South Fork 5/12

I just got the water report form the Bureau of Reclamation today and it has some information that needs to be passed to you our customers in regards to flows on the South Fork

Here are the key points from the Letter.

• There will be large increases on the flows of the South Fork for the week 5/11-5/13. Approximately 8,000 cfs will be released to make room in Palisades for flood control.
• Flows at Irwin were increased 1,000cfs on Monday evening, and an additional 2,000cfs on Tuesday night for a total around 9400cfs. On Wed, which is tonight the increase may be as high as 5,000cfs.

So if you are planning on fishing tomorrow the river is going to be blown out! If you are planning on fishing this weekend you will have plenty of water to fish and all of the boat ramps will be accessible except Cottonwood because the road is closed. If the flows do not increase after tonight the fishing should be back to normal in a few days. Nymphing rubberlegs and bead head nymphs will be your best bet. Streamers should fish fairly good on the lower river where the water is warmer.

Stay tuned to the fishing report and we will keep you updated on the flows of the river. We are expecting the flush next weekend but we don’t know for sure. It very well might happen on Memorial Day weekend like it has in the past. For any up to the minute advice, suggestions call the shop or email us.

By the way we got about 140% above average precipitation in April this year which has been really good to make up for the lack of snowfall this past winter. And the cold weather has held run off water int he mountains and slowed irrigation demands. What does this mean to us as fisherman? In August we should have cold water and more water in the system,which translates to healthier fish and more insect hatches! So the next time you wake up in the morning cursing the crappy cold weather, just remind yourself it’s helping the PMD hatches in the heat of August!