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South Fork

Jimmy's All Seasons Angler / South Fork (Page 14)

South Fork, August 21st, 2021

Flow has remained consistent for several days ( 13800 cfs at Irwin, 14500 cfs at Heise, 9580 cfs at Lorenzo ). Normal flow at Irwin for this date is about 8700 cfs. Palisades Reservoir is at 39% of capacity and not filling as fast as outflow. Mutant golden stone flies are out, and that decides using their life cycle patterns for early in the day, Hopper-dropper patterns remain effective, while caddis fly life cycle patterns work best later in the day

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South Fork, August 17th, 2021

Flow out of Palisades dam and the entire river below has been essentially constant for many days but above normal for the time of the season. With Palisades Reservoir approaching one-third of storage capacity current flow will eventually drop. We’re still waiting for the mutant golden stones to be significant. Meanwhile two nymph rigs, hopper-dropper combos and caddis life cycle patterns during PM hours produce up and down the river. Try riffles during the evening when overhead disturbances from passing boats diminishes.

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South Fork, August 14th, 2021

No reports of significant mutant golden stones appearing yet. Palisades Reservoir is at 39% of capacity, and with uncertainty in what next winter will bring for snowfall, water managers are looking at starting storage. That means flow ( now 13600 cfs at Irwin, 14200 cfs at Heise 8910 cfs at Lorenzo ) in the river is certain to fall to normal soon. Normal flow for this date at Irwin is about 9000 cfs.

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South Fork, August 10th, 2021

Flow out of Palisades Dam is being gradually reduced ( now 13800 cfs at Irwin, 14300 cfs at Heise, 9740 cfs at Lorenzo) as irrigation needs wind down. Storage for next year’s irrigation season is on water manager’s minds. Normal flow for this date at Irwin is around 9800 cfs. Use tactics we suggested in our August 7th fishing report. No significant mutant golden stone appearances to date

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South Fork, August 7th, 2021

With Palisades Reservoir a bit more than half full (54%) and no real knowledge of what kind of winter is coming up, flow has been scaled back in the river below Palisades Dam ( now about 14600 cfs at Irwin, 14900 cfs at Heise,10400 cfs at Lorenzo). More reductions will come as we move away from the irrigation season. These actions have no big impact on fishing, but a few strategy changes may help success. For example, spend more time fishing seams,.ie. where channels converge or just below islands. Use such as rubber leg, super renegade or super-X patterns at these places. For sure mayflies are active and will offer good fishing for weeks to come. Terrestrial insect populations are near their peaks and trout know it. So good things are happening on the river.

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South Fork, August 3rd, 2021

Flow is down a bit to 15800 cfs at Irwin and should drop more. Streamers have been producing, moving away from big dries throughout the river. Nymphing drop-offs is good strategy. Look for hoppers and other terrestrial insect patterns to become increasingly effective

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South Fork, July 27th, 2021

No significant change in any way since our last report. Flows are about constant at higher than normal amounts to meet irrigation demands and to place a useful amount of water in downstream reservoirs. Stream-side terrestrial insects are increasing making “hopper-dropper” combos increasingly effective. Rubber leg patterns are good droppers, best hopper patterns are numerous. Proper presentation is more important than pattern selection.

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South Fork, July 24th, 2021

Flows have been nearly steady at !6300 cfs at Irwin (16500 at Heise,12200 cfs at Lorenzo). All these are a few thousand feet above normal for this time of the season. Fishing from a boat or raft is the way to enjoy the PMDs, pink alberts, sallyies and on the upper river a few remaining stone flies. With the somewhat high flows wading can be a bit treacherous. There are plenty of boating anglers, but by early evening most have gone making the river and launch sites a lot more tranquil. With terrestrial insets, especially hoppers coming on, another item will be added to make top water fishing even more rewarding. Don’t overlook hanging a rubber leg pattern from that high floating hopper pattern.

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South Fork, July 17th, 2021

Great fishing continues thanks to stone fly activity and mayfly (PMD) activity around riffles, banks and drop-offs. Any day hoppers will become numerous enough to attract trout. Flow out of Palisades Dam has experienced a few minor variations up and down recently which have not influenced fishing success. Flow is strong enough, however, to make walk-in fishing somewhat hazardous, so wade with studied care.

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South Fork, July 13th, 2021

This is the place to be for the best fishing in the area! Even though flow out of Palisades Dam (16000 cfs at Irwin, same at Heise, 9800 cfs at Lorenzo) is being increased step-wise, fishing is great. Stone flies are active along the upper river and riffles and their drop-off are producing hatching PMDs and sallys. Palisades Reservoir is 74% of capacity, and more irrigation demand for its water is coming up s we move through the summer. Boating anglers are numerous everywhere on the river, so courtesy and patience are suggested especially at launch sites. Boating is minimized by late afternoon making this time of day more tranquil

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