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Fishing Reports

Fly Fish Food Jimmy's / Fishing Reports (Page 167)

Henry’s Fork 4-4-17

Although some midges and some BWOs are on the surface, presenting nymph patterns in the lower river above Chester seems the most productive approach lately.  Streamers also bring responses from trout, especially under low light conditions.  Look for Fall River, with flow at Yellowstone canal diversion more than double normal, to increase flows significantly and add discolor to the river below Chester.

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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.

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Henry’s Lake 10-13-16

Henry’s has not been its usual fall self lately. We have had storm fronts roll in every couple of days along with high winds that have kept the lake off color and the fish tight lipped. If the weather is consistent the fishing has been better. The surface temps on the lake yesterday were in the low to mid forties, so the temperature is certainly right for better fishing.

The shallows around the northwest corner and the State Park have been best. If the water is off color, use a larger darker leech pattern and cover as much water as possible. If your fishing the State Park specifically, guys have been having success with larger chironomid pupa under indicators.

Hopefully the weather will allow us some of the great fall fishing were all used to!

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Henry’s Lake 9-15-16

Henry’s is showing signs of improvement, but overall fishing remains pretty tough. The key has been finding fish, if you can do that, the fish have been pretty willing. Wind storms have pounded the lake this late summer/early fall and combined with the blue/green algae bloom, half the battle has been finding clean water. The good news is with the cooling temperatures, the algae is disappearing and the weeds are dying off.

Now for the fishing……Concentrate your efforts in fairly shallow water (10ft and less) with type II and intermediate lines. There is still a fair amount of weeds present but don’t let that discourage you. The best fishing has been in amongst the weeds. Prospect with fly patterns until you find something thats working. All the traditional leech patterns (california leech, hot chocolate, Brown CB, Olive CB, mohair leeches, etc…..)  have been working in sizes 6 & 8. Later in the day switch over to scuds, mighty mouse, HL renegade, and other smaller flies. If your into drifting with flies, there have been some large fish caught recently drifting between Targhee Creek and the State Park. Use a fairly fast sinking line if your planning to drift that area.

We have also had quite a few people calling and asking if the cutthroats have moved into the state park area, and the answer is not yet… That could happen any day now though so I would check it if your on the lake. The water temps are right and it feels like the lake is just about to go off, lets hope its soon!

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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.

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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.

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South Fork 08-01-16

The fishing on the South Fork is remaining constant with Golden Stones, PMD’s, and now small ants. The flows are staying constant on the river with it running 12,400 cfs out of the Palisades Damn, and the hopper fishing is getting close to starting with these warm dry temperatures. The best fishing lately has been in the mornings and evenings with a dead period during the middle of the day. During that time, I would recommend a dry dropper with a size 12 or 14 bead-headed nymph.

Flies I would use:

Nymphs: Bennett’s Brown Rubber Leg size 6 & 8, Pearl Lightning Bug size 16, Red Copper John size 14, Bead Headed Pheasant Tail Crystal Flash size 16

Streamers: Gallop’s Yellow Dungeon, Kreelix Copper/Gold, Gallop’s White Peanut Envy, Sparkle Minnow, Flash Minnow.

Dry Flies: CFO Copper/Black Ant size 14, CFO Black/Red Ant size 16,  Super Chernobyl Golden size 10 (A.K.A Chubby), CFO Flamer (Purple or Brown) size 8, CW Pink Albert Dun size 16, Pink Albert Captive Dun size 16,

Also, a yellow lab was found at the Byington Boat Ramp Saturday, if you have any information contact Logan at 208-346-2066.

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South Fork 07-18-16

Even though it is the dog days of summer, the fishing still continues to be good on the South Fork. The Salmon flies are starting to end on the upper section in Swan Valley, but the Golden Stones are fishing well throughout the whole river. Also, I would recommend fishing a dry dropper with the Golden Stone and a small nymph below it. The best fishing has still been in the riffles with a Pink Comparadun and an emerger. The flows are continuing to stay stable around 13,000 cfs, and there is no word on dropping the South Fork. Although if I had a day off, I would spend it on the South Fork fishing dry flies.

Flies I would use:

Nymphs: Bennett’s Brown Rubber Leg size 6 & 8, Pearl Lightning Bug size 16, Red Copper John size 14, Bead Headed Pheasant Tail Crystal Flash size 16

Streamers: Gallop’s Yellow Dungeon, Kreelix Copper/Gold, Gallop’s White Peanut Envy, Sparkle Minnow, Flash Minnow.

Dry Flies: John’s CFO Yellow Sallie size 14, Kyle’s Yellow Sallie size 12,  Super Chernobyl Golden size 10 (A.K.A Chubby), CFO Flamer size 8, CW Pink Albert Dun size 16, Pink Albert Captive Dun size 16,

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South Fork 07-11-16

Even though it is July 11th, there are still big bugs hatching. The Salmon flies right now are most concentrated on the Upper South Fork between Palisades Creek and Spring Creek Bridge. The PMD fishing has been the best it has been in years with PMD’s hatching all the way from the Damn to the Lorenzo take out. Between there you will find fish in riffles looking for PMD’s and Yellow Sallies. Lastly, fishing a Golden Stone and a small nymph underneath has worked well on the lower section.

Flies I would use:

Nymphs: Bennett’s Brown Rubber Leg size 6 & 8, Pearl Lightning Bug size 16, Red Copper John size 14, Bead Headed Pheasant Tail Crystal Flash size 16

Streamers: Gallop’s Yellow Dungeon, Kreelix Copper/Gold, Gallop’s White Peanut Envy, Sparkle Minnow, Flash Minnow.

Dry Flies: John’s CFO Yellow Sallie size 14, Kyle’s Yellow Sallie size 12,  Super Chernobyl Golden size 6 (A.K.A Chubby), Brett’s Salmon Fly size 4, CW Pink Albert Dun size 16, Pink Albert Captive Dun size 16, Super Chernobyl Golden size 10

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South Fork 07-07-16

The Salmon flies are still going strong and moving up the river. From about Spring Creek (the bridge in Swan Valley) down to Cottonwood/Fulmer, the Salmon fly fishing has been the best. Futhermore, the fishing has been really good in the riffles with PMDs and Yellow Sallies throughout the whole river from noon on. There are a few Golden-stones hatching out on the lower section, and fishing one of those with a nymph as a dry dropper has worked. Lastly, the South Fork is still flowing around 14,000 cfs, and the river is in great condition even though it is a little high.

Flies I would use:

Nymphs: Bennett’s Brown Rubber Leg size 6 & 8, San Juan Worm size 10, Red Copper John size 14, Super Flash size 14.

Streamers: Gallop’s Yellow Dungeon, Kreelix Copper/Gold, Gallop’s White Peanut Envy, Sparkle Minnow, Flash Minnow.

Dry Flies: John’s CFO Yellow Sallie size 14, Kyle’s Yellow Sallie size 12,  Super Chernobyl Golden size 6 (A.K.A Chubby), Brett’s Salmon Fly size 4, CW Pink Albert Dun size 16, Pink Albert Captive Dun size 16, Super Chernobyl Golden size 10

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