There are several good locations to wade the river now that flows are dropping. Big brown trout are responding to streamer patterns fished early and late in the day. Try below Gem Lake Dam on either side of the river, or off the Shelly I-15 connector.
BWOs are active almost everywhere during afternoons when shadows begin to extend. If we get into cloudy weather, fish will respond to BWOs in better numbers, and hatches will be more intense. It is also the time of year to present streamers for migrating browns. The section between Ashton Dam and Chester backwaters is a popular place to wade fish. There are also locations for wade fishing below Chester Dam downstream to below St. Anthony. From Warm River to Ashton Reservoir backwaters a boat will get you into the best fishing. Pattern choice is not critical at these locations so long as your fly box includes somber and bright ties.
You can find action just about anywhere on the lake lately. Creek mouths may offer the best action, but will be the most crowded, especially f a boat dock is near by. No need to consider anything elaborate because standard Henry’s Lake patterns are working.
Island Park Reservoir is a good choice for fishing now. Fish are taking trolled leech patterns all around the lake. Chesterfield Reservoir, low water and all, is also producing. So is Daniels Reservoir. Try suspending zebra midges under indicators. Low water and what is left of Twenty-Four Mile Reservoir also produces if you can get your floating device to the water. Try your favorite midge pupa pattern under an indicator or offer a small leech pattern. Sand Creek Ponds seem to be slow fishing for most folks, but a hard frost could make action there improve.
Flow out of Palisades Dam has been around 4200 cfs for several days meaning stability, but expect more drops in flow out of the dam as we move through the fall season. We will keep you posted when these happen. All these drops in flow make for better and more wading opportunities, but make float fishing a bit tougher. The BWO activity will be suppressed during these bright days, but they will emerge in smaller numbers during afternoons when shadows lengthen. Streamers will be your best best for encountering big browns this time of year.
Although water is low, Chesterfield Reservoir continues to produce good fishing with some nice bows being taken on various leach patterns. We have reports of good fishing on Springfield Reservoir where midge pupa patterns under indicators and small leech patterns are producing. Action on Sand Creek Ponds should be picking up with the arrival of cooler weather. A good bet there would be small leech patterns or Dave Whitlock’s red fox squirrel nymph.
You could say this is the “browns and BWO with some ‘bows thrown in” season. Browns are beginning their fall migration in such as the Lewis , Madison, Gibbon, and Yellowstone rivers and Duck Creek. Runs in the Gardner and Snake rivers will come a bit later. Rainbows are running up the Madison River from Hebgen Lake and are actively rising to BWOs in the Firehole River. Meadow streams still offer fishing with terrestrial patterns. Elk are bugling, geese are honking, wolves are howling, and remaining coyotes are yipping. Those noises sure beat the motorized variety. On top of all this crowds are down on most waters. So it is a great time to be fishing in the Park.
Word is out that the lake currently offers the best fishing in the region. So folks will be flocking there and looking for the best spots to fish. Standard patterns for the lake are working. The strategy for a best time is to find a location where there are more fish than people. Creek mouths are almost certain to be crowded, especially those with easy access. The same goes for shorelines. Consider contacting us to learn of some locations that might be less crowded.
The flows were reduced to 4,200 cfs yesterday. I assume that we will see a more aggressive approach to lowering the water to our winter flows within the next 2 weeks. The lake is low and irrigation demand is low as well, so there is no need for water to be in the system. We have not been informed of how low the river will go for the majority of the winter, but my guess is between 800 and 1,200 cfs.
Fishing is still moderate. Lots of moss still in the river and cleaning your flies is a must if you want to catch any fish. I suggest fishing bead head nymphs below a Hopper or a Chernobyl Ant. Zebra Midges in Red and Black size #16 & #18. Pheasant Tails, and BWO nymphs like the Bubble back Emerger BWO have proven effective as well. You will still get a few eats on the big dry so try not to be so suprised when it happens. I prefer the nymphs below the dry because you don’t seem to catch as much moss on your flies, versus fishing deep with an indicator. Streamer fishing has really picked up and I suggest fishing a sinking tip line or a sinking leader.
Fishing has been good on the Henry’s Fork. Nymphing and Streamer fishing have been the main tactics for hooking fish. BWO hatches have been few and far between but look for those flies to pop during overcast and rainy days. The fishing below the Ashton Dam have been really good as well as Warm River to Ashton. Stonefly Nymphs and a variety or bead head nymphs. I personally like a large #14 or #12 Pheasant Tail below a rubberleg.