Black Hills Fishing Report 8/1/12
Photos courtesy of David EriksonHot Patterns:
Dries
Yellow Stimulator, Snowshoe Sally, Foam Beetle, CDC PMD Thorax Dun, Elk Hair Caddis, Organza Trico Spinner, Adams, Upright Callibaetis Spinner, PMD Sparkle Dun, Barr's Vis-a-dun PMD
Streamers
Hot Bead Crystal Buggers, White Sculpzilla, Natural Sculpzilla, Mini Leeches
Nymphs
Tungsten PMD Split Case Nymph, Tungsten BWO Split Case Nymph, Tungsten Psycho Nymph, Bubble Back Midge, Red Copper John's, Tung Ready Baetis Nymph, Cheesman Canyon Emerger, North Fork Specials
Fishing Overview:
Fishing continues to be solid on Rapid, Castle, and Spearfish Creeks. Best bight is in the early AM and evening. Tricos are hatching on Rapid Creek in town. PMDs and PEDs are more widespread. The afternoon dry fly fishing picks up around 3:00pm. Terrestrial fishing continues to be productive. There are fewer hoppers around than the past few summers, but fish will still take small hopper patterns. Ants, beetles, and crickets have been much more productive.
Rapid Creek (Central Black Hills):
Good fishing below the dam through town. Fishing is decent above Pactola Reservoir at Silver City. Tan Caddis and Tricos are hatching in town. Pale Morning Duns are hatching below Pactola Reservoir. Fish are looking up for terrestrials and PMDs/PEDs/Sulphurs. Nymphing is steady, fish baetis and PMD nymph patterns. Get out between 6:00 and 9:00 am for the trico action. Fishing is best early and late on Rapid Creek in town.
Hoppers, ants, and beetles are working well.
Castle Creek (Central Black Hills):
Fishing well below Deerfield Dam. Good dry-dropper water. Fish a yellow stimulator with a dropper of a small copper john. The zebra copper john is a killer bug on castle.
Spearfish Creek (Northern Black Hills):
Hatches of Small BWOs and PEDs. Good nymphing in the canyon and in town. Ant and beetle pattens are working well. Little Spearfish Creek is fishing well with attractor dries. Small Woolly Buggers have been effective on Spearfish.
Spring Creek (Central Black Hills):
Water is warming on Spring Creek. Might be a good idea to give this one a rest.
Box Elder Creek (Northern Black Hills):
Water is warming on Spring Creek. Might be a good idea to give this one a rest too.
Sand Creek (Northern Black Hills):
PMDs hatching still a few caddis and yellow stones. Good fishing. Terrestrial bite is good too.
Custer State Park (Southern Black Hills):
Fish the callibaetis hatch on Sylvan and Center Lakes. Fish early on the Grace Coolidge Walk-in area.
Deerfield Lake (Central Black Hills):
No recent reports.
Sheridan Lake:
No recent reports.
Pactola Lake:
Bluegill fishing should be good, but the fish have moved into deeper water. Focus on drop-offs and weed edges.
That's a wrap. Be sure to call us with any questions regarding guiding or fishing!
