South Fork
SOUTH FORK
ReportThe river is beginning to make its summer to fall transition. Water coming out of Palisades Reservoir remains clear and cold. However, there is some turbidity in water just below the dam, but the river below clears quickly.
Flow in the river has decreased enough to make wading safer, and trout are spreading throughout the river. Flow varies around 6,900 cfs at Irwin, about 7,500 cfs at Heise, and about 3,600 cfs at Lorenzo.
Terrestrial insects remain the main top water food source, with the best mayfly hatches — BWOs, mahogany duns, pink alberts — during unsettled weather. Caddis hatches take over top water fishing as evening approaches.
Dry-dropper rigs drifted close to banks and other soft water are the go-to approach, and during low light conditions stripping streamer patterns also interest trout.
| Insect | Size | Activity | Prime Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Terrestrials (hoppers, ants) | #10–16 | High — primary topwater food source | Midday through afternoon |
| Blue-Winged Olive (BWO) | #20–22 | Moderate — best during unsettled weather | Midday, especially overcast/rainy periods |
| Mahogany Dun | #14–16 | Moderate — triggered by unsettled conditions | Afternoon during cloud cover |
| Pink Albert (mayfly) | #14–16 | Moderate — during unsettled weather | Afternoon |
| Caddis | #18–20 | Moderate to high — takes over as light fades | Evening |
- MIDDAY TO AFTERNOON: Drift dry-dropper rigs (terrestrial dry + nymph dropper) tight to banks and soft water seams; watch for BWO and mahogany dun activity to pick up under cloud cover, especially Wednesday and Thursday.
- EVENING: Switch to caddis dries as light fades and caddis hatches take over the top water; Corn-fed Caddis CDC Tan #20 is the go-to.
- LOW LIGHT (DAWN & DUSK): Strip sculpin and streamer patterns through soft water and along banks when trout are most aggressive to baitfish presentations.
