It is a hot week, and it is only going to get hotter. Today is 82 and mostly sunny. Tomorrow hits 88, Friday 82, Saturday 84, and Sunday jumps to 94. This is full summer, and the trout streams need to be treated accordingly. Fish early, fish high, check your water temps, and have a plan to get off the water before the afternoon heat does damage. When temps push into the upper 60s, the fish are stressed. A thermometer is not optional right now.
The good news is there is plenty of fishing to be had. The warmwater lakes are on fire, carp are active at Angostura and Belle Fourche, and high-elevation waters are fishing well for those willing to make the drive.
Flows are in decent shape across the board. Below Pactola jumped up to 62.9 cfs this week with increased releases from the dam, which is a notable change from recent weeks and worth taking advantage of.
Rapid Creek in Town
40.1 cfs and fishable, but treat it with care this week. With highs in the upper 80s and low 90s, water temps in town will climb quickly once the sun hits the water. Fish before 8 or 9 a.m., and keep the thermometer handy. Evenings can also fish well as things cool down. Terrestrials are starting to show up along grassy banks. A Hippie Stomper or Micro Chubby Chernobyl fished tight to the bank in the morning is worth a shot. Check our hopper dropper collection at flyfishsd.com/collections/hopper-dropper-dry-dropper-flies.
Rapid Creek Below Pactola
62.9 cfs, up significantly from recent weeks with increased dam releases. This is your best midday option on Rapid Creek. Cold water out of Pactola keeps this stretch fishable even when in-town temps are too warm. More water means fish have more places to hold, and the streamer bite has been good. Nymphs in the deeper slots also work well. The 7-day trend shows this water climbing, so it should fish well through the week. For the first few miles below the dam, don't expect large numbers of fish, but the fish can be large. One or two fish a day is a good day.
Rapid Creek Above Pactola, Silver City
20.6 cfs, low and clear. Fish early before temps build. Mostly smaller browns with the occasional nice rainbow. Dry dropper or small nymphs. A Hippie Stomper up top with a Zebra Midge or Killer Mayfly Nymph dropper is a good setup here.
Spearfish Creek
42.1 cfs through the canyon. The canyon shade is a real asset this week. Fish are active through the morning, and the shaded canyon stretches will hold temps better than most other options. Caddis in the evenings. Terrestrials along grassy banks. A solid choice any day this week if you get there early.
Castle Creek Below Deerfield
11.4 cfs, cold and clear out of the reservoir. Good option in the heat of summer. Low flows mean spooky fish, so slow down, drop to 5X or 6X, and watch your approach. A few good fish live here.
Castle Creek Above Deerfield
9.17 cfs, not a bad flow considering how dry it is in the central Black Hills. Best for the angler who wants solitude and is comfortable fishing small, tight water. Fish early.
Warmwater Fishing
This is the time of year to be on the warmwater lakes, and it is good right now.
Sheridan Lake: Bass are active and feeding. Start with a Boogle Bug, BooglePopper, or Boogle Amnesia Bug, which worked along rocky points and shoreline structure early in the morning. As fish move off the shallows, switch to a Chocklett's Changer or crawfish pattern along drop-offs and submerged rock. One of the best bass fisheries in the Hills right now.
Stockade Lake: Same approach as Sheridan. Topwater early, then Changers and crawfish patterns as the day goes on. Less pressure, and fish can be aggressive.
Angostura Reservoir: Worth the drive. Bass, walleye, and pike are all active. Target rocky points and submerged timber with a Chocklett's Changer or Murdich Minnow on a sinking line. Carp are also present and actively tailing in the shallows. A Carp-Crack or crawfish pattern fished slowly along the bottom to tailing fish is about as exciting as it gets on a fly rod. Spot the fish first, lead them by a few feet, and let the fly sink.
Belle Fourche Reservoir: Carp fishing can be outstanding here this time of year. Same approach as Angostura. Look for tailing or cruising fish in the shallows, especially early morning and evening. A well-placed Carp-Crack or crawfish pattern dropped in front of a tailing fish will get eaten. Bring patience and polarized glasses.
Hot Flies
Terrestrials and Dry Dropper: Hippie Stomper, Micro Chubby Chernobyl — see our full hopper dropper selection at www.flyfishsd.com/collections/hopper-dropper-dry-dropper-flies
Bass: Boogle Bug BooglePopper, Boogle Amnesia Bug, Chocklett's Changer, Meade's Gutless Frog, crawfish pattern, Murdich Minnow
Carp: Carp-Tease, crawfish pattern, Woolly Bugger
Nymphs: Zebra Midge 20-22, Mercury Midge 20-22, May it Be Nymph 18-20, T-Midge 18-20, smaller perdigons,
Fish the streams early, high-elevation water if you can, and head to the lakes when the heat picks up. Carp and bass fishing are both on right now and a great reason to get out in the afternoon.
Stop by or call the shop for flies and current conditions. 605-341-2450
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