The river from Warm River to Ashton is fishing in a slow manner. Wind and water conditions are the reasons. Ashton Reservoir Reservoir, acting as a settling basin, makes for better fishing below with BWOs, midges, and some small stoneflies providing some dry fly action when wind allows. Presenting streamer and big stonefly nymphs patterns provide the best fishing here.
Hawkins Reservoir has turned over and fishing is sure to improve. It looks like ice has not yet left Chesterfield Reservoir. Daniels Reservoir should be turning over any time now, but the road from Hawkins Reservoir is likely not open. For now the trip from Malad is the best way to reach it. Springfield Reservoir has been fishing in a spotty manner. Midge pupa patterns under an indicator seem to work best. but finding the taking depth is needed. Small black leeches also work. Consider placing them under an indicator then use an ultra slow retrieve. Ice should be leaving Hebgen Lake any day now.
South Fork Electrofishing Schedule |
|
Dates |
Section of River |
| Tuesday, April 23 | Lufkin bottom to Dry Canyon |
| Wednesday, April 24 | Hwy 26 bridge to Indian Creek |
| Thursday, April 25 | Palisades Creek to Sheep Creek |
| Tuesday, April 30 | Hwy 26 bridge to Indian Creek |
| Wednesday, May 1 | Palisades Creek to Sheep Creek |
| Thursday, May 2 | Lufkin bottom to Dry Canyon |
| Tuesday, May 7 | Hwy 26 bridge to Indian Creek |
| Wednesday, May 8 | Palisades Creek to Sheep Creek |
| Thursday, May 9 | Lufkin bottom to Dry Canyon |
| Tuesday, May 14 | Hwy 26 bridge to Indian Creek |
| Wednesday, May 15 | Palisades Creek to Sheep Creek |
| Thursday, May 16 | Lufkin bottom to Dry Canyon |
| Tuesday, May 21 | Hwy 26 bridge to Indian Creek |
| Wednesday, May 22 | Palisades Creek to Sheep Creek |
| Thursday, May 23 | Lufkin bottom to Dry Canyon |
* All dates are subject to change due to weather and other factors. For the most current updates please visit the Upper Snake page on the Idaho Department of Fish and Game website or the Upper Snake Region Facebook page.
Flow out of Palisades Dam increased to a bit over 14700 cfs yesterday. With the reservoir at 73% of capacity and real run-off yet to come, more increases are sure to arrive.
BWOs are out along the lower river, and fish are just beginning to key on them. The unsettled weather predicted to come for the next several days could see more fish keying on them during afternoon hours. Stonefly nymph imitations and rubber leg patterns drifted along the stream bed are producing quite well, and streamer patterns continue to provide action especially during low light conditions.
Flow out of Palisades Dam has been pegged at around 7800 cfs for about a week. Pailsades Reservoir is about three-quarters full (one quarter empty if you come in through the back door). So with all the snow melt yet to come down, flow increases out of the reservoir are sure to return so the run-off can be contained.
Flow below Ashton Dam is a bit higher ( 1400 cfs) than normal (1100 cfs) with the river in good shape. Fishing is good if such as rubber legs and streamers are presented. No BWOs to speak of yet, but plenty of midges. So life cycle patterns of these might get you some top water action.
Flow out of Palisades Dam was raised to 5540 cfs Wednesday. More to come. The river at Heise is cold & clear and a bit higher (5940 cfs). First fly pattern of choice should be a big rubber legs.
Yesterday morning flow out of Palisades Dam was raised from 3410 cfs to 4720 cfs. This continues lowering the amount of water in the reservoir which is now at 83% of capacity. Look for more increases “coming down the pipe”, but the river flowing clear and cold while running through the Snake River Plain offers some fishing success. Try rubber legs and streamer patterns. We are in a period of nice days. Banks along the river are free of ice and snow as seen in the picture above. So the South Fork offers a chance to get out and enjoy the nice weather.
For the river above American Falls Reservoir all gage readings show flows about 50% higher than normal. Look for these to stay high with flow out of Palisades Dam on the increase. Flow below the reservoir is about 6700 cfs ( Anchors away, my friend!) whereas normal is around 2700 cfs.