Black Hills Stream Fishing Report- Warmer weather is here. Flows are still in good shape across the Black Hills. Rapid Creek, Castle Creek, and Spearfish Creek will provide the best fishing in the coming week. Spring Creek will most likely slow down with the heat coming in the next few days. Box Elder Creek will likely do the same. French Creek in Custer State Park has had more rain recently than streams further north. This will be the best fishing opportunity for anglers looking to fish in the southern Black Hills.
As high temps get into the 90s, better fishing in the morning and later in the evening. Hatches of Blue Winged Olives will taper off with the heat. Starting to see a few more tan caddis and little yellow stoneflies. Terrestrials are showing up and fish will be keen to see ant and beetle patterns. Still a bit early for hoppers.
Nymph fishing is the most effective technique for numbers, as is always the case. However, its a good time to switch up from indicator rigs and go to dry-dropper rigs. With more summer bug activity, fish are looking up for bigger meals.
Recommended Nymph Patterns: Peacock Perdigon, Blue Perdigons, Jig Yellow Spot PT, Tungsten Split Case PMD, BWO Split Case, Tungsten Zebra Nymphs.
Recommended Dry Flies: Hippie Stompers, Yellow Stimulators, Elk Hair Caddis, Bloom's Parachute Caddis, Parachute Adams
Black Hills Lake Report- Warmer weather will slow down lake fishing during the day, best to be out earlier in the day or just before dark. Or change techniques and utilize sinking lines to fish deeper. Leech Patterns and chironomids are best subsurface. Look for Callibaetis hatches or fish targeting damselflies on the surface. Best lakes have been Pactola, Deerfield, and Center Lakes.
Warmwater fishing opportunities are improving. Bass fishing is picking up early on Sheridan Lake and Stockade Lake. Best to be out at sunrise and fish until 10 am. Poppers, murdich minnows, and Ehler's Grim Reaper are all good bets.