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Fishing Reports

Fly Fish Food Jimmy's / Fishing Reports (Page 131)

Small Streams 8-13-19

Big Elk (2)

The western green drake (aka flav hatch) is ongoing on Palisades Reservoir and South Fork tributaries. On most of these streams it is somewhat sparse with that on Big Elk Creek being the exception.  If you find the Big Elk Creek event to be well attended by eager fly-fishers, remember that trout awaiting the same event are in Bear, McCoy, Palisades, and Pine Creek. Consider that trout there  are present 24/7, and even though the hatch of these flies may be sparse, they are totally aware of and make use of it.

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Yellowstone Park 8-13-19

A word of caution if you intend fish Park back country waters during mid-August.  The huckleberry season is ongoing and therefore the chance of  encountering black and grizzly bears is on the increase. Huckleberry aroma is enticing and can be detected at distance, even by humans. Bears can detect the aroma much more easily and depend on berry crops for food.  Consider that ripe berry patches near waters hosting good fishing bring increased potential for an encounter. Thus if you smell huckleberries while in the back country, realize bears do the same, and are likely nearby or on the way to feed.    Have bear spray very handy and make noise to announce your presence.  If Park officials suggest avoiding certain locations because of feeding bears, consider their suggestions to be excellent advice.  Good back country fishing will be present after berry season is over.

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Small Streams 8-10-19

 

 

Bitch Creek

The choice here is almost endless. Only a few are worth avoiding. this includes the Blackfoot River below the reservoir, Teton River in the basin during mid-day hours, and small upper drainage streams that have warmed such that fish have moved downstream to more comfortable waters. If you are trying to choose a small stream that currently offers good fishing, let us help.  Get in touch!

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Yellowstone Park 8-10-19

Bechler Meadows

Madison River, especially Firehole River below Old Faithful, and Gibbon River below Norris are warm enough not to be recommended for good fly-fishing success.  Soda Butte Creek, the lowest two meadows on Slough Creek, and Lamar River in roadside meadows are very crowded.   There is fast fishing for small brook trout in the upper Gardner River drainage especially away from easy access points.   Diminishing green drake activity, PMD’s and evening caddis activity offer some action on the Yellowstone River above the upper falls. Number of cutts are down, but size is up. Streamers are best bet to encounter the larger cutts there.  Fall River Basin streams are running a bit high but clear and therefore fishing well. Hoppers and other terrestrial insect patterns are best bets for action. Trico activity should start any time. Beula Lake offers some of the fastest fishing in the park. Shoreline can get a bit crowded from time to time due to boy scout visits from nearby Camp Loll, so pack in a float tube and get out in the lake to fish back towards shorelines with speckled dun, damselfly, and cinnamon caddis life cycle and small leech patterns.

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South Fork 8-10-19

 

Fall Cr. Falls (640x480)

Flow out of Palisades Dam is about 8500 cfs and reduces to around 4300 cfs at Lorenzo. Riffle fishing is holding up very well, and guides know it. That means you might receive company on your favorite riffle from around late morning to just before dinner time.  There will be less traffic and more caddis activity during late afternoon, and the further upstream you venture more of the guiding drift boats will be below you. Hoppers are coming on.

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Henry’s Fork 8-3-19

 

Bear Gulch

At almost every location on the river rusty spinners in the AM, caddis during evenings will get you into action. Hoppers and other terrestrial insects make for action along the upper river, but mid-day hours on the lower river are a good time for a siesta.

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South Fork 8-3-19

 

South Fork 4

Since July 27th to today (8/3) the flow out of Palisades Dam has dropped from just over 11000 cfs to 8700 cfs.   This has not impacted fishing much. Consider the same conditions and strategy suggestions as in our last report except anywhere on the river hoppers are becoming more important to imitate. Drop in flow also helps make walk-in wade fishing a better option.

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Henry’s Lake 7-30-19

We have some reports that using small leech patterns presented on an intermediate line is interesting smaller fish on Henry’s Lake. Try the creek mouths (Targhee, Hope, Duck, etc).  Get to these locations as early as possible, and as usual,  expect company to move in.

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South Fork 7-30-19

SF With Baldy 2 (640x480)

Flow out of Palisades Dam was dropped to 10100 cfs ( 10400 cfs at Heise) yesterday. Normal flow out of the dam today is 11000 cfs.  With PMD’s, pink alberts and some yellow sallys coming off in the riffles, the South Fork is just about at the top of its fly-fishing reputation.  Add to these growing hopper populations up & down the river and it will soon be tough to beat the fly-fishing the South Fork offers.

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Still Waters 7-30-19

Becker (300 fish), Riverside (300 fish), Jim Moore Pond (900 fish) and Rexburg Nature Park Pond (300 fish) were stocked with catfish on July 24th. Bottom fishing is the way to catch them, and for sure they are good eating!

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