Synopsis

Winter has arrived in the Wood River Valley, yet with very little snow so far this year. If you can’t get a full day skiing in, it is a perfect time of year to get out on the water and catch some trout! Fishing is generally very good this time of the year, using nymphs and streamers. If you are in the right place at the right time, you may find some dry fly activity as well with the afternoon midge hatches. These hatches will pick up in intensity as we near and then go past the holiday season.

Silver Creek

The Creek is mostly closed to angling this time of the year, with the exception of the lower river, downstream from the Hwy 20 Bridge. Remember, this area turns to 100% catch and release in the winter. There is not a lot of insect activity on the Creek right now, anglers do have a nice opportunity to hunt for post spawn Brown Trout though, as they will be looking to add some calories before the coldest part of winter sets in.

Big Wood River

The Wood is well worth a day of fishing right now. With the lack of snow, all the access points are open right now, giving anglers easier access to the river than on most winters when we are restricted to the few spots that get plowed for parking along the bike path and a few of the bridge access points. Nymphing with Brassies, Zug Bugs, Zebra Midges, Hares Ears and Prince Nymphs can be very productive. With the very low water right now, it is easy to zero in on the “holding” water in order to locate good numbers of fish. The low water and glare on the surface does mean you need to use a bit more stealth than in normal nymphing situations. Light lines, rods and tippets will aid in this stealth.

A Quick Word on Rods and Reels in the Winter

Winter fishing means cold weather, which also translates to brittle graphite. Today’s faster, lighter rods are often designed with casting in mind, and are not really made to lob nymphs in cold weather conditions. The cold can cause a rod to snap, and this normally happens when an angler is clearing ice from the rods guides. The simple solution to prevent this from happening, is to leave your faster, lighter rods at home, and invest in a sturdy, slower action rod. The slower action means the rod will be less brittle and will resist the cold better. The limberness of a slow action rod means it is less likely to break. It need not be the most expensive rod, although investing in a rod like a Winston will make you smile all summer on Silver Creek, where slow rods are worth their weight in gold. If you are not fishing the Creek in the summer, just invest in a moderately priced rod that will act as your winter stick.

Reels in the winter are really just there to hold your line. Stay away from reels with Cork or Synthetic braking mechanisms, as these can freeze up. A standard old school “Click Pawl” drag system is all one needs and when things start to freeze. You may experience a little freeze up if the reel gets wet, but you can either break the spool free, or just stick the whole setup inside your jacket for a minute or two until it unfreezes. The key to any reel in the winter is just trying to keep it dry. Don’t set you equipment in the snow and be attentive to where your reel is when you are landing and releasing fish.

Synopsis

It is time to get your nymphs out and start prospecting the local rivers. With this Autumn’s low flows it is important to change your nymphing tactics a little bit. A slightly smaller tippet diameter is important. Tippet sizes near 5X and 4X are recommended. This thin diameter will help nymphs sink faster and allow anglers to cover the entire bottom in a more effective manner. If you are using an indicator, the general rule of thumb is to place the indicator on the line at 1½ times the water depth you are fishing, or in most cases on our local rivers, about 4 to 5 feet from the line. Fish are still going to act aggressively as they try to fatten up for the long winter ahead, so try to fish softer rods if you have a choice, as the extra “spring” in these rods will protect fragile tippets from breaking.

Nymphs for this time of year are standard. Generally a size 16 with a beadhead will cover most situations. Prince Nymphs, Hare’s Ears, Pheasant Tails, Brassies, Small Stoneflies, and Cased Caddis patterns are all good choices.

Silver Creek

There are only a few weeks left to fish the upper waters on Silver Creek before the season closes. The water upstream of Highway 20 closes after November 30th. The river downstream of Highway 20 will remain open through February, but the entire stretch there goes to Catch and Release Only regulations at the end of November.

