South Fork

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.

South Fork, June 11th, 2022

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.

South Fork, May 31st, 2022

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.

South Fork, May 16th, 2022

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.

South Fork, May 14th, 2022

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.

South Fork, April 26th, 2022

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.

South Fork, April 15th, 2022

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.

South Fork, April 5th, 2022

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.