June 12, 2026 | Beaver Tailwater Fishing Report
A tale of two rivers.....clear and placid, to high and rolling. We've been seeing some big fluctuations in the levels with the release pattern from the dam, but the fishing has still been amazing on Beaver Tailwater, so read on below to get the latest fishing report.
Want to get this report in your inbox each week? Sign up here!
Beaver Tailwater Levels & Conditions
Beaver Lake is currently sitting at 1123.5, up about 2 feet from last week and over our target power pool number of 1121.43. With the generators still down, we are seeing one of two things - no flow, or close to 10,000 cfs. When the gates and conduit pipe are open there is almost a 10 foot rise in the river at the dam. It is a little less pronounced downriver, but still quite a big fluctuation. Aside from the initial rise when water is released, the water has cleared very nicely and visibility is great. Our water temps have been getting a bit warm in late afternoons, but not bad enough to overly stress the fish. They are still active and eating great. The cool down that is forecast for the weekend should help out with our water temps as well.
As has been the case lately, check The Corps Facebook page for the most updated information on predicted flows, especially if you are wading. When the gates and conduit pipe are opened, the rise happens much faster than normal. If you hear the horn....get out of the water NOW.
What's Working
With the varying water levels we have seen, I'm going to break things up based on low vs high water.
Low Water Conditions:
There's been a few shifts in what's working for me on the river lately, and it's been good news! I've been fairly consistently sticking fish on hopper/dropper rigs, and getting a lot of eats on the hoppers. I'm fishing Psycho Ants in size 8 and 10 in blacks, purples and pinks (I'll have these up on the website later today, so check back if you want some!). The droppers have varied depending on water levels, but anything from the Beaver Blowtorch to Ruby and Rootbeer midges have been getting it done.
Small streamers have also been a blast to fish, and I'm adding some Beaver Buggers (pictured below) to the website this afternoon as well. These are tungsten beaded jigged buggers in size 8 and 12. The olive, black/red, and white have all been catching lots of fish. I'm fishing the size 8's in deeper water, and the 12's in shallower water. I love to strip them, but you can hang them under an indicator (especially if it's windy) as well.
Double nymph rigs are always a consistent producer as well. With the tailwater being a touch higher than it has been, I've upsized most of my flies a bit so they get down a little faster. I've been fishing the Beaver Blowtorch and various Perdigons in 12's and 14's as a point fly, with a Rootbeer or Ruby midge behind it in size 16 or 18.
Low Water Conditions:
If you find yourself out when the dam opens up, the first thing I'd recomend doing is to take a break and eat a sandwich for half an hour or so. Let the initial rise get past you, and then start motoring upriver toward the dam to get behind that initial rise. The first "wave" of rising water has been too trashy with leaves, dirt, whole trees, and other debris to be fished effectively. Once that settles out, there are still fish to be caught.
In that big water, you need to be thinking deep. I'm fishing LOTS of weight. I've had luck fishing the size 8 Beaver Bugger in white under an indicator. I'm trailing a Jumbo Worm, Y2K or big Eggstacy Egg behind it. If you are fishing off the bank a little, I'm running these about 10 feet below a big indicator on 3x tippet with some split shot above for good measure. If that's not your cup of tea.....take off your trailer fly and fish tight to the banks with the Beaver Bugger about 5 feet below an indicator. Under an indicator, use combinations of dead drifts and slight jigs and you'll be in business. Focus on slack water areas out of the main current and you'll find fish.
Check out the store portion of our website for flies, and if you need something you don't see there...don't hesitate to reach out! I can make it happen.
Comments