South Fork

South Fork 9/2

Flow out of Palisades Dam has remained constant at just above 10,000 cfs because of late demand for water by the agricultural community. Look for flows to drop later this month. Meanwhile, stick to the hoppers and other terrestrial patterns close to banks. We have a few reports of BWOs and mahogany duns and fish taking them along the river during our cooler weather this last weekend, so best include patterns for these in your fly box when weather like we just had during the second half of Labor Day happens. These will be important emergences later this month. See the patterns we recommend for these in the pane on the left. Also be sure to have streamers in your fly boxes if you will be on the river early or late in the day.

South Fork 8/29

The flow dropped 1500 cfs last night and this morning to 10,500 cfs. While it may slow the fishing a little it will cause the wingless golden stones to be more active which should keep the chernobyl ant patterns producing. We may start to see some blue wing olive mayflies as the weather cools as expected later this weekend. The river below Lorenzo not far above the Henry’s Fork confluence has cleared up and appears stabilized after cutting a new channel.

South Fork 8/26

Flow out of Palisades Dam has dropped to 12000 cfs. This small amount should not impact fish activity, but look for flows to continue to drop as USBurRec begins storing water for the next irrigation season. Labor Day weekend is an important one for most anglers, so if we learn of any flow change out of Palisades Dam, we will post them here. Meanwhile, stick to those terrestrial patterns tight to the banks, and don’t overlook streamer patterns in the same locations especially early or late in the day. Mutant stoneflies are out making for some AM fishing. Also do not overlook the evening caddis activity.

South Fork 8/22

Flows have not dropped at quite the rate that US Bureau of Reclamation predicted, and even if they go down a few hundred cfs at a time, don’t look for a big impact on fishing success. But count on flows to drop to around historic levels by Labor Day weekend. Meanwhile, Hoppers and other terrestrials close to banks and overhead cover brings the best results up and down the river. Don’t overlook pitching a streamer to the same places, especially during evenings.

South Fork 8/18

Flows are still about 12900 cfs out of Palisades Dam. BUT: tonight they will drop 500 cfs, and tomorrow night (8/20) another 500 cfs. Look for flows out of Palisades to drop under 10,000 cfs soon after Labor Day. Get in touch with us if you have questions on this news. Hoppers and other terrestrial insects are the way to go. Don’t overlook the idea of a trailing pattern, too. For those considering a trip on the river below Lorenzo, the river is cutting a new channel on the lower end. This is making for discolored water down to Menan, so streamers and nymphs may be the best way to go on the lower end of your trip.

South Fork 8/14

Hopper patterns are really attracting fish throughout the river, and look for this to continue for a while. But do not overlook attaching an ant or beetle pattern as a “trailer”. Present this rig as tight to grassy banks as you can get. Presentation is much more important than choice of pattern, but get in touch with us if you need recommendations. Fishing the riffles is tougher now that the PMD emergence peak has passed, but you can still find some action by closely watching riffles. Where you see fish working, stop & give it a try. Also caddis swarms are making for good evening action along the river.

South Fork 8/11

The riffles are getting tougher for action as fish there are getting very selective. This applies all up and down the river. Consider that the riffles have been “hammered” for weeks. These days the best way to find action is by pitching hoppers tight to the banks. This also applies up and down the river.

South Fork 8/8

Tight to the banks with your hopper and ant patterns! that’s as good a way as any to find success these days. We are past the PMD peak, but action can still be had on the riffles. The river above Heise seems to be fishing best for all the ways we mention here.

We had some electronic action when we asked a few days ago about knowing what a “stiffie” is. When we revealed that “stiffie” is a local term for the rocky mountain whitefish, responses ranged all the way from “eat ’em” to “love ’em”.

Incidentally that was a typo in the IFPR the on Monday, 8/4. The flow out of Palisades Dam never did spike up to 20000 cfs. It has stayed around 12900-13000 for several weeks.

South Fork 8/4

Tim Woodard is a premier South Fork guide. We picked Tim’s fishing brain for some thoughts on what brings mid summer South Fork fly-fishing success. Hoppers are beginning to produce fish on the lower river and in the canyon. Parahoppers and Rainey’s hopper seem to work well. Fish ’em & foam ants tight into the bank. Expect refusals, and realize that inches in placing these flies with a drag free drift can make a difference in whether it is taken. Riffle fishing is still good, but getting tougher as fish are getting picky. Change patterns frequently and concentrate on rising fish during daytime. Nymph (rubberlegs or beadheads) tight into the banks in the early AM and in the late afternoon when the fishing slows. Fishing tight into banks gets you trout; about a foot or so away, you get into more “stiffies” (email us if you don’t know what a “stiffie” is, but any long-time South Fork fly-fisher knows what a “stiffie” is!). Tim also suggests not overlooking the numerous small channels along the South Fork. They don’t see drift boat traffic like the main river, so get out and wade ’em.