We fished Springfield Reservoir yesterday. Beautiful day, but slow fishing except when one hung a midge pupa below an indicator. The reservoir is about a foot and a half low and appears to be turning over. I don’t know whether this was really the case, but the water (53 deg. F. near the surface by mid PM) was more discolored than usual for this time of year. A few midges were flying, but no damsel nymphs visible in shallows. That’ll change!
We have had several inquiries about fishing Chesterfield Reservoir. From what we have heard fishing there is very good. But because 60,000 hatchery ‘bows (enough to make smaller waters look like the contents of a sardine can!) have been planted this fall, you will have to get through these to get to the big holdover fish. Try your favorite patterns; all seem to work. Using midge pupa patterns expect to encounter more of the planted fish. Big leeches, scuds, & streamers give you a chance for holdovers bulking up for the winter. Although water level is low, the reservoir is slowly filling which is good news for next year’s season. Springfield Reservoir also has been stocked, but not with 60,000. These fish will also take anything but not offer the best of fights. As in Chesterfield, they will become stronger through the coming months. Another good one to try is Daniels Reservoir. Use same strategy as on Chesterfield, and expect that the larger wooly bugger types and streamers give a better chance at hold over fish.
Springfield Reservoir was recently stocked with rainbows for holdover purposes. These fish range 15″ to 19″ and are easily caught. They seem to take anything that resembles a food form, so try your favorite nymph, midge pupa, or wooly bugger type pattern. Don’t expect a great fight from these fish, but those that survive the winter will be worthy opponents, mentally and physically, come springtime.
We have stories of good fishing success at Chesterfield Reservoir, but some fish caught are recent planters for next year. Others range to over twenty inches. Streamers, fly rod jigs, wooly bugger types, midge pupa patterns under indicators; all seem to work. Hawkins Reservoir continues to produce some nice fish for those presenting streamers and wooly bugger types.
Bank fishing has been so good at Chesterfield Reservoir that a boat is not needed. Fish up through trophy sizes seem to respond equally well to midge pupa under and indicator, streamers, or nymphs. Which works best depends on which stories you wish to believe. Fishing success is also holding up well on Hawkins Reservoir where streamers and wooly bugger types are bringing action.
Hawkins Reservoir, even with low water, is offering good fishing. Try mini-zonkers and small leech patterns. Mohair leeches are bringing responses in Chesterfield Reservoir. All reservoirs, including those mentioned, Twenty-Four Mile, Daniels, and Treasureton are at very low water levels. We will need good snow higher up this winter to get them back to levels that will sustain good fishing into next year.
Both Chesterfield and Twenty-Four Mile reservoirs are producing action for those presenting midge pupa patterns under an indicator. It seems best to fish Twenty-Four Mile Reservoir from the shore, muddy or not. Some large fish are being taken from both reservoirs. Another still water to consider is Hawkins Reservoir where larger fish are being caught through using small leech and nymph patterns. Hawkins has been lucky enough to have hold-over water the last few years, so the result is a good number of large fish.
Island Park Reservoir is a good choice for fishing now. Fish are taking trolled leech patterns all around the lake. Chesterfield Reservoir, low water and all, is also producing. So is Daniels Reservoir. Try suspending zebra midges under indicators. Low water and what is left of Twenty-Four Mile Reservoir also produces if you can get your floating device to the water. Try your favorite midge pupa pattern under an indicator or offer a small leech pattern. Sand Creek Ponds seem to be slow fishing for most folks, but a hard frost could make action there improve.
Although water is low, Chesterfield Reservoir continues to produce good fishing with some nice bows being taken on various leach patterns. We have reports of good fishing on Springfield Reservoir where midge pupa patterns under indicators and small leech patterns are producing. Action on Sand Creek Ponds should be picking up with the arrival of cooler weather. A good bet there would be small leech patterns or Dave Whitlock’s red fox squirrel nymph.
Fishing around Grizzly Springs and other spring holes seems to be holding up fairly well on Island Park Reservoir. Water levels in the reservoir are low, so use caution when boating to these locations. When you get there, try blood worm patterns, and experiment to find the taking depth. With cooling weather here, look for action to pick up on Sand Creek Ponds. Evening should be best when caddis emerge. Soft hackled patterns fished near the surface should be effective, but don’t over look hopper patterns presented along vegetated shorelines.