There are still some Baetis and Mahogany Duns hatching on the river and with the cloud cover this week, we may see a bit of an increase in activity. The cooler days being predicted may mean late afternoon fishing, but it will take a combination of no wind, the warmest time of day, and some cloud cover to really get things turned on for one last Hurrah, before winter takes hold of the Creek.

Big Wood River

The Wood is a great place to spend a Fall day. The river has seen very little pressure lately and whole sections have been angler free for over a month or more. A well presented Pheasant Tail Nymph is all one needs to have a great time on the river. Cover each run thoroughly and take your time. This is a wonderful time of year to find nice sized fish in the thinner water north of Ketchum, or stay between Hailey and Ketchum for more numbers of fish. Late afternoon seems to be the time to find some Baetis and Midges hatching in enough numbers to get a few fish up on the surface and eating vigorously.

Upper Lost River and Copper Basin

If the weather permits an angler can find a few nice fish and plenty of unfished water over the pass this week, but with snow in the forecast and cooler days be well prepared. Nymphing with the standards is really the best way to go, although streamer fishing here can be very effective as well.

Big Lost River

The only reports coming from the Lost River are of low water, clear water and difficult fishing. This weeks cloud cover could spur a little more activity and get the fish feeding on Baetis and Midges, but it is truly a roll of the dice should you decide to head over the pass.

South Fork of the Boise

Slow fishing seems to be the norm on the SF of the B right now. The clouds this week could change this and get the last of the seasons Baetis hatches going. There is always a chance to see a blanket Baetis hatch on the South Fork. Take everything from your Silver Creek flies to Nymphs and large Streamers. You could show up on a day requiring 6X tippets and dry fly presentations, or you may end up searching the boulder strewn runs with Streamers and Nymphs. If you are a hunter the South Fork sometimes provides a nice “Cast and Blast” opportunity, although reports of Chukar populations across the West this year have been extremely poor.

Synopsis

The end of October continues to provide excellent weather for fishing. There are still decent hatches during the day, although the dry fly window gets shorter and shorter. Plan on lunch to dinner fishing hours for the prime action. Low flows mean stealth is a must in most places, and long, fine tippets are also a necessity unless you are searching the water with attractor patterns or nymphing.

Silver Creek

Baetis and Mahogany Duns are the last hatches of the season on the Creek. Both are present once the temperatures get warm enough. A little cloud cover doesn’t hurt either. Generally both bugs are hatching or – spinning and hatching simultaneously. The Baetis will often mask the Mahogany, so pay close attention to what the trout are eating minute by minute. If things are slow, or the hatches quit, do not hesitate to take one last shot with your favorite Hopper pattern. Despite the frost that has killed most of the population, the fish still remember Hoppers and few anglers ever show it this time of year… For the best action though, get some well tied Mahogany Dun patterns and be ready, for when the fish get on this fly, the big boys will eat recklessly.

Big Wood River

For a good time, get a large H and L Variant and cover a lot of water. You will be amazed at how the big fish will come out of the dark fall waters to consume this fly. Large Royal Wulffs and Royal Stimulators will also get plenty of attention from the trout. Baetis hatches are still present in the late afternoon and the evening Midge can be found in a few ideal spots. October Caddis are still out in enough numbers to get the fish looking up, and in the worst case, tie on a small Pheasant Tail or Red Squirrel Nymph to move fish that otherwise won’t come to the top. Streamers are also not a bad idea as fish look to fatten up for the winter. If we get some really foul weather and you still want to fish, the Filo Beto streamer can be worth its weight in gold, fishing it on a tight line swing downstream.

Upper Lost and Copper Basin

The days left to fish in this area are very few. The first winter storm or two will essentially close off these streams to any easy access. If you go, nymphing will be your best bet, as well as streamer fishing with flashy Bugger patterns. It is probably best to stay in the lower reaches of the system where there is still good flows and shorter distances between pools. Keep an eye on the weather if you go. A daytime snow storm can make Trail Creek Summit dangerous to descend, forcing anglers to take the long way home through Arco.

