Synopsis

The approach of the Fall is in the air. Daytime temperatures are a few degrees lower, night time temperatures force us into morning sweaters and hunting dogs are coming out of a summer slumber and getting spirited. These new lows will begin to cool the water and signal the bugs and the fish to get with it – as winter won’t be far behind. The next week may be more of the same, but as we slip into September be ready to see bigger insects, bigger fish and riskier behavior from the fish. For Rainbows, getting fat for winter is on their minds and for Browns, getting fat for the fall spawn is a life and death priority.

Silver Creek

The Creek continues to dull out morning activity, but the window and the hatches have decreased over the past few weeks. The afternoon activity on the other hand has picked up nicely and should continue to stay strong. Callibaetis and Hopper patterns are an anglers best friend right now. Have well tied patterns of each. Fish the Callibaetis to rising fish and if there is no surface activity search the banks with Hopper flies.

Baetis and Pale Morning Duns and Micro Caddis are getting the fish looking up on calm evenings and in the dark a few anglers are finding success with Mouse patterns.

Hatches to get ready for include the Fall Baetis and eventually the Mahogany Dunn. Stock up now on these patterns and be ready to fish them once the weather takes a permanent shift away from summer and into the cool of Autumn.

Big Wood River

The hatches to be ready for on the Wood are also the Fall Baetis and especially the Red Quill. These insects will also show up strong with cooler weather. Right now start thinking Hoppers and Ants. Hoppers are migrating to the cooler banks and green grasses on the river bank, and Flying Ants will often show up in huge numbers this time of the year.

The river seems to have opened a bigger window recently with bigger fish starting to return to afternoon feeding opportunities. This could be a sign of the oncoming fall and their need for calories. Whatever the reason the Wood is fishing well all day long on most days. Parachutes, Irresistibles, small Stimulators, Parachute Ants, Trudes and small Pheasant Tail droppers are excellent fly choices.

Upper Lost and Copper Basin

These rivers are fishing a lot like the Big Wood with fish on the move looking for a meal. Hoppers and Ants may be the only fly you need, but general Attractor patterns in smaller sizes are also a great choice. The fall colors generally show early on the upper Lost so enjoy the view as much as the fishing!

Big Lost River

The flows are up again slightly keeping most anglers away due to limited wading opportunities. The best days of the season are yet to come on this river. Some pocket fishing is available but not optimal.

South Fork of the Boise

Here is the best late season surprise for fly anglers. The South Fork is still at a boatable flow making for some excellent Hopper fishing along the banks and a fair amount of Pink Albert activity late in the afternoon. Big Foam Hoppers and medium sized Stimulators are taking fish from the banks. The later in the day one fishes the better. Watch the flows and as long as they remain high this will continue to be a wonderful drift boat opportunity.

Little Wood River

Still a nice opportunity above the reservoir to catch good numbers of smaller fish. A great place to take a kid fishing!

Synopsis

If an angler were to only fish the afternoon hours in August, it would be easy to say the August doldrums are upon us. Anglers that are out early and also those fishing until the last moments of visibility before dark know that there are no August doldrums this year. The long delayed runoff we experienced this June is now coming back to us in spades as we enjoy a wonderful summer season on almost all our area waters.

Silver Creek

The Creek continues to have excellent morning fishing. The Trico we expected to see throughout the month seems to be waning a bit, but this has been a case of where an angler is on the Creek. Some spots are heavy with the insect while others are nearly devoid of it, yet another reason to get moving and constantly look for new water to fish. Fishing the same corner or bucket every morning can be a good learning experience, but it can also keep anglers from the best fishing of the day.

The Trico has been heavily supplemented by big hatches and spinner falls of Baetis and anglers with small patterns in lighter shades of green are catching fish. The female Trico is an excellent choice for a fly that imitates both the Baetis and Trico alike.

Afternoons are an excellent time to float tube the Stillwater sections or bank fish the sloughs with Callibaetis patterns. Hopper fishing has been hot and cold, like someone throwing a switch off and on. One day it is great, and then the next it’s a head scratcher. The only way to find out is to go do it!

Big Wood River

Excellent morning activity has fish looking up until almost 11:00 a.m. and sometimes a little bit later. Once the fish have keyed on the surface they can be easily taken with Parachute Adams, Trudes, and Caddis patterns.

The afternoons belong to nymph anglers and Hopper / Dropper set ups. It is important to cover a good section of water to be productive. Stay on the move and fish a variety of water types with extra attention being paid to shady areas and structure.

The evening show is an angler’s best chance to catch a big fish. The late night Caddis action combined with low light is getting big fish to move out of their holding areas. When the sun is high and the water low like it is now, the late evening rise can sometimes be the only surface activity one will see that has big fish moving about. Plan on staying until nearly pitch dark to enjoy this event. Goddard Caddis, large Elk Hairs and Irresistible Adams are all excellent choices for this event.

Upper Lost and Copper Basin

A lot like the Big Wood, low light is spurring more activity from the fish, but with miles and miles of overhanging vegetation on these rivers an angler has a great chance to find big fish even during the middle of the day. Start the morning with small attractors and then move toward Hoppers and bigger Attractors in the afternoon. In the evening plan on throwing Caddis.

Big Lost River

The Big Lost is beginning to drop into a fishable flow. In another week or so here we should have an outstanding fishery, with many, many fish yet to see an angler or fly this season. Be prepared with well tied nymphs like Princes and Pheasant Tails and also have a variety of parachute Adams in different sizes. Tricos are also a late summer factor on this river as the flows begin to drop and the pools become glassy.

South Fork of the Boise

It is still a boater’s river right now with flows near 1800 CFS and it is also Pink Albert time as well as Grass Hopper time. Cast big Hoppers from the boat while floating and then pull into the riffles in the middle of the day to find fish sitting just below the surface waiting for the midday hatches. Remember that this insect emerges with their wing out on the bottom and swim up as a dun. Make sure your patterns reflect this life cycle.

Little Wood River

There is some excellent “small fish” angling opportunities above the reservoir for those willing to walk and explore. The fish near the campground have mostly been taken out, but with a little effort anglers can get away from the easy to access areas and find little spots full of 8 to 14 inch fish!