Small Streams

Small Streams 9-12-15

Idaho Department of Fish and Game is proposing to transfer some Big Elk Creek kokanee to Bear Creek with the idea of starting another run from Palisades Reservoir.  Lets hope it works because if successful, there would be more forage fish for large trout in the reservoir. Right now Bear Creek might be a good choice to try with the great terrestrial insect population in its meadows. Also with the daytime becoming shorter and cooler, fish in beaver ponds there will become more interested in small leech patterns.

Small Streams 9-8-15

With most summer vacations over such streams as Teton River in Teton Basin and lower Fall River  will see fewer recreational boaters. This means mid day fishing will have fewer interruptions. The Teton River in the Basin is fishing very well with terrestrial insect and mahogany dun life cycle patterns producing during afternoon hours. Now that days are shortening and cooling most of the best dry fly fishing on small streams, excepting during remaining trico activity, will take place during afternoon hours.  More time is now needed for the atmosphere and therefore waters to warm up to point of best insect activity.

Small Streams 9-5-15

Teton River in the basin is a good place to try with fish taking terrestrial insect patterns, and lately mahogany duns.  Daytime recreationists will soon diminish to the point of not interfering with mid day fishing.

Kokanee are in Big Elk Creek big time, but they do not interfere with fishing for the cutts as much as folks trying to fish for them by legal and illegal means.

Warm River remains good fishing for folks presenting terrestrial insect, traditional attractor, and caddisfly life cycle patterns. Best location is just below Warm River Spring. After this weekend Warm River Campground will empty out, and the lower river will be less crowded for fishing.

The cooling weather is just what is needed for fishing to pick up on the Blackfoot River in the Wildlife Management Area. The low, warm water has slowed fishing there most of the summer, but now look for fish to respond well to AM tricos and day time terrestrial insect patterns.

Small Streams 9-1-15

All the South Fork-Palisades Reservoir tribs will be good fishing this coming week end, but they likely will be crowded. That’s particularly true of Big Elk Creek where run-up kokanee attract legal and not so legal fishing. Each of these, excepting Bear Creek, have nearby popular campgrounds. Nevertheless fish in all of these will respond well to terrestrial insect, flav, caddis and traditional attractor patterns.  There will be numbers of day time recreationists on the Teton River in the basin, so fish it early and late in the day. Lower Warm River will be crowded and likely the same for the upper river in the Pole Bridge Campground area. There will likely be fewer enthusiasts on the river just below Warm River Spring because no campground is adjacent. And so it goes: expect lots of fly-fishers and other anglers if a campground is nearby. Some candidates places less likely to be crowded include the upper Blackfoot River, lower Fall River, lower Teton River, Bitch Creek, and Salt River tributaries. Want more information on any of these? Get in touch with us.

Small Streams 8-29-15

Flav emergence is ongoing from Palisades Reservoir tribs ( Bear, Big Elk and McCoy Creeks) and Palisades Creek.  That event is at its best on Big Elk Creek.  Kokanee are going up Big Elk Creek.  They do not bother cutthroat from taking dry flies, but their presence brings on some illegal action in the form of snagging. Idaho Fish and Game asks that you inform them of any such activities. The river below Warm River Spring is fishing very well for those folks presenting terrestrial patterns and caddis life cycle patterns. Speaking of terrestrial patterns, this is the time of year when they are effective on all of our streams, big or small.

Small Streams 8-19-15

Flavs are emerging from all major Palisades Reservoir-South Fork tribs. This event is an afternoon happening because waters must warm to around the mid fifties in degrees F. for the bulk of the insects to emerge.  Big Elk Creek will soon be crowded because kokanee (redfish!) are already in its lower portions. It’s a fun time of year on all small streams because hoppers and other terrestrial insects are numerous on banks, and trout know they are present.  So pay particular attention to presenting around and underneath overhanging vegetation and when breezes move such around!

Small Streams 8-12-15

If you enjoy fishing small streams being in this area right now is like being a kid in a candy shop. July and August have seen a surplus of rainfall in much of the area which helps these streams maintain good flows with water temperatures more suited for active fish. The “where to go” choice is almost endless, and we can help point out some of these depending on your preferences.  So for now let’s just point out the few “where not to go” locations.

Water flow out of Blackfoot River Reservoir is variable enough to slow fishing in the river below.

Robinson Creek is down to base level and therefore warmer making fish migrate downstream to deep holes such as near Teton View Estates on downstream.

Pine Creek is slow fishing for much the same reason as for Robinson Creek.

Shallower beaver ponds on such as Jackknife and Tincup Creeks have warmed enough that during afternoon hours fish there will move to riffles above in order to find more dissolved oxygen.

 

 

 

 

Small Streams 8-8-15

Teton River in the basin is fishing very well with fish taking terrestrial and PMD life cycle patterns. Fish early and late in the day to avoid recreationists.

Fall River is dewatered because of irrigation demands. That means warm daytime water temps. Fish the evening caddisfly emergence, or AM spinner fall.

Bitch Creek is fishing well. Try it off the Jackpine Road where a private access is available. Traditional attractor, yellow sally, and caddis life cycle patterns will get you into action.

Larger trout in Robinson Creek have moved downstream to deeper holes where water temps are more to their liking. There may be some access to these holes through the Teton View subdivision.

Warm River continues to offer good fishing. If you plan to fish the lower river, walk up the old railroad grade to get away from the crowds fishing around the campground. You may find less company by going to Warm River Spring, parking in a pull-out, then walking downstream as far as time permits. Try terrestrial, traditional attractor, caddis and PMD life cycle patterns.

Not many flavs are showing up to date on Bear, Big Elk and Palisades Creeks. But mutant stone, caddis life cycle, traditional attractor, and terrestrial insect patterns are working just fine on each of these.

 

 

Small Streams 8-4-15

Caddisflies stay active on most of our small streams this time of the season.  Terrestrial insects also become important food forms for trout. As discussed in our Yellowstone Park report, having patterns for these along is now important. The other consideration to realize is that many of our smaller streams are warming up as waters drop to base levels. Streams that have a large water component from springs (Birch, Big Elk, Bitch, Diamond, Little Lost, Teton River) or water from lakes with subterranean outlets(Palisades) tend to stay cooler longer than those that do not have as much of such (Robinson, Bear, Pine, Upper Blackfoot) or are subject to draw-down ( lower Fall River). So concentrate your efforts on those with cooler inflows and be sure to have terrestrial patterns in your fly box.

Small Streams 7-28-15

Our recent thundershowers and showers benefit regional small streams big time. Flows stay up and water temperatures tend not to rise as they would under drier conditions.  Another benefit is that increases in relative humidity before an particularly after a storm enhance aquatic insect emmergences. But for sure it is best to delay fishing for a day or so after a moderate rainfall, or to wait until a stream known to discolor clears up.   Some area streams that have benefited from recent rainfall include the South Fork/Palisades Reservoir tributaries (Palisades, Big Elk, Bear, McCoy Creeks), Bitch Creek, Medicine Lodge Creek, Beaver Creek, Diamond Creek, Little Lost River/Sawmill Creek, and the Salt River tributaries. These streams are all uncrowded, and they are beginning to see plenty of terrestrial insects in surroundings. Some host trout to trophy sizes.  Get in touch with us for more info on any of them and on other small streams worthy of a visit.