Black Hills Fly Fishing Report Nov 9th 2023

Nov 09, 2023

Sorry for the lack of reports the last few weeks. Hans was out in Idaho chasing steelhead and neglected his duties!

Mild weather has hung around. Fishing is decent on Rapid Creek, Castle, Spearfish, and Spring Creeks. The late moisture we recieved helped streamflows a great deal. Keep an eye out for Spawning brown trout. Leave them be if they are on their spawning beds.

Dry fly fishing is intermittent on most streams. But there are some Baetis and midges hatching.

Nymphing and streamer fishing will be the best option for finding fish. Most streams are pretty clear, so keep your tippet fairly light 5-6x. I was out earlier today and had luck on Rapid Creek with a hare's ear (waltz worm type) and midge larvae dropper. I caught a couple fish on the midge larva dropper before the wind chased me off the water.

Pactola is fishing quite well. Anglers are finding some big fish. Thin Mints are working well. For indicator rigs try a balance leech with a green weenie dropper.

Sheridan Lake is also fishing quite well for rainbows.

Pike fishing is good on Pactola right now. Best flies are smaller black zonker or bunny strip type flies.

Hot Dry Flies- Baetis, Midges

Nymphs- Jig SF Olive or Rusty, Zebra Midges,

Black Hills Streamflow Data is available here