South Fork

South Fork 9-20-16

Late in the day of September 13th flow out of Palisades dam was reduced to 5400 cfs. With the reservoir currently at 8% of usable capacity, more flow reductions are a given.  The current flow and promise of more reductions to come is great news for the wading angler as more of the river becomes safer for walk-in wade fishing.  That’s particularly true for the near future as a storm is forecast for the rest of this week meaning that prime time for enjoying the BWO and mahogany dun emergences is coming up. When moving from riffle to riffle, try fishing hoppers with a rubberleg and small beadhead dropper fished over gravel and to the banks. Streamer fishing has been improving with good success being reported on sparkle minnows and kreelex minnows. Nymphing has been productive as usual with small rubberlegs and bwo or pmd nymphs being the golden ticket. If you find yourself in a riffle with picky fish, try fishing a swung soft hackle to entice picky fish.

South Fork 9-17-16

Flow out of Palisades Dam was reduced to about 7500 cfs Wednesday. That action took place in the midst of trout responding very well to BWOs and mahogany duns. Some unsettled weather appears to be coming into the area next week, so look for a repeat of fish working these two emergences. Also because Palisades Reservoir is down to 10% of capacity, look for further flow reductions coming up soon.

South Fork 9-13-16

The cloudy and stormy weather predicted for much of this week is bringing on BWO and mahogany dun activity on the river. Look for afternoons to offer the best chance for action, and don’t overlook pitching a streamer when cloudy or stormy conditions prevail.

South Fork 9-10-16

Since our last South Fork fishing report (9-6-16) flow out of Palisades Dam has been dropped about 2000 cfs. It now stands at about 7300 cfs which is about normal for this time of year. Allow a day or two and fish will adjust to this significant flow drop and respond to mutant stoneflies with full interest, will do the same to hopper patterns, and provide good riffle fishing. There has been a repeat of the 2012 whitefish kill on the river. Whether the cause is the same as the recent one on the Yellowstone River is yet to be determined.

South Fork 9-6-16

The stormy day we had on Sunday produced a BWO emergence in the canyon and below. So  it looks like the BWO and Mahogany dun activity is getting a start. Riffle fishing seems to be slowing, but with these events it can pick up.  Currently presenting soft hackled patterns in the riffles may bring a better chance for action.

The flow out of Palisades Dam has been consistent (about 9500 cfs) for several days, Consider, however that the thermal effect of water coming out of the dam during draw-down times, like now, diminishes by the time flow reaches Heise. This means the river can be cooler in its lower portion which can impact the density of aquatic insect hatches.

South Fork 8-13-16

Fishing is holding up very up & down the river.   Near constant inflow from the reservoir and good water temps are the reasons.  A good general strategy is to begin early in the day with mutant golden stone patterns, then with the advancing morning switch to a double nymph rig under an indicator. The top fly should be a rubber leg pattern and the bottom a small bead head nymph of choice. As the afternoon hours proceed, concentrate efforts in riffles with PMD and pink albert emerger and dun patterns. As evening rolls around, switch to caddis life cycle patterns. As evening advances, consider presenting streamer patterns around overhead cover and around areas out of direct sunlight.

South Fork 7-30-16

The river is about as stable as it can get with flows out of Palisades Dam at 12500 cfs for over a week. Riffle fishing has been good. Try pink albert life cycle patterns with thorax dun, cripples, and emergers being the best candidates. Switch from one to the other  to see which suits fish best in any riffle. Nocturnal golden stones have yet to make a significant appearance.  Ant and beetle patterns work well along well vegetated banks and hoppers are coming on. Try any big floating pattern with an ant dropper and watch cutts take that ant. Also two-nymph rigs presented over drop-offs will produce.

The US Highway 26 seal coating project is not as big a delay as first thought for those folks heading to Conant and Swan Valleys and above. Sections of the highway have reduced speed limits and waits required by flagger orders are usually around 15-20 minutes if at all.