Flow out of Palisades Dam was dropped five days ago and so are leaves. Flow is about 3000 cfs Irwin, 2700 cfs at Heise, and 1200 cfs at Lorenzo. Great news for walk-in-wade fishing! More great news is that we will have good BWO weather for a while and likewise good conditions for streamer fishing. Hoppers will have a tough time becoming active, and boating will require some caution because of the “skinnier” water.
Leaves are falling, daytime hours are diminishing and flow out of Palisades Dam (now 3070 cfs at Irwin, 3250 cfs at Heise,1700 cfs at Lorenzo) is decreasing. This is to the joy of walk-in-wade fly fishers who have more locations to try and brings caution for those using boats.Unsettled weather is predicted for the upcoming weekend. Let’s hope that BWOs and mahogany duns take advantage of the increased overhead cover then and that trout now concentrated in deeper water come up to feed on the increased surface activity..
No significant change since our last fishing report. We need some unsettled weather for such to happen.
If you are a walk-in wade fly fisher, the South Fork is now a “piece of heaven.” Flows have decreased significantly ( now about 4500 cfs at Irwin, 4200 cfs at Heise, 2100 cfs at Lorenzo) and will do so further as the irrigation season winds down and Palisades Reservoir, presently at 10% of capacity, needs to be filled . So the choice of walk-in-wade locations on the river below are quite numerous. We can help in choosing locations to fish, so get in touch. With the fall colors, fine weather, concentrated fish populations, and safer wading the river is now as inviting as it can be.
No significant changes in either flow or fishing strategy since our last report. Some unsettled weather would certainly help the top water fishing by enhancing the BWO and mahogany dun hatches.
Flow throughout the river has been essentially constant for at least a week. Good weather for BWO and mahogany dun activity should continue through this weekend. During sunny, warmer days don’t overlook trying a grasshopper pattern with or without a dropper
No significant flow change in the river recently. Fishing seems to have slowed, but look for an increase in BWO and mahogany dun activity if the predicted unsettled weather happens in a few days. If that change happens, look for streamer fishing success to also improve. Enjoy the fall colors!
From Top of Squaw Creek Dugway
No significant change in flows since our last report. There are fewer folks fishing even though lower flow means increased wading locations. Foliage color change is coming on strong. So it is a great time to visit the river even though dry fly fishing success is a bit sporadic ( BWO and mahogany dun activity is best during cloudier days). Mutant golden stone flies are pretty much a thing of the past for this season but hopper-dropper presentations towards vegetated banks still works well. Presenting streamer patterns will become increasingly effective as we advance into the fall season.
Flow out of Palisades Reservoir continues to drop (now about 6160 cfs at Irwin, 6360 cfs at Heise, 3700 cfs at Lorenzo) to normal for the season as downstream irrigation demands diminish. The same can be said for number of anglers, but walk-in wade locations are increasing. Riffle and drop off fishing with BWO and Mahogany dun life cycle patterns has been productive, and even though they are diminishing greatly, some mutant golden stone flies emerge during early hours.
Flow out off Palisades dam has been ramped down over the last several days ( about 8700 cfs at Irwin, 8900 cfs at Heise, 5600 cfs at Lorenzo).. It is now approaching normal for this time of the season. So is may fly activity with BWOs and mahogany duns being active. Add terrestrial insects still around in good numbers and the same with caddis flies, and the river offers great top water fishing. With more low light conditions around, streamer fishing is also very good. Presenting nymph patterns at the heads and tails of riffles also produces. Fishing is as good as it gets on the South Fork.