Teton and Warm Rivers are the stars of the show here. Warm, sunny PMs may be “numbered” in both places, but during these times terrestrial insects as well as caddis life cycle patterns will be effective. Recreational floaters are diminishing on the Teton in the Basin and none exist on Warm River, especially just downstream of Warm River Spring where tranquility thrives. Cloudier days will bring out BWOs in good numbers on both rivers.
Warm River Spring
It is streamer time in Box Canyon and in the Tubs. Water is low enough in the Box that walk-in-wade fishing beats fishing from a boat because of low water. Another plus is that recreational floater numbers in both places are decreasing as we cool off. Almost anywhere else on the river, terrestrial insect patterns during warm, sunny PMs are best bets to fishing success. Tiny BWOs are out during evenings at certain locations such as just above the Fun Farm Bridge.
Another strategy for this time of day on the lower river is that of using streamers to encounter migrating brown trout.
That big cuttbow hybrid, 36 inches, the lady landed is a new state catch and release record. Congrats to her and for proving that very large trout are still in the lake. Beware of toxins being released by algae, and consider washing hands with clean water after contacting lake water. Better consistent fishing success is ahead after any unsettled weather comes our way.
No significant change since our last fishing report. We need some unsettled weather for such to happen.
Flow out of Mackay Dam has been constant at around 180 cfs for at least a week. So wading is relatively easy and water conditions stable. Weather features crisp, cool AMs with some frost and sunny, bright afternoons. BWOs, midges, a few remaining hoppers and other terrestrial insects make top water fishing attractive during afternoons. Certainly presenting traditional nymph patterns and small woolly bugger and rubber leg patterns will be effective any time of day.
From the Henry’s Fork confluence to American Falls Reservoir the Snake River is flowing at or below its normal amount because irrigation season is over and water storage routines are starting in upstream reservoirs. Thus both boating and walk-in-wade opportunities on the river are more attractive and numerous than in past months.
.It is also the time of the season when brown trout begin migrating to spawning areas. Being aggressive during the migration, they make good sport for fly fishers presenting streamer patterns. Choose the heads and tails of deep water and along banks with good vegetation and deep water to concentrate your presentations, Avoid spawning areas. With our unusually sunny, warm weather, the best time to encounter these browns is under low light conditions because they settle in deep water for overhead cover during daytime. So the best chance for encounters is during early morning or evenings hours when the sun is off the water. The shortening days make being on the water more convenient, so consider a “pre-breakfast” or “pre-dinner” visit to the river.
Sunny, comfortable days make afternoons enjoyable times to be almost anywhere on the river. BWOs, mahogany and midge activity will be somewhat muted because of bright skies, so evenings will offer best times for top water fishing.
Headlines:From Dr. Rob Van Kirk’s Henry’s Fork drainage water status report of yesterday
Rob Van Kirk, Ph.D.
Senior Scientist
P.O. Box 550
Ashton, ID 83420
208-881-3407 CELL
Next week during October 11th & 12th, IDF&G will be doing an electroshocking survey from Warm River to Ashton. The purpose is to study the Rocky Mountain whitefish health status and population. Until some unsettled weather moves in no change in fishing strategy should take place. Look for BWO, mahogany, and caddis activities peaking during PMs and during day time warmth hopper and ant patterns being effective. Streamers presented around first light, during evenings, and any low light conditions will be increasingly effective for migrating brown trout throughout the lower river.
The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality has determined that cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) have released toxins at dangerous concentrations around the lake. At these concentrations they can be toxic to animals including dogs and livestock. Water contaminated with these toxins can also be poisonous to humans. Thus consider washing hands with clean water after such actions as releasing fish, handling lines or nets, getting out of wading gear and before eating, all after being in the lake.
Fishing success remains slow. Improvement will come after spells of cold, unsettled weather take place.
If you are a walk-in wade fly fisher, the South Fork is now a “piece of heaven.” Flows have decreased significantly ( now about 4500 cfs at Irwin, 4200 cfs at Heise, 2100 cfs at Lorenzo) and will do so further as the irrigation season winds down and Palisades Reservoir, presently at 10% of capacity, needs to be filled . So the choice of walk-in-wade locations on the river below are quite numerous. We can help in choosing locations to fish, so get in touch. With the fall colors, fine weather, concentrated fish populations, and safer wading the river is now as inviting as it can be.