Montana is subject to drought conditions just as other western states. In fact, conditions are dangerous enough that “hoot owl” closures are in effect for several streams. Nearby Montana waters with “hoot owl” closures include the lower Beaverhead (mouth up to Laknar Bridge) and the entire Big Hole Rivers. You can observe all “hoot owl” closures and others on the Montana FWP News web site. Once there go to Closures and Restrictions, then Fishing and Water Bodies, and from there View Map.
This guy deserves his share of fish whether browns, cutts, rainbows or whitefish
Big bugs are as far upstream as Cottonwood. River flow is near historical mean and near constant at 14500 cfs ( 14700 cfs at Heise, 7800 cfs at Lorenzo) with cool, clear water. So the fishing shape is ideal. Any big floating fly will do to get fish to top water,but rubber legs and big nymph patterns will still work on the upper river. Socially, it is time to be courteous and patient as so many anglers are on the river to enjoy fish responding to the big bugs.
The big bugs continue to appear on the lower river. This means big stone fly nymph and rubber leg patterns will be effective on much of the river. For top water fishing green drake, yellow sally, and PMD life cycle patterns produce best from mid-morning to around 4PM while presenting nymph patterns around riffles and drop-off continues to produce late in the day as do fish responding to caddis fly activity.
We have been receiving a lot of questions concerning summer flows in the South Fork. These center around concerns because of the current drought, the water supply, and water management.. We contacted the agency tasked with managing its water flow and storage and here is information they offered us. The current flow of around 13770 cfs will continue for the next two weeks. Afterwards in July, flow will be increased or decreased around 500 cfs depending on irrigation demands. These flows are in order to keep as much water as possible stored high in the storage system to maintain enough for later irrigation demands. It is likely that reservoir capacities will be reduced to near base levels by the end of the irrigation season.
We will pass along more information as we receive it.
With the lake warming up, it is time to begin fishing creek mouths and submerged springs. Springs are “where you find them.” Creek mouths such as Howard, Targhee, and Duck tend to become crowded, so the earlier the arrival, the better. Floating or sink tip lines are best depending on depth of presentation. The best patterns for doing so can be found in Bill Schiess’s informative book “Fishing Henry’s Lake.”
A similar thing is happening on these waters as is happening on our still waters. Many small streams have dropped to near base flow. For example, run-off water has pretty much left the Teton River drainage and flow (356 cfs near Leigh Creek in the basin) is at mid-summer amounts throughout the river. Consider that now is a dangerous time in the canyon because of the rattlesnake populatarion being active.
Streams with near seasonal water flows are become rare. Warm River below the springs is an exception and is worth a try. Caddis flies make up the bulk of aquatic insect available to trout.here PMDs, sallys, and a few golden stones are also present.
Flow out of Palisades Dam has been steady for several days (1370 0cfs at Irwin, 14000 cfs, at Heise, 6690 cfs at Lorenzo), and water is cold and clear. Pretty much the same is happening as in our 6/21 report, but we are moving closer to the big stone fly hatch producing more significant numbers and moving up the river. A few big stone flies have been spotted on the lower river and as with all season to date rubber leg patterns work well especially now the big nymphs migrating towards banks. A few green drakes remain and caddis are present in numbers to make afternoon top water fishingOK. Nymphs and dry dropper combinations produce along drop-offs.
Reports we have from all irrigation reservoirs to the southeast say that draw down has started and water within each is warming. Fish are moving to deep water in these and have generally become less active. Daniels Reservoir is perhaps the best to try of these because of its limited draw down. Midge pupa patterns presented at the taking depth, small leech and damsel fly nymph patterns should produce the best results.
Flow out of Island Park Reservoir was raised to 1230 cfs on June 19th. This is 50% above mean flow (800 cfs) for this time of year, and it has put a “:crimp” in the dry fly fishing downstream to Pinehaven. The green drakes, PMDs, caddis and other aquatic insect are still there and so are the fish. But with increased flow, less effort is required by fish through staying near the bottom and picking off food items freed up by the increased flow. This suggests that presenting nymphs and wet flies may be a good option as is proving to be the case in Box Canyon.
Plenty of fly fishers remain on the lower river whether boating or wading. A few drakes and golden stones and PMDs remain there. With some flavs and caddis they provide top water action. The best way to minimize crowding is to fish during evening hours. Be aware, however, that the river below Ashton Dam will begin to warm as we get into July. This will means early AM and evenings will be the best times for fishing success.
Flow out of Island Park Dam increased from about 800 cfs a few days ago to 1200 cfs yesterday. All insect hatches are ongoing. Trout (and whitefish) are responding resulting in good top water fishing. As is common this time of the season plenty of fly fishers are trying their skills from Box Canyon to Pine Haven and recreationists are present . So be patient and courteous. Fewer visitors are on the lower river and fishing whether through wading or boating remains good with flavs, PMDs, caddis and a remnant of golden stones and green drakes present. A significant appearance of grey drakes has not happened.
