Dakota Angler & Outfitter Fly Fishing Report May 25th 2023

Dakota Angler & Outfitter Fly Fishing Report - Black Hills Streams

It is hard to believe it is almost Memorial Day Weekend! Here's your latest fly fishing report Black Hills streams, with a special focus on Rapid Creek, Castle Creek, and Spearfish Creek. The conditions are great right now. Here are some of the highlights for the coming weekend.

Rapid Creek:

• Above Pactola: The flow is currently at 69 cfs, providing excellent conditions for fly fishing. The flow has dropped some over this past week. The water conditions are great for fishing streamers and larger nymphs. Fishing above Silver City is good. Should be good downstream of Rochford as well. Small Pat’s Rubber legs, san juan worms, and thin mints are working well.
• In Town: The flow has dropped slightly to 58 cfs. The stream has cleared in town, and the stained water from last week’s storms has cleared. Very good fishing throughout the day. Caddis are starting to hatch. There are still a few Blue Winged Olives hatching in town. Focus on Dry dropper rigs in town. We have had good luck with micro chubby chernobyls as a lead fly and smaller tungsten droppers (Cheeseman canyon emergers, tungsten split case BWO). Other good patterns include sparkle duns, foam beetles, and green perdigons.
• Below the Dam: The flow is around 32 cfs. Still hoping the lake fills up soon so that the releases will increase in the coming week. Fly fishing in this section is still worthwhile, especially during the hatches of baetis mayflies and caddis. The best time to find rising fish is midafternoon. Small sparkle duns and baetis emergers are the ticket.

Castle Creek:

• Below Deerfield Dam: The flow is currently at 15 cfs. This is a great flow and the stream is in prime shape. For the best luck, try using micro chubby chernobyls with droppers throughout the day, then switch to sparkle duns or small terrestrials as fish start to feed on the surface.

Spearfish Creek:

• City of Spearfish: The flow in town is around 74 cfs, offering great conditions for fishing. Spearfish Creek is fishing well in the canyon and in town. Hatches are similar to the other streams in the area- baetis mayflies and caddis. Use the same flies as Rapid Creek or Castle Creek, but be prepared to switch to some smaller tungsten zebra midges or small baetis nymphs to improve your luck. Don’t hesitate to use lighter tippet. The fish in the canyon seem to prefer smaller flies.

Other options for the weekend include Spring Creek. The flow is dropping, but there are plenty of opportunities along Sheridan Lake Road and up from the Trailhead. Take advantage of the conditions available now, they might not last much longer into the summer.

Lake fishing has slowed some on Pactola, but there are still big rainbows to be had. They are dispersing a bit more so having a float craft will improve your success. Reports are good from Sheridan Lake. Fish an intermediate line and thin mint buggers.

Pike fishing continues to improve in Sheridan and Pactola. Best luck continues to be with slow sinking lines and chartreuse and white Murdich minnows.

Tight lines and enjoy your time on the Black Hills streams! If you need any additional assistance or have further questions, stop by the shop.