Float Tube Fishing In Pactola Basin, South Dakota

If you are a fly-guy and a float tuber…then look no further than Pactola Basin Dam/Reservoir, located in the Black Hills of South Dakota…about 30 minutes due west of Rapid City. This is one of those very special areas that I hit each time I go through the area as it offers both float tubing and as much stream fishing as one would want.

Pactola Reservoir is located on highway 385 between Spearfish and Custer…and as I said, up in the ‘hills’ from Rapid City. Below the dam is a spillwater basin that is the perfect float tube destination. The basin is about 4 acres and has many nice fish within it…in fact you might recall a couple of summers back that I caught and landed a 27 ½ inch lake trout from the basin.
I can’t say that my recent trip was as fruitful…but I did land 9 browns (the largest was 16 inches) and a nice brook trout. My lost a fish story came on my last night at almost dark when I connected with a true monster of a beasts that shook, rattled and rolled me until he pulled the hook. To say the least I was a bit bummed but knowing that I had indeed ‘danced’ with a big one was also special.

As you know I am a streamer guy and tried a bit of everything in the very clear water…and finally settled in on 4X tippet and a white wooly that did the trick over and over and in fact was the fly that my big-lost fish eventually trashed. I am sure a lot of variations might work…but I’ll also add that my big laker was also caught on a white streamer….might be a patter there?
So, if you are wandering through the Black Hills or have need to get off the interstate in South Dakota…stop in at the fly shop in Rapid City and talk to the guys at Dakota Angler and Outfitters. I have done so twice and the boys are very nice and helpful…in fact look for a big, black, bushy beard and you will know you are about to get some good info! A quick half hour up highway 44 will put you at the crossroads of 44/385 and only two minutes from the basin.

You can also go from the same parking area and walk as far as your heart desires on the Rapid River. It is also one of those gorgeous walks that happens to have a few fish to be caught. The water this last fish was very clear and made for real tough fishing…but did manage a couple on a cream trout candy. The walk is worth the fishing and be sure to bring along your camera.