The colors are beginning to turn and fall is definitely on the way. Brown trout are feeding aggressively in many areas ahead of the spawn.
Black Hills Fishing Report September 21st
Rapid Creek- flows continue to be high below Pactola Reservoir. Hopefully they will be dropped soon. Fishing is easier above the reservoir where flows are not as high. If fishing below the dam, nymphing and streamer fishing are the best bet. Need heavy flies and/or weight to get down deep. Fish tight to the banks. Above the lake options are more varied as flows are not as high. In the Silver City area nymphing is working well in the deeper runs and pools. Higher up in the Rochford Area, hopper-dropper rigs are working well.
Castle Creek- Good fishing immediately below Deerfield reservoir. Hopper-dropper rigs are productive. Cloudier days will bring good hatches of Baetis (blue winged olive mayflies). Above Deerfield reservoir, fishing can be good in the pockets and pools in the meadow above the Ditch Creek and Castle Creek confluence.
Spearfish Creek- Decent fishing in the pocket water through Spearfish Canyon. High stick or czech nymphing techniques in the pocket water with jig nymphs and czech nymphs is producing well. Fishing on the ponds throughout the canyon has also been productive. Dry fly fishing
in the evening is good on Savoy Pond. Maurice pond was dredged this past week and is now cleared of the debris from the last two high flow events.
Whitewood Creek- Good fishing through Deadwood and above Deadwood along Kirk Road. Hopper-Dropper time.
Small Streams- Have had fun exploring small streams over the past couple weeks. Have found good fishing on upper Spring Creek, upper Box Elder Creek, Elk Creek's, and parts of Slate Creek. Occasionally you strike out, but the exploration is part of the fun!
Lakes and Ponds- The smaller lakes and ponds in the Black Hills have been fishing well over the past week. Having fun catching brookies on Dalton lake. Sylvan is also worth a shot. The ponds in Spearfish Canyon such as Yates and Savoy ponds have had great fishing at times.
