Flow out of Palisades Reservoir remains constant and right at the historic level throughout the river.
There is no significant change that we suggest with respect to fishing strategy since our report of July 23rd except that stream-side terrestrial insect populations are increasing during these “dog days” of summer. Consider that when you assemble a suite of flies for the next visit to the river! Mutant golden stone flies have not begun to emerge.
Other than spinner falls and caddis activity, we are in the time of the season where terrestrial insects are taking over as a major food form for trout.anywhere you fish the river. Be sure you have patterns for such in that fly box. And as time passes through summer, ant patterns will become of increasing effective among these.
Here are headlines from Dr. Rob Van Kirk’s Henry’s Fork drainage water report filed yesterday AM.
Headlines:
Flows are right where they should be for this time of year (!2400 cfs at Irwin, 12200 cfs at Heise, cfs at Lorenzo). Golden stone flies are still around in the lower canyon. Riffles are producing especially when medium sized nymph patterns with and without bead heads are presented.
The Teton River in the basin is fishing well for dry fly enthusiasts with PM caddis activity and spinner falls providing late in the day action. PMDs, sallies, and a few green drakes and golden stone flies are around. Our comments on recreational boating traffic on the Henry’s Fork apply to these waters as well. Dry fly fishing in the canyon via the Bitch Creek Slide, Felt Dam, Spring Hollow and the dam site is also good, with streamer patterns also producing. Be fully aware of rattlesnakes if you venture past stream-side locations in the canyon.
Palisades Reservoir tributaries (Bear, Big Elk, McCoy Creeks) and Palisades Creek are in good fishing shape with caddis life cycle, terrestrial insect and traditional attractor patterns working well.
On July 21st Yellowstone Park opened the road from Tower Junction to the Northeast Entrance for foot and bicycle traffic only. This means the Lamar River, Pebble, Slough and Soda Butte Creeks and Trout Lake will have little if any fishing pressure.
Meadow stream fishing enthusiasts may now switch interest to Fall River Basin streams ( Bechler and Fall Rivers, Boundary and Mountain Ash Creeks ) which are now more quickly approached than the best locations that those in the Lamar River drainage offer.
Box Canyon, Warm River to Ashton, and Ashton Dam to Chester backwater sections are seeing a big increase in recreational floaters. The peak of this activity is usually from late morning to late afternoon. For the latter two locations, this time stretch coincides with the slowest fishing success. Minimize your interaction with these folks by fishing early AMs and during evenings when fishing success is much likely best during these warm days. Everywhere on the river, bank side terrestrial insects are taking over as being a most important food form for foraging trout. Carry fly patterns that simulate them and concentrate your presentations to banks above good holding water.
Here are headlines from Dr. Rob Van Kirk’s Henry’s Fork drainage water report compiled yesterday, July 22nd.
Headlines:
Here are
The best locations for now and well into the future will be creek mouths and submerged springs. Standard Henry’s Lake patterns apply. With respect to creek mouths, expect plenty of company at the more popular places (Howard, Hope/Duck, Targhee), and the same for around Staley Springs. Consider getting to these locations at first light.
Flow throughout the river are right at historic levels and has been constant for several days. Big stone flies have mostly come and gone (a few golden stones remain), and mayfly activity is increasing. Nymphing the riffles is currently the most productive strategy with emerging PMDs and yellow sallies making for that action. Before the end of the month, hoppers will be out and significant for fishing success.
We have received requests for an intermediate fly casting class, and here is our response.
Our Intermediate Casting Class, headed by Jim Duke, will be offered at Ponds on Snake River Parkway Wednesday, August 10th beginning at 6:30 PM and extending for about two hours.
Snake River Parkway Location
We limit attendees to six in order to provide a best measure of individual attention, and we recommend that attendees bring their own balanced outfits (rod, reel & line with normally used leader) to establish familiarity on learning the casting techniques to be offered and refined individually Here are techniques that will be featured:
Casting for Distance
Double Haul
.Reach Cast
Roll Cast
Tuck Cast
Accuracy exercises will also be offered.
Other techniques will be targeted on request
Cost is $60 per attendee, and balanced outfits are available for attendees not owning such. Sign up at All Seasons Angler ( tel. 208-524-7160, email [email protected]). Include your phone number or email address, method of payment, whether or not you will need a balanced outfit.
Terrestrial insect populations are building along banks throughout the length of the river as the variety of aquatic insects decreases. Begin thinking patterns for such as ants, beetles and hoppers anywhere you fish the river, and target holding water along vegetated banks. Some turbidity is present in waters released from Island Park Reservoir and this condition continues on downstream through the Harriman State Park section. Best fishing is during AM spinner falls and remaining mayfly activity during late afternoons. This” best fishing times comment” applies to the entire river. Upcoming speckled dun and trico activity will “revitalize” this.
If you fish the river below Ashton Dam, consider that the warmer the water, the tougher it is for fish to revive after being caught and released.
Headlines from Dr. Rob Van Kirk’s Henry’s Fork drainage water status report from yesterday follow.
Headlines:
Rob Van Kirk, Ph.D.
Senior Scientist
P.O. Box 550
Ashton, ID 83420
208-881-3407 CELL
208-652-3568 FAX
.