Small Streams, August 27th, 2022

It is kokanee run-up season on Big Elk Creek and many folks are trying to catch them . Most are doing it using legal methods; some are not. IDF&G is present in plain clothes, so if you see any illegal methods being practiced, try to get information to pass on to them, Kokanee will not interfere with cutthroat trout responding to western green drakes emerging higher up on the creek.

Bear and Palisades Creeks in the same area are fishing well with cutthroat responding to drifting terrestrial insect traditional attractor, and caddis life cycle patterns.

The Teton River in the basin offers good fishing for those presenting caddis and PMD life cycle terrestrial insect and traditional attractor patterns. The weekend “plastic hatch” can be overwhelming during mid-day hours, but is diminished during mornings and evenings. Fishing in canyon waters is slower during daytime hours when high air temperatures predominate.

Bitch Creek upstream of State Highway 32

Consider trying Bitch Creek: it is less visited by anglers and recreational floaters are few. There is access above State Highway 32. Yellowstone cutthroat trout predominate in the clear, cool water and they go after terrestrial insect, traditional attractor, and caddis life cycle patterns .