Black Hills Fishing Report 4/20/15
We were happy to see the rain this weekend but the wind did make it a little tricky at times. The guys at the shop were still able to get out and do some fishing even with the cooler weather.
Rapid Creek In Town: The water levels have come down over the last week so they can complete the Canyon Lake project. The fish are still biting but you may need to use some smaller patterns. We have had good luck using tungsten jig nymph with a midge dropper. If your timing is right you can catch a few rising to dries later in the afternoon and early evening. Hot flies: Tungsten Jig Yellow Spot, Tungsten Rainbow Czechs, zebra midges, and smaller Blue Wing Olive dries. Rapid Creek Below Pactola: The flows are down to 16cfs coming out of the dam so the fish are going to be spooky. They can still be caught but you will work a little harder for the fish you catch. Small tippet and smaller flies will be your best bet to fool these fish. You may see more fish rising to some baetis and little stone flies later in the week as the wind dies down. Hot Flies: size 20 and 22 zebra midges, size 20 and 22 juju baetis nymphs, behind a larger weighted nymphs we like the jig north fork special and the jig baetis nymph, BWO Dries, and Henryville Specials for the little stone flies. Spearfish Creek: A few guys made it up to the canyon this weekend and had good luck nymphing. The weather conditions made it tough on the dry fly fishing so nymphing was the most productive method. As the current weather pattern pushes through and wind dies out the dry fly fishing should return as well. Hot Flies: Black North Fork Specials, Jig Peasant Tails, and midge droppers were the most effective patterns. Castle Creek: Fishing above the lake at the mouth of Deerfield has been good using some flasher nymphs. Below the dam would be your best bet to get some fish on dries. Hot Flies: Amex pink, San Juan Worms, and Jig Hot Spots. Dries below the dam we suggest the Henryville Special, and the cdc little black stone pattern. Hope you all have a chance to get out and enjoy sometime on the water this week and coming weekend! Thanks! Karl
