Blog

Box Canyon: Fishing in the Box has been OK since the opener on May 23rd. At 1350 cfs the flow is above average for this time of year but the water is clear and very fishable. There have been a few salmon flies spotted down below the confluence with the Buffalo but not enough of them to get the fish looking up yet. Fishermen have reported having their best luck using size #4 and #6 brown, black, and coffee and black Rubber Legs teamed up with size #14 and #16 tungsten beadhead red or black Krystal Zebra Midges, red or brown standard thread Zebra Midges, Prince Nymphs and Flashback Pheasant Tails.

Last Chance/Wood Road Areas: Fishing around the Last Chance area has been a little slow since the opener. Hatches have been sparse so there haven't been many fish up. A few nice fish have been taken on nymphs from the top of Last Chance run down to the Log Jam. Fishing has been much better down off of the Wood Road. There hasn't been one dominate hatch since the opener so you have to go to this section of the river prepared to fish a variety of patterns to match the various insects that are hatching there. Have imitations to cover March Browns, BWO's, midges, caddis and beetles and ants. Try sight nymphing with Pheasant Tail and Turkey Tail nymphs in sizes #16 and #18.

Cardiac Canyon: For those hardy souls making their way down to this remote section of the river, either by foot or boat, I can happily report that the fishing has been super. The salmon flies are out and the fish are looking for them. You can fish with stonefly nymphs if you want to but why would you if you can fish size #4 adult Salmonfly imitations and catch lots of fish.

Warm River to Ashton: For the most part, this section of the river has fished very well over the past week. Salmon flies are the name of the game right now and should be for at least the next week. Try size #4 and #6 rubber leg nymphs with size #12, #14 and #16 beadhead nymphs early in the day and be ready to switch over to the salmonfly adult imitations around two o'clock when the big bugs begin to get active. Expect to fish the adult imitations right up until dark on these warm breezy days.

Ora to Chester and Chester to the Fun Farm: These sections of the river have been producing some very healthy catches of both rainbow and brown trout mostly on stonefly nymphs and streamers.

Henry's Lake: Fishing on the lake has been excellent since the opener. Leeches, pink Scuds, red Zebra Midges and egg patterns of every color have all produced fish. Try stripping a black or olive Leech with an egg, Scud or Zebra Midge trailed behind or suspend an egg, Scud or Zebra Midge a couple of feet under a strike indicator. Both techniques have produced well.

-Rick Smith