South Fork

South Fork 11-26-2011

Tim’s advice given in the 11-15-2011 report for the South Fork still holds good. Perhaps the most comfortable fishing now is pitching streamers because  constant casting helps keep you warm.  Tim is right: wading to sweet spots is less demanding in cold weather than all the messin’ around with getting  that boat in and out of the water, being out on the river with wind, and the risk of a storm coming in and having to get off the river, collecting everything, and getting it back on the road to home.  So consider wading to those great locations while being dressed accordingly.  It’s also a good idea to check with the USFS or BLM to learn road conditions on the lesser traveled roads along the river.

South Fork 11/15

Flows have remained steady at 3,700 cfs. I don’t see this changing for awhile. Lots of wading access to the river this time of year with the low flows. Once the snow starts flying the boat ramps will out be of commission, and its probably a good idea to just leave the boat at home and wade to the sweet spots. Fish those holes and spots during the warmest part of the day for the best action. Look for fish feeding in the foam lines, back eddies, and the slow moving water in tail outs of riffles. Midges are still hatching and fish can be caught on the surface. Nymphing is really catching lots of fish and so is the streamer.  Streamer fishing will slow down as the weather continues to get colder.

South Fork 11/11

Flows have been reduced to 3,700 cfs out of the Dam. I imagine this will be the last drop we see for the winter. Fishing has been really good on the river. Lots of Midges being taken on the surface and below the surface. Fish have been keying in on the Midges in the foam lines in the shade. Rubberlegs and Zebra midges have been working as a good nymphing strategy. I have heard from a few people that in the fall all I tell people to fish with is zebra midges and rubberlegs when it comes to nymphing. Yesterday one of those customers called me while on the river and said “I understand why you always say to use rubberlegs and midges this time of year….It works!”

Streamers have also been producing nice fish. Stick with it through the day, change colors until you start to get some action. You should find better streamer success towards the end of the day vs. early in the morning.

South Fork 11/3

Flows have stayed steady at 4,000cfs. Water temps will be dropping as we continue to get this cold cold weather in the mornings. Blue Wing Olive hatches are most likely finished with but Midges will still continue to hatch. Look for fish feeding on them in the foam lines, eddies, and the calm flats.

Nymphing is probably the best action you will find for catching fish. Streamer fishing will also produce some fish as well. Optimal days are when its overcast and snowing above freezing temps when it comes to streamers. As the water temps drop slow down your presentation with streamers.

South Fork 10/31

Flows were decreased to 4,000cfs on the 26th of October. The streamer fishing is really beginning to pick up on the river. Still have some good Blue Wing Olive hatches going on but Midges have begun to take over for the predominant dry fly on the surface. Nymphing is always producing fish and in good numbers. Try fishing a Zebra Midge and a Bead Head Pheasant tail with a split shot 3 feet above the two flies. Its beginning to become that time of year when streamers and nymphing is the best techniques for getting fish. With flows dropping this low lots of wading access is available and feel free to leave your boat at home.

South Fork 10/26

Flows on the South Fork are remaining at 4,500 cfs Fishing is still holding strong on the river. Fish are rising to Blue Wing Olives and Midges. Nymphing has been successful with rubberlegs, tungsten Zebra Midges, and Blue Wing Olive nymphs. The streamer fishing has been really good as well. Streamer fishing is more effective in the mornings, evenings and on cloudy days. No brown trout spawning activity yet, if you do happen to see a Brown trout redd please avoid stepping in it. The fishing on the South Fork should remain steady as long as the weather continues to stay nice. When we get those cloudy rainy days its worth suffering through the weather to chase those big fish that seem to get active in those conditions. Look for fish in the soft water and the foam lines sipping dry flies.

South Fork 10/19

Flows on the South Fork have remained steady on the river at 4,500cfs. Fishing has really been good this month. There are good Blue Wing Olive hatches, some October Caddis and a few PMD’s still fly around. The streamer fishing has picked up as well. On the bright sunny days you will not have as much success as on the overcast day but don’t let that discourage you from going. Fish late into the evening or brave the chilly mornings. Nymphing is also really good. Any assortment of bead head nymphs and rubberlegs seem to be the ticket for catching fish below an indicator.

South Fork 10/14

Flows have dropped to 4500 cfs. The fishing is good and bugs are continuing to hatch on the river. Focus you efforts on the riffles and the slow moving water. There are fish sipping Blue Wing Olives in this type of water. October Caddis have also been hatching and the fish are eating them as well. Rubberlegs, beadhead nympyhs have also been producing fish. I would also throw streamers on the cloudy days, on sunny days throw them in the mornings and evenings. The fishing is pretty good right now and the river is not busy at all. This is a great time to fish with little crowds and goo0d fishing.

South Fork 10/11

Fall fishing is finally here! The river is fishing really well. Good emergence of Blue Wing Olives and a few eating the Chernobyl ant as well. The nymphing has been stellar as well. Rubberlegs with zebra midges, also try dropping a BWO nymph. We have lots of these bead head flies here at the shop and we are more than willing to point you in the right direction. Fish a large Parachute Adams against the bank with a small sized 18 BWO behind it. Look for the fish to be rising in the foam lines and off of the riffles.

South Fork 10/3

Flows on the South Fork have remained steady at 7,000 cfs. Bug activity is very sparse on the sunny days. If you get an overcast day or rain look for Blue Wing Olives and Mahogany Duns hatching in good numbers. There is still  mutant stones around and fish are still eating them when presented against the bank. I have been fishing droppers from my dry fly 2-3 feet. That has been an effective depth for the bead head nymph. Red and Black Zebra Midges have been the most effective patterns as well as an assortment of Mayfly nymph patterns.

The fall colors are gorgeous right now take the time to go fish the South Fork just for the scenery.