Chesterfield Reservoir Tailwateron Portneuf River
Conditions right now
No USGS gauge is linked to this water yet, so we can't chart flows.
Crisp fall air and clear skies on the Portneuf River
- 01Crisp fall air and clear skies on the Portneuf River.
- 02Anticipate strong Blue-Winged Olive (BWO) hatches, especially on overcast days.
- 03October Caddis may still be active in late afternoons and evenings.
- 04Midges are a consistent year-round food source, increasing in importance as water cools.
- 05Egg patterns are crucial with trout spawning season underway.
- 06Focus on deeper runs, slower pools, and eddy lines with submerged structure.
- 07Practice stealth and meticulous, drag-free drifts, especially for smaller patterns.
- 08Experiment with nymphing depth and slow retrieve speeds for streamers.
What to tie on at Chesterfield Reservoir Tailwater
Picked from recent reports for this stretch.
Trico Spinner
Mimics the active Trico hatches occurring this month (August), targeting rising fish in slower water.
Buy at AmazonMidge
Midges are a primary and consistent food source in rivers and tailwaters year-round, effective as a subsurface searching pattern.
Blue-Winged Olive (BWO) Comparadun
Excellent for rising fish on overcast spring days, imitating adult BWOs.
Buy at AmazonPine Squirrel Leech (Olive)
Small leech patterns effectively mimic sluggish baitfish and annelids in cold spring water, enticing strikes from larger, lethargic trout.
Mother's Day Caddis
The prolific Mother's Day Caddis hatch is expected now, making this a prime dry fly imitation.
Orange Tungsten Eggs
With the spring rainbow spawn underway or approaching, egg patterns are a crucial offering for trout keying into this high-protein food source.
Flashback Pheasant Tail
A versatile nymph, excellent for imitating active mayfly nymphs, including BWOs, that are abundant subsurface.
Zebra Midge (Black)
Midges are a year-round food source, and a black Zebra Midge is a staple for enticing finicky trout, especially in clearer spring flows.
Copper John
A reliable attractor nymph that helps get down quickly in faster currents, imitating a variety of subsurface insects.
Buy at AmazonIdaho season by season
What changes on the water through the year, with the flies for each season.
Fly shops nearby
Local flies, current advice and guided trips.