Black Hills Fly Fishing Report April 8th 2020
Flows have increased around the Black Hills over the past week as snow melt from higher upstream has made it into our streams. Fishing continues to be good to excellent. Baetis mayflies, little black stoneflies, and midges are hatching. Flows in some areas have kept fish from feeding much on the surface. We have had excellent luck nymphing. Streamer bite should be good as well. Opportunities for dry fly fishing exist, but they have been inconsistent.
Rapid Creek is clearest below Pactola Reservoir. Flows are up to 130 cfs out of the dam. Fish are moving around a bit with the increase in flows. You can find them pushing into riffles and runs. Best luck on Rapid Creek has been nymph fishing. Need a bit of weight to help with the flow. We have been using Jig Assasins, Jig Soft Spots, Waltz, and Quill Jigs. Pats Rubber Legs and San Juan worms weighted with tungsten beads are a good lead fly. Streamer bite should be picking up too.
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Spring Creek has been excellent. Flows have come up here just in the past few days, but it is very fishable below Sheridan Lake. Have seen midges hatching in abundance but not many fish rising. Mostly nymph fishing. Same fly patterns as Rapid Creek for the most part. Streamers are worth a shot here too.
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Still no reports out of
Castle Creek. Probably still some snow up higher and maybe more coming later this week!
Spearfish Creek has been picking up some flow as well. Fishing looks to be quite good up there. Tungsten Jigs, Squirmies, and baetis nymph imitations will be the go-to flies.
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Lakes should be opening up soon. Pike fishing and stillwater fishing are just around the corner.
With all the uncertainty in the world right now, it sure feels good to get outside, stand in the stream and make some casts. Get out there and enjoy it if you are able to.
