Fishing Reports Archives - Page 41 of 231

Still Waters, August 26th, 2023

August 26, 2023

There is an excellent article on the Idaho Department of Game’s News Release Page. Titled ” Collaborative Effort to Restore Bear Lake Bonneville Cutthroat Trout Receives National Award.” It describes how government agencies, conservation organizations and private land owners are combining to restore access to spawning areas and the quality of such. These efforts appear to result in increasing the wild Bonneville cutthroat population in spawning runs but also their population in the lake.

Warm Water Fisheries, August 22nd, 2023

August 22, 2023

Fishing Reports, Warmwater

There is a very interesting article in the News Release section of the Idaho Department of Fish and Game’s website. It is titled “Smallmouth Bassin’ on Ririe Reservoir.’ From reading the article, it looks like the “smallie” population is doing well in the reservoir. There are established smallie populations in the Snake River below American Falls and in some of our irrigation reservoirs to the southeast, but these are a bit distant from the upper valley. That is not the case with nearby Ririe Reservoir.

South Fork, August 22nd, 2023

August 22, 2023

Fishing Reports, South Fork

The recent minor ups and downs of flow out of Palisades Dam should have little impact on fishing success up and down the river. With some continuing rain and cloudy skies perhaps having a few patterns (i.e. san juan worm variants, balanced leeches, etc ) in that fly box is a good option because wetter banks mean more worms (annelids) are washed into the river. The cloudy, cool weather is also ideal for denser mayfly activity which will enhance riffle fishing success during day time hours. Increased overhead cover from the current weather pattern also makes responses to streamer patterns more likely.

Small Streams, August 22nd, 2023

August 22, 2023

Fishing Reports, Small Streams

Is that fly fisher getting too close?

Visiting many of our small streams means traveling to relatively remote places. While “hustle and bustle” reigns on many of our icon waters, tranquility reigns around the remote places and is a major attraction for many of us. On visiting these special places, it is good to remember that with respect to resident wildlife, we are the invaders. Thus measures to minimize contact with them are in ours and their best interests. Yes, we carry bear spray and perhaps a claxon horn in areas of high bear populations, but being aware that any wildlife can be stressed by our presence is appropriate. So when visiting any of our numerous back country waters be ready to provide any nearby bear, moose, elk, deer and others a comfortable distance for continuing their tranquility.

Henry’s Fork, August 22nd, 2023

August 22, 2023

Fishing Reports, Henry's Fork

Headlines from Dr. Rob Van Kirk’s Henry’s Fork Drainage Water Status Report Filed Yesterday (8/21)

Yesterday was the wettest day in the watershed since December 1, 2022, increasing water-year total precipitation to 109% of average; we will end water year 2023 with at least 102% of average precipitation.
Natural flow increased by 6% over the weekend, while diversion dropped by 5%.
Outflow from Island Park Reservoir is being decreased by 200 cfs to around 670 cfs this morning. The reservoir is 62.3% full, compared with 54.5% on average.
Water quality was excellent throughout the watershed yesterday.

Rob Van Kirk, Ph.D.
Senior Scientist
Henry’s Fork Foundation
P.O. Box 550
Ashton, ID 83420
208-881-3407 CELL
208-652-3568 FAX
[email protected]

The current overcast and cooler weather is ideal for increasing the spinner falls, trico and speckled dun activity up and down the river. It may slow hopper activity a bit, but warmer, brighter days will return and bring back activity from these bugs. Flying ant populations are building, and for weeks to come trout will key on them.

Henry’s Lake, August 19th, 2023

August 19, 2023

Fishing Reports, Henry's Lake

Early AM visits to creek inlets and submerged springs are the best places to find action during the current slow fishing times on the lake.This time of the season trout prefer these places having the coolest water in the lake. Floating lines to present standard Henry’s Lake patterns ( See Bill Schiess’s book” Fishing Henry’s Lake) under indicators and intermediate lines to present the same patterns around shallow to deep interfaces work well.

South Fork, August 19th, 2023

August 19, 2023

Fishing Reports, South Fork

We are at the peak of fly fishing season on the South Fork. There is something for every fly fisher to enjoy whether it is early AM spinner falls and stone flies, PMD and pink albert activity, hoppers and other terrestrial insect activity, afternoon caddis activity, streamers during increased cover periods and more. This is a “river in demand,” so launch facilities are during mornings and again during afternoon hours. Social conditions during these times can test one’s ability to stay composed as not all folks, whether they are anglers or recreationists, present will be considerate and exhibit proper behavior. So if using these facilities at peak activity periods is planned, be patient and strive to accept that being on the water to enjoy what the river offers will soon come and the “hustle & bustle” of the launch facility will soon fade into the distance.

Yellowstone Park, August 19th, 2023

August 19, 2023

Fishing Reports, Yellowstone Park

Hering Lake Cuttie

We continue to suggested that Beula Lake is one of the best places for still water fishing success in the region. We also suggest that although the lake offers good shoreline and wading opportunities, the best way to realize what this lake offers is through packing in a flotation device. If using such a device is chosen, consider trying it on nearby Hering Lake which is an easy quarter-mile walk south of Beula. Hering is about two-thirds the size of Beula but offers very little wading locations. Using a flotation device allows fishing the west side of the lake where deeper water host a good poulation of Yellowstone Cutthroat trout and the forested shoreline holds an abundance of terrestrial insects as well as damsel flies, cinnamon caddis and speckled duns. Although fewer trout are present, Hering Lake trout grow to larger sizes than those in Beula Lake. Consider fishing Hering Lake when upcoming flying ant activity becomes dense enough to attract the trout population here.

Henry’s Fork, August 19th, 2023

August 19, 2023

Fishing Reports, Henry's Fork

Construction on U. S. Highway 20 will impact access to favored angling locations on the Henry’s Fork, waters around West Yellowstone, and access to Yellowstone Park’s west entrance. The highway will be reduced to a single lane with flaggers directing alternate travel during on-going work from Pinehaven to Island Park Lodge. Almost twenty miles of road is being paved with target completion being in September.

Early AM spinner falls and trico activity along with flying ant and terrestrial insect patterns later in the day provide the best times for success on the upper river. The same insect activity applies to the lower river where a relatively unsettled weather pattern for the upcoming week could improve fishing success without the access problems coming from road construction.

South Fork, August 15th, 2023

August 15, 2023

Fishing Reports, South Fork

Flow out of Palisades Reservoir has been increased slightly but not enough to influence fly fishing success. The reservoir is about three-quarters full, so at this time of the season there is enough water for downstream irrigation demands. Big news is the early AM mutant golden stone fly activity working up the river. So no significant change since our last fishing report as normal summertime conditions prevail.

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Fishing Reports

Still Waters, August 26th, 2023

Warm Water Fisheries, August 22nd, 2023

South Fork, August 22nd, 2023

Small Streams, August 22nd, 2023

Henry’s Fork, August 22nd, 2023

Henry’s Lake, August 19th, 2023

South Fork, August 19th, 2023

Yellowstone Park, August 19th, 2023

Henry’s Fork, August 19th, 2023

South Fork, August 15th, 2023

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