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Fishing Reports

Jimmy's All Seasons Angler / Fishing Reports

Still Waters, March 16th, 2024

Springfield Lake is about the only one ready for a visit. Midge activity provides the best action with pupa patterns fished at the taking depth giving results, Fly rod jigs also work. Soon any pattern resembling a dragon fly nymph will be effective.

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South Fork, March 16th, 2024

At Heise Bridge

With the beautiful weather predicted to last for several days, it is time to get out and fish this great river! Flows remain low being at the ” winter maintenance levels” ( about 900 cfs at Irwin, 1300 cfs at
Heise and 700 cfs at Lorenzo). Locations such as the Heise bridge and around the Lorenzo boat access are good candidates to give it a try. The extra hour of daylight will help with low light conditions being best for foraging trout. So bring your favorite streamer, fly rod jigs, rubber leg patterns to entice them and your nymph patterns for activity in the rifles and heads & tails of runs.

The South Fork reach of the Snake River is a destination for an unequaled number of anglers. Of all regional rivers, it is most able to host a huge number of wading and boating enthusiasts. But environmentally and socially, it is closing in on its ability to do so and to give a quality experience.  Being aware of this agencies such as the Caribou-Targhee National Forest and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), whose lands the river flows through, are evaluating measures that will keep the river offering an excellent experience for the great number of those who love it. Currently, both agencies are evaluating measures to continue the quality experience for which the river offers to anglers, and other recreationists. Being examined are boat launch facility measures, camping, daily use limits, and social incidents. Public input is much desired for forming policies for these items. You can get a start by applying public interest input to Monica Zimmerman at 208-525-7543.

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Henry’s Lake, March 16th, 2024

Although needing updates in some places, the Henry’s Lake Foundation web site is worth visiting. It offers past and current information mostly on the hosted salmonids and habitat as well as invasive species. The section on history is very interesting and includes past misuses as well as actions to sustain and improve the hosted salmonid population.

On the web site home page the visitor will see a request to take a survey which provides public input towards managing the Lake’s salmonid fishery. Information gained will be shared with Idaho Department of Fish and Game. Consider doing the lake a favor by taking the survey to provide information for its future management.

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Henry’s Fork, March 16th, 2024

Limited access prevails along the lower river. BWOs are out and with an extra hour of daylight more time is available to enjoy trout responding to them. Expect the river to cloud a bit as the warm weather will enhance bank side and nearby melting.

Fun Farm Bridge     
Headlines  from D. Rob Van Kirk’s Henry’s Fork Snow-Water Equivalent Report Filed March 16th, 2024
  • Water-year total precipitation stayed at 106% of average, while SWE dropped a percentage point to 95% of average.
  • Dry and warm weather is expected for the next six days.
  • At an outflow of 416 cfs, Island Park Reservoir dropped by 92 ac-ft yesterday and is 91% full, compared with 80% full on average.
  • The upper Snake River reservoir system is 88% full, compared with 68% full on average.
  • Total reservoir storage plus existing snowpack across the basin is high enough that water will be spilled out of the system at Milner Dam starting on March 25.

Details

New snow water equivalent (SWE) over the past four days ranged from 0.2 inch at Pine Creek Pass to 1.7 inch at White Elephant. Current SWE is 95 of average: 92% in upper Henry’s Fork, 97% in Fall River, and 99% in Teton River. Current SWE ranks 17th out of the 36 years (54th percentile), just ahead of 1998 and just behind 2002. After the upcoming six days of dry weather in the forecast, SWE will fall to around 91% of average and drop several places in the rankings.

Dry conditions with above-average temperatures are expected for the next six days, before precipitation returns late next week. Valley snowmelt is expected, and that will increase streamflow a little. However, below-freezing nights will keep mid- and high-elevation snowpack intact before more mountain snow and valley rain is expected late next week. Long-term outlooks are leaning toward above-average precipitation, with gradually cooling temperatures 1–2 weeks out.

 

Rob Van Kirk, Ph.D.

Senior Scientist

Henry’s Fork Foundation

P.O. Box 550

Ashton, ID 83420

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Saturday Fly Tying Demos

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

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

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

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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