Henry’s Lake, November 25th, 2023
The outlet bay is iced over as well a other bays on the lake. Otherwise the ice is too thin on the main lake to support weight. Give it some more days to thicken to become safe for fishing.
Fishing Reports
Fly Tying Demos Resume on Saturday, December 2nd
The Saturday tying demo will begin at 1030 AM featuring Keegan Berrett.
I was born and raised fishing the waters of East Idaho where I learned to fish, row a boat and tie flies. I did this until I joined the Marines right out of high school. After serving, I moved back home and picked up where I left off, fishing and tying with Dad and his friends. My Dad, Elden, is a fly fisher, guide and fly tier of wide renown.
I love tying flies and love creating an effective and successful pattern even more. Small dry fries are my favorite tying and fishing, but streamers are a close second. Our long cold winters help drive this passion, just to keep our minds right. I have a wife who supports my addiction, and I have 2 beautiful daughters that keep me on my toes. My younger daughter enjoys tying with me and enjoys a day on the river catching fish.
Being a Marine veteran, I share a special brotherhood with other vets. I have been the Assistant Program Lead for the East Idaho chapter of Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing since it started. It is a special thing to introduce the serenity of fly tying and fly fishing with our disabled vets. Knowing the serenity that these activities brings to me drives my desire to pass this to someone that can use some peace of mind.
I have been guiding part time on the South Fork of the Snake and the Main Snake below the confluence with the Henry’s Fork. I am a signature tyer for Fulling Mill with several patterns available from them.
I will feature some of these during my Saturday, December 1st demo.
South Fork, November 21st, 2023
Almost overlooked by many fly fishers is the autumn run of brown trout out of Palisades Reservoir into Wyoming’s Salt River. Some of its hosted browns and those from the reservoir migrate into tributaries flowing from Idaho. Jackknife Creek, Stump Creek and particularly Crow Creek receive a portion of these brown trout, and both have flows enough for this migration to take place this year thanks to the big snowfalls of last winter. Jackknife Creek flows through National Forest land. Private land abounds on Crow and Stump Creeks, but a diplomatic approach can gain access from time to time.
Main Stem Snake River, November 21st, 2023
This remains the most conveniently reaches stream in the area, whether above or below American Falls Reservoir. Above the reservoir water flow rates run about normal and midge activity provides the only top water fishing. Below the reservoir flow is minimal (currently about 250 cfs) at best making for easy access, but crowded conditions adjacent to the dam on downstream to the Monument access. Rainbow and particularly brown trout are active, so streamer fishing is the best strategy for action.
Still Waters, November 21st, 2023
Irrigation reservoirs to the southeast are ice free for a while. However winter travel conditions may prevail on the roads going to them. This will make traveling to nearby still waters such as Springfield Reservoir and McTucker Ponds more attractive. The Sand Creek Ponds are also nearby, and remain open to fishing through November 30th. The above photo shows the character of the ponds during summer and early autumn. Within twenty miles north of St. Anthony, they are reached by a good gravel road, have primitive launching facilities and hold rainbow trout ranging to trophy size. Only midge hatches are taking place now making nymph and streamer patterns the best bets for action through using either floating or intermediate lines.
Henry’s Fork, November 21st, 2023
Headlines from Dr. Rob Van Kirk’s Henry’s Fork Drainage Water Status Report filed Yesterday,11/20
- Light precipitation fell over the weekend as expected; the water-year total is 117% of average.
- Another round of very light precipitation is expected on Thanksgiving Day, and long-term forecasts call for continued dry conditions.
- After flattening out for a few days, natural flow increased a little yesterday in response to precipitation.
- At an average outflow of 230 cfs, Island Park Reservoir gained 472 ac-ft/day over the past three days and is 84% full, compared to 61% full on average.
BWO activity is quickly diminishing on the entire river. It will return to significance sometime next March depending on weather and water conditions, Midge activity remains throughout the year, and under the right conditions can be almost massive at times. So we are entering the time when nymph and streamer patterns are most effective on the entire river.
Henry’s Lake, November 18th, 2023
Bets are that Henry’s Lake will ice over this coming week with colder and unsettled weather coming! So we had a longer season this year for wading and boating than last year.
South Fork, November 18th, 2023
Flow remains at ” Winter Maintenance Levels.” Note that BWO activity is declining everywhere as the season progresses towards winter. Midge activity will remain throughout the winter but will vary greatly depending on air and water conditions. So consider stocking up on midge life cycle patterns and be sure those leaders with 5X or 6X tippets are “up to snuff.” Presenting streamer and nymph patterns will remain effective when presented into deeper water throughout the winter.
Today at Jimmy’s, November 18th, 2023
Just a reminder that there is no fly tying demo scheduled for today, November 18th, nor for next Saturday, November 25th. Our Saturday Fly tying demos will resume on December 1st, beginning 1030 AM and extending to “whenever.”
Salmon River Steelhead, November 18th, 2023
Catch rates have been steady for about three weeks. Angler effort has been highest below below Salmon, and catch rates vary there from 15 hours to 25 hours per fish depending on location. Best catch rate seems to be below the Pahsimeroi Rver where rate is about 6 hours per fish, but this data was obtained from fewer anglers. Water has cleared, has a normal flow rate, and its temperatures are in the lower 40s, Deg. F. Unsettled weather will move in this weekend with mixed snow and rain possible.
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