Henry’s Lake, August 9th, 2022
Slow as can be. Best fishing happens when the lake cools down, and that could be weeks away.
Fishing Reports
Henry’s Fork, August 9th, 2022
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:
- Temperatures climbed above average yesterday, and no precipitation was recorded. Potentially heavy precipitation is expected again late this week and into the weekend.
- Watershed-wide natural flow decreased yesterday to 75% of average, while diversion increased a hair.
- At an outflow of 777 cfs yesterday, Island Park Reservoir dropped by around 500 ac-ft and is 62% full, which is average for the date.
- Water quality: Turbidity at Island Park Dam reached its highest values since last fall yesterday but has dropped quite a bit over the past 18 hours.
Dr. Rob Van Kirk PhD
Senior Scientist
Henry’s Fork Foundation
PO Box 550
Ashton, ID 83420
208-881-3407 CELL
Southwest Montana, August 6th, 2022
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.
Small Streams, August 6th, 2022
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.
South Fork, August 6th, 2022
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.
Big Lost River, August 6th, 2022
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.
Henry’s Fork, August 6th, 2022
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:
- Yesterday’s mean temperature was 3 degrees F below average, and a few showers were recorded in the Teton sub-watershed.
- Natural flow in Fall River and Teton River continues to benefit from the effect of Tuesday’s rain, while diversion dropped by another 7% yesterday.
- Outflow from Island Park Reservoir was reduced to 900 cfs yesterday, and additional reductions are likely over the next week.
- Fishing conditions: Streamflow across the watershed is well below average for the date, turbidity is average in all stream reaches, and water temperatures have likely peaked for the year.
Rob Van Kirk, Ph.D.
Senior Scientist
P.O. Box 550
Ashton, ID 83420
208-881-3407 CEL
208-652-3568 FAX
Henry’s Fork August 2nd, 2022
Throughout the river early AMs and evenings remain the best fishing. Thinking of trying the river during weekends? Be ready to share it with recreational floaters.
Headlines from Dr. Rob Van Kirk’s Henry’s Fork drainage report compiled yesterday are below.
Headlines:
- The daily maximum temperature yesterday was the warmest since July 26 of last year, but cooler temperatures are expected over the next week.
- Diversion and natural flow both dropped a little yesterday, increasing stream flow in lower Fall River and lower Henry’s Fork.
- At 240 cfs, current Crosscut Canal delivery to the Teton River is meeting irrigation demand and stream flow targets there after exchange well pumping was reduced a few days ago.
- Island Park Reservoir is 65% full, compared with 67% full. Outflow reductions are possible this week, depending on stream flow and diversion response to rain and reduction in outflow from Grassy Lake.
- Flow out of Grassy Lake Reservoir will be reduced resulting in a 100 cfs flow reduction in Fall River.
Rob Van Kirk, Ph.D.
Senior Scientist
P.O. Box 550
Ashton, ID 83420
208-881-3407 CELL
208-652-3568 FAX
Yellowstone National Park, July 30th, 2022
The Park has opened the road from Tower Junction to Slough Creek to auto traffic. The road from the Northeast Entrance ( Silver Gate) to Slough Creek remains closed to auto traffic. 
Beula Lake
Right now Beula Lake offers some of the fastest still water fishing in the park with speckled dun and damsel fly activities bringing on big time cutthroat trout responses.
Still Waters, July 26th, 2022
Reservoirs owned by irrigation companies are being drawn down to satisfy agricultural demands. Fish in such as such as Chesterfield, Twenty-Four Mile, Treasureton and Hawkins Reservoirs will move to cooler, deeper water. Fish in smaller, shallower still waters not subjected to irrigation draw down such as Horseshoe and Teardrop Lakes and the Sand Creek Ponds and the Harriman Fish Pond will become less active during daytime hours. For any of these still waters fishing is most successful early in the day after surfaces have cooled through radiating heat away during night time.
So the old saying “The Early Bird Gets The Worm ” applies to fishing still waters during the summer dog days!
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