Several small streams in which spawning cutthroat are protected by a closed season open to fishing tomorrow. These include South Fork tributaries Burns, Palisades, and Pine Creeks, Blackfoot River above the reservoir, Teton River tributaries including Bitch Creek, and Willow Creek tributaries. Nymph, leech, and small streamer patterns may be most effective on all small streams for several days.
Many of our small streams not draining high country are finally shaping up for good fishing. Consider trying such as Bear Creek, McCoy Creek, the Salt River tribs ( Jackknife, Tincup, Stump, & Crow Creeks), Beaver Creek, Birch Creek and Warm River. Give such as Big Elk, Bitch, and Robinson Creeks a bit more time to clear and drop. By 4th of July weekend the choice of small streams worth fishing will have numerous candidates. Remember that South Fork tribs Palisades, Rainey, Pine, and Burns Creek and the Blackfoot River and its tributaries above the reservoir do not open to fishing until July 1st.
Bear Creek and McCoy Creek Roads are open, but with muddy spots thanks to our recent rains. Jensen Creek Road remains closed. The Ashton-Flagg Road is open with soft spots at higher elevation points. The Fish Creek Road is open to Teardrop Lake. Most of our smaller streams are in reasonable fishing conditions but with high water. That means presenting such as San Juan worms, woolly buggers, and any pattern meant to imitate earth or aquatic worms deep works. Exceptions to these conditions include Birch Creek and Warm River. Get in touch with us for info on fishing these.
All roads accessing Palisades Reservoir tributaries are open with the exception of the Jensen Creek Road connecting Bear and McCoy Creeks. Some grading is ongoing on the upstream end of the McCoy Creek Road. All Palisades Reservoir tributaries are currently running high and discolored.
Either high run-off or bad road conditions, and in some cases both, prevent us from enjoying fishing outings to many of our small streams. There is one exception, and that is Warm River in the Three Rivers area. Warm River above the Robinson Creek confluence is not a major run-off stream through draining relatively flat lands in the eastern portion of Island Park where roads may still be in poor condition. Much of the lower river can be accessed near Warm River Campground and above by following the abandoned rail road line. Afternoon caddis activity, the same with BWOs, and from remaining March browns will interest trout. Thus life cycle patterns of these insects should be in fly boxes of anyone visiting to fish. The same goes for a variety of nymph patterns in small sizes, with and without beads. A four-weight system is ideal for use here, and certainly the fish (brook, brown, rainbow and whitefish) here run smaller than in the nearby Henry’s Fork. Nevertheless, solitude and tranquility will make for a pleasant outing.
The best possible happening for resident trout in the lower Blackfoot River is that 200 cfs rather than 100 cfs is coming out of the reservoir. The result is that trout have many deeper runs and pockets into which they can live with good overhead cover. In recent years the scanty flows, sometimes less than 100 cfs, reduced good living space to the deepest holes with resulting crowding. A few hoppers remain on stream-side banks, and patterns for them can interest fish. But the best fishing results from offering bead head nymphs, small streamers, and woolly bugger types. BWO hatches continue to provide good afternoon fishing on Teton River in the Basin. The best news is that except for some duck hunters, most recreational boaters have left the river meaning fewer interruptions.
Last night’s storm will make it difficult to reach some back country waters in the region until soon-to-come warmer weather melts the resulting snow accumulation. Then muddy conditions could prevail for a while on unpaved roads. Some of the unpaved back country roads giving access to best small waters are used frequently this time of year by ranchers and farmers, so can be maintained because of demand. For the next few days check with county road maintenance offices to determine driving conditions before attempting to reach waters “off the beaten path.” Doing so might be a good idea for such as fishing visits planned for upper Warm River, Bitch and Robinson Creeks in Fremont County, Blackfoot River in Bingham and Caribou Counties, and Bear, Big Elk, and McCoy Creeks in Bonneville County.
The above photo shows the Blackfoot River Wildlife Management Area with the river in the distance. The big meadow you see it winding through is still full of grasshoppers. The river is flowing slightly above normal meaning there is plenty of cover so some large cutthroat remain within. Also no killing frosts here yet, but any day now that could change. The same applies to the Teton River in the Basin where elevation is about the same as the Blackfoot River in the above photo.
Now that October is approaching, keep track of the flow level in the Blackfoot River below the Reservoir. Any day now water impoundment in the reservoir will begin, and flow in the river below will drop to less than 200 cfs. A flow below this level results in great fishing, especially if a killing frost has not wiped out bank side terrestrial insect populations. Afternoon caddis activity should attract trout throughout the month. Dry fly fishing will be the best approach until copious submerged weed beds break up, then presenting streamers will become practical at many points in the river. So the best time to fish the river below the reservoir is just ahead.
Now that the number of recreational boaters are diminishing on the Teton River in Teton Basin it is time to enjoy uninterrupted daytime fishing. BWOs and mahogany dun action and a few gray drakes are bringing trout up. Sometime during the first week of October flow out of the Blackfoot River Reservoir will drop to around 100 cfs. Dry fly fishing and streamer presentation on the river below will improve to destination quality and remain so through October.