Well everyone the time has come and the water flow has been increased. The increase from yesterday afternoon and this morning has brought the river up to 2,000 cfs. We don’t know how high they will increase the river at this point, but as soon as it levels off we will be updating this report. For the next few days I would look to go fishing on the Henry’s Fork.
A couple of days ago we floated from Lorenzo to Menan and were happy to see that the new ramp being built below Lorenzo. It will be on the south side of the river and access will be from the Lorenzo/Menan highway. We don’t know the exact date that it will open but we will let when it is. In the meantime there is a 3 foot ledge of ice sitting on the ramp at current launch site. In order to put in you have to push the boat down over the ice ledge. Getting a boat out will take some extra rope and a good push by two folks on the back end of the boat. Then ice hopefully will melt in a week or so.
Fishing has been really good on the river for this time of year. Nymphing has producing the most fish. Jimmy saw a nice midge hatch on Wednesday on the river with fish rising on the surface. Streamer fishing is still and can be effective. Fish the deep slow to non-moving pools. We like to fish a full sinking line with a streamer, remember slow retrieve is the ticket with streamers.
As far as floating is concerned here is some information on the following boat ramps. You can take out at Conant but you will need chains and a rope. Wolf to Byington is a good float. Lorenzo boat ramp is almost impossible to take out but you can launch a boat over the ice. Menan is easy to take out as well. So your floats are Wolf to Byington and Lorenzo to Menan and Irwin to Conant. If you have questions feel free to give us a call.
The Big Lost has been picking up lately with the nice weather. Good midge hatches and very few Blue Wing Olives. I would continue to look for a BWO hatch any day now. Nymphing a prince nymph and Zebra midges has also been very productive. Don’t forget a few BWO nymphs. We have a great selection here in the shop.
We wanted to give you all a heads up on the Steelhead fishing conditions in Salmon. All boat rams are open and accessible from Salmon down to North Fork. There is still a lot of self ice so be careful.
Just want to give you a heads up on the Salmon river for Steelhead Fishing. The only boat ramps available for floating is Shoup, Town and Carmen Boat ramps. All other boat ramps are froze shut. The river is in good condition but expect self ice along the banks. We will update you when we hear the boat ramps are clear.
Hopefully all you guys out there have gotten out with this “warmer” weather we have had recently. We apologize for not updating the fishing report in such a long time, but there just has not been much going on. The Henry’s Fork and South Fork are fishing very well with the recent warmer weather. Nymph fishing continues to dominate, but if conditions are right fish can be had on top on small midge patterns. Jimmy has been having good luck with streamer patterns on sinking lines in the deep runs on the South Fork.
Springfield reservoir should be fishing well around the springs for those needing a stillwater fix. Fish at Springfield will respond to small (think size 16 and smaller) chironomid pupa and larvae patterns.
The Big Lost is fishing well on midge patterns and small nymphs.
It looks like things are steadily starting to get warmer so get out there and enjoy some good fishing and the small crowds! As always, if you guys have any questions about where to go and what to use stop in or give us a call.
It is Cold!!! With all this cold weather, it is making fishing pretty tough. There is warmer weather in the forecast though, and with that better fishing will follow. Once things do warm up, nymphing area rivers with zebra midges, small pheasant tails, and your other favorite nymphs will be most productive. Springfield Reservoir should start fishing better too once things warm up. There, very small midges under an indicator will be your best bet.
The South Fork has been fishing really good. We have had several reports from customers having good success. The majority of the fish have been caught on nymphs, Zebra Midges, small bead head Pheasant Tails and Chartreuse Egg patterns. A few people are floating Spring Creek to Conant, and Wolf to Byington. I still recommend wade fishing, however if I were to float it would be one of those two.
With flow slightly below normal, the river is in great shape for presenting streamers for migrating brown trout. Sunset is earlier this time of year, and there are many convenient locations to wade the river. So fishing the river is convenient. If you feel you ate too much during that “Turkey Day Feast'” consider working some of it off wading the river before dark trying for a big brown. If you want to improve your appetite for that feast, consider wading and casting beforehand. Either way, getting out this time of year is a gift if weather is reasonably nice. Happy Thanksgiving!