Because of the increasing flow out of Palisades Dam the Snake River is much higher than normal for this time of the season. This condition will continue well into the irrigation season and makes presenting large streamer patterns the best option for fly fishing success during this time. The same applies to the river below American Falls Dam.
As expected, flow out of Palisades Dam has been increased ( now about 7700 cfs at Irwin, 8200 cfs at Heise, and 5500 cfs at Lorenzo) and will continue to do so for the coming weeks. Water coming out of the reservoir is clear and cold, but on moving downstream, run-off from tributaries is clouding it to some degree. Streamer, rubber leg and woolly bugger type patterns presented at heads of runs and holes, and deeper side channels provide best chances for fishing success. Where you can find access, the Dry Bed has some good midge hatches on going.
Nate Tillotson, Upper Snake River Region, IDF&G, assigned to Henry’s Lake will be the guest speaker at the Snake River Cutthroats public meeting, 6;30 PM, Wednesday, April 10th at the Fairbridge Inn & Suites, 850 Lindsay Blvd, Idaho Falls. Nate will provide information on fishery status for the lake and statistical projections for its fishery. The public is invited to attend and to bring questions regarding fishing on this most popular lake.
BTW: Have you gone to the Henry’s Lake Foundation Web Site to contribute to the public survey ?
Cloudy skies are great for increasing the density of BWO, March Brown, and midge activity. But the stronger the wind the bigger the negative impact on these activities. That wind is happening now on the lower river, making evenings and early AMs the best times to enjoy fish responding to these activities. Improved weather is predicted for later next week, but be aware we are entering the run-off season as warm weather begins to dominate. If you are fishing streamers, the only impact wind has is on casting precision!
Headlines 4/5 From Dr. Rob Van Kirk’s SWE Report Filed April 5th for the Henry’s Fork Drainage
Details
Dry conditions are expected for 7–10 days starting early next week. That will initiate widespread melt of snow at all but the very highest elevations.
Natural stream flow has increased by over 15% since Sunday due to snow melt. Natural flow was 95% of average yesterday: 90% in upper Henry’s Fork, 97% in Fall River, and 104% in Teton River. I expect natural flow to continue to increase through tonight before cooler temperatures slow melt and drop stream flow over the weekend.
Rob Van Kirk, Ph.D.
Senior Scientist
P.O. Box 550
Ashton, ID 83420
208-881-3407 CELL
Here is the Upper Salmon River steelhead fishing report for April 4th. The data included in this report was collected between Monday, March 24 and Sunday, March 31, 2024.
Angler effort continued to shift more upriver last week. Angler effort was very low in the areas downstream of Salmon, ID, while it remained high in the areas upstream of Challis, ID, especially upstream of the East Fork in location code 19. Angler effort near the mouth of the Pahsimeroi River remained steady but was lower than what was observed two weeks ago.
Average catch rates were excellent upstream of the East Fork, while they continued to decline in the downstream areas. Anglers interviewed downstream of Salmon, ID in location codes 14, 15, and 16 did not report catching any steelhead, and anglers interviewed downstream of the Pahsimeroi River in location code 17 averaged 45 hours per steelhead caught. Anglers interviewed downstream of the East Fork in location code 18 averaged 15 hours per steelhead caught, and anglers interviewed upstream of the East Fork in location code 19 averaged 3 hours per steelhead caught, which was the best average catch rate observed so far this spring.
Due to the increased flow in the South fork flow such has increased here downstream to American Falls Reservoir. Flow out of the reservoir has been increased recently from 2600 cfs to 4300 cfs. More increases are coming as those in the south Fork continue.
