South Fork

South Fork 5/8

Flows on the South Fork have continued to increase due to irrigation demand from Farmers. This hasn’t been effecting the fishing to much because we haven’t seen major run off water yet and the weather has been cold. So the increases have been small and it hasn’t blown out the river. Currently the river is flowing at 4700cfs, it was raised yesterday morning.

We have some updated news on the Freshet Flush that we typically see every spring when we have the water. They are going to do the flush the 3rd week in May, it will be a flush that will have increasing flows for the entire week. We have been told that if the weather stays cool the flush will be in the upper teens. I would expect around 18,000cfs at the peak. If the weather warms up and the run off come quickly expect the flows on the flush to increase over 20,000cfs. After the flush the flows will drop down to normal irrigation flows which is about 12,000 to 14,000cfs. This flush is really important for the Cutthroats because it triggers them to head up to the tributaries to spawn, also it is good for the Cottonwood trees. All of the water that is flushed will be caught in American Falls Reservoir and none of it will go to waste.

People have been finding success fishing nymphs under an indicator. No word of Caddis on the surface but I have heard of some Skwalla’s flying around the river this last week. Streamers have also been fishing well on the lower river. We just got refilled on Rubberlegs and we got a bunch of new bead head nymphs. The rubberlegs are out and ready to purchase and we should have the beadhead nymphs ready by tomorrow at the latest.

South Fork 5/3

Flows on the South Fork have been raised to  3500cfs. The water is off color but don’t let that keep you from fishing. The nymphing on the river is really good, and those rainbows are stacking up on the redds and eating egg patterns. With the chance to get a “money rainbow” fishing the redds is going to increase your chances of finding one. Streamer fishing is still kinda slow on the river right now and now major dry fly hatches to speak of. Call us at the shop for any other questions.

south fork 4-27-10

We screwed up and the road to Cottonwood is not open. It will not open until the Palisades Ranger District, which actually manages the road to Cottonwood, officially opens it for summer travel. This date varies from year to year depending on snow, weather and road condition. When the road does open the Palisades District will announce it through the media and their web site. If you have any questions you can contact them at 523-1412.

We apologize for publishing incorrect information and now have a thorough understanding of how the road is managed and by whom. When the road does open we will post it on the fishing report.

South Fork 4/23

Flows are at 2100 cfs. This is not really effecting the fishing on the river right now. The water temp is still around 38 degrees which is keeping the trout from getting very active. There is runoff water coming into the system from Rainy Creek and Fall Creek and the other tributaries. The water clarity is off color but the fish are still eating. Blue Wing Olives are hatching on the lower river and fish are up on them. Nymphing is still the best option for hooking fish on the upper South Fork. For up to the minute reports call us at the shop.

South Fork 4-20-10

We screwed up and the road to Cottonwood is not open. It will not open until the Palisades Ranger District, which actually manages the road to Cottonwood, officially opens it for summer travel. This date varies from year to year depending on snow, weather and road condition. When the road does open the Palisades District will announce it through the media and their web site. If you have any questions you can contact them at 523-1412.

We apologize for publishing incorrect information and now have a thorough understanding of how the road is managed and by whom. When the road does open we will post it on the fishing report.

We have  much news for the South Fork.  First, the USBLM opened the road to Cottonwood and Burns Creek on April 15th. All boat launch sites are open.  Flow out of Palisades Dam is up to 1450 cfs  (2060 cfs at Heise) making float fishing safer,  but walk-in wade fishing remains a great alternative.  As water moves down the river at these still low flows ( no significant runoff yet) it warms considerably.  The result is that BWOs are emerging on the lower river, so add their life cycle patterns to your fly box when targeting that part of the river, particularly in the afternoon.  Use the info Tim posted in the 4-14-10 South Fork fishing report for best success chances.   Keep those streamers and rubber legs in that fly box, too.   For the upper river and its colder water (canyon and upstream to the dam), those rubberlegs and streamers should be in your fly box, and add red or white zebra midges in smaller sizes.

