We have had warmer weather here as of late, but fishing has still been solid. We are watching stream temps on the lower elevation streams and trying to get out earlier before the warmer portion of the day. Carry a thermometer and seek out cooler water up in the hills (Castle Creek, Spearfish, Upper Rapid Creek) on the warmer days.
For Rapid Creek temps through town have been creeping up on the warmer days that we have had. Fish from Canyon Lake up to Pactola, or above Pactola to Rochford for the best fishing on Rapid Creek. Tricos have been around for a bit now so get out early to take advantage of that hatch.
Castle Creek has been more productive below Deerfield Lake. Spookier fish so watch your shadows and try to be sneaky approaching the stream. Fishing above the lake on the smaller water has been productive as well. Dry dropper fishing is picking up now that we are drying out and warming up. Ant’s, Beetles or your favorite attractor flies with a small dropper is a fun way to cover this water as well.
Spearfish Creek in Spearfish Canyon is fishing well, and water temps are nice and cool. Tan Caddis have been around for a bit, smaller midges, and little mayflies later in the afternoon. Nymphing is always a great technique to fish the canyon. As we continue to warm up fishing a dry dropper rig with a micro chubby or a beetle pattern would be a solid choice as well.
Lake fishing continues to be great throughout the Hills. Sylvan lake and Center have been productive in the Custer State Park area. Fish will target, leeches, damsels, and callibaetis mayflies.
Top Flies -
Dry Flies- Elk Hair size 16-18, Foam Run Caddis size 14-18, Parachute Adams size 18-22, Micro Chubby Chernobyls size 14-18, Foam Beetles 12-18, Ant patterns 12-18 Tricos 18-22, Yellow Sally’s 14-16 Olive Klinkhammer 12-14
Nymphs- Hot Tag Hares ear 14-16’s, Perdigons Blue or Green size 14-20, waltz worms, zebra midges, prince nymphs,
