Henry’s remains fairly slow fishing unfortunately. The water clarity remains very poor with the algae conditions. This issue should go away any day now with the cooler temps, but as of this posting, it is still present. Once the algae is gone, the fishing should be excellent. Fish have moved in to the Howard Creek, Pintail Point, and Hatchery areas and should be willing once the lake clears up. We will be sure to update everyone as soon as the algae is gone.
Flow out of Palisades Dam has been constant ( around 4100 cfs increasing to about 5000 cfs at Heise) for several days, and weather is as good as it gets for BWO activity. The results are continued good riffle fishing with a great selection of such to explore from Palisades Dam to the Henry’s Fork confluence. Unsettled weather also means good streamer fishing almost anywhere along the river. For now stick to somber colors (olives, brown/rust, black) for those streamers.
Looks like the fall season is finally bringing on good still water fishing. Daniels Reservoir is fishing as good as it has all year. The upper end and outside edge of shoreline mud plumes when wind is blowing seem best locations. Seems like almost any technique from using a midge pupa under a strike indicator (must find taking depth), fly rod jigs, damsel fly nymph, and leech patterns attract fish. The same applies to Hawkins Reservoir where the fish may run a bit smaller but are just as eager especially for speckled dun life cycle patterns. Have not heard reports for Sand Creek Ponds to date, but fishing success has surely improved there.
The above photo shows the Blackfoot River Wildlife Management Area with the river in the distance. The big meadow you see it winding through is still full of grasshoppers. The river is flowing slightly above normal meaning there is plenty of cover so some large cutthroat remain within. Also no killing frosts here yet, but any day now that could change. The same applies to the Teton River in the Basin where elevation is about the same as the Blackfoot River in the above photo.
Now that October is approaching, keep track of the flow level in the Blackfoot River below the Reservoir. Any day now water impoundment in the reservoir will begin, and flow in the river below will drop to less than 200 cfs. A flow below this level results in great fishing, especially if a killing frost has not wiped out bank side terrestrial insect populations. Afternoon caddis activity should attract trout throughout the month. Dry fly fishing will be the best approach until copious submerged weed beds break up, then presenting streamers will become practical at many points in the river. So the best time to fish the river below the reservoir is just ahead.
The Madison River between US Highway 191 north of West Yellowstone and the Madison Arm of Henry’s Lake is easily approached. Right now it hosts a good number of brown and rainbow trout migrating through to spawning areas in Yellowstone Park. Best times to fish here are first light and evenings. These times not only provide best overhead cover but have minimal human traffic. Presenting streamer patterns on sink tip lines is the best way to encounter these migrants, and walking and wading here is easy. Give it a try!
The cooler weather with great recent rainfall is just what is needed to improve still water fishing in our region. With cooling shallows and shorter days we should soon receive reports of improved fishing. As soon as these accumulate and appear credible, we will begin placing information on this report. For now Daniels Reservoir appears to offer some of the best fishing with midge pupa suspended at taking depth and leech patterns interesting trout.
Now that the number of recreational boaters are diminishing on the Teton River in Teton Basin it is time to enjoy uninterrupted daytime fishing. BWOs and mahogany dun action and a few gray drakes are bringing trout up. Sometime during the first week of October flow out of the Blackfoot River Reservoir will drop to around 100 cfs. Dry fly fishing and streamer presentation on the river below will improve to destination quality and remain so through October.
BWO and mahogany dun activities are interesting trout up and down the river. Add AM trico spinner falls, some terrestrial insects remaining, evening caddis activity and the result is a great time for dry fly fishing. We are also entering the time of year when the Henry’s Fork also offers first class streamer fishing. Look for the best action, but bound to improve as we move into October, in such as the lower river where browns are becoming aggressive, Box Canyon, and the river above Macks Inn.
This summer the riffle fishing was not up to par up and down the river, but current BWO and mahogany dun activity with fish responding is making up for the summer conditions. In some ways now is a better time to enjoy the riffles because fishing pressure is on the decline and much more of the river offers safe wading. Flow out of Palisades Dam today is just under 4200 cfs (about 5200 cfs at Heise) and sure to go lower. Streamer fishing is picking up, evening caddis action continues, and terrestrial insects still interest trout. With weather predicted to improve as we move to the end of September, it looks like the most enjoyable time to fish the South Fork this year is now!