Still Water

Still Waters 8-15-2011

Almost across the board speckled duns are beginning to emerge and take over as the best reason for dry fly fishing.  Dry adult damselfly patterns are also great at bringing fish to the surface.  Without wind great fishing can be had the entire day. In fact, with such still waters as Springfield, Treasureton,  Harriman Fish Pond, Hawkins, prime locations on Chesterfield and Twenty-Four Mile weeding up, dry fly fishing is the most practical way to present.  Everywhere consider using as stout a leader (at least 3X) as practical because those big fish will head down into the weeds attempting to escape. The only way you will get them out is to have a leader that can withstand your efforts on one end and that big one’s efforts on the other.

Still Waters 8-8-2011

Daniels and Twenty-Four Mile reservoirs seem to have the most consistent action with damselfly, midge, and speckled dun life cycle patterns bringing the most action.  Evenings and early AMs are best times as is typical for the time of year. With respect to Chesterfield Reservoir, fishing success depends on who you talk to.   Some of the shallow water there is weeding up as is the case with Springfield and Treasureton reservoirs.  If weeds make wet fly presentation tough, look for rises to dry damsel and speckled dun patterns.  Some of us visited the upper end of Mackay Reservoir and had a great time catching ‘bows, cutts and brookies to medium sizes.

Still Waters 8-05-2011

Damselfly nymphs and adult (dry) patterns seem to bring the most consistent action on just about all of these.  We fished Sand Creek Ponds a couple of days ago. The best fishing was during the rain on Tuesday, 8/2.  See a fish rise, cast a damselfly nymph to it, and you would have a take.  Fishing slacked  bit the next day, but was good enough to keep us on the water until evening. Even caught a few on dry damsel patterns. We saw a few speckled duns, but no gulpers to speak of. When they begin on this and any reservoir fishing will be very interesting.

Still Waters 8-01-2011

Right now Sand Creek Ponds offer the most consistent fishing with damselfly nymph patterns the best way to find action. Expect speckled duns to take over soon as the best way to encounter fish.  Action on Springfield Reservoir is finally picking up, but weeds are growing into mats in many places.  So try dry damselfly patterns, especially if you see rises.

Still Water 7-27-2011

If you have not heard we have a new state record for rainbow trout.  This fish from American Falls Reservoir Tuesday, 7/26, weighed just under 35 pounds and was taken on a jig in about fifteen feet of water.  It was just over 41 inches in length. The weight of this fish is nearly double that of the previous state record and begs the question of how many fish in the reservoir weigh between the old and new record.  Certainly there are even larger rainbows than the new record in the reservoir.  Other than that, damselfly life cycle patterns are working everywhere in still waters, and speckled duns are beginning to show up. Particularly good fishing can be had at Sand Creek Ponds during afternoon hours.  Again damselfly life cycle patterns with speckled duns are beginning to show there.

Still Waters 7-21-2011

Some of the best still water fishing in the region opened up on July 15th. You can now fish from a boat or float tube on Sand Creek ponds, and fishing has been excellent.  Damselflies are emerging in big numbers and speckled duns are appearing.  Paul Reservoir is another still water off the beaten path that is fishing well. Exit the Humphrey Exit off Interstate 15 above Spencer. Coming fromthe south, go left back underneath Interstate-15, take a right, and follow the gravel road to the west about twelve miles.  The reservoir is a gentle place to fish, great for families. Eager cutthroat ranging to 15-16 will be taking damselfly nymphs, speckled duns, and small leech patterns. There are other still waters that are lesser known that we could suggest to you for a get-away. Get in touch or come in and discuss these possibilities with us.

Still Waters 7-18-2011

Currently damselfly nymphs are the best way to fish everywhere these days. Pick any reservoir, and that is what’s working.  Keep an eye open for takes on the surface as some adult damsels deposit eggs there and others dive to the bottom to do so. Rises to those on the surface or to those returning to it make for fun fishing with adult patterns. Sand Creek Ponds opened to fishing from boats without motors on July 15th. Damselflies are emerging in big numbers there, but we hear that some speckled duns are beginning to show there just as from such as Chesterfield, Twenty-Four Mile, Daniels and other reservoirs.  With respect to warm water species, its been a slow and strange season so far.

Still Waters 7-14-2011

Here’s a blanket statement: Damselfly emergences are going on everywhere. If you want action on any of our still waters,  you should have patterns for them. Fish ’em in shallower waters and at depth around submerged vegetation. If you see rises, try dry damsel adults.   Also best to have a few speckled dun life cycle patterns near by, they are beginning to show on many waters.

Still Waters 7-11-2011

Damselfly emergences are bringing action everywhere, but a few speckled duns are making an appearance.  Damsel adults are on the water in good numbers, too.  All this means a chance for top water fishing on all still waters.  So be sure to have a floating line and long leaders in your gear.

Still Waters 7-8-2011

All our southeast corner reservoirs  (Chesterfield, Daniels, Hawkins, Springfield, Treasureton, and Twenty-Four Mile) are worth fishing for big trout now. Damselfly nymphs are the way to get into the best action. Fish will be hanging close to the bottom to stay in cooler water now that warm weather is here for sure, so a line that gets you down to them is the way to go unless you do some midging or just plain drifting damselfly nymphs, all on a floating line.

A word of caution for the benefit of releasing fish to live another day.  Water temps near the surface are warm, in many of these reservoirs around 70 Degrees F.  That means the longer fish are played close to the surface, the tougher it is on them because the dissolved oxygen levels are lower than their comfort level.  So if we play them quickly, and spend time to revive them their survival chances go up. It may take a while to revive them near the surface, especially the bigger ones, but it sure is worth it when the reason for our visit is to encounter them.