Soda Butte Creek has had another very busy week, both in terms of fishing and fishers.  Can’t say I blame those plying the waters, though when given a chance we prefer less crowded environs. 

Flows continue to settle quite a bit week to week this time of year – flows near the Lamar Ranger Station were 176 cfs a week ago and were 121 cfs yesterday at 1445 (yesterday’s average 87 cfs).  There’s been no real rain to speak of to stain waters this week.

PMDs and Drakes (even some doddsi and flavilinea) are still the go-to choices in the mornings-midday, though the Drakes are getting a bit spotty.   Evening Caddis can make things interesting; if I were fishing this water today I’d plan a late day / evening fish when most anglers are sipping their adult beverage over dinner.  Astute anglers are still carrying Spruce Moths for the tree lined runs. 

Terrestrials frankly are probably the most fun to fish on Soda now; have a nice array of classics and foam monsters of all shapes and sizes.  Hopper-dropper combinations have been bringing some fish up, especially in the late mornings and early evenings.

Many a boot has trod the shoreline and waded this season already; don’t be put off by a refusal, change flies and persist.  Good casts and drifts are imperative, as is the willingness to walk a bit to not crowd other fisherfolk.

Bug spray, bear spray, and good sun-protective headgear remain essentials. 

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Flies to Have in the Box

Dries:  PMDs - parachute, sparkle dun, sprout, cripple, CDC Emerger, PMX - yellow, peacock, royal; Drakes - Paradrake, gray, green, olive, life cycle; Parachute Adams; small midge emergers;  Caddis – EHC, X Caddis, Electric Caddis, EC Caddis, Spent Caddis – tan and olive; Spruce Moth

Nymphs:  Bubbleback PMD; BH & FB PT; Copper John, green, red, chartreuse; Shop Vac; Flashback soft hackle, yellow; HE assortment

Streamers / Others:  Woolly Buggers, brown, black, olive, blue; Sparkle Buggers, same - note overall they should be on the smaller side

Terrestrials:  Hoppers (smaller), ants, beetles

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