Flow out of Palisades has been stable for several days at 11800 cfs (12600 cfs at Heise). That’s just about the normal for this time of year. River is not yet very clear. Might be from tributary run-off. Rubber Legs, San Juan Worm, and streamer patterns still working best. BWOs are out, and some fish are on them.
Flow out of Palisades Dam was cut to 11800 cfs ( now 13000 cfs at Heise) yesterday to meet flood control protocol. It’s also a good flow for bringing on fly-fishing success. All that’s needed now is for water to warm up a bit to bring on more aquatic insect activity. So for now continue presenting big rubber leg, small bead head nymph around riffles, and streamer patterns.
Flow out of Palisades Reservoir is dropping ( currently 13700 cfs at Irwin, 14100 cfs at Heise) ) to almost summer levels. Water is quite cold, so hatches are pretty much limited to midges. Best chances for action comes through presenting streamers, egg patterns, and big rubberleg bugs. No where near as many anglers are here as on the Henry’s Fork from Ashton Dam to Chester ( Want to really see crowds there? Wait’ll the stoneflies kick in!). So you have a better chance of tranquility by trying the South Fork these days.
Flow out of Palisades Dam was dropped from just under 18000 cfs to 14900 cfs yesterday. Palisades Reservoir is about 60 % full, and the run-off peak is yet to come. So the South Fork will be high and wild for weeks to come. If you plan on fishing it, go heavy on those weighted nymphs and streamers.
South Fork Electrofishing Schedule |
|
Dates |
Section of River |
| Tuesday, April 23 | Lufkin bottom to Dry Canyon |
| Wednesday, April 24 | Hwy 26 bridge to Indian Creek |
| Thursday, April 25 | Palisades Creek to Sheep Creek |
| Tuesday, April 30 | Hwy 26 bridge to Indian Creek |
| Wednesday, May 1 | Palisades Creek to Sheep Creek |
| Thursday, May 2 | Lufkin bottom to Dry Canyon |
| Tuesday, May 7 | Hwy 26 bridge to Indian Creek |
| Wednesday, May 8 | Palisades Creek to Sheep Creek |
| Thursday, May 9 | Lufkin bottom to Dry Canyon |
| Tuesday, May 14 | Hwy 26 bridge to Indian Creek |
| Wednesday, May 15 | Palisades Creek to Sheep Creek |
| Thursday, May 16 | Lufkin bottom to Dry Canyon |
| Tuesday, May 21 | Hwy 26 bridge to Indian Creek |
| Wednesday, May 22 | Palisades Creek to Sheep Creek |
| Thursday, May 23 | Lufkin bottom to Dry Canyon |
* All dates are subject to change due to weather and other factors. For the most current updates please visit the Upper Snake page on the Idaho Department of Fish and Game website or the Upper Snake Region Facebook page.
Flow out of Palisades Dam increased to a bit over 14700 cfs yesterday. With the reservoir at 73% of capacity and real run-off yet to come, more increases are sure to arrive.
BWOs are out along the lower river, and fish are just beginning to key on them. The unsettled weather predicted to come for the next several days could see more fish keying on them during afternoon hours. Stonefly nymph imitations and rubber leg patterns drifted along the stream bed are producing quite well, and streamer patterns continue to provide action especially during low light conditions.
Flow out of Palisades Dam has been pegged at around 7800 cfs for about a week. Pailsades Reservoir is about three-quarters full (one quarter empty if you come in through the back door). So with all the snow melt yet to come down, flow increases out of the reservoir are sure to return so the run-off can be contained.
Yesterday morning flow out of Palisades Dam was raised from 3410 cfs to 4720 cfs. This continues lowering the amount of water in the reservoir which is now at 83% of capacity. Look for more increases “coming down the pipe”, but the river flowing clear and cold while running through the Snake River Plain offers some fishing success. Try rubber legs and streamer patterns. We are in a period of nice days. Banks along the river are free of ice and snow as seen in the picture above. So the South Fork offers a chance to get out and enjoy the nice weather.
Flow out of Palisades Dam was raised from 2400 cfs to 3410 cfs yesterday. Look for more flow increases as we move toward springtime and more melting snow pack.