End of April Report

Snake River

Water temps are peaking in the low 50s on most reaches and a broad spectrum of emergences are occurring throughout the day.  Midges are popping early and in good numbers.  Capnia, skwala, and BWOs will then be out later in the day.  The sweet spot in action is occurring early from around 9:15m until 11am, then a slow spell between 11am and 2pm, before production increases again for the rest of the day.  Skwalas are out in good enough numbers that surface attractor patterns can be effective throughout the day.  The most active water to target includes banks with slow to moderate currents, troughs, the inside current margin of riffles, and side channels.  If employing nymphs, focus primarily at the top of the water column with dry-dropper rigs and dropper tippet in the 2-to-3-foot range.

The most consistent streamer action is occurring in slow waters and, as with surface patterns, gets better later in the day.  Moderately sized baitfish imitations are outperforming larger streamers.  Backwater side channels, eddies, seams, and banks are fishing best.  Go with long leaders fished on floating lines or sinking tips in the INT to 3ips range.  Slower retrieves are outperforming faster line strips.

South Park

Flows from Palisades Reservoir have been ramping up since our last report but have stabilized and currently stand at 9,000cfs.  Flows are tentatively scheduled to increase again in early May, primarily to match outflow with inflow.

Water temps remain cool, peaking at around 40 degrees on the upper reach but are hitting 43 degrees at the top of the water column on the lower reaches.  Midges and BWOS remain the primary fair on the water at the moment with a smattering of micro-caddis being observed from time to time.  Surface action can be in the cards from around 2pm until after 4pm when targeting slow water targets in backwater side channels, and in riffles.  Going below the surface with double/triple nymph rigs is the most productive strategy at the moment with consistency coming in the upper 3rd of the water column in eddies, riffle, and seams.  This action is occurring after 12pm primarily/

Streamer fishing requires some adjustment in strategies compared to the past month.  Fish your patterns on sinking tips in the 3ips to 8ips range or on full sinking INT lines and go with long and slow retrieves primarily.  Swinging your streamer and employing an upstream retrieve has been working better than other tactics, especially early in the day between 10:30am and 1pm.  Fish have been taking on the dangle and during the first few retrieves.  This is action is occurring primarily in riffles.  Downstream retrieves can be effective later in the day, especially along banks and in troughs. Both moderately sized patterns are producing best.

Henry’s Fork

Now is a good time to be on the Henry’s Fork with decent emergences of caddis most days and midges just about every day.  BWO are not necessarily waning, but they are most prominenent on days with cloud cover and perhaps precipitation.  There are now noticeably less on clear, sunny days.  Riffles, seams, and eddies are prime targets with both adult/emerger patterns and nymph rigs.  You will also see some action in the mid-afternoon and late-day hours in slow water slicks and along banks with slow to moderate currents.  It is possible to fish dry flies from 10am until dusk with at least some action each hour.