Still Water

Still Waters 5-25-13

Best days are ahead on almost all still waters, but try them before irrigation demands set in. Both Chesterfield and Daniels reservoirs are several feet low. This is not the best situation for going into the irrigation season. Twenty-Four Mile, Springfield, and Hawkins reservoirs appear to have full pools, so these should remain in good shape well into the irrigation season.   For now try midge life cycle and damselfly nymph patterns on all these. When fishing on these reservoirs picks up, we will report such here.

Still Waters 5-21-13

Not much change in activity since our last report. Midge life cycle and damselfly nymph patterns are producing on Chesterfield, Daniels, Hawkins and Twenty-four Mile reservoirs.  Try the upper end of Daniels or around the point just west of the boat dock on Chesterfield.  Better days are ahead, especially when damselfly nymphs become active big time.

Still Waters 5-14-13

Water in Chesterfield, Daniels, Hawkins and Springfield reservoirs is clear. Being clear suggests that turnover is completed.  Early season fish will really key on chironomid pupa, leeches, and early hatches of callibaetis nymphs. Flies like mohair leeches (Olive, Black, Burgandy) in a size 6, Lt. Olive Crystals, Rickards stillwater nymph, and the brown/black crystal buggers would all be great flies to be fishing right now. For the indicator rig I would be throwing the bigger (size 10-12) chironomids of the flashier variety. We also have some really cool new 1/80 oz black jig flies that would be great to imitate everything from a leech to a snail. Fishing those darker colored leeches on a type 2 full sinking line or an intermediate line is a great way to cover water and find active fish. Once active fish are located, you can continue to fish the leech or drop and indicator rig and get after them that way. Since most of these lakes are lacking any significant amount of weed growth right now, look for shoals or sharp breaks in the lake bottom where fish can cruise searching for food. A fish finder really helps locating breaks in the lake bottom, but shallow breaks can be seen just by looking at the water for a color change. Consistent weather will provide the best fishing right now, this time of year we have a lot of fronts moving in and out of the area that can mess up the fishing for a day or two.

We have a lot of new lake flies in the shop this year, some of them are flies we have never carried. Come down to the shop or call us with any questions you might have on the stillwater fishing in the area!

Still Waters 4/27/13

Ice is off  the irrigation reservoirs in the southeast corner of the region.  Information coming in this time of year is scanty as usual, but we have reports of action at Hawkins, Treasureton, and Daniels reservoirs where small wooly bugger types are working on all three from what we are told.  Chesterfield Reservoir appears to be in the last stages of turning over, so better days fishing it are ahead.  We will keep on top of conditions on these reservoirs because of their popularity and because they will be important destinations when run-off  and increased irrigation flows impact our streams.  A carp fishing tournament is in the planning stages for mid May on Blackfoot  River Reservoir.  When we have more information on this event, we will post it here and in the shop.

Still Waters 11-20-12

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.

Still Water 11-3-12

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.