Where to Go Tarryall Reservoir
Current Reports
Open 9 am to 6 pm Daily
Report Date: 9/18/2026
The boat ramp is open for the season
Current Conditions
September brings distinct late-season transitions across the system. In the shallow reservoir, dropping autumn water temperatures trigger trout to move out of the warm summer depths and patrol the shallow northern weed flats and rocky dam rip-rap looking for food before winter. In the creek reach below the dam, low discharge narrows the channel into isolated, glassy beaver ponds, tight granite plunge holes, and shallow gravel runs. Fish in the creek are hyper-vigilant in the clear, low-volume water, requiring complete silence and low-profile positioning along the willow banks.
Weather:
Short Term -
Daytime highs reaching upper 50s to mid-60s Fahrenheit. Cold, high-elevation September mornings give way to direct sun, followed by afternoon wind gusts across South Park that create heavy surface chop on the open reservoir.
Long Term -
Daytime highs in the 50s Fahrenheit with overnight lows dropping into the 20s. Overcast fall days accelerate surface cooling on the lake, driving aggressive feeding windows along shallow weed edges throughout the middle of the day.
Tactics:
In the reservoir, target the outer boundaries of shallow weed beds using long fluorocarbon leaders on slow-intermediate lines. Retrieve leech, scud, or nymph patterns with slow, rhythmic twitches followed by long pauses to let the flies hover just above the weed canopy. On the creek, abandon plastic indicators; use a high-stick tightline technique or a delicate dry-dropper setup to drop tiny midge emergers and caddis pupae into deep beaver pond pockets and granite slots without slapping the flat surface.
Hatches:
Cold September mornings delay topwater activity. Midday shifts to steady midge hatches in protected coves and slow creek eddies. Overcast afternoon windows spark localized olive mayfly hatches. Submerged weed beds in the lake and beaver ponds harbour dense late-season populations of freshwater scuds, water boatmen, and caddis larvae.
Tips:
On the creek, approach beaver pond dams from downstream and cast over the log structure to avoid pushing water ripples across the still pool. At the reservoir, fish the windward shorelines where wave action breaks surface reflection, dislodges aquatic nymphs from shallow weed beds, and masks your leader entry.
NOW BOOKING STILLWATER TRIPS FOR 2026! EITHER BY SHORE OR BY BOAT, WE HAVE YOU COVERED.
Recommended Fly Patterns
Dry Fly Patterns
- Damsels, size #10 - 12
- Cubby Chernobyls, size #10 - 16
- Hippy Stompers, size #14 - 16
- Parachute Adams, size #10-16
- Goddard Caddis, size #14
Nymph Patterns
- Frenchie chironomid, sizes #16-18
- Bubbas Callibaetis, size #16
- Mayers Mini leach, olive, sizes #12-14
- Balanced leach, bruised, sizes #10-12
- Poxyback Callibaetis, size #16
Streamer Patterns
- Baby Gonga, Black
- Flatliner, White
- Slump Buster, Olive
Anglers Covey Bug Of The MOnth:
in This is an area we specialize and are permitted to guide, so give us a shout if you have any questions or if you are interested in allowing one of our Orvis-Endorsed guides showing you how to conquer Tarryall Reservoir.