South Fork 4-14

We have received a solid conformation that Blue Wing Olives have been hatching on the South Fork from Wolf Boat ramp down to Menan. Lorenzo to Menan has had fairly high numbers of BWO’s hatching. Look for them in the foam, and the back eddy’s. Fish a size 18-20 and I would suggest fishing it behind a size 16 Parachute Adams.

South Fork

We have had some customers asking about flows. Typically during this time of year we see and major change in the South Fork flows out of the dam. I talked to the Bureau of Reclamation this morning and was informed that flows on the South Fork will increase as soon as they decide to turn on the Great Feeder Canal. Due to the cold wet spring we have been having runoff is very slow and most of the moisture is remaining in the mountains. Everyone (anglers and farmers) is hoping for a delayed irrigation season due to the lack of snow we received. I was also informed me to expect flows around 2000 to 4000 cfs by the end of April. So all of this moisture and snow and cruddy weather that we have been receiving that is kinda getting annoying is actually really good for us as far as delaying the irrigation demand and keeping water in our system. This will translate to better dry fly fishing in August.

When flows increase on the river fishing will be put off for a day or two but will resume as soon as things get a little settled out. Fishing on the Upper section of the South Fork will be your best option if you are fishing on a day they increase the flows. When the water increases no dry flies will be hatching. nymphing and some streamer fishing will be the name of the game. We will keep you posted as things change.

South Fork 4-9

Fishing on the South Fork remains steady as far as catching goes. Not much has changed here but we feel the need to update the report. Mostly because people are getting out and fishing on the weekends and we want to provide you with as much info as we can.

Nymphing is your best tactic for catching fish. Rubberlegs with Zebra Midges, small bead head nymphs, San Juan worms and trout beads as a dropper. Midges have been hatching moderately, fish can be found rising to them in the afternoon hours. Streamer fishing is tough going because the water is really cold. If you see the water temp get above 40 degrees swing streamers through big holes and strip them really really slow.

If you don’t like catching whitefish and you find yourself in a whitefish hole, just move. The trout and whitefish are not mixed this time of year and the trout are not as active as the whitties. I have been hearing a lot of customers tell me that people are killing whitties by throwing them up on the bank. Jimmy’s All Seasons Anlger does not encourage this type of behavior! Whitefish have just as much right to be in the river as Cutthroat because they are native fish. Whitties are not competitive with trout, they just happen to eat the same food and are actually considered a part of the trout family.  You will be ticketed and fined if you are caught by Fish and Game doing this. I can’t imagine any of our customers would think of doing this but we have had enough coustomers come in and talk about it I felt I needed to talk about it.

Short floats are you best option, when drifting. Dam to Huskies, Irwin to Conant(this is a long day), and Wolf to Byington, are the best floats for a day of  fishing. Wading fishing is the most effective way to find fish this time of year. The river is still low and you can access most of the river by foot.

South Fork 3/29

Fishing on the South Fork has really picked up. Many people are having really good success on nymphs and dry flies. With the majority of our days reaching into the 40’s the fish are getting fairly active for a few hours during the day. The streamer activity is starting to pick up as well. Swinging streamers through big deep holes is your best option for hooking into trout. Flows are still really low and we only recommend floating 3-4 miles, that will take you a full day if you stop and fish. Wolf to Byington, Palisades Dam to Huskies, and Irwin to Conant are your best options for floating. With the river this low it is really easy to get out and wade fish the whole river is open. Call the shop for any questions.

South Fork 3-22

The South Fork is fishing well. Flows are really low and floating long floats is not recommended. Floats that you would want to do is Dam to Huskies, Wolf to Byington, and Lorenzo to Menan. These stretches are very floatable for a day trip. Floats much over 5 miles is not recommended because it takes so long to with the low flows.

Fishing is basically nymphing with rubberlegs, bead head nymphs, Zebra Midges, Glo bugs, San Juan worms, and Trout Beads. If you get into a whitefish hole just move and find another deep slow moving hole with trout holding deep. Also later in the day you will find whitefish and Trout sipping midges on the surface. No Blue Wing Olives yet, I would expect them later in April. Call the shop if you have any more questions.