It is a great time to be fishing in the Black Hills of South Dakota. Water levels look great and most streams are fishing well. Tricos, caddis, little yellow stoneflies, pale morning duns, and pale evening duns are getting the fish to look up. On the hotter days the best dry fly times are early in the morning and late in the evening. Water temperatures are stable and as a result fishing has been good throughout the day.
The best Trico hatches are on Rapid Creek closer to Rapid City. Caddis continue to hatch in good numbers on Rapid Creek through town.
PMD's are hatching in the late afternoon on Rapid Creek below Pactola reservoir. Pale Evening Duns and small summer beatis are hatching on Spearfish Creek in Spearfish Canyon. A few small yellow stoneflies are hatching on Rapid Creek below Pactola reservoir and on Castle Creek below Deerfield Reservoir.
Terrestrial activity has improved with the warmer weather. Beetle and ant patterns are the best terrestrial fly choices right now. Hoppers are spotty. Hopefully hopper fishing will improve as we move into August and September.
As is typical of this time of year Rapid, Castle, and Spearfish creeks are the best streams to fish. Activity has slowed on Spring Creek and the fisheries in Custer State Park.
Warmwater Fly Fishing Report
Carp fishing is excellent on local reservoirs. Carp continue to feed on cottonwood seeds and terrestrial insects on the surface of both Orman reservoir and Angostura reservoir. Had a report of carp fishing on oahe reservoir from this past weekend. Haven't been out bass fishing in a bit so nothing to report on that front.
Carp fishing is excellent on local reservoirs. Carp continue to feed on cottonwood seeds and terrestrial insects on the surface of both Orman reservoir and Angostura reservoir. Had a report of carp fishing on oahe reservoir from this past weekend. Haven't been out bass fishing in a bit so nothing to report on that front.