Black Hills Fishing Report – Black Hills Fly Fishing April 9th 2019
Rapid Creek
Rapid Creek has been fishing quite well from Pactola Reservoir down through Rapid City. Above Pactola is seeing dirty water from snow melt. With more snow on the way in a few days, it could be dirty for some time above the reservoir. Spring Blue Winged Olive hatches as well as decent midge hatches are creating good to excellent dry fly fishing on most afternoons. Size 16-18 olive imitations and 18-22 midge adult patterns are the best bets for fishing the hatch. Nymphing is good as always. Larger heavier nymphs- czech nymphs and tungsten worms – followed by a small baetis nymph droppers are good go to options. Streamers have been working as well. Anything olive with a bit of flash has been the ticket.
Castle Creek
Not much word on Castle lately. Hope to check it out soon. Will post an update in the next few days.
Spearfish Creek
Spearfish is fishing well through town and the canyon. Flows are up due to snow melt. Very good nymph fishing conditions. Use a large tungsten rainbow Czech nymph or Tungsten Worm as a lead fly and follow with a Baetis nymph dropper. Great time to fish woolly buggers and other small streamers as well. The higher flows make dry fly fishing a little tougher, but slower runs and pools will see some dry fly activity later in the afternoon.
Other Possibilities
Many of the lakes are just opening up. Pactola has some open water and rainbows have moved into the bays. Good fishing under an indicator with a variety of nymphs. Streamers and buggers are also working here.
Sand Creek, just across the border in Wyoming, has been fishing very well. Very good Blue Winged Olive hatches.
Pike Fishing will be starting very soon! Prairie lakes will be the first to warm up and provide good fishing. Pactola and Sheridan lakes will be fishing well by the end of April into early May.
Will post a more comprehensive report later this week or by Monday at the latest! Stay safe during Wednesday’s storm.