Big Lost River 6-5-12
With 1050 cfs coming out of Mackay Dam, forget about wading the river below for a while.
Author: cheeseburger
Still Water 6-5-12
Action on Chesterfield Reservoir seems a bit slow , but when damselflies become fully active, that will change. Midge pupa patterns suspended under an indicator are working well on the upper end of Daniels Reservoir and around the spring holes in Springfield Reservoir. No information yet on Treasureton Reservoir where the bass population is about the same as trout. Hawkins Reservoir offers good fishing with either damselfly nymph patterns or midge pupa patterns under an indicator. Come June 9th free fishing day activities there will mean more folks than fish.
Yellowstone Park 6-5-12
Madison River drainage remains the best fishing. Warm weather has put run-off in most other streams. That means Fall River Basin streams, Snake River, Gallatin River, Lamar River and their drainages. Lewis River is an exception. With an eye on the weather one can get into some great streamer fishing this time of year on the channel between Lewis and Shoshone lakes. If you are a Fall River Basin fan the Ashton-Flagg Road remains closed and likely will be so for about two weeks. We will keep on top of this and report here when it opens.
Henry’s Fork 6-5-12
Hatch of big stoneflies and fish responding is ongoing but won’t last a lot longer. Nymphing remains most effective way to fish in Box Canyon. A few PMD’s are showing in the Last Chance area where caddis and BWOs are attracting fish. On warm days with wind consider pitching a stonefly pattern here once in a while. Wind blows them down from Box Canyon and up from Cardiac Canyon. Longer term resident fish are use to seeing them and will take. Golden stones are showing on the Warm River to Ashton reach and on down stream. The river remains somewhat discolored below Ashton Dam, but fishing has been good for those who present nymph patterns, big and small.
Small Streams 6-5-12
What a difference a day makes, goes that old song! We were thinking run-off was over, but then along comes a couple of days of record warmth. Now any stream draining high country is where it should be this time of year–chock full of run-off. Fall River, which drains Madison and Pitchstone plateaus in Yellowstone Park is flowing around 2500 cfs and climbing at the Yellowstone gauge. A few days ago it was just under 1600 cfs there . This is sure to impact Henry’s Fork fishing below Chester Dam. Stick to streams that do not drain high country for now. Try Warm River, keep in touch with us about fishing the Blackfoot River below the reservoir because irrigation demands will soon raise flows out of the dam. Small streams such as Birch Creek, Camas Creek, and Beaver Creek are great places for light weight equipment.
South Fork 6/4
This river looks so good right now it’s unbelievable! But and this is a big BUTT! The water temps are still really cold. so most of the fish are still concentrated in the buckets of the riffles and Eddy holes. Still not much action on the banks yet however it’s coming and I would expect to see the bank action pick up in about 10 days. The streamer fishing has been picking up as well. I had a few guys tell me they had good success on a rubberleg and a large red Zebra midge….hmm imagine that. Also try San Juan worms and some brighter bead head nymphs. Jimmy said there are really good Blue Wing hatches on the river but nothing was rising to them. Double check side channels if you see BWO’s and watch for sippers every day is different.
Flows are still at 10,000 cfs, I don’t expect them to change unless irrigation demand is increased.
Yellowstone Park 5-31-12
All Madison River drainange streams are in good shape. This includes such as Duck Creek, Maple Creek, and Grayling Creek. The Firehole River is a destination and is producing well. Several mayfly species and caddis are emerging and providing action. Fall River Basin streams appear to be in good shape, but a lot of snow remains on the Madison and Pitchstone plateaus. When weather really starts warming expect all these to start showing run-off.
Still Waters 5-31-12
Almost everywhere improved fishing is going on. If you do not enjoy sitting over a midge pupa under an indicator, try your favorite damselfly nymph at a slow troll. If you enjoy sitting over a midge pupa under an indicator, just for variety try replacing it with your favorite damselfly nymph.
Small Streams 5-31-12
Some snow was added to mountains during our recent cool weather spell. And a considerable amount remains from winte at highest elevations. Streams that drain high country may appear to be in great shape, but as weather warms expect many to show signs of runoff. This really applies to such as the Fall River and Teton River drainages. Flow in the lower Blackfoot River is up because of irrigation needs. Expect an up and down flow through the growing season.
South Fork 5/30
Just a quick update flows were dropped to 10,000 cfs today. I don’t think that will effect the fishing too much. My guess is the flows were reduced because irrigation demand has declined from the recent rain. We don’t know when flows will be moved again. Flows could have also been reduced to trap more water in the reservoir as well.