South Fork

South Fork 6-16-15

Flow out of Palisades Dam is dropping again, but in a slow manner that should not impact fishing. Reason for reduction is the drop in flow from tributaries to the reservoir and into the river above while Palisades Reservoir is at 100% of capacity. Keeping this capacity is needed for the continuing irrigation season.  Reduced flows is a good thing for fly-fishing in the near future. Having lower flows will help bring on aquatic insect activity. Every fly-fisher wants to see those PMDs, few green drakes, and stoneflies that bring trout up to feed on the surface! For now, continue presenting your favorite streamer, stonefly nymph, and rubber leg patterns. As soon as we learn that hatches are coming on and significant, we will post info on them here.

South Fork 6-12-15

First off, the South Fork has been raised over 6000 Cfs at Irwin and same at Heise in the last four days. Thus, meaning that the gravel bars that were sitting out, will now be a riffle in most spots. The fish should now be sitting in more traditional riffles and in the side channels better then before. I would also not be afraid to fish the troughs and mid river riffles too. Additionally, I would also fish the banks with streamers as much as I could. Lastly, the dry flies have not appeared yet, and I would still wait another week or so to really start looking for big bugs on the lower South Fork. The flies that I would take with me on a trip to the South Fork would be a Bennet’s Seal Brown Rubber Leg size 6 and 8, Pearl Lightning Bug size 14, Psycho Prince Yellow size 14 for nymphs. Streamers would be Krafts Kreelex Minnow copper/gold size 6, Sculpin Sparkle Minnow size 4, and a Gallops Yellow Dungeon size 2. Just to be on the safe side I would take some Pmds such as CFO Morning Dun Spinner size 18, Harrop’s Eye CDC Para Dun Spinner size 18.

South Fork 6-9-15

Flow out of Palisades Dam was bumped up to 10500 cfs early this AM. Right now, mid afternoon, it is up to 11600 cfs. Water temperature there is 49 deg. F. It is 53 in the same degrees at Lorenzo. This warming is one reason why we are seeing golden stonefly nymphs along the lower river.  Might mean adults will fly soon. For now keep trying those rubber leg, yuck bug, golden stone nymph patterns, and your favorite streamers. But with the river warming start looking for PMDs emerging on the lower river.  Looks like dry fly fishing is not far away here, and we will post when it begins to be worthwhile.

South Fork 6-5-15

Nothing new to report here. Same flow rate out of Palisades Dam (10100 cfs) and on to Heise (10600cfs). River is slightly warmer in this section, but the strategies we gave in recent reports still apply. Maybe, just maybe, cloudy PMs could offer more fish interested in BWO activity.  Given all this, the flow out of Palisades Dam will eventually be raised to 12000-13000 cfs making for some changes. We will watch flows, then report when this takes place and its impact on fishing.

South Fork 5-30-15

Flow out of Palisades Dam remains just over 10000 cfs, but is sure to be increased soon. We’ll keep you posted  when it happens. For now continue using the techniques we recommended: Clousers and stonefly nymphs, rubber legs, your favorite BWO nymph, and midge pupa patterns. Try trailing one of these behind your rubber legs pattern.

South Fork 5-26-15

Flow out of Palisades Dam was dropped from 13000 cfs to 10000 cfs yesterday. Streamer, big nymphs (Golden stone nymph patterns), and rubber leg patterns continue to produce best as larger fish are staying close to bottom where scoured food forms are drifting. Try midge pupa and your favorite BWO nymph patterns because river is beginning to warm. A few fish are taking BWO duns on the surface.

There was a  boat accident near Conant that proved fatal  this weekend. Please be careful not only when boating, but also while wading this powerful river.

South Fork 5-22-15

Flow out of Palisades Dam was reduced to 12900 cfs early today. Water temp throughout the the river to Menan is in the mid forties in deg. F.  Fishing remains good partly because all recent flow reductions have been relatively small and water temp is climbing. Try rubberlegs, golden stone nymph patterns, olive or chartreuse clousers, sculpzillas.   For smaller patterns try BWO nymph and midge pupa patterns.

South Fork 5-19-15

BuRec is decreasing the flow out of Palisades Dam.  Look for flow there to be around 13000 cfs soon. BWOs are out in huge numbers, but not many fish responding to them.  Here’s why: flush has scoured nymphs and aquatic worms out of stream bed so that many are drifting. Fish do not have to rise to feed.  They sit deep and pick off drifting bugs and worms. So present your rubber legs and San Juan worm patterns deep, and you will get results.

South Fork 5-12-15

As we reported last Saturday, the flow out of Palisades Dam is ramping up.  Current flow out of dam is  just over 15200 cfs on its way up to 19000 cfs later this week.   For the next week, you may as well go to the Henry’s Fork and look for fish taking earlier than usual big stonefly adult patterns!

South Fork 5-9-15

Here are details about the upcoming flush out of Palisades Dam. Beginning Monday, May 11th, flow out of the dam goes up gradually to 19000 cfs by Friday, May 15th.   Three days later flow will begin ramping down to 13000 cfs. So expect cold, fast water in the South Fork for several days beginning Monday. This is an effort to flush out developing rainbow trout eggs and fry to the benefit of native cutthroat that historically spawn later. Thinking of giving the South Fork a try with streamer and rubberleg patterns? Best do so this weekend!