Fishing Reports

Henry’s Fork 5-31-17

The main event here is big stoneflies hatching on the lower river. To be sure presenting big dries brings great returns, but it seems that every fly-fisher around, whether wading or boating, is on the lower river.  This presence will soon happen on Box Canyon where nymphs are moving and such as rubber leg patterns are working well. Downstream from Riverside Campground would be a good location in the upcoming days to enjoy fish responding to the drifting big stoneflies. You might have to put up with boat traffic, but such will not be as concentrated as on the lower river or that which will happen soon in Box Canyon.

Henry’s Fork 10-29-16

As with the South Fork BWO activity is bringing good action for the dry fly  enthusiast throughout the river. On the lower river presenting streamer patterns is the best way to encounter large browns and rainbows.  A temporary flow increase is going on in the river below Chester Dam and the Fall  River confluence where storms have significantly increased the Fall River inflow.  This inflow will soon decrease unless storms continue in the Fall River drainage.

South Fork 9-3-16

Flow out of Palisades Dam was dropped to about 9500 cfs last Tuesday. That’s still a bit higher than normal, and Palisades Reservoir is at about 27% of capacity. That percentage means more drops in flow are coming soon and for sure. Slamming the banks with chernobyl and hopper patterns and hopper-dropper combinations and two-nymph rigs drifted into riffles seem to be most productive ways to fishing success currently.  Early AMs are the times when mutant stonefly patterns are successful.

Be aware that there is a fire in Black Canyon at the end of the river road above Heise.

South Fork 08-08-2016

The South fork continues to fish well with flows staying pretty stable throughout most of the river. In the evening there are some very impressive mayfly hatches coming off, and the fishing has been great. Riffle fishing is going to be best up towards the dam, and the best bank fishing is going to be on the lower river. Hoppers are starting to make an apperance, but best action seems to be on the golden mutant stone. The lower end below Heise has a little more exposed gravel, and with that, the start of the mutant stones. To fish these with the most success, start focusing your attention on fishing mutant stones early in the morning, and later in the evening. Putting in tight casts to the bank, and using a twitch or skate on your bug will produce great success. Focus on the slower water, and stay out of the fast banks. If you find yourself on fast banks, make sure to time your casts on the slowest holding water, and dont flail casts aimlessly at the boils. As for the riffles: fishing a tandem rig with two maylfies will be the best.. For streamers I would use something big, or two smaller flies fished in tandem. Streamer fishing on the South Fork is all about figuring out what color they are interested in on that day, and that is where fishing the two fly tandem rig is helpful, fishing two different colors.

Best bugs to use:

Riffles: PMD Thorax Dun 16-18, Pmd Biot Emerger 16-18, PMD Para-spinner 16-18, Pink Albert Para-spinner 16, Rusty Spinner 16, Purple Haze 16-18, Williams Transitional Dun 16-18, Brooks Flexwing Baetis 18-20, Baetis Parachute 20.

Banks: Super Chernobyl Brown or Yellow 8-10, CFO Flamer Ant Yellow or Pink 8-10, CFO Ant Flesh 6-8, Plan B 8-10, More or Less Hopper 10-12.

Streamers: Galloup’s Sex Dungeon, Peanut envy, Kreelex Minnow, Sparkle Minnow, Sculpzilla, JJ Special, Complex Twist Bugger, El Sculpito, Prince of a Bugger.