Snake River
Recent rains and cooler autumn temps have kicked September hatches into gear finally with more Hecubas and mahogany duns on the water. Claassenia stoneflies are still around as well, as are some PMDs. All reaches are fishing well on the surface with the best action coming from approximately 10:30am until after 5pm. Banks, structure, troughs, riffles, seams, confluences, and side channels are all worthy targets.
Nymphs are best fished as part of a dry-dropper rig, although double/triple rigs are producing well on the lower reaches from West Table to Alpine where eddies and ledge rock pools are prime targets. Above West Table, riffles, seams, eddies, side channels, and confluences are the targets to focus on. Dry-dropper rigs should be short – in the two to four foot range – as there is a lot happening in the top two feet of the water column.
Streamer fishing has really turned on over the past week and a half on all reaches with moderately sized patterns taking the cake over larger counterparts. Banks, structure, riffle pools, troughs, and seams separating side channels from main current channels are all producing well. Vary up your retrieves and presentation and fish your streamers on floating lines or sinking tips in the INT to 6ips range.
Dry flies – Mary Kays, Circus Peanuts, Snake River Water Walkers, Will’s Winged Chernobyl, Parachute Hares Ears, Parachute Adams, Parawulffs, Parachute Extended Body PMDs and Mahogany Duns, Copper Hazes, Booty’s Drake Emerger, Quigley Cripples, Booty’s DL PMD and Mahogany Cripple, Booty’s Mahogany Emerger, Cole’s Split Wing Cripple, Pheasant Tail Emergers, and Film Critics.
Nymphs – Pat’s Rubber Leg, Kaufmann’s Brown Stone Nymph, Duracells, Hustler CDC Lights, Flashback Pheasant Tails, Hares Ear Nymph, Copper Johns in red or copper, Lightening Bugs, Rainbow Warriors, Howell’s Shuck It, and Perdigons.
Streamers – Silvey Sculpins, Strolis’ Headbanger Sculpin, Galloup’s Flatliner, McKnight’s Home Invader, Galloup’s Mini Dungeon, Mojo Minnows, Bow River Buggers, Booty’s Tri-Bunny, Arum’s Lil’ Kim, Beldar Buggers, Chicklets, Coffey’s Sparkle Minnow, Kreelux, Woolley Buggers, and Craft Fur Clousers.
South Fork
Flows from Palisades Reservoir are receding and currently stand at just under 9,000cfs. Still some turbidity and suspended vegetation but fishing remains decent and is best on the lower reaches from Cottonwood down to Lorenzo as long as you stay focused, fish hard, and make minor adjustments to your expectations. Dry flies have been most productive with large to moderately sized attractors/stonefly imitations when fished along banks, structure, in bankside troughs, the inside turn of riffles, and along seams (particularly the head of seams. PMD and mahogany imitations are working in riffles, side channels, and eddies on days with precipitation from around noon until 3pm or 4pm.
Nymphs are working best in riffles, riffle pools, seams, and along banks and bankside troughs. Production is consistent throughout the day but best from around 10:30am until 3pm. Fish these as part of a dry dropper rig with five to seven feet of dropper tippet.
Streamers are starting to produce better and is a great way to go on the lower reaches below Cottonwood. The lower river is offering the most consistency with moderately sized baitfish imitations. Fish them on floating or hover lines and sinking tips in the INT to 3ips range. Definitely vary up your retrieves and at times give your streamers a countdown before starting your retrieve.
Dry flies – Kasey’s Creature, G’s Super Fly, Snake River Water Walkers, Barrett’s Ant, Bean’s Orange Crush, Parachute Extended Body PMDs and Mahogany Duns, Parachute Adams, Copper Hazes and Purple Hazes, Booty’s DL PMD and Mahogany Cripple, Q’s Loop Wing Cripple, and Film Critics.
Nymphs – Pat’s Rubber Leg, San Juan Worm, Duracells, Keller’s Peach Fuzz, Copper Johns in red or black, Code Redds, Egan’s Dart, Devil Jigs, Booty’s Day-2 Midge Pupa, Zebra Midges and Perdigons.
Streamers – Geisha Girls, Rustic Trombones, Galloup’s Mini Peanut Envy, Craven’s Swim Coach, Arum’s Lil’ Kim, Marabou Muddlers, Booty Call Minnows, and Galloup’s Butt Monkey.
Flat Creek
Flat Creek is going into its more challenging phase that many fly fishers seek out. Production has actually been consistent throughout the day but you will still have to be at the top of your game to get into one and hour. Midges and PMDs dominate. Callibeatis and tricos are also out in a smattering fashion. Mahogany duns have also been out in good numbers with the recent cloud cover and precipitation. The best action has been in riffles, seams, and eddies. Adult craneflies are also working well when fished along undercut banks. Nymphs imitating all of these invertebrates are producing when fished along banks, structure seams, and in riffles. Damsel and dragon fly nymphs are working well when retrieved in riffle pools and along seams and undercut banks.
Dry flies – Will’s Cranefly Perfection, Parachute Extended Body PMDs, Mahogany Duns, and Callibaetis, Snowshoe Duns, Parachute Adams, Parachute Tricos, Booty’s DL PMD and Mahogany Cripple, Film Critics, Chez’s Crystal Wing Midge Emerger, and CDC Midge Emergers.
Nymphs – Mopscicles, Fuzy Wuzzies, Booty’s Jointed Damsel, GT’s Super Flash, Lightenng Bugs, Rainbow Warriors, Copper Johns in red or olive, Pheasant Tail Nymphs, Cole’s Light Brite Serendipity, Booty’s Day-2 Midge Emerger, Brassies, Zebra Midge Emergers, and Perdigons.