Black Hills Fishing Report for July 8th 2017. Warm weather has settled in for now. Fishing continues to be quite good on our three most reliable streams- Rapid Creek, Castle Creek, and Spearfish Creek. Fishing is best at lower elevations earlier in the day and into the evening. The higher up in the Hills you go the cooler the water temps, and fishing is better throughout the day. If you fish the tailwaters below Pactola Reservoir and Deerfield Reservoir, good water temps all day long.
Rapid Creek- Is fishing well above and below Pactola Reservoir. Below the dam PMDs have started to hatch. The hatch is mid to late afternoon. Terrestrials are also starting to bring more fish to the surface. Try smaller hopper patterns, ants, beetles, and attractor dries (Hippie Stompers!). In town Tricos and Caddis are hatching. Get out early in the morning to fish the tricos above and below Canyon Lake. Caddis are best later in the afternoon and into the evening.
Spearfish Creek- Very good fishing in the canyon and through town. The fish are getting a little pickier, but by dropping tippet size and using a smaller nymph fishing is just as good. Nymph fishing continues to be the most effective technique, but there are enough caddis around to get fish to come up to the top. Terrestrials will be more and more important in the coming weeks. Start searching with small hopper patterns and beetles.
Castle Creek- Fishing has been solid below Deerfield Reservoir. Fish are a bit spooky, but if you are stealthy they are happy to eat attractor dry flies, little yellow stoneflies, PMD, and caddis dry flies. This is a great small stream fishery for nice brook trout and brown trout. Fishing above the lake is another good small stream option. Fish up from the fork with Ditch Creek - upper Castle and Ditch Creeks are great streams for light rods and dry flies.
Box Elder Creek- the upper reaches of Box Elder Creek (anywhere above Nemo) continue to fish well. This is great small stream fishing- use your favorite 2 or 3 weight and an attractor dry fly and you are all set. There are a few deeper runs and pools that a dropper off the attractor will be worth while. Some caddis and little yellow stoneflies hatching; expect tricos in the early morning.
Custer State Park- Best options for fishing in the park are the ponds within the Grace Coolidge Walk In Area and on French Creek near the Horse Camp. Get out early or late in the evening for the best fishing. Yellow Stimulators, Parachute Adams, and Elk Hair caddis are good options for dry flies. For nymphs within the park try Red Copper Johns, Barr's Tung Teasers, and zebra midges.