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Fishing Reports

Jimmy's All Seasons Angler / Fishing Reports (Page 84)

Still Waters, August 1st, 2020

Paul Res (2)

Pauls Reservoir

Blanket statement: the current warm weather raises water temperatures and sends fish to deeper waters, cold flowing inlets, and spring holes everywhere.

Do you  have a youngster or physically challenged person that wants to visit still water were fish are active and a minimum of physical effort is required to enjoy them in tranquility?   Pauls Reservoir may answer to these questions.  It is off the beaten path for sure: go north on I-15 to the Humphrey exit near the Montana border. From the exit follow old US Highway 91 to the Modoc Road.  It goes underneath I-15 then about nine miles through dry country to the reservoir. With a bit of care even a sedan can pass along the road. Developed facilities are not present, nor is potable water or anyone selling food. Bring your own of these. Park at the dam and walk a few yards to begin fishing for small cutthrout trout that are usually eager to take small leech, speckled dun emerger or damselfly nymph patterns. If rises are frequent, switch to dry patterns that are in the size of the emerging duns.   Light weight gear is best, waders are not needed because fish cruise the shoreline in front of weed beds.  So with ability to cast about thirty feet, action is nearly  guaranteed.  A fifteen inch fish is a “bragging fish,” but who cares if the action is fast.

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South Fork, July 25th, 2020

Flow has been nearly constant for about a week and water is warming. This means PMD and pink albert hatches will soon be providing the best action especially at the heads and tails of riffles.  Hoppers are beginning to be important on banks of the lower river.

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Yellowstone Park, July 25th, 2020

Without  a doubt, Beula Lake currently offers the fastest fishing in the Park!   Only Yellowstone cutthroat occupy the lake.  You can enjoy this best by packing a flotation device the 2.5 miles into the lake then fish outside the lily pads and other vegetation. If you cannot pack such a device, hike over to the inlet at the southeast corner and fish out into the lake.  Small leech, speckled dun, damsel fly, and cinnamon caddis life cycle patterns will provide action. On all Fall River Basin streams stealth is the word with waters nearing base levels but hopper populations building.

The Yellowstone River from the Lake down to the upper falls offers fishing for a few very large cutthroat. Streamer patterns fished in the deepest water is the best way to encounter these fish.

Northeast corner streams ( Lamar, Slough, Soda Butte) are in great shape with green drakes, PMDs, PM caddis and building terrestrial insects, but easy access places on each are crowded.

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Henry’s Fork, July 25th, 2020

If you try the water (it’s a bit high because of downstream irrigation demands) from Last Chance through Harriman State Park the rusty spinner (size 14-20) is the “must have” fly. Afternoon caddis activity offers several types of insects, and hoppers are beginning to show. Fishing on the lower river is slowing down, but  crowds have gone over to the South Fork

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South Fork, July 18th,2020

Fall Cr. Falls (640x480)

As water warms, look for increasing mayfly activity. Right now evening caddis activity is very good here, and nymph patterns presented through heads of riffles are working. With flow at the dam around 12300 cfs (13000 cfs at Heise, 5500 cfs at Lorenzo) water is where it should be but needs to warm a bit. Expect crowds at all boat ramps. There are stories of crowding and social situations on the icon water boat ramps and on the stream, seemingly more than in past years.  Much of this situation can be understood because many other local outdoor activities such as concerts and outdoor workshops are cancelled except for fishing which tends toward social distancing. Add to this that metropolitan area folks coming here to escape covid-19 situations.  So unusual crowding should be expected.

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Yellowstone Park, July 18th, 2020

Boundary Creek

The Yellowstone River below the lake opened to fishing on July 15th, and crowds converged there to try for the large cutthroat. Streams in the northeast corner of the park are coming into good fishing condition, but for those of us in the southwest corner of the Greater Yellowstone area they are a near 200 mile drive and likely crowded on arrival. That makes Fall River Basin streams more attractive with respect to traveling, but you will have to walk further to approach them. Meadow reaches on these streams are drying and  flows are bit lower than normal.  That means stealth, long casts, and fine tippets are required for success. PMDs are decreasing and sallies are at minimal abundance  with a few wind blown golden stones present.  Traditional attractor patterns in moderate (#12-16) sizes will be effective.  Be bear aware!

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