Still Waters
STILL WATERS
ReportAUG 19 — 26, 2026
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Flow
—CFS
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Water Temp
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Weather
43–84°F
Mostly Clear
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Reported By
Bruce Staples
On the water
Irrigation reservoirs are fishing well early and late in the day around submerged weed beds, with Daniels Reservoir's upper end a standout. Chesterfield Reservoir is currently closed to safe use due to an extensive blue-green algae bloom — keep people, pets, and livestock away.
From the ShopBruce Staples · August 19, 2026
Early and late in the day remain the best times to fly fish our irrigation reservoirs. Life cycle patterns for speckled dun mayflies, damselflies, and scuds work around submerged weed beds then.
The upper end of Daniels Reservoir has some good fishing around submerged weed beds. Use damselfly life cycle and midge life cycle patterns suspended under an indicator.
An extensive blue-green algae layer is forming on Chesterfield Reservoir. Keep children, livestock, and dogs away from it and do not ingest the water there.
Fish salvage regulations may soon apply to irrigation reservoirs drained down to the extreme.
What's Working — Hot Flies
Hatch Chart
| Insect | Size | Activity | Prime Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Speckled Dun Mayfly | #14–18 | Moderate — life cycle patterns near weed beds | Early morning & evening |
| Damselfly | #12–14 | Active — nymphs migrating through weed beds | Early morning & evening |
| Midge | #20–24 | Steady — life cycle patterns producing under indicator | Early morning & evening |
| Scud | #12–16 | Consistent — present in weed bed habitat year-round | All day, best early and late |
Best Time Window
- FIRST LIGHT TO MID-MORNING: Work damselfly and midge life cycle patterns suspended under an indicator along submerged weed bed edges — this is the prime feeding window.
- EVENING UNTIL DARK: Return to the weed beds with speckled dun mayfly and midge patterns; fish activity picks back up as temperatures drop and light fades.
Guide's Tip
From the benchDo not fish Chesterfield Reservoir — an extensive blue-green algae bloom is present and poses a serious health risk to people, dogs, and livestock; do not let anyone or anything contact or ingest the water. Head to the upper end of Daniels Reservoir instead, where weed beds are holding fish. Also be aware that fish salvage regulations may soon apply to irrigation reservoirs that are being drained down to the extreme, so check current regulations before you go.
Main Species
Rainbow Trout
Brook Trout
Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout
