The cool and wet weather continues this week and looks to continue into next week as well. The window of opportunity looks to be Sunday for the fair-weather crowd with the forecast showing sunshine and a high of 72 for Swan Valley. That will be amazing since there’s been more rain and snow than sunshine around here. The moisture is welcome though!
Flows out of Palisades Reservoir are up this week from 4,500 cfs to 7,500 cfs currently. This is good news as it opens up more water to fish I think we’ll see the fish moving into their more typical holding areas.
Anglers region-wide are awaiting warmer temperatures to get the fish and bugs moving. Dr. Rob Van Kirk from the Henry’s Fork Foundation said that hatches there are 3-6 days behind schedule compared to the average. A friend of mine who fishes Henry’s Lake said the same that at this time last year the water was warmer and fish were cruising the shoreline but, this year the water is still too cold. While the South Fork doesn’t see prolific hatches until late June the cold water still slows the fish’s metabolism and makes them less eager to feed. What does this mean if you’re fishing the South Fork this weekend? If you’re fishing Friday or Saturday and the sun doesn’t come out in earnest continue the spring and winter strategies of focusing your efforts on deep/slow water where the fish won’t have to work so hard. The sun and warmer temperatures on Sunday will hopefully kick the fish into a higher gear and we should see more fish “waking up”. The South Fork will remain a nymph and streamer fishery for another month or more depending on the weather.
Speaking of flies our fly shop in Swan Valley is having a big fly sale with many great patterns priced at just $.99. Come get them while they last or call the shop and we’ll ship you some. 208.483.2727
Thank you for reading this week’s report and best of luck if you’re fishing this weekend.
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