South Fork
SOUTH FORK
ReportFlow in the river has decreased enough to make wading safer. Lower flows also mean trout will spread throughout the river. Now that the Labor Day weekend is over there will be fewer recreationists at launch facilities and on the river.
Terrestrial insects remain the main top-water food source, with some PMDs, mahogany duns, and pink albert mayflies adding to the mix until wind picks up. Overcast, wind-free days offer the best fly fishing success. Caddis activity increases later in the day. Dry-dropper rigs and streamer patterns also interest trout. Early in the day, mutant golden stoneflies are still around. Skitter or twitch your patterns along the surface over water no more than wading depth and get ready for hard strikes!
Water coming out of Palisades Reservoir remains clear and cold. Flow varies around 7,000 cfs at Irwin, about 7,500 cfs at Heise, and about 3,600 cfs at Lorenzo.
| Insect | Size | Activity | Prime Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Terrestrials (hoppers, ants) | #10–16 | All day; primary top-water food source | Midday, calm/overcast windows |
| PMD (Pale Morning Dun) | #18–20 | Moderate; active before wind builds | Morning to early afternoon |
| Mahogany Dun | #16–18 | Light; present until wind picks up | Morning to midday |
| Pink Albert Mayfly | #16–18 | Light; adds to dry-fly mix | Morning to midday |
| Caddis | #18–20 | Increasing through the afternoon | Late afternoon into evening |
| Mutant Golden Stonefly | #12 | Tapering; still present early | Early morning |
- EARLY MORNING (first light to 9 AM): Skitter or twitch mutant golden stonefly patterns in shallow runs before they taper off for the season.
- MID-MORNING TO MIDDAY (9 AM to noon): Best window for PMD, mahogany dun, and pink albert dry-fly action — fish before south winds build and shut down the surface bite.
- LATE AFTERNOON TO EVENING (4 PM onward): Caddis activity increases; switch to a caddis dry or dry-dropper rig, or probe deeper water with streamers.
