South Fork
SOUTH FORK
ReportWater coming out of Palisades Reservoir (about 10% full) remains clear, cold, and will continue to drop. Flow in the river has decreased enough to offer numerous wading locations such as side channels and gravel bars, and a few locations where wading across is possible. Floating from the dam down to Conant is recommended as the safest option because of reducing daylight hours and emerging structure increasing chances for hard-sided boat damage.
Terrestrial insects are reduced because of killing frosts. Mahogany duns are active during midday but are decreasing in numbers. BWOs are most active during overcast conditions from late AM to early PM. October caddis take over topwater fishing as evening approaches but are decreasing in hatch intensity, and midges can be active throughout the day.
During low light and stormy conditions, stripped streamer patterns interest migrating brown trout. Fish those patterns around overhead cover and deep water. Flow varies around 1,500 cfs at Irwin, about 2,000 cfs at Heise, and about 700 cfs at Lorenzo.
| Insect | Size | Activity | Prime Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mahogany Dun | #14–16 | Moderate and decreasing | Midday |
| Blue-Winged Olive (BWO) | #20–22 | Moderate, best on overcast days | Late morning to early afternoon |
| October Caddis | #8–12 | Decreasing in intensity | Evening |
| Midge | #20–24 | Consistent | All day |
- LATE MORNING TO EARLY AFTERNOON: Target BWO and mahogany dun hatches with dry flies and emergers, especially under overcast skies
- EVENING: Switch to October caddis dry patterns as topwater activity picks up before dark
- LOW LIGHT & STORMY CONDITIONS (dawn, dusk, overcast): Strip streamer patterns around overhead cover and deep water for migrating brown trout
