Despite warmer weather conditions fishing continues to be great on Black Hills trout streams. Rapid Creek, Castle Creek and Spearfish creek are all fishing well. Hatches have started to pick up. We are seeing more caddis, little yellow stoneflies, and Pale evening duns. Baetis continue to hatch on most streams.
Rapid Creek has been helped by some recent rains. Flows are decent above the dam and below the Pactola dam. Dry fly fishing will improve as caddis hatches thicken. We should also start to see some Trico hatches begin in town. For everyday fishing, try attractor dry flies with a small tungsten nymph dropper. We still love the Hippie Stomper as our lead fly. Nymphing is the best go-to fishing technique on Rapid Creek. Smaller streamers will produce larger fish, try buggers, lil kims and thin mints. Water is still a tad off color above Pactola, however fishing with nymphs and streamers has been quite good.
Castle creek below Deerfield is fishing very well. Caddis hatches are just getting started. Little Yellow stones are starting to hatch as well. On cloudy afternoon's blue winged olives continue to hatch. Attractor dry flies with a small nymph dropper will catch fish all day long.
Spearfish creek is fishing well through the canyon and in town. Some dry fly fishing is available, however the best fishing will be with nymphs. Use tungsten weighted nymphs to get down quickly. Don't be afraid to fish the fast pocket water as many of the fish in the canyon hold in very fast water. Use heavy nymphs on a short line to get down quick and to minimize drag.
The smaller lakes in Custer State Park as well as the Grace Coolidge walk-in area are fishing well. Center Lake is fishing very well. Fish will leech patterns suspended under an indicator or fished with a steady retrieve. In the Grace Coolidge Walk-in area try a yellow stimulator with red copper john dropper. French Creek will be best early in the morning or later in the day. Fish near the Horse Camp or by Hazelrodt Campground.
Pike fishing is decent on Sheridan Lake and Pactola lake. Fish will start to move deeper as temperatures warm. Focus on drop off's and using a slightly heavier sink tip. Smaller flies in perch colors and black streamers have been producing the best. Prairie Lakes are fishing better and better for bass. Top water action has been picking up. Break out the poppers or Boogle bugs and fish early or late for the best surface activity.
Our guides have been having tremendous luck on area streams. If you need a little help I want to learn how to best fish are water give us a call at 605–341–2450 to schedule your trip.
