Updated October 15, 2026
    Access point

    Pactola Dam Tailrace (upper section)on Rapid Creek

    The upper tailrace area below Pactola Reservoir concentrates trout and is fished heavily when flows are moderate.
    Rapid Creek reportDirections43.9510°N, 103.6360°W
    Bite report · week of Oct 4

    What's working on Rapid Creek

    1. 01Intermittent Blue-Winged Olive (BWO) hatches are expected on overcast days.
    2. 02Various midge species are consistently active, especially in cooler water.
    3. 03Caddis pupae remain an important subsurface food source.
    4. 04Brown trout are beginning spawning rituals, making egg patterns effective.
    5. 05Larger trout are actively feeding on streamers imitating baitfish and leeches.

    What to tie on at Pactola Dam Tailrace (upper section)

    Picked from recent reports for this stretch.

    dry100%

    Blue-Winged Olive Comparadun

    #18#20#22

    Blue-Winged Olives are actively hatching in town, providing some of the best dry fly fishing of the year on Rapid Creek.

    emerger100%

    Sparkle Dun

    #14#16

    This emerger pattern is ideal for imitating Blue-Winged Olive emergers, which trout are actively keying on during the consistent hatches.

    nymph95%

    Flashback Baetis Nymph

    #18#20#22

    Nymph fishing is very good, and Baetis nymphs are actively moving subsurface before and during the significant BWO hatches.

    nymph90%

    Zebra Midge

    #18#20#22#24

    Midges are a consistent, year-round food source for trout, and nymphing with this pattern is effective in Rapid Creek's clear water.

    Buy at Amazon
    nymph80%

    Pheasant Tail Nymph

    #14#16#18#20

    A versatile mayfly nymph imitation that remains effective year-round, mimicking various small aquatic insects active in the substrate.

    Buy at Amazon
    nymph80%

    Copper John

    #14#16#18

    A year-round attractor nymph that is effective in faster water, imitating a wide range of subsurface insects.

    Buy at Amazon
    streamer80%

    Olive Woolly Bugger

    #4#6#8

    A classic and highly versatile streamer, imitating leeches and baitfish, which are consistent food sources for predatory trout year-round.

    dry80%

    Yellow Sally

    #14#16#18

    Yellow Sally stoneflies are abundant along freestone streams in summer, drawing aggressive strikes from trout.

    Buy at Amazon
    dry80%

    Isonychia Dun

    #14#16

    Isonychia are actively hatching on freestone rivers during summer, making this a prime pattern for rising trout.

    South Dakota season by season

    What changes on the water through the year, with the flies for each season.

    Mar – MaySpringRead the guideJun – AugSummerRead the guideSep – NovFallRead the guideDec – FebWinterRead the guide

    Fly shops nearby

    Local flies, current advice and guided trips.

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    39MIFinn ProvisionsSpearfish