It’s time to begin looking for the famed Big Elk Creek flav hatch. Until then (and during) terrestrial insect patterns provide a great way to enjoy the excellent cutthroat trout population of this stream. The same thoughts for terrestrial insect patterns applies to all the South Fork-Palisades Reservoir tribs, and the Salt River tribs, as well. None of these streams, however, can match the Big Elk Creek flav hatch.
Consistent and somewhat higher that normal flows in Fall River Basin streams ( Bechler and Fall Rivers, Boundary, Mountain Ash and Proposition Creeks) means that good fishing should result here for the rest of the Yellowstone Park fishing season. Other than AM trico activity (seems to turn off, like on command, just about noon), some speckled duns and later a few mahoganies blown in from faster waster below are what remains of the extensive late June-early July mayfly activity. Now until killing frosts arrive, is the time to concentrate on presenting terrestrial insect patterns. Doing so will seem obvious to the fly-fisher that ventures through meadows to reach water. Presenting these patterns in the proper manner is more important than pattern selection. That means presenting to the far bank or downstream, both through a slow drift. For sure, you will not experience crowding and early season mosquitoes swarms are much diminished. Deer and horseflies, however, reign supreme, so dress accordingly.
The best and most consistent fishing in the Last Chance-Harriman section of the river is through presenting terrestrial insect patterns. The big mayfly hatches are gone for the year although speckled duns and smaller PMDs are present. Rusty spinner patterns will work early and late in the day, but when flying ants arrive in good numbers fish will notice, and some of the best summertime fishing arrives. For the warming lower river use rusty spinner patterns in the AM, and terrestrial insect and caddis life cycle and streamer patterns in the evening.
So many of our lower elevation still waters are suffering the “mid-summer blues” with algae blooms, depth reduction, and warming water temps. There is one still water, that if you do not mind packing a flotation device a bit more that a mile on a well-maintained trail tends to have these issues in reduced amounts. That is Aldous Lake northeast of Kilgore. This is the time of year when speckled dun and damselfly activity interests every cuttie in the lake. You can fish from shore and have success only on a limited basis, but the flotation device gets you onto the lake to the springs where most fish concentrate. It also gets you away from the diminishing mosquito population. Mid-day to early evening is the best time to enjoy this somewhat remote still water.
Birch Creek remains one of the best small streams for a youngster to try fly-fishing. At the family fishing area above Lone Pine the flow is stable, access is easy, fish are aggressive, and weather usually nice this time of year (only heavy wind and thunder showers compromise fishing success). Try wet flies early in the day and dry flies from late morning to early evening, and that youngster will have many chance at finding, hooking, playing, and releasing resident brookies and bows.
Looking for a bigger small stream? The Teton River in the basin might be one of the best currently if you remember to leave mid-day to recreational boaters and floaters. Try rusty spinners and terrestrial insect patterns in the early AM, and caddis life cycle and those terrestrial insect patterns during evening hours.
Flow out of Palisades Dam was raised from just under 10000 cfs to 11300 cfs on Thursday. Likely this action is from irrigation demands. Nevertheless, riffle fishing remains great. Use PMD life cycle patterns ( includes soft hackle patterns as emergers), and be on the lookout for pink alberts attracting attention from fish. Try grasshopper patterns of your choice next to well vegetated banks. Never forget the PM caddis emergence and that streamer patterns presented around out-of-the-sun cover early and late in the day attract biggest fish.
Your choice of small waters to fish is almost endless. The Palisades Reservoir and South Fork tributaries are all good choices to visit. Terrestrial insect patterns, soft hackled patterns, traditional attractors ( renegade, humpy, wulff series, purple haze), caddis, and yellow sally life cycle patterns will get responses from resident trout. Try the same patterns on Warm River. Be aware that several sheep herds are grazing on allotments on upper McCoy Creek. The best times to fish Teton River in the Basin are early AM and after dinner time because of mid-day recreational boaters. Such as rusty spinners will be effective there in the early AM. Caddis and PMD life cycle, and terrestrial insect patterns will attract fish during evening hours.
Slough Creek, Soda Butte Creek, and Lamar River are shaping up with green & gray drake and PMD emergences. Terrestrial insects populations are growing to numbers that will attract fish. Fish are looking for these insects, and fly-fishers are looking for fish. Expect company when you fish these beautiful waters, so courtesy may be needed. These waters are physically similar to Fall River Basin waters in the southwest corner of the park. A major difference is that much of the best water in Lamar River and Soda Butte Creek is roadside, whereas the best waters in Fall River Basin streams are remote. That’s enough to show why Fall River Basin streams, of at least the same fishing quality, are much less visited.
Our lengthy hot dry (excluding hit or miss thundershowers) weather has been a main reason for many of our still waters heating up or having an algae bloom. We had a report of water temperature in Sand Creek Pond #4 being in the mid 70s in degrees F. Shallower places in Daniels Reservoir have water temperatures around this level. Water temperatures this high will slow down fishing anywhere, and playing fish at these water temperatures can be a death sentence. Might be best in such a situation to wait out these water temps until they reach a level not so tough on fish.
Flow out of Palisades Dam was dropped to 9750 cfs earlier today and dry fly fishing in the riffles (it’s about time!) has improved much. Presenting PMD life cycle patterns will be effective for riffle fishing. Here are a few we can suggest: Thorax dun, Williams CDC PMD, PMD captive dun, all in size 16, any emerger pattern in size 16, CDC or rusty spinner both in size 16. Also try a #14-16 partridge and olive soft hackle as an emerger. For sallys try stimulators and CFO-X, both in sizes 14-16. Elk Hair or X caddis, both in sizes 14 & 16 will work well for fish responding to the afternoon caddis activity. Grasshoppers, beetles and ants are becoming numerous, so fishing well vegetated banks is also becoming productive.