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South Fork of the Snake River Fishing Report 7/16/20

south fork brown trout fly fishing

Happy Thursday everyone.  Let’s dive right into this weekend’s fishing report.

River Flow: Palisades reservoir is 96% full and beautiful right now.  Outflow has been stable the last few days at 12,300 cfs.

Weather: Summer weather with highs in the 90’s this weekend.  These are the days we dream of all winter long.  Clear, cold water, dry flies, and trout.  Does it get any better?  Pack your sunblock, sandals, and cooler.

Fishing and Flies: As suspected with the warm weather the Salmon Fly hatched moved upriver quickly and is winding down on the banks closest to the dam.  Fishing has been a bit spotty with the “big bug” with the best success on dry flies coming late in the evening.

  • Dry Flies – The focus is quickly shifting from Salmon Flies to their smaller cousin the Golden Stone which are still numerous.  We are also seeing great riffle fishing with PMD’s and Sallies.  I would recommend having a rod set up for banks with a Golden Stone and a dropper and then have a smaller rod set up with a Sally trailed by a PMD or PMD emerger.  If you’re getting refusals, come by the fly shop, we’ve got all trickiest PMD emergers.  It’s also worth mentioning that we are getting some good caddis hatched in the evening hours if you’re lucky enough to be on the water that late.
  • Nymphs – During the brightest parts of the day nymphing may be the best option.  I’ve been preferring to fish two small nymphs to imitate the Sallies and PMD’s but you can still be successful fishing small Rubberlegs to imitate the Golden Stones.

Come visit us at the shop or call if you need anything 208.483.2222.  Please remember with visitors coming from all over the country, state, and county this weekend physical distancing, masks, and washing hands are more important than ever. We are all in this together!