Small Streams

Small Streams 8-20-09

Terrestrial and attractor patterns work on all these this time of year. Some such as Birch Creek,  Warm River, upper and lower reaches of the Teton River,  and Stump Creek have morning Trico spinner falls.

Bear Creek

The pic above shows Bear Creek about 1.5 miles above the campground/trailhead.  Current Creek Guard Station sits at the edge of  the fenced meadow.  From here upstream as far as time permits the creek is a beautiful destination to fish.  Resident cutthroat trout ranging  to eighteen inches readily take terrestrial and attractor patterns.  To enjoy Bear Creek; cross Palisades Dam, go past the Calamity area and bear right where the road forks.  From here Bear Creek is about an eight mile drive.  Get in touch with us for strategy thoughts on fishing this and other small streams.

Small Streams 8-17-09

They are all fishing well whether you choose Salt River tribs, South Fork tribs, Henry’s Fork tribs, Birch Creek and other sinks streams, Portneuf River drainage streams, and others.  Terrestrial and attractor patterns are the way to go.  Sawmill Creek (below) at the head of Little Lost River has fast action for brookies, bull trout, and ‘bows.  Thirty and forty fish days are common here.

Small Streams 8-14-09

With terrestrial insects here to stay for a while,  the choice of smaller waters with great fishing is huge.  This will continue until we get into those frosty nights.  We get information every day on fishing conditions from so many of these waters.  Get in touch with us or come in for a  visit to learn the best smaller waters at any given time.

Small Streams 8-10-09

With terrestrial insects so important in trout diets this time of year, small streams offer great fishing choices, especially for anglers seeking some solitude or for those preferring to use lighter equipment.  Because of our back to back great snowfall winters, most are in great shape. The pic below shows Warm River Spring, the source of much water in that river.

True, there is good fishing in the smaller reach above.  But below the spring the river hosts a better insect base and has better water for hosting a bigger trout population. Fish here range up to the mid teens in inches of length, and because brookies, browns, ‘bows, and a rare cutt are present you never know for sure which has just hit your fly.  Mainly a riffle and run stream for miles, this part of Warm River is delightful.  Get in touch with us to learn how to approach it.

Small Streams 8-05-09

Just about all are fishing good now.  These offer a great way to leave the crowd behind.  Get in touch with us for particulars.

Small Streams 8-03-09

Most of these are in great shape. with terrestrial insects nearing their peak and most featuring ever present caddis and sallys.  It really is too much to relate information on each here because nearly all are good fishing and will remain so until fall.   So get in touch with us for particulars on any you may be interested in visiting.

Small Streams 7-29-09

With terrestrial season coming on, most small waters will be excellent choices. The only “fly in the ointment” will be warming water.   So for those at lower elevation it won’t hurt to check water temperature profiles.  We have reports that the upper Blackfoot River is clearing.  This is just in time for terrestrial season.  Warm River below the spring always has water of an ideal temperature.  It’s pretty much the same for Birch Creek in the Family Area above Lone Pine where numerous springs flow in.  So it is a good choice, especially if you want to give some light-weight equipment a try.

Blackfoot River on IDF&G Wildlife Management Area

Small Streams 7-27-09

They are all fishing well except for some headwater streams that have warmed up. These include such as Rock, Squirrel and Conant creeks. Right now Big Elk, Palisades, Rainy, Pine and McCoy creeks are fishing quite well. Use traditional attractor and terrestrial patterns.  Same can be said for Salt River tribs; Jackknife, Tincup, Stump and Crow creeks.  Warm River just below the spring is a great choice for traditional attractors in small sizes.  The upper Blackfoot River is clearing, but small leech patterns work best until fish begin looking for terrestrial insects.

Small Streams 7-22-09

They are all fishing good! On all of these beetle and ant patterns are effective soon to be joined by hoppers. You can never be wrong trying traditional attractor patterns on any small shaving a bit of gradient.  Examples include Teton River in the canyon and around the dam site, Fall River around the Kelly Bridge, Warm River below Warm River Spring, anywhere on the Birch Creek family area, Beaver Creek above Spencer, ID, Robinson Creek, Bitch Creek. Want more? Get in touch!

Small Streams 7-20-09

All are at their peaks for action. But with hot weather coming some of the smallest streams will tend to warm and therefore slow down.   This does not apply to the rivers such as the Teton, Falls, Warm, Blackfoot and Portneuf. On all of these PMDs, caddis and sallys still bring action, but for riffle and run reaches attractor patterns will be a blast to fish. This means such as humpys, renegades, Wulff series, and irresistibles.  For slower reaches such as in Teton Basin PMD life cycle patterns will bring action.  And on all small waters it is time to break out your ant and beetle patterns remembering that hoppers are only a week or two from taking over as the patterns of choice.