Winter has arrived in the park. Snow is on the ground in most places, and daytime temperatures at or below freezing are the norm. The brown trout runs continue in the upper Lewis River, Madison River ( accompanied by rainbows), lower Gardner River and Snake River at the south entrance. There is not much time left to enjoy these events because fishing season here closes after Sunday, November 3rd.
Flow out of Palisades Dam was dropped from 2300 cfs to 1750 cfs last night. In our last South Fork fishing report (10-15-19) we reported on a dangerous lower river sweeper, which has since been removed. With this drop of near 500 cfs at this low flow, look for more boating hazards to emerge, fish to be more concentrated in deeper water and further opportunities for walk-in wade fishing.
With flow below Mackay Dam just a bit above 200 cfs (normal for this time of year is about 180 cfs) wading is safe and even though terrestrial insect are gone for the year, BWOs and midges are quite active.
Up to now fish being caught in the 14″ to 16″ seem to dominate with respect to size. We have a few new reports having some news that larger fish are becoming more active around the lake. Keep those leech patterns handy!
Remember the comment “This time of year what happens on the lower Henry’s Fork is similar to what happens on the South Fork?” This is the case with brown trout migrating to spawning areas in both rivers, and presenting streamer patterns being a most effective strategy to encounter them. For sure resident rainbows ( and South Fork cutties) will also respond to well placed streamer patterns.
Scott Meikrantz took some very informative pictures of an obstruction dangerous to boating anglers on the lower South Fork. These were taken on October 12th this year. He gives the following explanations on the location of each pic.
Pic 1 Pic 2 Pic 3
Pic 4 Pic 5
“Pic 1 is on the approach with the sweeper mid-frame; the channel on the bank of river left and the one splitting off the main will run you right into it. Pics 2,3 and 4 are as you drift by staying river right. Pic 5 is your view of river right as you drift by. The sweeper is about 1/2 mile down from the big rock wall on river right where there are some big homes a ways from the bank.”
Thank you, Scott! This is solid safety information for anyone float-fishing this part of the lower river.
Streamer fishing on the river is becoming more productive because of aggressive brown trout. Flows had been stable for several days but were dropped to 2300 cfs out of Palisades Dam yesterday. This action is sure to concentrate fish into deeper water, make float-fishing a bit more hazardous but increase walk-in wade opportunities.
Flow out of Palisades Dam has been steady at around 3240 cfs for about a week, and the weather is predicted to warm up. Streamer fishing is picking up, and some BWO action remains in the numerous riffles many of which are ideal for walk-in wade fishing. See the above pic of river bottom colors in Swan Valley. They make for a bonus when visiting the South Fork, but won’t be around much longer.
Flow below Mackay Dam is around 200 cfs, meaning wading is safe. BWOs come out during early PM hours with trout responding. But wintry weather predicted for the next few days means this weekend may make for a more comfortable visit.
Low water flow ( 3250 cfs at Irwin, 1660 cfs at Lorenzo) may be a “god send” for walk-in wade fishing, but it makes for perilous boat fishing in certain locations on the river. From Heise on downstream there are dangers where trees once underwater are now above and channels once passable are no longer that way. For example the river left in the Archer area has both these dangers. See our Facebook page for more details on dangers in this area, or get in touch at the shop. Nevertheless, hatches are holding up, and streamer fishing is improving. The upcoming weather may bring on “ice in your guides” periods, but better days will follow.
We have a few reports of success on Daniels Reservoir for those fly-fishers using midge pupa under an indicator. The taking depth must be found. Success for catching large trout from Sand Creek Ponds has not been the same as in past seasons, but smaller and mid-sized trout provide action by taking midge pupa patterns under an indicator or slowly retrieved leech patterns. Consider trying midge pupa patterns under an indicator in the Harriman Fish Pond now that aquatic vegetation is breaking up.