South Fork

South Fork, September 23rd, 2023

Fall Colors at Clark Hill

Flow out Palisades Dam has dropped enough to notice (about 5700 cfs at Irwin, 6500 cfs at Heise, and 3000 cfs at Lorenzo) and can drop further as irrigation season winds down and water storage season begins. These flow levels make for more walk-in wade locations (On request, we at the shop can help locate the best of these ) and means drift boats will leave more gel coat streaks on the river bottom. With cooling weather and fewer daylight hours coming on, the opposite ends of the fly fishing spectrum ( BWOs and midge life cycle patterns then over to streamer patterns and big woolly bugger variations) will offer the best ways to fishing success. In between these ends terrestrial insects will be diminishing and the same for most stone fly species because of killing frosts and less daylight. Fall colors will offer another reason for fishing the river for days to come. Thus the South Fork offers more than great fishing if you enjoy its natural beauty peak this time of the season.

South Fork, September 19th, 2023

South Fork Along the River Road

No significant changes in flow or water quality have taken place. Palisades Reservoir is about 60% of capacity, so irrigation water outlook for next year looks good. Unsettled weather coming up can only improve fly fishing whether it is top water ( mahoganies and BWO) or pitching streamers but slow terrestrial insect action. Such weather will also intensify fall colors which this year will peak a bit later because of the abundant ground water resulting from last winter’s great snowfall.

South Fork, September,16th, 2023

Low flow gives more walk-in wade opportunities

Look for unsettled weather predicted for next week to increase BWO and mahogany dun activity as well as streamer fishing success. Terrestrial insect patterns remain effective throughout the day, and afternoon caddis activity remains reliable. With normal late summer flow of cool, clear water ongoing without major changes, walk-in wading locations ( boat traffic is down) are numerous along the entire river. We at the shop can suggest which walk-in wading locations have been most productive for fishing success because so much of our customer traffic targets the South Fork.

South Fork, September 12th, 2023

No significant change in water conditions or fishing recommendations since our last report. However, if you want a top water fly fishing challenge the Warm Springs Pond on the river road above Heise is the place to try. A high water river channel, now dry because of reduced flows out of the Palisades Dam, feeds into the pond earlier in the season. That channel enters what use to be a small impoundment above the pond. It, too, is now only spring-fed and holds a few trout. Very large, but finicky brown and cutthroat inhabit the spring pond and feed on scuds, shrimp, and any emerging mayflies. A stealthy approach, long leaders, minimal wading, and precise casting are in order here for fishing success. Early in the day or evening visits are best times for fishing success.

South Fork, September 9th, 2023

Flows are beginning to drop enough to make the river a walk-in wade paradise (about 7300 cfs at Irwin, 7500 cfs at Heise, 3200 cfs at Lorenzo). Hopper-dropper combinations still work well along areas of overhead cover and vegetated banks up and down river. The the fall emergence of BWOs and mahogany duns is on the way and will peak during unsettled weather. Fall colors are also beginning, and their presence will make the river and its surroundings a beautiful place to visit.

South Fork, September 5th, 2023

No significant change has happened with respect to flow out of Palisades Dam, and the reservoir above is about two-thirds full. That means plenty of water to finish irrigation season demands as well as a good start in storing water for next year. The recent unsettled weather will help bring on a denser BWO hatch and begin a significant appearance of mahogany duns. Hopper-dropper combinations will be a great alternative for top water fishing in the weeks to come and streamer patterns will become increasingly effective as we move into autumn..

South Fork, September 2nd, 2023

Just Above Twin Bridges Area

Up to this weekend hopper patterns with and without a dropper pretty much ruled the effective game. With a stormy weekend being in the forecast, streamer patterns could take over because of relatively dormant hoppers and such unless we have some wind. Flow is not an issue as it remains within the summertime range (currently 8500 cfs at Irwin, 8700 cfs at Heise and 3800 cfs at Lorenzo).

South Fork, August 29th, 2023

Minor ups and downs in flow continue but with no major impact on fishing. We hear that the lower river seems to offer better fishing success than the river above. Hopper dropper combinations rule the roost with respect to good fishing results anywhere on the river. When overcast days arrive, be sure you have streamer patterns in that fly box.

South Fork, August 26th, 2023

The relatively small fluctuations we are currently seeing in flow out of Palisades Dam have no big impact on fishing success. The density of thunder showers and rain storms have impacts that outweigh these. Here is why: During and right after these events relative humidity rises making aquatic insect hatches denser. Right after these storms clear up and downdraft winds decrease is also a good time to try patterns such as San Juan worm and woolly bugger types because increased flows free up annelids into the river.

South Fork, August 22nd, 2023

The recent minor ups and downs of flow out of Palisades Dam should have little impact on fishing success up and down the river. With some continuing rain and cloudy skies perhaps having a few patterns (i.e. san juan worm variants, balanced leeches, etc ) in that fly box is a good option because wetter banks mean more worms (annelids) are washed into the river. The cloudy, cool weather is also ideal for denser mayfly activity which will enhance riffle fishing success during day time hours. Increased overhead cover from the current weather pattern also makes responses to streamer patterns more likely.