Berrett Family Fly Tiers
What a show it was! From midday Friday to about 4 PM on Saturday the crowd of enthusiasts was thick enough to make moving around a bit difficult. Forty-five commercial vendors and a bit over 120 demonstrating fly tiers on the Mountain American Events Center’s Hero Arena floor were the reason. Commercial vendors displaying items from artwork to drift boats, all received attention. Demonstrating fly tiers ranged in age from elementary school age to seniors. One demonstrating fly tier celebrated his ninetieth birthday two days before the show! This span of age was one of the reasons for offering fly tying demos, that is showing the angling world that anyone, regardless of age and physical limits, can enjoy tying flies. In the fly fishing world there is little greater than the feeling of achievement for the person who ties a fly then catches a fish with A casting pond brought in entry level casters for technique tips. Youth activities introduced youngsters to fly tying and fly fishing techniques. Ladies program did the same for those aspiring to enter fly fishing. Festivities wound up with the Saturday evening fund raising banquet with live auctioneer Will Godfrey offering items of value. ranging from artwork to coveted fly fishing merchandise to guided trips Proceeds from the EXpo will go into cold water fisheries conservation and public fly fishing education. The 2005 version of the East Idaho Fly Tying and Fly Fishing Expo is scheduled for Friday and Saturday, Mach 21st and 22nd at the Mountain American Events Center.
Angler effort for steelhead shifted noticeably upriver last week, with a significant reduction in effort and fish concentration observed downstream of Salmon, ID. Most angler activity and reasonable catch rates were located from just downstream of the Pahsimeroi River confluence upstream to the Sawtooth Fish Hatchery. That steelhead numbers below the town of Salmon have dropped considerably indicates the bulk of this years run is coming to a close.
Major run-off has yet to reach the river as flows throughout are about normal for this time of the year. Based on Dr. Van Kirk’s information below, a greater than normal run-off could result from the high accumulation of snow in drainage streams originating in the Teton and Big Hole ranges and the southwest corner of Yellowstone Park. Look for run-off to begin as we warm in April and trout will hunker closer the bottom to pick off the abundance of drifting food forms. Right now on the lower river, BWOs and March brown mayflies and midges provide good top water fishing with best success during overcast days with little ( Is that possible?) wind. Presenting streamer, woolly bugger, and rubber leg patterns is also effective especially under these atmospheric conditions. Smaller nymph patterns drifted into holding water will also bring responses from resident salmonids. All this will change with the arrival of serious run-off. We will keep track of its progress to help with planning your fishing strategy.
Headlines from Dr. Rob Van Kirk’s SWE Report for the Henry’s Fork Drainage Filed March 29th
Details
Mean temperature yesterday was right at average, and precipitation averaged 0.58 inch across the watershed, the highest one-day total since March 2. Precipitation heavily favored the upper Henry’s Fork sub-watershed and Yellowstone Plateau, where all five SnoTel stations in that area received at least 0.8 inch of water equivalent. White Elephant led all stations yesterday at 1.6 inches. Totals elsewhere in the watershed ranged from a few one-hundredths of an inch to 0.5 inch. This was enough to move the water-year total up two percentage points to 104% of average, ranking 12th out of the last 36 years (57th percentile).
New snow water equivalent (SWE) accumulations ranged from 0.2 inch at Grand Targhee and Pine Creek Pass to 1.7 inches at White Elephant. All stations in the Island Park/Yellowstone Plateau area received 0.9 inch or better. The day’s totals moved watershed-mean SWE up two percentage points to 95% of average, ranking 21st out of the last 36 years (43rd percentile). Current SWE is at its seasonal maximum at all nine stations. This ensures that annual peak SWE at Island Park will occur later than its statistical average, which is March 27. Average date of peak SWE at Pine Creek pass is March 30, and given current conditions and weather forecasts, this year’s peak SWE there will likely also occur later than average.
Flow out of Palisades Dam (4150 cfs at Irwin and resulting in 4310 cfs at Heise and 2790 cfs at Lorenzo) has been increased in a step-wise manner. An increase in flow is scheduled for Monday, April 1st. With the reservoir over 90% full expect more flow increases to contain what is expected to be a much greater than normal run-off amount through the spring months. The increased flow of cold and a discolor tendency water will slow fishing success on the river below the dam, but the amount of water in the system is good news for fishing success during the upcoming season.
We have had a boating accident this season near the Byington access. Luckily, no casualties happened excepting immersion in ultra cold water. But this incident serves as a reminder of the danger this river offers to boat and wade fishing alike. Take care!