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Black Hills, South Dakota Fishing Report

Last Update: 8/31/10

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Hot Patterns: Hunchback Scuds, #14-18 Barr's Tungteaser, #18 Black Copper John, Red Copper John, #16 Red Fox Squirrel Nymph, #18-22 Bubbleback Midges, #12-14 Wade's North Fork Special, #12 Mini Leeches (must have bug for lakes), Cheesman Canyon Emerger Fluttering Yellow Sally, Henryville Special, Hi-Vis Beetle, Tungsten Psycho Nymph, Parachute PMD, PMD Sparkle Dun Rainy's Grand Hopper Solitude Foam Hopper

Black Hills Fishing Forecast: Great fishing conditions. A few days of hot weather have passed, cooler temps are expected for the next few days. Fishing with hoppers has been great. Run a dropper for added success. Good hatches of Tricos in the morning on Rapid Creek in town. Tricos should be hatching on Castle, Spring, Box Elder, and Crow Creeks. PMDs are hatching on Rapid Creek in the catch and release area below Pactola.

The lakes in Custer State Park continue to offer great fishing. Reports from the lake fisheries have been very good. Deerfield, Roubaix, Sheridan, Center, Sylvan, Bismark, Mirror, Pactola, and Reusaw are all great options. Fishing mini-leeches with a sinking leader has been very productive.

Rapid Creek:

Flows are now in the 57 cfs range below the dam. Nymphing with scuds, worms and midge larvae has been productive. Streamers are working in the deeper runs and pools. Best spot will be below the dam in the catch and release area. Fish the edges. Caddis hatches ane Little Yellow Stonelfies are hatching. Small Baetis and some PMDs are hatching below the dam. PMD hatches will get thicker over the next couple of weeks. Hoppers are working better by the day. Tricos in town in the early morning.Good fishing at the mouth of Canyon lake in Rapid City. Fishing through town with hopper patterns continues to be excellent.

Spring Creek:

Stream flows are down and fishing is good along Sheridan Lake Rd. Water is warming up so fish early and late. Fish are taking nymphs, but there are good numbers of baetis and caddis on the water.

Castle Creek:

Good fishing upstream of the lake. Fish up through the walk-in. The beaver ponds will hold better fish. Fishing has picked up in the walk-in-area below the dam. Tricos in the morning and good hopper fishing throughout the day.

Spearfish Creek:

Flow Rate = 75 cfs in the lower canyon. Good dry fly fishing in mid to late afternoon. Good fishing with hoppers. Look for late afternoon hatches of heptegenid mayflies and small baetis mayflies. Nymph with North Fork Special, Red Fox Squirrel Nymphs and use a black or or gray bubble back midge as a dropper.

Box Elder Creek:

Dry fly fishing with caddis patterns in the Steamboat Rock area. Nymph and streamer fish the larger pools.

Sand Creek:

Good fishing in the upper public area. Good dry fly fishing- fish Hopper Dropper rigs.

Custer State Park:

Center Lake, Sylvan Lake, and Bismark Lake are fishing well. Use a sinking line or sinking leader to fish mini-leeches and buggers. Callibaetis Mayflies hatching midday

Deerfield Lake:

Good float tubing for the rest of the season. Use a sinking line or sinking leader to fish mini-leeches and buggers. Lots of pesky Rock Bass.

Sheridan Lake:

Good float tubing for the rest of the season- best fishing will be late in the evening when the fish come to the surface to feed on chironomids.. Use a sinking line or sinking leader to fish mini-leeches and buggers. Chironomids will hatch in the evening.

Pactola Lake:

High inflows in Jenny Gulch. Fish coves in the evening for bass and pike. Bluegills are biting.

Warmwater Fishing Report

Warmwater fishing is picking up. Largemouth bass fishing is picking up in Sheridan and Stockade Lakes. Fish early and late with poppers and frog patterns near weed beds and structure.

Hot Warmwater Patterns: Jawbreaker, Swimmng Carp Nymph, Whitlock's NearNuff Crayfish, Murdich's Minnow,Micro Popper Chartreuse (Must have for Bluegills),Micro Slider Chartreuse (Must have for Smallmouth)

That's a wrap. Be sure to call us with any questions regarding guiding or fishing!

Buy the Book: Trout Fishing in the Black Hills

If you have not had the opportunity to take a look at Steve Kinsella's book, Trout Fishing in the Black Hills, you will be pleasantly surprised. Steve's book offers amazing insight into just how much water there is to fish in the Black Hills. Even if you have fished in the Black Hills for years, there is a good chance you will discover many more opportunities.

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