Because of recent widespread rains and the need to conserve water, flow out of Palisades Reservoir has been decreased (now 7900 cfs at Irwin, 8400 cfs at Heise and 2500 cfs at Lorenzo). Continue using the same strategy we suggested in our June 11th report.
Flow in the river has been essentially constant (currently about 9250 cfs at Irwin, 9860 cfs at Heise, 3340 cfs at Lorenzo) for several days. A good strategy anywhere along the river is presenting a rubber leg pattern trailed by a glo-bug.
Thanks to our recent rains, flow out of Palisades Dam was reduced a few days ago about 1000 cfs to 9180 cfs (now 10100 cfs at Heise, 5080 cfs at Lorenzo). This change should not impact streamer fishing or offering such as rubber leg patterns. Some BWO activity may be happening at the very heads of riffles because of the weather, so concentrate BWO life cycle presentations there.
Cold water at step-wise increasing flow means streamer and large nymph (mainly rubber legs) are the most effective patterns. Currently flows are: 9620 cfs at Irwin,11600 cfs at Heise, and 4900 cfs at Lorenzo.
Since May 10th flow out of Palisades Dam has been stepped up from around 4200 cfs to 9480 cfs (now 10900 cfs at Heise, 4700 cfs at Lorenzo). This amount of cold water will impact fishing to some extent.
Flow discharge trace on the USGS gage aIrwin looks like a step function. as flow out of the reservoir is being increased in relatively small amounts. Currently flow at Irwin is 3580 cfs( raised ) , 4860 cfs at Heise, and 2410 cfs at Lorenzo. Look flow increases out of the reservoir to remain conservative but frequent until more information on run-off quantity is better known. These increases should not impact fishing success. Patterns such as streamers, rubber legs and various nymphs should work well.
The gate at the Burns Creek Road will be unlocked on May 1st. The road is closed during winter months to minimize human impacts on wintering wildlife.
Flow out of Palisades Dam was increased from about 1500 cfs to 2160 cfs yesterday. Flow at Heise now is 3040 cfs and is 1460 cfs at Lorenzo.
Early this AM flow out of Palisades Dam was upped from around 890 cfs to 1270 cfs and is increasing. Larger flow out of the reservoir will impact the river on downstream and the main stem Snake River above American Falls reservoir. Although the reservoir is slightly more than one third full and run-off flow coming in is around 3000 cfs, water is being released to spread irrigation demand through the system.
With Palisades Reservoir filled about one third of capacity and out-flow about half of in-flow, it is going to take a lot of run-off to come close to filling before irrigation season begins. Outlook for enough snow accumulation needed to do so becomes more unlikely with passing days. So it looks like current flow in the river below Palisades Dam ( 874 cfs at Irwin, 1300 cfs at Heise, 700 at Lorenzo) will hold well into run-off season.
Under current water conditions (cold and clear), the best fly fishing strategy is to present streamer, nymph, and rubber leg patterns into deeper holes and runs using full sink or sink tip lines and stout leaders. Consider that winter is the toughest time for fish to survive. Therefore using stout leaders allow them to be played more quickly giving a better chance for survival after being caught and released. The river needs to warm for any good top water fishing to take place.
At the first off April, flow will be shut off in the Dry Bed for irrigation structure maintenance. During this time IDF&G allows a salvage situation there where fish may be harvested by any legal means rather than being wasted. Consult current on-line or hard copy fishing regulations for salvage specifics.
Flow out of Palisades Dam remains around 900 cfs and picks up to around 1200 cfs by Heise, But the reservoir above currently is only 25% full. Further upstream, Jackson Lake is only 20% full. So the Snake River drainage needs a lot more snow to fill both before irrigation demands begin. Let’s hope the remaining winter brings on enough to fill both and result in a good flow of water through the river below.