Not much to change from the last report. Dry conditions continue. Weather has not been as hot as last week, but still a good idea to check water temperatures. Carry a thermometer and seek out cooler water up in the hills (Castle Creek, Spearfish, Upper Rapid Creek) on the warmer days.
For Rapid Creek temps through town have been creeping up on the warmer days that we have had. Fish from Canyon Lake up to Pactola, or above Pactola to Rochford for the best fishing on Rapid Creek. Tricos have been around for a bit now so get out early to take advantage of that hatch. We are starting to see more hoppers- hopper dropper is worth a shot.
Castle Creek has been more productive below Deerfield Lake. Spookier fish so watch your shadows and try to be sneaky approaching the stream. Fishing above the lake on the smaller water has been productive as well. Dry dropper fishing is picking up now that we are drying out and warming up. Ant’s, Beetles or your favorite attractor flies with a small dropper is a fun way to cover this water as well.
Spearfish Creek in Spearfish Canyon is fishing well, and water temps are nice and cool. Tan Caddis have been around for a bit, smaller midges, and little mayflies later in the afternoon. Nymphing is always a great technique to fish the canyon. As we continue to warm up fishing a dry dropper rig with a micro chubby or a beetle pattern would be a solid choice as well.
Lake fishing continues to be good throughout the Hills. Sylvan lake and Center have been productive in the Custer State Park area. Fish will target, leeches, damsels, and callibaetis mayflies.
Top Flies -
Dry Flies- Elk Hair size 16-18, Foam Run Caddis size 14-18, Parachute Adams size 18-22, Micro Chubby Chernobyls size 14-18, Foam Beetles 12-18, Ant patterns 12-18 Tricos 18-22, Yellow Sally’s 14-16 Olive Klinkhammer 12-14
Nymphs- Hot Tag Hares ear 14-18’s, Perdigons Blue or Green size 14-20, waltz worms, zebra midges, prince nymphs,