The Big Lost River becomes a popular fishery this time of year as snow melt increases to give some access below Mackay Dam. Midge and BWO activity makes for good fishing. The Mackay area got hammered with about a foot of snow this last weekend, but the river below the dam is accessible where some snow banks remain. Flow out of Mackay Dam was increased to 320 cfs last Tuesday.
Considering the times of stress reigning in the country, getting out to fly fish seems very attractive, and the South Fork is offering such an escape. Warming weather adds more to this attraction. Boat ramps on the upper river ( Conant, Spring Creek, Huskey’s) remain a challenge to use needing ropes, chains and such for launching. But walk-in access is good especially the further downstream you venture where snow banks diminish. Best strategy for action is nymphing. So your favorite nymph patterns, bead heads or not, presented through and at the base of riffles will get you action. During nicer weather midge activity really picks up during PM hours. So with oncoming midge activity as the day passes, life cycle patterns for these become quite effective. For sure water is cold, but “clear as a bell” even though flow out of Palisades Dam was upped to 5000 cfs yesterday afternoon ( now 6300 cfs at Heise, 3600 cfs at Lorenzo).
As we mentioned in the previous South Fork fishing report, flow out of Palisades Dam was raised to around 3700 cfs last Monday. This is just the beginning of ramping up flow. Palisades Reservoir is at about 94% of capacity with MUCH snow yet to be melted in the drainage above. Not only that situation exists, but irrigation demands will soon increase as warmer parts downstream in south central Idaho become agriculturally active. That means more increases are “coming down the pipe” as is typical for this time of the season. For sure this will temporarily impact fishing in the river ( and the mainstream Snake River) for a few months to come. Therefore we will try to pass on fishing condition information on other waters in order to give a chance to make an informed choice to select waters for a visit.
Springfield Reservoir offers some still water fishing. Midge activity is good enough for a visit. Pupa patterns under an indicator are standard for success there. Find the taking depth and action will begin.
Current midge activity and that upcoming for BWOs results in good fishing. Flow out of Mackay Dam is around 175 cfs. The big “if” is access because plenty of snow remains along the river below the dam. You might be able to park off the highway, but be ready to walk a ways with some “post holing” to get to the river.
Flow out of Island Park Reservoir has been around 550 cfs all winter, that flow increased by that from the Buffalo River has given good natural shelter along banks to young trout for habitation. This situation gives a better chance for a boost to future populations on downstream in the Island Park area.
Currently much of the lower river has snow covered banks limiting access at boat launch sites and walk-in access at most places. Nevertheless, were walk-in access is available, fishing has been good. Midge and BWO activity produce for the small fly enthusiast. Streamers and big nymphs produce for the large fly enthusiast.
Flow out of Palisades Dam was increased yesterday to 3700 cfs ( now 4400 cfs at Heise, 3610 cfs at Lorenzo). Boat ramps at Huskey’s, Spring Creek, and Conant have been plowed. The coming week promises good weather with many walk-in wade locations open on the lower river. Get in touch with us (208-524-7160, [email protected]) to see which are most convenient.
Here is an FYI. With Palisades Reservoir at 95% of capacity, flow out of Palisades Dam was raised from about 1800 cfs to around 2700 cfs yesterday, a 50% increase. Flow at Heise is now 3210 cfs and 2280 cfs at Lorenzo. That’s good news for resident trout. More rises in flow are certain as the near normal snow pack in the drainage begins to melt and irrigation demands start.
As February recedes there is certainly more pleasant days upcoming. Cold water temperatures dominate, but fish will become increasingly active, and whether pitching streamers and big nymph patterns or doing the same with tiny midge life cycle patterns fishing begins to improve. River flow has been adequate for maintaining fish populations at around 1800 cfs in flow all winter being the norm, with somewhat higher rates through the canyon down to Heise. Access is present for walk-in fishing along the lower river, and we at Jimmy’s can recommend locations for doing so. The river road from Wolverine to Black Canyon is closed to motorized access to minimize stress to wintering wildlife, and will remain so until IDF&G determines an opening. Consider a cross country skiing trip to fish and do photography in this stretch where tranquility reigns. Boating is more limited, but can be done. Boat launch parking areas are plowed at some locations (Conant, Palisades Creek, and Spring Creek), but ramps are not thus requiring chain-ups and care to launch and takeout. So now is the time to check those waders for integrity, put cleaning touches on reels and lines, and anticipate the improving conditions that signal a beginning to the South Fork fishing season.
A Utah native, Grant has guided rivers, lakes, and streams of the Uinta Mountains south slope for 15 years. He prefers the solitude and serenity of high elevation lakes for his own personal pursuits and sometimes takes his two kids, Stella, and Grant Yuriy (G2), or his wife, Holly, along. Spending his winter months in a “feather den”, he enjoys learning new techniques to broaden the fly tying skill set. When he’s not tying, he’s chasing exotic pheasants, upland game, or waterfowl on “feather ventures” across Utah and Southern Idaho. Grant considers himself extremely fortunate to have learned from some of the best tiers and mentors ever to have picked up a bobbin holder and thread. He also enjoys reading, writing, and arithmetic. Through using arithmetic he calculates that this will be his first fly tying demo at Jimmy’s.
Grant’s demo concludes our 2019-2020 Saturday fly tying demo season. We will begin our 2020-2021 fly tying demo season in November of this year. We look forward to presenting another array of accomplished fly tiers within it.