Thank you for reading this week’s fishing report for the South Fork of the Snake. The flow out of Palisades Reservoir increased from 19,000 cfs to 20,000 cfs as the Bureau of Reclamation continues to balance the remaining room in the reservoir with the increase in runoff from the Snake River and other tributaries. **Update: As of 8:00 PM Thursday flows were increased to 21,000 cfs** Looking at the inflow from the Snake River alone it peaked this week near 27,000 cfs. Palisades Reservoir is currently 84% of capacity.
Fishing this week remained a game of nymphing. It’s certainly possible to catch some fish on a well-placed streamer but our guides have been focusing on nymphing. Similar to past weeks the best set up is stonefly nymph with a San Juan worm trailer. A piece of heavy split shot (or two) will help you get down where the fish are. The real key to success is finding slow water and riffles where the fish are hiding. When conditions are like this there’s no reason to “pound the banks” just try to hop from spot to spot and find slower moving water. Areas with lots of riffles and side channels have produced the most fish.
The weather is looking fantastic this weekend and while the South Fork isn’t fishing like we like to see it (yet) it might just beat fighting the crowds on the Henry’s Fork. Just a thought!
Do use caution if you’re headed out. While we’ve had numerous boats out on the water all week and plenty of people are navigating the river safely, an extra level of attention and skill are required with higher flows and cold water.
Also, don’t forget, all tributaries into the South Fork of the Snake are CLOSED TO FISHING from June1-June 30th!!!!!!!! Let the cutty’s spawn.
Tribs into Palisades Reservoir are open to fishing, catch and release of cutthroat trout and kokanee salmon is required.
If you have questions, need a shuttle, flies, licenses or an up to the minute fishing report we are just a phone call away at 208.483.2222 or come into the shop.