Small Streams

Small Streams, July 31st, 2024

Canyon reaches of all streams will have highest afternoon water temperatures, among these are Fall, Teton and Blackfoot Rivers and lower Bitch Creek. So fish them early in the day and beware of rattle snakes residing above the high water mark. 

Flow out of Mackay Dam into Big Lost River is around 450 cfs making wading the river below a bit if a chore. Caddis, PMDs and western green drakes are emerging, but with the somewhat high flows, San Juan worm and such patterns sunk low in the water column are best bets for action.

Small Streams, July 24th, 2024

Palisades Creek has good water conditions for hosted trout because of Lower Palisades Lake about four miles upstream from the campground trailhead. It is not a large lake but deep enough to provide cold water into the outlet creek. In addition, springs along the creek put in enough cool water to help make this stream an excellent habitat for trout on down to the trail head. It is mostly inhabited by cutthroat trout, but some hybrids have been caught below the lake.  Caddis and isoperla stoneflies with a few mayflies mixed in are what attract trout here, so life cycle patterns for these should be considered. Just above the lake the creek has a different character. We will discuss it later.

Flies to fish:

• Micro Purple Bruce-14
• Keller’s Rocky Mountain Mint Purple-16
• Henry’s Fork Yellow Sally-14
• Hi Viz Pink CDC & Elk Caddis

Small Streams, July 20th, 2024

Teton River

The Teton River in the basin is really rounding into shape with PMDs, sallies and some golden stoneflies providing good top water action. The best fishing on the the river is here even though recreational floaters can interfere momentarily. Below, canyon waters are warming through holding heat during hot days. The upper Blackfoot River is in good shape with its meadow reaches being populated by growing grasshopper populations. Mayflies are sparse here, but PM caddis flies make for good top water fishing.

Small Streams, July 17th, 2024

The Teton River in the basin is now in its top water fishing stage. PMDs, caddis, yellow sallies, and blown in golden stone flies are the reason.  That means lots of visitors whether they be boating or wading anglers or recreationists.  There is a nearby water that minimizes this list. It is the North Fork of the Teton River commonly called Bitch Creek.  It is a beautiful riffle and run stream. It can be easily accessed from State Highway 32 then fished below. It can be reached from the old railroad trestle upstream and further from some farm roads and trails. It hosts only cutthroat trout.

Flies to fish:

• Stealth Link Mercer-PMD
• Juan’s Splitback Shady-PMD
• Corn Fed Sally
• Olsen’s Foam Front End Loader Caddis-Tan
• Dornan’s Water Walker-Golden

Small streams, July 5th, 2024

Almost all small streams are now open to fishing (Teton River drainage river drainage streams are rounding into fishing shape). Many, however, have restrictions. For example, the Blackfoot River drainage above the Blackfoot River Reservoir requires barbless hooks, no bait, and return of all cutthroat trout to water from which they are caught. Many waters require no harvest of cutthroat trout. Refer to Idaho Department off Fish and Game Fishing Rules and Regulations to determine which streams require return of cutthroat trout to waters from which they are caught.

Small Streams, June 29th, 2024

Rainey Creek

Big news here is that all South Fork spawning tributaries below Palisades Dam open to fishing on Monday ( July 1^st). The same applies to the entire Blackfoot River drainage above the Blackfoot River Reservoir. Closing to fishing on all these waters until July first is done to protect spawning cutthroat trout.

Small Streams, June 26th, 2024

Other than those in the Teton River drainage, small streams have rounded into good fishing shape.  It is early enough in the season that wet flies are most productive, but a few streams have PMD, yellow sally and minor BWO hatches. The number of good small streams is too large to discuss here, but if you have youngsters wanting to fish, Birch Creek in the family fishing area above Lone Pine tops the list. Beaver Creek above Spencer and Little Warm River are other good choices.  Good, but more challenging waters include McCoy and Idaho’s portion of Salt River tributaries, Warm and Buffalo Rivers. Be aware that South Fork Tribs open to fishing on July 1^st in order to allow cutthroat trout to complete spawning.

Small Streams, June 14th, 2024

Brook trout are now in demand for family fish fries throughout the Snake River Plain. With a daily creel limit of 25 per licensed angler, IDF&G helps in making enough of these superb eating salmonids creeled for a plentiful fish fry. Where does the fly fisher go with young family fly fishers? There are plenty of streams in which these exotic salmonids dwell in good numbers. Combine a camping and fishing trip at such as Elk Creek at the far end of Buffalo River Campground. Try the Little Warm River at Pole Bridge Campground. Day trips to such as Beaver, Birch, Sawmill, Sheridan, and West Camas Creeks can be very productive. And for sure, Grandma has a great recipe tucked away that will render the catch into some superb eating!

Small Streams, June 12th, 2024

The Blackfoot and Teton Rivers are having flows about double of normal for this time of the season. Warm River, especially upstream at and just below Warm River Spring ( try golden stone fly, Caddis, PMD life cycle patterns) offers some good fishing. Likewise, Buffalo River around the campground offers good action from small trout. Caddis, PMD, BWO and damsel fly life cycle patterns work. Robinson Creek is running high, but can be is fished.

The Ashton-Flagg Road is closed east of Calf Creek Hill.