Black Hills Fly Fishing Report July 7th 2023

Jul 07, 2023

Not that much to change in our report from the 1st. Streams are flowing high but there are good opportunities throughout the area. The forecast looks drier for the coming week so flows will be coming down.

Hot Flies- Mop Flies, Perdigons, Frenchies, French Dips, San Juan Worms

Rapid Creek

Above Pactola- Running high and dirty as of this report. Flows coming into Pactola Lake near Silver City are 256 cfs down from 280 cfs. Best to let things settle in this area for a few days for better fishing.

Below Pactola - C&R area- Releases are at 236 cfs up from 176 cfs as of today. This is a high flow and fishing will be challenging right below the dam. Water will be clear, fish will have moved out of pools and into riffles and runs. Fish heavy nymph rigs for the best luck. Worm patterns, scud patterns, along with midge or baetis droppers.

In town- Fishing remains an option in town and the water is clear-ish. Size up on your nymphs and weight. Our favorites are mop flies, tungsten san juan worms and large perdigons. Streamers are working very well. Fish the edges not the fast current.

Castle Creek

Flows are quite high above and below Deerfield Reservoir. Best bets on Castle will be below the lake for now. Releases are up quite a bit from the dam. As of today releases are at 85 cfs, when we last reported they were at 16 cfs! Nymphing will be the best option.

Spearfish Creek

Spearfish Creek had a huge rain and flooding, but has dropped back to 74.7 cfs. This is a good fishable flow. Up in the canyon there should be some dry fly activity later in the day with caddis and small summer BWOs. Nymphing will be the best overall option.

Spring Creek

Good fishing below Sheridan Lake. Flows are great for this stretch of stream. Larger nymphs are the best bet. Jig Prince Nymphs, Jig Pheasant Tails, and jig hare's ear nymphs are all good options. Size 12-14.

Box Elder Creek

A bit higher than the last report. Might be better as we get into next week. Still some opportunities in the bigger pools. Take a look at the Steamboat Rock Area or further upstream around Nemo. Flows are up a fair amount and the water may be a bit stained, but the nymph fishing will be good. Same types of flies as Spring Creek.

Lakes

Lakes are fishing well. Canyon Lake is fishing well right in town. Float tube or other craft gives the angler more options, but fishing can be good from the gazebo island. All the Custer State Park lake are fishing well, same deal a float craft makes for better access, but fishing can be done from shore. Deerfield Lake is a great destination for lake anglers. Deerfield is a bigger reservoir, so having a float craft makes a big difference. Thin Mint Buggers, Balance Leeches, Blobs, and chironomid patterns are the best bet.

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