Big Lost River

The Lost is very low right now, running about 52 CFS. The water is also running Gin Clear and the fishing is technical to say the least. This is a trip for an angler that wants a really serious challenge. We have no solid reports of hatches, but if they occur they will be Baetis this time of the season. Our best suggestion is to fish elsewhere until conditions improve.

South Fork of the Boise

It is Fall Baetis time on the South Fork, but the flows are fluctuating a bit. The worse the weather right now, the better fishing one may expect over there. The desert location and lower altitude also mean a slightly longer season than what we get here in the Wood River Valley. It is a hit or miss proposition to go there right now. The right day could be a persons best of the season, but the wrong day could mean a scenic trip through a desert canyon. Not bad either way, but the fishing is a slight roll of the dice.

Synopsis

A cool Autumn has settled into the valley, with daytime temperatures hovering in the mid-fifties. The occasional day of rain is also in the forecast so check your weather and plan your fishing days accordingly. With the rainy days, comes the clouds, which when it is not raining, these clouds can in turn bring clouds of the Fall Baetis. There are still very few anglers out and about for this time of the year, so get out and enjoy one of the best times of the season in the Sun Valley area!

Silver Creek

This is a great afternoon fishery and no one needs to be in any rush to get down there. The later you can stay the better. Prime hours are between 12:00 and 5:00 p.m. Look for Callibaetis all over the Creek with good reports of them showing on the lower stretches of river, downstream of the Hwy 20 Bridge. This is also a great area to catch the seasons biggest Mahogany Dun hatches. When the clouds come in and the wind is calm, it is Baetis time on the river. Although the insect is small the fish are looking to fatten up for the winter so they will take advantage of whatever hatches and spinner falls they are able to. Be very ready as well, for the Mahogany Dun, despite its large size can become a hatch that is easily masked by the Baetis. The Mahogany is difficult to see and will hatch in waves while the Baetis is on the water. Anglers will draw strikes on the tiny Baetis and then suddenly won’t only to find the fish have switched insects for a few moments. If you aren’t paying attention, they will switch back to Baetis at a moments notice, so once you start seeing the Mahogany, pay very, very close attention to them! The masking hatch is one of the trickiest and most interesting puzzles fly anglers are ever presented with…

Big Wood River

The Wood is really fishing well when the weather is calm. The Fall Baetis is the main player on the river with intense afternoon activity under the right conditions. If you want to cover a lot of water and cast bigger dry flies, the October Caddis and the Hecuba are still out and about. A large H and L Variant is an anglers best choice during this time of the season. A few small nymphs fished in tandem are also a good bet. Use Pheasant Tails, Zebra Nymphs and tiny Copper Johns, fished together or dropped under a larger nymph like a Hare’s Ear or Zug Bug. The evenings on the Wood this time of year also provide a nice opportunity to fish an evening Midge hatch which may last well into the evening twilight. Enjoy the low easy to wade water and the serenity on the Wood these days, it is well worth your time!

Upper Lost River and Copper Basin

These rivers are all but deserted these days. The fishing is fair with a lot of Whitefish moving through the system. If you are nymph fishing expect to catch quite a few of these indicator species. There are still plenty of nice trout to catch, with the lower basin stretches being the areas to key on. Start as close the end of Trail Creek Road as you can and then work your way up river toward the turn into Copper Basin. Be prepared to cover a lot of water, but also be prepared to have an entire trophy trout system to yourself! Try small attractor patterns, Grasshoppers and small bead head nymphs. If you really are catching a lot of Whitefish and fewer trout, put on a streamer fly like a Woolly Bugger, or Matuka and swing it downstream in the deepest, most structure filled areas you can find, and then stay ready for some very hard strikes.

Big Lost River

Very low flows with a little tint to the water is what may be expected on the lost below the Mackay dam. This has set the fishing back some, but anglers can still take fish using nymphs and by also targeting the afternoon Baetis hatches, but the rivers biggest fish are going to be taking subsurface. Red colored Nymphs like San Juan Worms, Copper Johns, and Zebra Midges are all good choices. Standard nymphs like Prince’s are also a great bet.

