Black Hills Fishing Report 2/3/2013
Black Hills winter fishing conditions are decent, and should improve with the warmer weather.
Rapid Creek
In Town – Fishing in town continues to be very productive, with a few sporadic midge hatches during the warmest part of the day. BWO’s should start hatching this week with the warmer 40s and 50s for highs. Try a CDC Thorax Dun, BWO Sparkle Dun, Parachute BWO, F-Fly, Morgan’s Midge, Eric’s Midge, or a small Parachute Adam’s for the rising fish, with the most productive time being from 11-2 for the fish to be on top. Nymphing is the name of the game for the rest of the day, with most of the fish being in the deeper pools and runs. Try Tungsten San Juans, UV Czechs, Bloodworms, and big Tung Teasers for the lead flies, and smaller Bubble Backs, UV Midges, Hot Spots, Two Bit Hookers, small Pheasant Tails, Tungsten Psycho Nymphs, and Zebra Midges for the dropper fly for the best success.
Below Pactola – Most of the fish have been caught nymphing over the past few weeks, with bigger nymphs being very productive. Bigger size 8-14 San Juans, UV Czechs, Bloodworms, Vladi’s Czech Nymphs, and Pink Squirrels have been productive fished right on the bottom. Smaller Two Bit Hookers, Bubble Back Midges, Black Beauties, and Tungsten Split Case BWO’s have been producing well as a dropper fly when the fish get a little pickier. A few fish have been sporadically rising during the warmest parts of the day, and they can sometimes be persuaded with small Morgan’s Midges, Parachute Adam’s, or F-Flies in size 20-24. Try dragging some streamers in front of the bigger fish as well, patterns like Kraft’s Kreelex and Home Invaders have been especially productive.
Spearfish Creek - The fish are stacked into the deeper pools and runs, with nymphing being the name of the game, both in the canyon and in town. Use a heavy lead fly, like a 8-14 Boat Anchor Scud, UV Czech, Tungsten San Juan, Vladi’s Czech, or Tung Teaser to get your rigs down deep. Dropper flies from 18-22 include, Bubble Backs, Zebra Midges, Two Bit Hookers, Micro Mayfly Nymph, Killer Mayfly Nymph, RS2′s and WD-40′s have been productive. Concentrate on the deep slots, and don’t be afraid to use some weight and get the flies down where the fish are.