We just received word from Monica Zimmerman at the Idaho Falls BLM office that paving at the Palisades Dam boat launch will wrap up today and the ramp will reopen tomorrow. The Palisades Creek ramp (aka Husky’s) will then close for paving.
So what will you find once your boat or feet hit the water? Well, probably the most consistent fishing in South East Idaho thanks to cool flows and good bug hatches. We’re still seeing some Golden Stones out and about as well as Hoppers here and there keeping the big foam bugs working. Don’t forget to dangle your favorite dropper. I’ve still had the most luck with CDC collared flies like the Duracell. The PMD and Caddis fishing has been the most consistent, just make sure you have all your ducks in a row when it comes to emergers, cripples, etc. as the fish are getting educated. You’ll also catch more fish if you “get your Blue Heron on” ie be sneaky wading up to fish, casting, etc. Your first cast into a riffle will be your best chance before the fish get wise to your presence. It will be worth it if you take the time to really watch a riffle and pick the fish you want to catch and spend some time really looking around for water that other anglers might miss (heads of islands, small drop offs that hold just a fish or two, side channels that boats don’t or can’t float down etc. Anglers with an alternative mindset when it comes to areas to fish, time of day, flies to try etc. will be rewarded for their deep thoughts. As just one example, this time of year my Grandfather would “throw them a fly they’ve never seen before”, pretty amazing how often this would work.
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