South Fork of the Boise

The low flows continue on the South Fork, with the Fall Baetis being the main attraction. Hoppers and some nymphs will also take fish, but the real show is on cloudy, calm days when the Baetis seemingly blanket the river. With the low flows, comes a few more anglers especially on the weekend, so if you can find a cloudy day in the forecast with little rain, and it’s a weekday, one may want to consider playing hooky and getting to the river for a long afternoon!

Synopsis

The leaves are beginning to turn color here in the Valley making for a gorgeous autumn experience. The weather is switching back and forth between Indian summer and cooler fall days, but either type makes for a great day on the water. Anglers need to stay prepared with warm weather gear, as well as cool weather gear, including a rain jacket and fingerless gloves. With few other anglers and great weather, this is a fantastic opportunity to get out on the water and enjoy the combination of quietude and rising fish.

Silver Creek

The Callibaetis are putting on a show for the afternoon anglers and people are raving about how good the fishing has been. Currently things get rolling in the late morning, peak in the afternoon, and an angler can still be home for dinner. This is not to say that the morning and late evening activity isn’t worth while. Anglers taking advantage of these time frames are going to have a lot of water to themselves. We are still in a terrestrial time of year, so don’t put away those Hopper, Ants and Beetles yet! Keep an eye on the weather this week, daytime thunderstorms mean cloud cover and this could bring the fall Baetis off in a big way. Be ready for it with some seriously small Baetis flies, all the way down to a size 20 and 22.

Big Wood River

Much like Silver Creek, as soon as we get some cloud cover, the fall Baetis are going to begin putting on a show and really get the fish fired up to dine off of the surface. There have already been blanket hatches of this insect in the 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. time frame. The Western Red Quill is still active and if the fall hatches continue to the early trend like most of the bugs this summer, expect to start seeing the October Caddis. If this is the case, anglers can get the Stimulators they put away a month ago back out and begin searching the water. The most important thing to keep in mind this time of the year is where you fish the pools. This is dictated by the insects that are dominant at any given time of day. Flat water is where you find fish on the Baetis, riffle water is where the Quills will be, and the October Caddis will pull fish up from the shallowest flats that have good rocky structure in them. Enjoy the fall colors!

Upper Lost and Copper Basin

This area is still producing some great fishing and very, very little angling pressure. Big fish are being taken from the swifter, deeper sections from the Main river all the way up through the East Fork. You may find a drop in size as you move higher up, but still lots of great action. Hoppers are a great bet up there right now, as well as small attractor patterns fished tight to overhanging limbs and around submerged boulders. The majority of the fish are being taken subsurface with small Pheasant Tail Nymphs and Prince Nymphs.

Big Lost River

The Lost is producing well below the Dam and anglers can take fish on Hopper patterns as well as Chernobyl Ants. Baetis are the most prominent hatching insects and small Parachute Adams as well as Gulper Specials are all one needs to fool the fish coming up for these events. Small Pheasant Tail Nymphs and San Juan Worms are great subsurface patterns when the fish aren’t rising, or to target slightly bigger fish. At the current flows, wading is excellent and there is great opportunity to sight nymph on the edges of currents and at the heads of buckets. Take your time when moving through the river and look for big fish lying in the open under slightly disturbed, moving water.

South Fork of the Boise

The flows on the South Fork of the Boise have dropped a lot over the past few days. This means good news for wading anglers that have been waiting for lower, more wadable flows. Get on the river with your favorite Fall Baetis patterns and even some Pink Alberts, then get ready for some outstanding fishing. Hoppers are also a good bet when the fish aren’t rising. If you need to go subsurface, try Red Squirrel nymphs, Prince nymphs, and drop small Pheasant Tails nymphs behind them. Concentrate on waist deep riffles when the fish aren’t on the surface and look at the glassy flats and banks when the hatches get revved up!