Flow out of Mackay Dam is at 200 cfs, an amount that makes wading practical. Flows out of the dam will likely go lower as storage takes over in the reservoir. Tricos are diminishing, but BWOs are coming on, and there always is plenty of midges for fish to key on.
BWOs are bringing action from fish in the Last Chance-Harriman area and a few mahogany duns are around. Terrestrial insects and caddisflies are on the decline. Stonefly nymph patterns seem to work well in Box Canyon, especially during overcast and low light conditions. Browns are moving on the lower river meaning it is time to break out streamer patterns to be presented under low light conditions.Just above Ashton reservoir is a good place to try, but so are below Ashton Dam and Chester Dam. The uncertain weather predicted for the next several days also means good BWO activity, so don’t choose between their life cycle patterns and streamers. Take both!
It looks like the lake is making up for the slow summer! Fishing is great all over the lake. With the lake at about 85% of capacity, water is low but cooling off with the weather. With uncertain weather predicted for the next several days,now might be the time to consider a visit. Use that intermediate line to present the standard array of Henry’s Lake patterns. Also trying a two-fly rig consisting of a small leech pattern and an attractor such a gold crystal. Word that fishing is improving has gotten out, so expect crowds at the easy access place such as the state park and county boat dock. And if you are lucky enough to find a spot with excellent fishing,expect to see fellow anglers congregate around you.
The good BWO and mahogany dun hatches continue making for good fishing. Having a stable river sure helps. But because the reservoir is at 33% capacity and dropping, expect flow reductions coming in the near future. When they happen, we will post such information here, because these will impact fishing.
We have not said much recently here, so let’s get caught up a bit. Water is very low at Chesterfield Reservoir, but fish are hitting leech and damselfly nymph patterns. It’s easier to launch flotation devices than boats there. Daniels Reservoir is offering good fishing with the same patterns because water is in good shape thanks to the conservation pool. Springfield Reservoir offers good fishing for those folks concentrating on the “donut holes,” that is the spring holes between the weed beds. Try scud, damselfly nymph, damselfly adult, and midge life cycle patterns. Sand Creek Ponds still fishes well for those presenting speckled dun life cycle patterns. Try a soft hackled patterns (ie, partridge & orange) in size 14 or 12 with a slow retrieve, just under the surface and close to rising fish. Evenings and late afternoons seem best. Forget about the Harriman Fish Pond until next year or later. Looks like the holdovers will be few & far between.
Flow out of Henry’s Lake into Henry’s Lake Outlet has been reduced to 53 cfs. That means fishing is pretty much over there for the year. Larger fish will move down to the Henry’s Fork.
Finally, the lake is turning on! We have reports of large fish being caught in good numbers. The south and west sides seem to provide the best action. Try big woolly bugger types or streamers in about ten feet of water. Some of the reasons for this turn-around is that the blue-green algae mats are decreasing and water temperatures are also going down. These mean more dissolved oxygen thus more active fish. With the decrease in algae and lowering water temperatures, we could be heading for some of the famed fall fishing Henry’s Lake is capable of providing.
River flow has been stable for several days: just a tad below 9000 cfs out of Palisades Dam and just under 9900 cfs at Heise. You could not ask for better weather for good BWO and Mahogany dun emergences than what we have today and coming up for the next few days. The prevailing low light conditions also means better conditions for trying streamer patterns. So whether you wade or fish from a boat, now is a great time to try the South Fork.
This cool wet weather is making a difference with respect to fishing the lower river. BWO and midges are emerging in abundance, and mahogany duns are around. With terrestrial insects remaining top water fishing should be good for days to come, but as we move into October consider that presenting streamer patterns under low light conditions will become more important.
Idaho Department of Fish and Game is proposing to transfer some Big Elk Creek kokanee to Bear Creek with the idea of starting another run from Palisades Reservoir. Lets hope it works because if successful, there would be more forage fish for large trout in the reservoir. Right now Bear Creek might be a good choice to try with the great terrestrial insect population in its meadows. Also with the daytime becoming shorter and cooler, fish in beaver ponds there will become more interested in small leech patterns.