Double Dipping the Fork

For hunters living on State borders, double dipping is shooting a limit in one state, then driving across the border to shoot a limit in another state (obviously, you need licenses in both States).  Technically, this is legal but frowned upon.  To flyfishers, double dipping is hitting up a body of water that was producing the previous trip and doing it all over again.  To George Castanza, double dipping is just the way chips and dip are consumed.  Gear Guide Wyatt and I double dipped the South Fork after our Labor Day trip.  The double dip produced.

If you've never fished the South Fork, there are gravel bars all over the lower section (of the upper section).  They are in the middle of the river and untouchable by wade fisherman.  They drop off into deep runs, allowing you to anchor and then work the edge.  Gear Guide Wyatt on the edge.

Not a UFO, PMD

We managed 5 species in one day (fivecta?).  Cutt, Brownie, Bow, Whitey, and this Sucker.... sucker.

Bonkin' on The South Fork

You may or may not have heard, but the South Fork of the Snake River is a cutthroat fishery, a Yellowstone cutthroat fishery, to be exact.  Well, tell that to the rainbows that have been making their home in the cool tailwater for the last 40 years.  What's da problem wit dat?  They have been hybridizing with the cutts and slowly eliminating the pure Yellowstone strain.  Among other efforts, the IDFG has asked anglers to bonk the bows.  However, I'm not sure if everyone has been bonkin' them, we caught bows 3 to 1 over the cutts.  Well, the Hatch did our part and filled the cooler with some bonked bows.  My pepsi had a distinct fish smell the next day at work (yes, we have day jobs), but I was more than okay with it.

(You can read more about the hybrid issue and other efforts on the S.F here)

 

 

 

 

 

A true native.  Given the whitey some love...

 

Bonker!