Watch crowds of fly fishers diminish on the upper river after Labor Day. Back to school and the end of vacations along with fewer insect pests make September the most pleasant month to fish this part of the river. The Fall mayfly peak will be in progress with trico, tiny BWOs and mahoganies. Gone are the concerns of low dissolved oxygen, and the days of dense aquatic vegetation are numbered.
Flies to fish:
Tricos make for the biggest mayfly activity on many park streams these days. PMDs are decreasing as we move towards fall. Speckled duns populate some still waters including Beula and Trout Lakes. However other mayfly species will become active. One is hecuba timpanoga also known as the “Drake Mackerel” or red quill. Hecuba can also be mistaken for the green drake. Mahogany duns are another species that will become active on park streams and are more widespread than hecuba. Even more widespread will be the fall emergence peak of the BWO. Meanwhile, terrestrial insects are a major reason for the great top water fishing most park streams offer this time of the season and will continue to be such until a killing frost arrives..
Fish the vegetated banks
Minor drops in flow out of the reservoir have been going on for much of August but have no big impact on downstream trout activity. Top water fishing remains great on most of the river with much of it thanks to abundant bank side terrestrial insects. Ant and hopper patterns lead those bringing action, and precise presentation towards well vegetated banks leads the variables in having success. Launch boats early in the day to avoid crowded conditions at ramps especially those close to Highway 26.
IDF&G rainbow trout stocking in the Upper Snake Region waters is nearing its end for the season especially after Labor Day. Not quite so in the southeast region where such as Chesterfield and Springfield Reservoirs and others could receive more planters to maintain a catchable population past Labor Day weekend. Still waters around the region will soon be more comfortable for resident salmonids as we move into fall months.
Hello
Tex Creek WMA needs our help with a stream restoration project.
When
August- 29th & 30th We will meet at the Idaho Falls IDFG office 8am and carpool out to Tex creek WMA .
Who
We are looking for 10-14 willing and able volunteers. Come join the fun and help with this stream restoration project.
What
This will be a fun habitat improvement project. It will be hard work and rewarding. We will be in and out of the stream repairing and maintaining existing structures as well as installing some new structures.
This work will include maintenance and possible construction of beaver dam analogues and post-assisted log structures that have been built over the past 2 seasons.
This work is geared toward riparian restoration and overall system improvement to reduce sediment and temperature in Tex Creek to improve conditions for Yellowstone cutthroat and many other species. We are at base flow and will have very little water in the system except for beaver ponds which host cutthroat trout.
Bring lunch and be prepared to be out all day. We can furnish gloves, waders, beverages, and tools. Dress for the weather
Let me know if you can help and which day!
Thanks
Gerren B. Steel
Volunteer Services Coordinator
Idaho Department of Fish & Game
Work: 208-535-8039
Cell: 208-850-7576
Ants are becoming very important for foraging trout in the Madison and Gallatin Rivers. A diminishing number of mutant golden stoneflies are emerging
from the Madison River in the no boating section. Taylor Fork thunder showers can still muddy the Gallatin River. Hebgen Lake still host good numbers of tricos
and speckled duns, but weather determines whether or not fish feed on them. Thunder showers are keeping Centennial Valley stream cool, but water is
generally below seasonal flow levels. Early arrival and stealth is required for fly fishing success on these waters
Flow out of Island Park Dam is a bit below seasonal amounts. Cloudy conditions with some thundershowers continue in keeping water temperatures below dangerous
levels for salmonids. Early AM trico activity continues, and ant patterns are becoming increasingly effective. If weather begins to cool, trout activity on the lower river will begin. A sign
of this return will the appearance of tiny BWOs during afternoon hours.
Ant patterns are becoming important for success not only on the Gallatin and Madison Rivers, but on the upper end of Quake Lake and around Hebgen Lake shore lines. Speckled dun and morning trico activities remain good on Hebgen Lake. Thundershowers can impact fishing success on most waters, but also can discolor some. The Taylor Fork of the Gallatin River is notorious for doing this after thunder showers hit its upstream drainage. These result in discolored flow into the main West Gallatin, so if any are in the area, consider this possibility.
Minor flow adjustments, usually downward recently, have no big impact on trout activity. The same mayfly and caddisfly activity as in the past few weeks continues, but terrestrial insect patterns are becoming increasingly important for success up and down the river. Expect ” hustle and bustle activity” at launch facilities (Husky’s is temporarily closed due to contract work) especially those adjacent to Highway 26. Expect weekends to have the most boat traffic.
Big Lost River
The best of times to fish Big Lost River below Mackay Dam have begun and should last well into the fall season. Flow out of the dam is a bit above 300 cfs, so wading is not difficult and continues in a good amount on downstream to the Leslie township. Access is plentiful below the dam, around the campground, and the IDF&G access. Caddis, isoperla stonefly, and terrestrial insect activities bring fish up to make top water fishing very good. Further on downstream where the river flows through private land there is access at bridges and areas of state and BLM land. Here it is important while fishing to stay within the high water mark.