We have heard of no big change from the creek mouths and spring holes being the places to fish on the lake. These locations still attract a lot of interest because so many other regional still waters have been drawn down to the point where they offer marginal fishing. Thus many “displaced still water anglers” are heading to Henry’s Lake to enjoy some good fishing. That means expect company at these favored locations
If you look at our experience fishing the lower Blackfoot River in our Small Streams report today there are words on the effects of aquatic weeds breaking up. Those words apply, as well, to sections of the Henry’s Fork that “weed up” during the growing season. That includes such as the Harriman State Park reach, the River above Mack’s Inn, above Coffee Pot Rapids, and others. What is important regardless of the water you fish, weeds breaking up this time of year release life forms that therefore become more easily available to foraging fish. Thus because of availability they will key on these life forms and your response should be to simulate them in the flies you offer.
We fished the Blackfoot River several miles below the dam a few days ago. We caught a few fish on bead head peacock leeches, but nothing on dries even tho’ hoppers and trico spinners were abundant. The fish just were not interested in coming up. A big reason why was that weeds were breaking apart in the river. When this happens, life forms are released from them to drift in the current. All fish need to do to feed is hang out and grab drifting life forms as they go by. It takes minimum effort for them to respond in this manner, so no wonder those that we caught were in great shape.
With the recent drop of flow out of Palisades Dam and more of the same to follow, this river should now be on you “to visit” list. The main stem Snake has had high flows all summer, but now look for BWO and caddis to offer action. Streamer fishing will become more important here as we move through autumn. The river is best fished through floating, but with lowering flows wading will become safe in several places. We can help identify such locations. Come in and talk to us about them.
If you are a Firehole River fan the cooling temperatures are just the ticket. Look for BWOs there to begin emerging in good numbers, and with cooler water fish will respond. Streamer fishing will also pick up all through the Park, especially where browns are moving. Terrestrial insects remain in good numbers, but with hard frosts not far away their importance will soon diminish. So enjoy the last few weeks of big trout exploding on your hopper, beetle and ant patterns.
If you fish Island Park Reservoir you know it takes a bit of effort to travel to Grizzly Springs without a motor. With kokanee moving into the river and big rainbows sure to follow them, consider fishing streamers where the river enters the reservoir. There are nearby places to launch a boat, or you can wade the river just above McRae’s Bridge. A time to do this with a better chance to encounter a big rainbow would be right around twilight.
Cooler and longer nights, lower flows out of Island Park Dam, and less daylight are making for changes. Streamer and two-fly nymph rigs fishing is picking up in Box Canyon. Mahogany Duns and BWOs are showing on the river below as tricos and callibaetis decrease. Terrestrial patterns still work, but their days are coming to an end as we cool of further. So make some changes in your fly box!
Just a few hours ago flow out of Palisades Dam was reduced to 7240 cfs. At the Heise gauge it is about 9700 cfs. This makes for easier wading, and just might be the ticket for improving riffle fishing when BWOs and mahogany duns peak. Also we might see more mutant golden stones emerge. Wait a day or two for things to stabilize in the river and fishing will pick up.
We’ve had reports of good fishing early in the last few days before the wind kicked in. Yesterday it was strong enough to send many boats off the lake. Creek mouths were good locations with Targhee Creek leading the pack and Howard Creek coming on.
Browns have begun their migration out of Hebgen Lake into the Madison River and on up to spawning grounds in the Gibbon and lower Firehole rivers. The same will soon begin on Lewis River Channel and the Yellowstone River. So break out the streamer patterns. Cooling weather is beginning to improve fishing success on the Firehole River. Trico activity is making for good fishing along the Madison River and in Fall River Basin. So keep those trico patterns handy for a while.