No big changes since our last fishing report. The river now offers its seasonal best with respect to fishing. From early in the day mutant golden stone flies, to mid day riffle activity from active PMDs and abundant bank side terrestrial insect populations to PM caddis activity, the river offers an abundance for feeding trout.
Because flow out of Grassy Lake Reservoir has ended, a natural flow results throughout Fall River in the Park. This condition allows for more consistent dry fly fishing for trout.
Beula Lake is still offering some of the best still water fishing in the park with speckled dun, damselfly and now cinnamon caddis activities of interest to trout. Small leech patterns in black, olive, and purple also bring interest from trout.
Flow out of Grassy Lake is being stopped. This action will lower Fall River and warm its water in Idaho enough to make fishing best early and late in the day. Big Elk Creek’s afternoon western green drake has begun, but as with other South Fork tributaries, terrestrial insect and caddis fly life cycle patterns are also producing. Currently the river in Teton Basin offers very good fishing with PMD activity, caddis and terrestrial insects being of interest to trout.
Slow as can be. Best fishing happens when the lake cools down, and that could be weeks away.
Think terrestrial insect patterns just about anywhere you try the Henry’s Fork. Ants, In particular honey ants will be coming on strong with respect to interesting trout. Dry-dropper rigs also produce in such as Box Canyon, Cardiac Canyon, the Flat Ranch, and Warm River to Ashton.
Headlines from Dr. Rob Van Kirk Henry’s Fork drainage water status report of yesterday follow.
Headlines:
Dr. Rob Van Kirk PhD
Senior Scientist
Henry’s Fork Foundation
PO Box 550
Ashton, ID 83420
208-881-3407 CELL
Big news here is that gulper activity is improving during wind-free mornings and evenings on Hebgen Lake. The Madison Arm is the best location for this activity but smaller sheltered bays around the lake also have this activity. You will also find gulper action on Cliff, Elk, Quake, and Wade Lakes.
Use terrestrial insect patterns for best results when fishing the Madison River below Quake Lake.
Palisades Reservoir tributaries are at base level flows with caddis life cycle, terrestrial insect and traditional attractor patterns, dry and wet, producing. Western green drakes should be significant on these waters soon.
If you travel to Teton Valley via State Highway 31 from Swan Valley, expect some delays because of two construction areas on the west side of Pine Creek Pass. The Teton River is fishing well with PMDs in full emerging swing and terrestrial insets making near-bank presentations very effective throughout the river in the valley. Weekends and mid-days will bring on a number of recreational floaters. Some are being guided by professionals.The river below the basin will be warmer because of the canyon heating during daytime hours. Beware of rattlesnakes here if you venture away from the river.
Warm River Spring
Warm River just below Warm River spring offers more tranquility than many area small streams. Mainly caddis-stone fly water here it also offers a small number of PMDs and a growing number of bank-side terrestrial insects.
Slight drop in water out of Palisades Reservoir puts flows near historic levels ( 10400 cfs at Irwin, 10400 cfs at Heise, 6500 cfs at Lorenzo). Water is clear, cold and ideal for aquatic insect activity. PMDs and caddis make afternoon dry fishing good on riffles. Hopper-dropper combinations presented close to vegetated banks continue to produce, but best news is that mutant golden stone flies are appearing. Fish early in the day for these critters with floating patterns about the size of normal for those of golden stones.
Especially during weekends boat launch locations, particularly those near highways, will be crowded with recreational floaters. So be tolerant.
With flow out of Mackay Dam a bit below 300 cfs, wading is much safer. A few western green drakes and golden stones are likely still around, so their life cycle patterns should be in that fly box. The most effective dry patterns, however, will be those for terrestrial insects. Hopper patterns in sizes large enough not to be sunk by a suspended nymph pattern of choice should be particularly effective.
Throughout the river Early AMs and evenings offer the best fishing as well as the lowest number of recreational floaters. These folks are most numerous during weekends with Box Canyon, Warm River to Ashton, Ashton to Chester and the river below St. Anthony being where they are most concentrated.
For now, consider minimizing visits to the the river from Ashton Dam to Chester to give trout a break from tough recoveries through being played in warm water..
Warm River to Ashton offers good fishing especially for those concentrating presentations toward banks. We suggest hopper patterns and such as chubby chernobyls on top to drift suspended nymph patterns of choice in the water column below.
Headlines from Dr. Rob Van Kirk’s Henry’s Fork drainage water report compiled yesterday are below.
Headlines:
Rob Van Kirk, Ph.D.
Senior Scientist
P.O. Box 550
Ashton, ID 83420
208-881-3407 CEL
208-652-3568 FAX