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.
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.
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.
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
This guy deserves his share of fish whether browns, cutts, rainbows or whitefish
Big bugs are as far upstream as Cottonwood. River flow is near historical mean and near constant at 14500 cfs ( 14700 cfs at Heise, 7800 cfs at Lorenzo) with cool, clear water. So the fishing shape is ideal. Any big floating fly will do to get fish to top water,but rubber legs and big nymph patterns will still work on the upper river. Socially, it is time to be courteous and patient as so many anglers are on the river to enjoy fish responding to the big bugs.
Flow out of Palisades Dam has been steady for several days (1370 0cfs at Irwin, 14000 cfs, at Heise, 6690 cfs at Lorenzo), and water is cold and clear. Pretty much the same is happening as in our 6/21 report, but we are moving closer to the big stone fly hatch producing more significant numbers and moving up the river. A few big stone flies have been spotted on the lower river and as with all season to date rubber leg patterns work well especially now the big nymphs migrating towards banks. A few green drakes remain and caddis are present in numbers to make afternoon top water fishingOK. Nymphs and dry dropper combinations produce along drop-offs.
Yellow Sallys, green drakes, PMDs, midges and caddis dominate hatching aquatic insects available to feeding fish now. Exactly which ones fish are feeding on depends on river location. Flow throughout the river remains at near mean levels for this time of year. Warm weather should speed up what most fly fishers are waiting for: the giant stone fly event.
PMDs and green drakes are beginning to appear on the lower river. So fish their life cycle patterns there, the same for PM caddis throughout, and do not overlook presenting nymph patterns through riffles..The appearance of these mayflies is an indication that the big stone fly appearance is “imminent.” With flows being near historic averages throughout the river, this event could be one not to miss,(for now keep on presenting rubber leg patterns as the big nymphs are starting to migrate towards banks). Consider that with a relatively small number of visits currently on the river, it remains a tranquil alternative to the masses fishing the Henry’s Fork. That will change when the big stone flies appear in number. Also consider that flows will eventually increase as irrigation demands intensify.
All the irrigation company owned reservoirs in the southeast corner of the state are offering good fishing. But you had best visit one soon because our low snowfall winter and upcoming hot days mean irrigation demands for their water beginning soon.
South Fork, June 12, 2021
Still a good escape from the crowded Henry’s fork. Flow throughout is at historic mean.Dam to Byington seems to offer best fishing.For nymph fishing, move away from banks, stick to drop offs, transitions and slow water. Hang your favorite bead head nymph off such as a Chernobyl type. Try Super-X, rubber leg patterns and streamers.