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Henry’s Lake, September 30th, 2023

September 30, 2023
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Fishing Reports, Henry's Lake

YUCK!

The bad news here may be temporary, but it is important. The blue-green algae bloom is extensive enough here for the Idaho Health and Welfare Department to issue a warning that suggests keeping pets and livestock away from lake water and that all visitors wash hands and equipment with clean water before leaving. For those folks harvesting fish, dispose of their organs and skin before any culinary uses.

The good news is that the upcoming stormy weather will help bring on the great fall fishing for which the lake is famed. October is usually the best month for fishing here.

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Small Streams, September 26th, 2023

September 26, 2023
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Fishing Reports, Small Streams

So many of our small streams are overlooked because of being adjacent to icon water. Lower Rainey Creek is a good example because of the nearby South Fork. Access is along US Highway 26 at the lower part of Swan Valley. Two pull-outs overlooking the creek provide easy access after walking down a short slope. When these pull-out are not occupied by a parked vehicle, it is time to stop to observe any rising fish in the creek below. If this is the case, descend the slope downward with much stealth to not disturb rising trout. This part of the creek hosts a large portion of cool, clear water coming from private property springs above. Trout, mostly cutthroat, move in from the river to these quality conditions. The same mayfly species, currently BWOs, mahogany duns, diminishing pink alberts are here as well as terrestrial insects.

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Southwest Montana, September 26th, 2023

September 26, 2023
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Fishing Reports, South Western Montana

The Madison River is in good fishing shape anywhere. Most attending fly fishers are on the stretch between Hebgen and Quake Lakes. That is because of easy access and brown trout moving in from Quake Lake. From the US Highway 191 bridge down to the Madison Arm of Hebgen is becoming crowded because of brown and rainbow trout migrating up the river into Yellowstone Park. That part of the river attracts spinning rods anglers and under specific conditions a single trout bag limit applies. Below Quake Lake terrestrial insects and left over caddis provide top water action during mid day hours after warming occurs. Those activities will diminish as unsettled weather is forecast for the upcoming weekend. During that period, BWO life cycle and streamer patterns will become better choices to occupy that fly box.

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Henry’s Fork, September 26th, 2023

September 26, 2023
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Fishing Reports, Henry's Fork

It has not been cold enough to kill all the hoppers, honey ants and beetles. They are active along the entire river from St. Anthony upstream to the Flat Ranch. Wait until the mid-day sun warms things enough for them to become active. This activity could diminish this weekend as unsettled weather is expected. However such weather could enhance mahogany dun and BWO activity and make pitching streamers more effective . A few trico spinners are around in mornings.

Here are headlines from Dr. Rob Van Kirk’s Henry’s Fork Drainage water status report filed yesterday, September 25th.

  • Last week was cool and very wet, boosting water-year precipitation to 111% of average with just 6 days left in the water year.
  • Cool, wet weather is expected to kick off the new water.
  • Diversion and natural flow both dropped over the weekend after heavy precipitation on Thursday and Friday.
  • At an average outflow of 466 cfs, Island Park Reservoir gained 151 ac-ft/day over the past three days and is 64.9% full, compared with 45.9% on average.
  • Water-quality data indicate decreased aquatic productivity watershed-wide as the growing season wanes.

Chester Dam

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South Fork, September 26th, 2023

September 26, 2023
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Fishing Reports, South Fork

River in Swan Valley

Flow out of Palisades Dam is reduced to seasonally normal amounts (about 5000 cfs at Irwin, 6100 cfs at Heise, 3000 cfs at Lorenzo) with Palisades Reservoir not quite at 60% of capacity.

The photo above shows why visiting the South Fork this time of the season offers an unforgettable experience. Unsettled weather predicted to begin Friday means an uptick in fish taking BWOs and those chasing streamers. Enough terrestrial insects remain that hopper-dropper combos are still effective after surface waters warm up by afternoon

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Big Lost River, September 23rd, 2023

September 23, 2023
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Big Lost River, Fishing Reports

Big Lost River Below Mackay Dam

With flow out of Mackay Dam just under 300 cfs more of the river downstream is worth fishing than usual for this time of the season. The river around the Houston Bridge area has some nice water, and flow in the Leslie area is about 190 cfs. Land in this area is a “checkerboard of private ( you are legal by staying within the high water mark) and public, so be careful about access. Afternoons are best for BWO, midge and remaining caddis activity. Frost has put a dent in terrestrial insect activity. but some remain and during nicer afternoons patterns for them will be effective for days to come.

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Henry’s Fork, September 23rd, 2023

September 23, 2023
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Fishing Reports, Henry's Fork

A Killing frost is likely on the upper river. Being the first of the season, terrestrial insects in sheltered places are not totally impacted yet and fish will be looking for them. Afternoons will feature BWO and midge hatches, and such as Box Canyon and the Tubs will be great places to try streamers as well as some trying top water fishing because remaining insects. More numerous and severe killing frosts are lined up for the coming days for sure, and as on the South Fork the opposite ends of the effective fly activity spectrum ( BWOs and midges over to streamers and woolly bugger variations.will be increasingly effective for successful fishing.

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Still Waters, September 23rd, 2023

September 23, 2023
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Fishing Reports, Still Water

Sand Creek Pond # 4

The weather the last several days is doing wonders for fishing success on many of these. Fewer daylight hours and cooler air temps are bringing water temperatures down to levels making fish active again and reducing aquatic weed cover. Sand Creek Ponds is an example where these actions are taking place. About 15 miles north of St. Anthony, the ponds offer an easy-to-access still water fishery. Pond #4 offers the most with a boat launch, a rainbow trout population producing individuals to trophy size, and a few brookies. Speckled duns may be winding down in numbers but a few remain during warmer days, Nymph patterns of choice suspended under a indicator remain effective as are leech and scud patterns. The ponds are non-motorized and have limited bank fishing. A killing frost has likely taken place, but enough terrestrial insects remain that a floating hopper or ant pattern or dry damsel fly could raise some interest from resident rainbow trout.

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South Fork, September 23rd, 2023

September 23, 2023
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Fishing Reports, South Fork

Fall Colors at Clark Hill

Flow out Palisades Dam has dropped enough to notice (about 5700 cfs at Irwin, 6500 cfs at Heise, and 3000 cfs at Lorenzo) and can drop further as irrigation season winds down and water storage season begins. These flow levels make for more walk-in wade locations (On request, we at the shop can help locate the best of these ) and means drift boats will leave more gel coat streaks on the river bottom. With cooling weather and fewer daylight hours coming on, the opposite ends of the fly fishing spectrum ( BWOs and midge life cycle patterns then over to streamer patterns and big woolly bugger variations) will offer the best ways to fishing success. In between these ends terrestrial insects will be diminishing and the same for most stone fly species because of killing frosts and less daylight. Fall colors will offer another reason for fishing the river for days to come. Thus the South Fork offers more than great fishing if you enjoy its natural beauty peak this time of the season.

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Big Lost River, September 19th, 2023

September 19, 2023
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Big Lost River, Fishing Reports

As flow out of Mackay Dam drops the river below becomes more attractive for fall fishing. BWO and midges prevail to interest trout, up coming unsettled weather will slow terrestrial insect activity. Such will return after this weather spell passes. If are looking for brook trout for a late season fish fry, try upper Antelope Creek and any of its tributaries having beaver ponds.

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