Late October in the Black Hills means low, clear water and fish that are getting more selective by the day. Highs in the upper 50s to mid 60s all week with lows in the mid to upper 30s. No hard cold snap in the forecast, and that makes for comfortable afternoons on the water. The windiest days look like today and Sunday, with a chance of rain Sunday night in the northern Hills.
Flows are on the low side across most of the Hills. In-town Rapid Creek and Spearfish Creek are both running around 72 percent of their normal flow for this date. Below Pactola is sitting near 17 cfs after the winter release cut that started October 1. Expect clear water, spooky fish, and small flies.
Rapid Creek in Town
29.5 cfs this morning and creeping up slightly over the past week, but still below the median for late October. Clear water and educated fish. Drop to 5X or 6X and slow your approach. BWOs on the cloudy afternoons and midges every day. Brown trout are spawning this time of year, so watch for clean gravel beds in the riffles and tailouts and give them a wide berth. Don't wade through them and leave the fish on them alone.
Rapid Creek Below Pactola
17.4 cfs and flat all week. Releases were cut in half to about 15 cfs on October 1 because of drought, and the creek below the dam is feeling it. This is a limited fishery at these flows. There are a few larger fish in the catch and release water, but don't expect numbers. Focus on the deeper pools, go light on tippet, and fish small midges and Baetis. Check the gauge before making the drive.
Rapid Creek Above Pactola, Silver City
32.3 cfs and actually running a bit above normal for this date. This is one of the better flows in the Hills right now. Fish the riffles, seams, and deeper pools with small nymphs or a dry dropper. Mostly smaller browns with the occasional rainbow. Nights are getting cold up there, so the best fishing will be late morning through the afternoon.
Spearfish Creek
35.5 cfs and steady, but below normal for late October. The canyon will still fish, but expect low, clear conditions and spooky fish. Light tippet and careful wading. BWOs on the overcast days and midges in the afternoons. Watch for spawning browns here too.
Castle Creek Below Deerfield
The USGS gauge below Deerfield is still offline, so we don't have a current reading. Expect low, cold, and clear water out of the reservoir. Stealth is everything. Skip the heavy rigs and fish small Baetis and midge patterns in the deeper pools and slow runs.
Lakes: Pactola, Deerfield, and Custer State Park
Fall lake fishing is a good option while the streams are low. Cooler water temps have trout cruising and feeding through the day. Chironomids under an indicator, leeches, and a Woolly Bugger on a sinking line are all good choices. Fish the drop-offs and weed edges.
What's Hatching
Blue Winged Olives are still the hatch to watch for, especially on cloudy, calm afternoons. Midges are in the mix every day. This is also prime streamer season. Small articulated streamers and jig buggers fished slow through the deeper pools can move some of the bigger fish.
Hot Flies
Dries: Parachute Adams 18-20, Baetis Comparadun 18-20, Griffith's Gnat 18-20
Nymphs: Craven's Mole Midge, Craven's Tungsten Juju Baetis, Zebra Midge 20-22, Juan's Tungsten Splitback Shady, Zirdle Bug Jig
Streamers: Galloup's Micro Dungeon, Galloup's Mini Dungeon, Tungsten Jig Bugger, Coffey's Sparkle Minnow, Hot Head Pine Squirrel Leech
Low water and small flies, but the crowds are gone and the fall colors are hanging on. Get out this weekend before the cold settles in.
Stop by or call the shop for flies and current conditions. 605-341-2450
flyfishsd.com | Dakota Angler and Outfitter | 1010 Jackson Blvd, Rapid City, SD
