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Small Streams

Jimmy's All Seasons Angler / Small Streams

Small Streams, November 25th, 2023

General fishing regulations for many streams in IDF&G’s Upper Snake River and Southeast Idaho Regions will continue through the winter on such as the South Fork, main stem Snake River and the Henry’s Fork excepting the Harriman State Park reach. However, many streams will remain open through the winter for the designated ” Catch and Release ” season. Those subject to this regulation, with exceptions, are given in the 2022-2024 Seasons & Rules booklet. As, and if, information “trickles in” on these streams, we will post such here.

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Small Streams, October 21st, 2023

Some of our small streams offer good fishing this time of the season. The Teton River in the Basin is an example where recreational boats: plastic, inflatable, and made of anything else have reduced to a minimum. A few duck hunters may be around. BWO and mahogany may fly and PM caddis activity make for good top water fishing most days. With frosts becoming deeper, terrestrial insect activity is reducing.. Whether you tie you own or purchase hopper patterns, remember that their body color changes with the season to match that prevailing in the terrestrial surroundings., Fish are conditioned to take well placed hopper and ant patterns when presented with drag-free drifts along vegetation overhangs. So don’t put away those hopper-dropper rigs yet. Watch the weather predictions as snow is possible in the Basin next week.

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Small Streams, October 3rd, 2023

Lower Teton River

Some of our smaller rivers still offer fishing worth a visit. The lower Teton River is such a location. A way to enjoy this is to launch at the Hog Hollow Bridge and float downstream to take out at one of the locations below that is timely. A dense afternoon BWO emergence with trout responding this time of year is quite reliable, and with a deep frost yet to happen terrestrial insects remain. So such as BWO life cycle patterns, hopper-dropper rigs and streamer patterns are effective.

Now that flow out of the Blackfoot River Reservoir into the river below has been reduced, walk-in wade fishing can be another worthy destination. Hard sided boats are not practical this time of the season as flows are low enough to turn the river into a “rock garden.” Cutthroat and rainbow trout here range to trophy size, May fly activity is reduced to sporadic trico spinner falls, but terrestrial insect and caddis life cycle patterns will remain effective until a killing frost arrives.

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Small Streams, September 26th, 2023

So many of our small streams are overlooked because of being adjacent to icon water. Lower Rainey Creek is a good example because of the nearby South Fork. Access is along US Highway 26 at the lower part of Swan Valley. Two pull-outs overlooking the creek provide easy access after walking down a short slope. When these pull-out are not occupied by a parked vehicle, it is time to stop to observe any rising fish in the creek below. If this is the case, descend the slope downward with much stealth to not disturb rising trout. This part of the creek hosts a large portion of cool, clear water coming from private property springs above. Trout, mostly cutthroat, move in from the river to these quality conditions. The same mayfly species, currently BWOs, mahogany duns, diminishing pink alberts are here as well as terrestrial insects.

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Small Streams, September 19th, 2023

Fall Colors on Upper Blackfoot River

Some of the larger of these will offer good fishing for weeks to come, even though they are at base level flows. The upper river in the Blackfoot Wildlife Management Area is an example. Being at about 6200 ft in elevation fall is already present. Hunters far outnumber anglers. Aquatic vegetation is beginning to break up making wet fly fishing easier and fall colors are coming on. Roads may be dusty until unsettled weather moves in later this week, but such weather could boost fly fishing success afterwards when warm-up happens.

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Small Streams, September 16th, 2023

All these are at base flow levels. Thus trout will be in deepest water, beneath overhead cover such as overhanging banks, and under logs and sweepers. Best fishing will be after waters warm to mid day temperatures. With these low flows, stealth, minimal bank side visits and limited wading will be in order for successful fishing. In smaller streams, fish may frequently move downstream to larger waters to find better overhead cover.

Bear Creek near Current Creek Cabin

Bear Creek, in particular, may be worth a visit, now that a limited bypass road is open to it after being very isolated this summer because of the road closure. Try it just above its confluence with Palisades Reservoir. Terrestrial insect patterns presented with and without a dropper should interest resident trout until cooler weather prevails.

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Small Streams, September 9th, 2023

In Blackfoot River Wildlife Management Area

All small streams not influenced by upstream reservoirs are at base level flows. This means fish will concentrate in deeper water where overhead cover provides best protection and cooler water offers more comfort. The river in the Blackfoot River Wildlife Management Area is a good choice to enjoy relative tranquility, scenery, and improved fishing. Terrestrial insect populations are at their peak here, and although submerged vegetation is also at the same, top water fishing can best good especially through presenting terrestrial insect patterns at the head of deeper waters and close to overhanging banks. Trout population is improving in this part of the river thanks to normal seasonal flow levels and recent alterations made by IDF&G personnel

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Small Streams, September 2nd, 2023

Looks like stormy weather will prevail almost everywhere this weekend. Such weather will put terrestrial insects down relative to their activity on bright, sunlit days. Switching to wet attractor patterns is worth considering. Try nymph patterns such as two bit hookers, copper johns, hare’s ears, princes, and zebras, all with or without beads. If the stream you visit is discolored, do not overlook such as San Juan worm and small woolly bugger types as well as small streamer patterns.

BWOs could make an appearance ( with peak autumn activity yet to come) on certain places if you favor top water fishing. Warm River just below Warm River Spring would be a better location than by the crowded major campground at Three Rivers. Consider the Teton River in the Hog Hollow area and in the Basin as well as Buffalo River. Bring a raincoat wherever you go!

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Small Streams, August 29th, 2023

Mahogany Dun

Good mayfly activity will begin on many streams as we begin the fall emergence peak. Gone are such as brown, gray and green drakes, flavs, and march browns. Only a few smaller PMDs are around on some waters. Tricos are diminishing, but speckled duns will remain in good numbers for weeks especially on still waters..The fall BWO hatch will begin any day now and carry on until winter sets in with such as tiny BWOs included. Pink alberts, also know as snowflake duns, will remain for a while. Mahogany dun hatches will be important and widespread. The Hecuba may fly hatch, more scattered and less consistent will appear on relatively soft bottomed streams. Mistakenly called green drake because of its size, it is famed for consistency on such as Slough Creek, but is less abundant on most Fall River Basin streams having a similar substrate.

A single track bypass road has been opened around the damaged section of the road to Bear Creek. The bypass road is suitable only for single vehicles, but not for those with a trailer. More information on the bypass can be obtained from the Caribou-Targhee Palisades District Ranger Station. Reconstruction of the main road will not be completed this year.

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Small Streams, August 26th, 2023

Electroshocking for trout population studies will be undertaken by Idaho Department of Fish and Game biologists on the Teton River in the Basin. Here is their schedule and locations:

September 6th and 13th, South Bates to Bates.

September 7th and 14th, Packsaddle to Harrop’s ( State Highway 33) Bridge.

Medicine Lodge Creek

Most of our small streams are in great summer shape. They radiate heat during night time, so early AMs are at their lowest water temperature. Give them time to warm up to the level that makes fish and aquatic and terrestrial insects most active (usually by late morning), and they will offer great fishing.

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