Local Fishing Report
7/18/08
*Note on fishing reports: we update the fishing report as fishing conditions change, that means the date of the report might be a couple of weeks or even a month old. If you want additional information feel free to email or call.
Hot Patterns: #16-18 Little Yellow Stonefly, #16-18 Olive Elk Hair Caddis, #16 Goddard Caddis, #16 Deep Six Caddis Pupa, #16-18 Black Foam Beetle, #18 Fur Ant, #18 Lightning Bug, #16 RED FOX SQUIRREL NYMPHS, #20-22 WD-40's', #20-22 Bead Thorax Baetis Nymph, #18-20 Black Copper Johns, #20-22 Bubble Back Midge, #18 TUNGSTEN SPLIT CASE BAETIS NYMPH, #16 Hunchback Scuds, #12 San Juan Worms, #12 Blood Midge, #16 Flashback Pheasant Tails, Woolly Buggers
Rapid Creek: Dry fly fishing has been good throughout the drainage. PMD's, Caddis, Tricos, Beetles, Ants and Midges drawing fish to the surface. Nymphing has been good in the deeper and faster pools and runs. Flows have come up below Pactola Reservoir- fish scuds and san juan worms with small midge or mayfly nymph droppers will get the fish's attention.
Spring Creek: The stream has come up a bit with spring rains, and the word is that the GF&P have stocked a few fish. Lets hope the rain that is on the way keeps the stream flowing for awhile.
Castle Creek: Look for yellow stonefly hatches and caddis hatches on warmer afternoons. Smaller stimulators and ant and beetle patterns. Fishing below Deerfield should improve with increase flows scheduled come in a few days. Castle Creek and Ditch Creek have been fishing great above the dam. Caddis and copper john combos work well above the lake.
Spearfish Creek:
Water levels have dropped and the majority of the canyon is fishable and fishing great. Fish have been taking Caddis and Beetle imitations on top. Pale Morning Duns have started hatchying in the canyon. Nymphing with a san juan, red fox squirrel nymph, or a mercer's micro stone with a wd-40 dropper will bring the fish out to play. Hare's Ear Nymphs have been fishing well in the canyon.
Crow Creek: Flows have come down and it should be fishing great. Great time to fish this spring creek before it gets weedy this summer. Hatches of midges and baetis will occur regularly. Caddis hatches are on too.
Sand Creek: This spring creek just across the border in Wyoming is also fishing well. Good aerly season spot. Fewer weeds to tangle with this time of year.
Custer State Park: Relatively good fishing in the Grace Coolidge walk in area. Fish caddis patterns on top and prince nymphs down deep. The fish in the Grace Coolidge ponds have been taking streamer patterns. The lakes are fishing well. Break out the float tube and fish Sylvan, Bismark, and Center Lake.
Deerfield Lake: Look for evening risers to be taking parachute adams. Fish wooly buggers and small crayfish patterns down deep.
Sheridan Lake:
Fishing streamers down deep and dries in the evening will work well. Watch out for the jet skis.
Pactola Lake:
The lake is open and fishing well. Fish Streamers down deep on Rio's Deep 7 Line and dries on top in the evening. Jenny Gulch is fishing well.
Warmwater Fishing Report
Fishing is heating up for largemougth, smallmouth, carp, and northerns. Newell Lake is fishing well for largemouth and a few northerns. The smallies are biting well in Lake Sharpe. The white bass are fishing well in Lake Sharpe too. Look for Northerns to start biting well in Sheridan and Stockade Lake. Tie up your bunny leeches!
That's a wrap. Be sure to call us with any questions regarding guiding or fishing!
Stream Flows
Rapid Creek Below Pactola Dam - flow rate
Rapid Creek at Silver City - flow rate
Rapid Creek in Town - flow rate
Spearfish Creek in Spearfish Canyon - flow rate
Weather
Rapid City - NWS 7 Day Forcast
Send mail to flyfish@rapidnet.com with questions or comments. Dakota Angler & Outfitter 513 7th St. Rapid City, SD 57701 Phone - 605-341-2450 Fax - 605-341-1457
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