Custer State Park East Accesson Battle Creek
Clear skies and mild fall temperatures (51°F)
- 01Clear skies and mild fall temperatures (51°F), with moderate wind and humidity.
- 02Midge activity (Chironomidae) is the most consistent and important hatch this week.
- 03Focus on deeper pools, current seams, and undercut banks for wary trout, carp, and pike.
- 04Stealth and subtle dead drifts for nymphs are essential in clear water.
- 05Slow, deliberate retrieves with pauses are effective for streamers to imitate sluggish baitfish.
What to tie on at Custer State Park East Access
Picked from recent reports for this stretch.
Isonychia Dun
Isonychia mayflies are actively hatching in late summer through fall, making this a prime dry fly option.
Soft Hackle Wet (Partridge & Orange)
Caddis pupae and emergers are active from spring through fall, making this a consistent subsurface pattern.
Buy at AmazonZebra Midge (Black)
Midges are a primary active insect even in cold water, making this a staple year-round pattern. Highly effective for enticing finicky trout in Battle Creek's current frigid conditions.
Flashback Pheasant Tail Nymph
An excellent general searching nymph for early spring, mimicking various mayfly nymphs (including BWOs) that are active year-round and particularly as BWOs begin to emerge, even in cold water.
Iced Out Midge Pupa
Specifically designed for cold conditions, this pupa imitation matches the subsurface midge activity common in colder water like Battle Creek is experiencing.
Buy at AmazonPine Squirrel Leech (Olive)
Small leech patterns effectively mimic sluggish baitfish and annelids in cold water, enticing strikes from larger, lethargic trout in early spring on Battle Creek.
Tactical Peeping Caddis TH Jig
Highly effective for targeting larger fish on undercut banks in Battle Creek. Caddis are actively emerging in spring, and this weighted jig will get down to them.
Glo Bug
Resident trout remain keyed into egg patterns year-round, especially with the upcoming spring rainbow spawn in the region, making this a good choice for Battle Creek.
Buy at AmazonScud (Pink/Orange)
Freshwater shrimp (scuds) are a consistent food source in areas with aquatic vegetation, even in cold water. A pink or orange Scud can be very effective in early spring.
Buy at AmazonSouth Dakota 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.