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Fishing Reports

Jimmy's All Seasons Angler / Fishing Reports (Page 26)

Yellowstone Park, June 17th, 2023

The Ashton Flagg Road remains closed east of Calf Creek Hill. This closes access to Fall River and Beula Lake from the west. It does the same for Lake of the Woods and Grassy Lake Reservoir from the west. The Cave Falls road is open, but Fall River Basins streams remain high and discolored with run-off. Shoshone and Lewis Lakes are open and in fishing condition. Boating is best way to encounter resident brown and Lake trout. Look for submerged weed beds and use full sink lines too present leech, scud and jig pattern to depth. You can also have good fishing on Shoshone Lake by packing a flotation device three miles down the DeLacy Creek trail to Shoshone Lake,

The Firehole River still offers the best stream fishing in the park. PMD, BWO life cycle patterns bring action. The same for white miller and yellow sally patterns. Swing soft hackle patterns for action.

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South Fork, June 17th, 2023

Palisades Reservoir is nearly full, and it appears that upstream run-off has peaked. So flow below the dam has been reduced (now 12000 cfs at Irwin,12900 cfs at Heise an about 6000 cfs at Lorenzo). These are about the same as summertime flows and are likely to stay close to these levels until the end of irrigation season. However water needs to warm some for major inset hatches to begin.

Now is a good time for boating fly fishers to review boat ramp and on-the-stream diplomacies which will be needed for the upcoming season.

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South Fork, June 10th, 2023

Flow out of Palisades Reservoir ( about 85% full ) was reduce slightly ( now 12800 cfs, 1500 cfs at Heise, 6540 at Lorenzo). River still a bit high and with some discolor. Rubber legs, annelid patterns and streamers might work in calmer waters. Only midges emerging.

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Still Waters, June 10th, 2023

Daniels Reservoir

The Kelley-Toponce road will remain closed a bit longer limiting direct access to Chesterfield Reservoir facilities. Fishing is improving at Daniels Reservoir with midge pupa patterns under an indicator and small woolly bugger patterns being effective. Any day now damsel flies will be appearing in increasing numbers.Try slow trolling small black leech patterns using an intermediate line. Crowds are increasing, especially the nonresident component. All this applies to Hawkins Reservoir. We have no information on Twenty-four Mile Reservoir.

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Henry’s Fork, June 10th, 2023

The giant stonefly hatch is heading up the river but at a pace slower than last year. If you own a soft- sided boat ( rubber raft, etc.) a good trip considering active fish and lack of crowds, put in at the lower Mesa Falls access and float down to the Stone Bridge access just below the Warm River confluence. It is a beautiful trip, just beware of little Surprise Falls about a third of the way down the trip. Afternoon caddis activity is going on good up and down the river.

Headlines From Dr. Rob Van Kirk’s Water data report filed June 6th for the Henry’s Fork Drainage.

  • As expected, snowmelt was lower yesterday because of cooler temperatures and loss of remaining mid-elevation snow. Snow remains only at the highest elevations.
  • Natural streamflow was roughly constant yesterday at 110% of average, as Fall River and Teton River respond to the last gasps of high-elevation snowmelt.
  • Heavy precipitation in the forecast could temporarily increase streamflow again next week.
  • At an average outflow of 843 cfs, Island Park Reservoir gained 281 ac-ft yesterday and is 99% full. Outflow will continue to be reduced gradually as inflow decreases.

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South Fork, May 30th, 2023

Let’s let them spawn in peace during June in tributaries below Palisades Dam

Flow out of Palisades Dam was raised to 14000 cfs yesterday (now 1,6000 cfs at Heise, 8600 cfs at Lorenzo). Discolored water in the river below is from run-off from tributaries. All South Fork tributaries below Palisades Dam will be closed to fishing during June to protect spawning cutthroat.

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Yellowstone Park, May 30th, 2023

True to usual, the Firehole River provides the best fishing. Running a bit high, but cool promotes the insect activity, so caddis, PMD, BWO life cycle patterns bring action. Do not overlook swinging soft hackle patterns such as partridge and olive, partridge and orange, Syl Nemes’s suggestions, etc. A few large post spawning rainbows are in the Madison River heading back to Hebgen Lake so streamers should bring some action in such places as the Barns Holes and Baker’s Hole Campground. Caddis and PMDs are making and appearance along the river.

Duck Creek is over its banks and flooding the meadow. The Gallatin River is flowing high and discolored.

It will be a while before the Fall River Basin area can be approached. The Cave Falls Road is closed beyond the Horseshoe Lake turn-off and the Ashton-Flagg Road is closed east of the Jackass Loop west of Calf Creek Hill.

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Henry’s Fork, May 30th, 2023

The big stone flies are out along the river from Ashton Dam down to Chester backwaters, but the same with fly fishers, wading and boating. It is likely the big bugs are also out in lower Cardiac Canyon just above the Warm River confluence. If you are looking to get away from crowds, here are a few locations that will help do so.

Park at the old Bear Gulch Ski area and walk down the service road to the river. When you arrive at the river, walk upstream for the best fishing.

From Riverside Campground walk downstream on the marked trail. The trail is adjacent to the river going almost to the west side of Hatchery Ford. The last out take for boats before Cardiac Canyon is on the east side of the river at this point. This place can also be reached by taking the West Hatchery Ford road from U. S. Highway 20.

Headlines from Dr. Rob Van Kirk’s Snow-Water Equivalent Report Compiled Yesterday

  • Temperatures were average over the holiday weekend, slowing snow melt a little; nonetheless, SWE is 36% of this year’s peak, compared with 44% of peak remaining on average.
  • Natural streamflow has dropped over the past four days to 121% of average.
  • At an average outflow of 1,349 cfs, Island Park Reservoir gained 122 ac-ft/day over the weekend and is 98% full, close to average for the date. Expect continued small outflow changes to manage fill.
  • The upper Snake River reservoir system is 82% full, compared with 79% full on average.

Rob Van Kirk, Ph.D.

Senior Scientist

Henry’s Fork Foundation

P.O. Box 550

Ashton, ID 83420

208-881-3407 CELL

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