IDF&G stocking records indicate 42000 to 60000 rainbow releases in American Falls and Blackfoot River Reservoir respectively. Crystal Springs and McTucker pond have been stocked with hundreds of the same with supporting stockings coming up very soon. Ice fishing season is coming up. It’s already here on Henry’s Lake.
Most reservoirs established to store irrigation water are at low capacity. This includes American Falls, Chesterfield, Daniels, Island Park, Treasureton, Twenty Four Mile. Because of windy days limiting visits, we do not have a lot of fishing information for these. Fish deep or in front of inlets in any of these. Springfield Reservoir is an exception, even with low water level. Weeds are breaking up and midge fishing is good if the taking depth can be found. Slowly trolled leech and damselfly nymph and pitching small fly rod jigs also bring responses.
Water is quite low at Daniels, but fishing is good with fish responding to midge pupa under an indicator and slowly trolled leech patterns. The cooler weather predicted for the next week is just what is needed to improve fishing at such as Chesterfield and Treasureton Reservoirs and at Sand Creek Ponds.
Daniels Reservoir, even though water is low, remains a good bet for fishing. Slowly retrieved leech and streamer patterns on an intermediate line work well but, but midge patterns under an indicator seem best. Fishing on Springfield Reservoir is picking up a bit ( midge pupa also traditional nymph patterns under an indicator), but weeds remain in enough quantity to limit wet fly fishing in shallower water. Twenty-Four Mile Reservoir is filling, so give it several days for fishing to pick up using same techniques as on Daniels Reservoir. Chesterfield Reservoir also needs some cooler weather to bring water temps down to spread fish out. Want to catch a grayling? Horseshoe Lake off the Cave Falls Road is the place to do it. They are small (up to 12-13″), pretty, and not as numerous as the rainbow trout present. You will need a non-motorized boat or flotation device to get out in front of the lily pads to present soft hackle, midge and speckled dun life cycle patterns.
Daniels Reservoir currently provides the most consistent fishing. Midge pupa under an indicator and at the taking depth scores best almost anywhere. Small leech patterns presented on intermediate lines around weed beds and drop-offs get results. Paul Reservoir, weedy around it edges, offers small cutthroats responding to leech patterns where you can get past the weeds. Springfield Reservoir is quite weedy making wet fly fishing confined to channels between weed beds. Action at Sand Creek Ponds has been slow because of high water temps, but these soon will be cooling. In fact cooling water temps will result in improved fishing on all still waters.
Anywhere you go for trout in these waters, fish deep with a slow retrieve. As weather cools, look for action to pick up.
Anywhere you try, fish deep especially during mid-day. During these summer dog days that’s where the biggest fish go because cooler water means more dissolved oxygen.
Pauls Reservoir
Blanket statement: the current warm weather raises water temperatures and sends fish to deeper waters, cold flowing inlets, and spring holes everywhere.
Do you have a youngster or physically challenged person that wants to visit still water were fish are active and a minimum of physical effort is required to enjoy them in tranquility? Pauls Reservoir may answer to these questions. It is off the beaten path for sure: go north on I-15 to the Humphrey exit near the Montana border. From the exit follow old US Highway 91 to the Modoc Road. It goes underneath I-15 then about nine miles through dry country to the reservoir. With a bit of care even a sedan can pass along the road. Developed facilities are not present, nor is potable water or anyone selling food. Bring your own of these. Park at the dam and walk a few yards to begin fishing for small cutthrout trout that are usually eager to take small leech, speckled dun emerger or damselfly nymph patterns. If rises are frequent, switch to dry patterns that are in the size of the emerging duns. Light weight gear is best, waders are not needed because fish cruise the shoreline in front of weed beds. So with ability to cast about thirty feet, action is nearly guaranteed. A fifteen inch fish is a “bragging fish,” but who cares if the action is fast.
Everywhere waters are warming up and in most waters damselfly activity has peaked. Go deep with 3 and 4 type sinking lines to get black or olive leech patterns down to cool waters where the larger fish have settled. A good line choice for getting and saying deep is the new Fathom Clean Sweep Slow sinking line by Rio. At its tip is a clear intermediate front end, followed with faster sinking S4 section, then an S2 running line section.
Chesterfield Reservoir continues to offer some of the best still water fishing in the area. Try the upper end of Daniels Reservoir or the river channels entering Mackay Reservoir for other areas offering good fishing. Damsel fly life cycle patterns should be good bets on any of these.