South Fork

South Fork, July 19th, 2022

Flow throughout the river are right at historic levels and has been constant for several days. Big stone flies have mostly come and gone (a few golden stones remain), and mayfly activity is increasing. Nymphing the riffles is currently the most productive strategy with emerging PMDs and yellow sallies making for that action. Before the end of the month, hoppers will be out and significant for fishing success.

South Fork, July 16th, 2022

No big changes since our last report, and flow out of Palisades Reservoir has been constant for about a week.

We came close to losing three folks in a drift boat a day ago. They got crosswise to a bridge abutment near the Spring Creek launch site and capsized. All got out safely. We know it is difficult to maintain attention to the river when fishing is good, but stay alert to it, We all want to see everyone end the day in good shape after enjoying fishing or even boating this great river.

South Fork, July 12th, 2022

Not much change since our last report. Nymph fishing is great throughout and dry fly fishing is good “where you can find it.”

South Fork, July 9th, 2022

All major aquatic insect hatches are moving up the river. For example, a few of the big stone flies have been seen in the Conant area. It seems like the best time of day for fishing up and down the river is early AMs and evenings. Boat traffic is increasing throughout. Flow has changed little throughout the river ( now 11600 cfs at Irwin, 11900 at Heise, 5650 cfs at Lorenzo) and remains slightly below normal for the time of year.

South Fork, July 5th, 2022

Flow throughout the river has been nearly constant (10700 cfs at Irwin, 10900 cfs at Heise, 5200 cfs at Lorenzo) for about a week. The activity we described in this report for July 2nd is moving upstream past Byington and into the canyon. The fun in this fly fishing game will be in finding which of the insects the fish will be keying on at any given time and location. Traffic at launch sites will now increase as will boats on the river. So the time to be considerate have arrived for all of us.

South Fork, July 2nd, 2022

No significant change in flows at this date. Best fishing on the river is from Byington downstream. Significant hatches going there include, yellow sallys, PMDs, green drakes, some giant stones and golden stones and PM caddis. Take your pick on which fish key on at any time. Rubber legs continue to work and small nymphs of choice attract fish in riffles. Look for all this activity to move upstream in the coming days.

You will see recreational floaters on the river. They are asked not to use boat launch areas. There are designated locations just above Byington and Conant for them to launch and debark.

South Fork, June 25th, 2022

Some yellow sallys and green drakes are beginning to show on the lower river, but not in significant numbers to date. Water needs to warm for these to really get going. Flow has not changed significantly since our last report. Palisades Reservoir is about three-quarters full.

South Fork, June 21st, 2022

Flow our of Palisades Reservoir ( now 66% full ) was increased to 9100 cfs yesterday ( now about 9600 cfs at Heise and 3800 cfs at Lorenzo). This increase should not impact fishing where the Lorenzo to Menan section seems to offer the best fishing through using streamer, woolly bugger and ribber leg patterns. A few golden stones have been sighted in that section.

90, 96, 38

South Fork, June 18th, 2022

The Lorenzo to Menan stretch of the river is offering its best fishing. Flow is about 2700 cfs, but a bit discolored (7800 cfs at Irwin, 8400 cfs at Heise). Fish respond best to streamers, rubber legs and nymph patterns of medium sizes. No significant dry fly activity anywhere on the river to date.

South Fork, June 14th, 2022

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.