Fall 2021 Travel Log, Part 1: New fishing locations to include in your travels

This year I explored new locations during my fall fishing travels across the Northwest. My first stop was in Hagerman, Idaho at the Billingsley Creek Lodge. Located on Idaho’s Thousand Springs Scenic Byway on U.S. Highway 30, the lodge is nestled in the trees next to historic Billingsley Creek.

This fly fishing only creek is fed by the natural springs of the Snake River Aquifer. The water which feeds the creek has been underground for thousands of years and maintains the creek at 58 degrees F year-round.

You can cast a line into Billingsley creek just steps from your cabin. When not fishing, you can sit on your porch, relax, and listen to the cascading water.

A boat launch into the Snake River is a short two blocks away for those who want to fish for Rainbow, Bluegill, or Northern Pikeminnow. (Squawfish).

One morning, I fished the Snake River with my pontoon boat along the shoreline while motorboats headed upriver. For those interested, Idaho Guide Service provides rafting trips during the summer months.

Four miles south of Hagerman, Idaho on U.S. Highway 30 is the Hagerman Fish Hatchery which is surrounded by ponds. Known as Oster Lakes, theses ponds are stocked in the spring.

The fishing waters are fed from Tucker Springs and Riley Creek. There are also opportunities to fish for trout, bass, bluegill, and carp on the 880 acres of Hagerman Wildlife Management Area surrounding the hatchery. I fished Riley Pond and caught this nice trout.

Vickie’s Burnt Orange UV Crystal Pupa

Billingsley Creek Lodge offers nice rooms and cabins to use as a base camp for exploring everything this area has to offer. I just scratched the surface on this trip and plan to come back to explore more of the surrounding fishing.

The second gem I found is Kemmerer City Reservoir, located just 11.7 miles north of Kemmerer in southwest Wyoming. Kemmerer Reservoir is 176 acres in size at an altitude of 7149 feet. The reservoir provides drinking water to Kemmerer and Diamondville.

Trout caught on my Burnt Orange Predator Bugger Pattern

Fishing is permitted using artificial flies and lures only. Use of motorized watercraft is prohibited. For those who have a pontoon boat there is plenty of shoreline to scout out.

Fishing next to the weed line along the shore, in less than a few minutes the bite was on. Landing an 18-inch trout was the perfect way to start the day.

When trout started inhaling calliabaetis spinners from the surface, I switched to my gray UV Emerger and continued to land trout for the next few hours.

As suddenly as the bite began, it stopped. This was caused by a dramatic drop in barometric pressure preceding a prefrontal storm moving into central Wyoming bringing snow and high winds. After landing 17 trout, I was not disappointed by the abrupt change.

Vickie’s UV Emerger under UV Light

Water from Kremmerer Reservoir feeds the Hams Fork River which is an angler’s paradise. Only artificial flies and lures are allowed.

The Hams Fork continues south of Kemmerer and winds all the way to the Green River. I previously fished the Hams Fork River close to ice-out and was not disappointed. There are some good-sized fish to be found there, and the access is easy.

Cutbow caught on the Hams Fork after ice-out

I enjoyed this fishery and was the only one on the lake. Kemmerer Reservoir does not appear to face a lot of angling pressure. I will be off the grid for the next few weeks fishing in Nevada and Idaho. I will publish part 2 of my fall fishing report once I return home.