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Fishing Reports

Fly Fish Food Jimmy's / Fishing Reports (Page 149)

Still Waters 8-4-18

 

 

 

Aldous Lake

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.

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Small Streams 8-4-18

 

 

Birch Crk Malia

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.

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South Fork 8-4-18

 

Above Menan (640x480)

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.

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Small Streams 7-28-18

Bear Creek reduced

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.

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Yellowstone Park 7-28-18

Boundary Creek

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.

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Still Waters 7-28-18

 

Paul Res (2)

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.

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South Fork 7-28-18

151

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.

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Yellowstone Park 7-21-18

 

upper slough (2)

We hear that Slough Creek and the Lamar River, although both flowing a bit high, are fishing  quite well. Daytime PMD, gray drakes, some green drakes, and PM caddis actions are attracting fish. Terrestrial insect populations are beginning to increase but are not yet to their peak.   As fishing improves on these top notch streams, look for the easiest access locations to become crowded.  That suggests trying these waters as soon as possible to beat the sure to come crowds.

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Henry’s Lake 7-21-18

Fishing is still slow.  Best chance for any action would be creek mouths including Targhee, Howard, and Duck or any submerged springs. The lake is warming up, and that is a big part of the problem.  Looks like best strategy is to wait until September-October when fishing action will likely pick up.

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