Flow below American Falls Dam is about 288 cfs making for easy access but tough on fish. The Pipeline and Monument locations will see a lot fewer anglers than just below the dam. Above the reservoir flow is near normal throughout, and brown trout are providing good streamer fishing.
Flies to fish:
Look for details on Idaho Fish and Game’s Press Releases web site. To offer some catch rate info; 11 hours per fish is average above the Lemhi River confluence, and below the North Fork confluence catch rate varies from 13-19 hours per fish depending on location.
Flies to fish:
Idaho Fish and Game’s Press Releases web site has some interesting information on walleye introduction in State waters. Most of this information applies to waters away from eastern Idaho (Only Oneida Reservoir on the Bear River has a good legal walleye population). However illegally introduced walleyes are being caught in Ririe Reservoir. Idaho Fish and Game offers that they make great table fare!
Flow out of Palisades Reservoir was dropped to around 4000 cfs yesterday ( about 4700 cfs at Heise, 250 cfs at Lorenzo) and is sure to go lower as normal flow at Irwin for this time of the year is about 3000 cfs. These low flows concentrate fish into deeper holes and runs and make presenting wet patterns of all sizes (midge pupa patterns up to large streamer, rubber leg, and wooly bugger types) more productive and make walk-in-wade locations numerous to the “nth degree.”
For hard sided boats especially, this low flow creates hazards not seen earlier in the season. Sub-surface structure is much closer to the surface and thus can cause damage that can range up to catastrophic. Channels that were once well connected to the main stem can now be cut off making for back tracking to the extreme which can ruin a good day on the water.
Nevertheless, the river still offers good fishing and more tranquility compared to the more hectic days of summer. Afternoon hours can be comfortable and contain good activity from foraging fish. BWOs remain active during these hours; all that is needed is to find them (places with minimal sunlight). Wet fly fishing can be successful regardless of the weather.
Flies to try:
Flow throughout the river is a bit below normal, except even lower through Box Canyon where flow depends equally water incoming from the Buffalo River and from Island Park Dam until ground water supplements it downstream. Weeds are breaking up and whether drifting or still anchored to the bottom can impact fishing. That weeds are leaving reduces water level. Brown trout are migrating on the lower river making for good streamer fishing early and late during sunlight hours. BWO are active throughout the river during afternoon hours and a return to warmer afternoon will revive terrestrial insect activity. Want to present streamer patterns in an “off the beaten path location?” try streamers using a sink tip line in The Tubs just below the Henry’s Lake Outlet and Big Springs Outlet confluence.
Flies to try:
The recent spell of stormy weather is just what is needed to bring good autumn fishing to the lake. Streamer, medium sized wooly bugger, fly rod jig, and wet flies suspended under an indicator will all become productive. The State Park offers shoreline fishing as well as good launch facilities, and the Bill Fromm County boat dock does the same. Watch the weather!
Flies to try:
Flow in the river above American Falls Reservoir to the Henry’s Fork confluence is a bit high as canal water returns to the river with the irrigation season winding down. Even so, good streamer fishing continues in the river. Fly fishers are encouraged to salvage fish trapped in water remaining in canals before drying up. So consider putting Catch and Release aside on these places and make use of trapped fish rather than not. Food banks will take them if you prefer not to turn them into table fare.
Flow out of American Falls Reservoir has been reduced to just under 900 cfs. This action makes walk-in-wade locations numerous, but the closer one visits below the dam the more crowded with anglers of all kinds happens. Streamer fishing is most productive here especially when clear water prevails.
Flies to try:
A few nice afternoons remain for swinging soft hackle flies and presenting BWO life cycle and white miller caddis patterns on the Firehole River. Other than that, brown trout season is running supreme. Expect crowds pitching streamer and big soft hackle patterns on the Madison River, whether it be along the west entrance highway or in the Beaver Meadows between the Barns Holes and Baker’s Hole campground. The Lewis River channel between Lewis and Shoshone Lakes will become a destination for fly fishers from all over the world. Best times of day to enjoy these fish is first light before shoreline angling traffic puts them down. The brown trout runs into the Snake and Gardner Rivers are starting with peaks coming late in the month. Watch the weather, as “Old Man Winter” can take month long residence any time.
Flies to try:
If you want to enjoy pleasant fishing weather, you had better try the river soon. Flow of clear cold water has been constant for several days. Unsettled weather is scheduled to arrive by middle of the coming week. This change will enhance the density of BWO activity during lesser windy weather as well as promote streamer presentation because of better overhead cover that promotes increased aggressive brown trout action. Walk-in-wade locations are numerous. Once again, we at Fly Fish Food Jimmy’s can help you choose which locations to visit at any given time.
Flies to fish:
The lower river will also benefit in the same manner resulting from the upcoming change in weather. Look for diminishing terrestrial insect activity. A good location for enjoying mid to late in the day fish responding to BWO activity is around the Ora Bridge launch site which offers ample wading. This is also good location for streamer fishing to encounter migrating brown trout. Except for Box Canyon and The Tubs area which having deep water host trout because of overhead cover, the season on the upper river is slowly closing down.
Flies to try: