Thanks as always for checking in on this week’s fishing report from The Lodge at Palisades Creek.
River Conditions
Flows on the South Fork have dropped from 13,200 cfs to roughly 11,700 cfs this week. Palisades Reservoir currently sits at about 25% capacity. The drop opens up a lot more opportunity for wade fishing and makes working the banks considerably easier.
Water temperatures are still holding below 70 degrees. You can check them in real time on the Henry’s Fork Foundation river conditions site, which has water quality data for the upper South Fork as well as the canyon. Temps are climbing, but they haven’t reached the danger zone for trout. Still, it’s worth keeping an eye on — if fishing slows down on a hot, sunny afternoon, water temperature probably has a lot to do with it.
The Word From Our Guides
The fish are getting picky and well educated, and they’re especially reluctant to eat a dry fly on hot, bright, sunny days. Savvy anglers are fishing the early morning and late evening hours. That said, we’re still seeing PMDs during the day, and if you like technical riffle fishing, this is your time of year.
Tactics: Think Outside the Box
A hopper-dropper has been good — or a hopper-dropper-dropper, as some of our guides prefer this time of year. The fish are eating smaller emergers and cripples, and you can catch them if you’re patient and bring well-placed casts, drag-free drifts, and maybe a few tricky patterns in your box.
Streamers early in the morning or late in the evening — even into the night — are worth a shot. We’re also still seeing good caddis and spinner falls in the evenings. The river really comes alive in the dusk hours, and fish will keep rising well into the darkness, especially with the nearly full moon.
At the Fly Shop & Lodge
Swing by our Palisades or Swan Valley fly shops for tips, gear, and the most up-to-date patterns. Brody at the fly shop has some trick bead heads that make great droppers underneath a hopper.
Looking to book a last-minute trip, or planning a fall trip? Give us a call at the lodge: 208-483-2222.
We’ll see you on the water.