade ago. It’s been a top producing fly for many years. After guiding for 22 yrs he started Tacky Fly Boxes with a few of his friends. He was the Marketing Director and helped the company grow to become one of the top selling fly boxes in the industry. After selling the company he took a short break from the fly fishing industry then got hired on at Fly Fish Food in 2022 where he works in the shop a couple days a week then films and edits videos for YouTube and other social media.  Years ago Spencer demoed at Jimmy’s All Seasons Angler in year 2012. SOS was one of the patterns he offered. It remains popular enough for a repeat, so for his demo he is likely to tie it and bring a few, as well as others he creates, in a Tacky Box!

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Henry’s Fork, February 24th, 2024

February 24, 2024
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Fishing Reports, Henry's Fork

This weekend looks like a good time to enjoy midge activity on the lower river before another stormy week begins on Monday. A bonus could be the first, but minor appearance of BWOs on the lower river. Consider that the rainbow trout spawning season is beginning. So lets allow them to do so in peace. It is in our best interests if we want his event to replenish their population for years coming up.

Headlines From Dr. Rob Van Kirk’s Snow-Water Equivalent (SWE) Report Filed 2/24 for the Henry’s Fork Drainage

Light precipitation yesterday kept the water year total at 96% of average and SWE at 81% of average.

  • A major winter storm is still expected on Monday and Tuesday, with additional precipitation later next week.
  • At an average outflow of 451 cfs, Island Park Reservoir dropped by 112 ac-ft yesterday and is 90% full, compared with 78% full on average.
  • The upper Snake River reservoir system is filling rapidly and is 81% full, compared with 62% full on average.

Details

Natural flow stayed fairly constant yesterday at 96% of average: 91% in upper Henry’s Fork, 110% in Fall River, and 92% in Teton River. This is the largest difference between this year and 2016. Cumulative natural streamflow so far this water year over the Henry’s Fork watershed is 97% of average, ranking 25th out of the last 47 years (48th percentile–pretty close to the middle of the pack). On the other hand, natural flow at this point in water year 2016 was only 81% of average, ranking 42nd out of the 47 years.

So, while we know that warm late-winter and early spring temperatures cause poor water quality in Island Park Reservoir, we also know that natural streamflow into the reservoir counteracts that effect. Higher inflow produces better water quality. So, while climatic factors so far this winter look very much like 2016, the watershed is in much better shape this year than it was in 2016, thanks to above-average snow last year and to above-average precipitation in the late summer and early fall. The solid February we are having will also help. Lastly, water conservation measures implemented in 2018 by our agricultural partners, Fremont-Madison Irrigation District, and US Bureau of Reclamation have greatly reduced irrigation-season drawdown of Island Park Reservoir over the last six years, which will also help limit the negative effects of warm temperatures and low snowpack on Island Park Reservoir this summer.

Rob Van Kirk, Ph.D.

Senior Scientist

Henry’s Fork Foundation

P.O. Box 550

Ashton, ID 83420

208-881-3407 CELL

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Saturday, February 24th Fly Tying Demo Features Andrea Jeffreys

February 20, 2024
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Fishing Reports, Upcoming Events

Andrea Enjoying a Nice Fish

Andrea, born in Sacramento, California in 1989 was raised to love outdoor adventures. In a few years her family moved to Utah, and she fell in love with fly fishing.  It began through her dad, Scott Harmon, bribing her and siblings to watch any & all fly fishing videos. After many hours of SA dvds, dad Scott took them to the river and offered twenty dollars for the first, biggest and most trout caught. Andrea won that contest by outfishing her siblings to the extent they no longer held an interest in fishing. In 2007 after graduating high school Andrea asked to attend a guide school in Montana to pursue her fly fishing passion. Andrea’s dad agreed on the condition he also would attend, and here Andrea was introduced to fly tying. Trout Bum 2 in Park City, Utah gave Andrea her first chance in the industry. In 2014 she was offered an exclusive guiding opportunity in Francis, Utah.  A couple of the guides there introduced her to pursuing steelhead on a swung fly. With the help, experience & patience of her friends & mentors she landed, in 2015, her first steelhead using a Blue Sparcy tied by Aaron Adams. That event inspired her to take to the vice to create steelhead patterns in hopes to entice the next connection. Emery, Andrea’s oldest son landed his first steelhead in 2020 swinging one of his mom’s ties during a mom and son camping trip. You’ll find Andrea, her three kids and black lab Juniper out camping, biking, and fishing creations tied up for Utah, Wyoming, Idaho, or Oregon waters. Andrea currently guides around Park City on local rivers and seasonal small streams. These guide services include Stonybrook Fly Fishing, Rocky Mountain Outfitters, Park City Guides. During her demo, Andrea will offer her patterns that have produced well on these waters.

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South Fork, February 17th, 2024

February 17, 2024
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Fishing Reports, South Fork

At the Heise Bridge

Even though it is cool, a sunshiny day like today can be enjoyable for fishing the South Fork. The river flows crystal clear with a low to moderate flow, and there is plenty of room to walk around.and approach it. Midge emergence are thick enough to offer some top water fishing, and standard nymph patterns will always bring action around riffles and runs.

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Henry’s Fork, February 17th, 2024

February 17, 2024
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Fishing Reports, Henry's Fork

Headlines from Rob Van Kirk’s Henry’s Fork Drainage Snow-Water Equivalent (SWE) Report Filed Yesterday

  • Heavy precipitation yesterday moved the needle substantially, as water-year total precipitation increased to 97% of average and SWE to 81% of average.
  • Lighter precipitation will continue off and on for the next week.
  • Natural flow increased to 102% of average yesterday due to very warm temperatures.
  • At an average outflow of 465 cfs, Island Park Reservoir gained 111 ac-ft yesterday and is 91% full, compared with 77% full on average.

Details

In recent years, we have seen the month of February turn a below-average snowpack into an above-average snowpack. The most striking example was 2019, when SWE improved from 79% of average on January 31 to 121% of average on February 28. Could that happen this year? Probably not with respect to snowpack, although February may bring water-year total precipitation back up to average. Total precipitation for the first 15 days of February has exceeded the monthly mean already, so February will definitely be the first month of above-average precipitation since October and will likely rank in the top 10 for February precipitation. If we receive average precipitation for the rest of the month—which is very likely—the water-year total will stay at 97% of average. However, current outlooks give a decent chance of above-average precipitation late in the month, so we could end the month a percentage point or two higher with respect to average.

Rob Van Kirk, Ph.D.

Senior Scientist

Henry’s Fork Foundation

P.O. Box 550

Ashton, ID 83420

208-881-3407 CELL

  Why do we offer this information ?

Much of the SWE information Dr. Van Kirk collects then offers on the Henry’s Fork drainage impacts the water quantity and therefore angling quality of the upcoming season. And that quantity is determined mainly by the snow accumulation of the previous winter. The activity of the salmonid population and the availability of the aqueous forms on which they feed are impacted by the amount of water in which they live. The fly fisher benefits from this information with respect scheduling visits that will provide the best chance for a satisfying angling experience. The fly fishing retailer benefits through helping to decide when to offer items ( flies in particular) specific to the time of the season.

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