Sunny Days

Monday, 29 June, 2009 13:49 Written by Dave Faltings

Synopsis

For now, the rain has passed. The forecast calls for sun and mild weather for the foreseeable future and, as a result, most of our freestone streams should drop and clear. The recent change in weather has had some unpredictable effects on the local hatches. Last night, a few lucky anglers were able to catch a great Brown Drake hatch on Silver Creek! This is about three weeks late but we’ve had a very unusual June, so we’ll take it.

Big Wood River

The Big Wood is dropping slowly and starting to run clearer. Anglers are finding success on side-channels, braids, and areas where the river slows down. Large attractor patterns both on and below the surface will produce fish. A few Green Drakes have been spotted down south and the bulk of the hatch should be just around the corner.

Silver Creek

The creek is probably still the best bet in the valley for consistent surface activity. Green Drakes, PMD’s, Callibaetis and Baetis continue to hatch sporadically throughout the day. Additionally, the Damselfly activity has really started to pick up so, if the fish aren’t feeding on Mayflies try a Damsel. When Damselfly fishing, pay close attention to the water behind weed beds and areas where the Damselflies concentrate. Fish will key in on these locations and opportunistically feed on unsuspecting Damselflies.

Big Lost River

Unfortunately, at 1100cfs (cubic feet per second), the Big Lost is still too high to fish. Keep an eye on the river levels and if the stream flow gets below 450cfs the Lost will become fishable.

Upper Big Lost / Copper Basin

The Upper lost is running pretty clear and is fishable in spots. Anglers willing to head over the hill should travel to the upper reaches of the Big Lost tributaries to find the good water. The Upper Big Lost has a good Green Drake hatch so be prepared with a few Drake patterns if you head over the hill.

South Fork of the Boise

Currently, the South Fork is dropping rapidly; yesterday morning it was running at 2150cfs and is now down to 1740cfs. This drop in water level might throw the fish off for a day or two, but the river is starting to shape up for a good Salmonfly hatch. Anglers are reporting success on foam flies fished along the bank and Caddis in the eddies.

Blame it on the Rain

Friday, 19 June, 2009 14:23 Written by Dave Faltings

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Synopsis

The recent rains that have plagued the Wood River Valley will likely continue through the weekend. Rains have extended the seasonal runoff on our freestone streams, so Silver Creek and The South Fork of the Boise are probably the best options for anglers. The good news is that all of our regional watersheds are now over the 100% annual precipitation mark, so we should have plenty of water for the summer.

Big Wood River

The Wood has risen over the past week and has become off-color due to recent mudslides. These unfavorable conditions should subside once the weather shapes up and will slowly improve over the next few weeks.

Silver Creek

Unfortunately, the Brown Drakes are probably finished for the year. Last night was a perfect Drake evening and we witnessed very little activity. However, the Green Drakes continue to hatch in good numbers throughout the The Nature Conservany. The evening Caddis hatches are thick and the smaller mayflies are popping throughout the day in abundance. PMD’s (size16), Callibaetis (size16/18), and Baetis (Size 22) will continue to be the main hatches through June; however, the fish have keyed in on these hatches and have started to become educated and more selective. Be prepared with cripples and emergers and pay close attention to what species and stages the fish are feeding on.

Big Lost River

Unfortunately, the Big Lost is still too high to fish.

Upper Big Lost / Copper Basin

The Copper Basin will eventually shape up, but currently remains a little high and off-color for ideal fishing. There are a few spots higher up in the basin where anglers can produce fish.

South Fork of the Boise

The South Fork has dropped a little over the past week to 2320 cfs and drift boat anglers are experiencing good fishing. Large foam Cicada patterns and Chernobyls Ants are producing fish along the bank. At this level, the river is moving pretty fast, so take your time floating and keep an eye underneath the bushes and in the eddies for feeding fish. The Pink Albert and Salmonfly hatches have yet to begin but anglers are reporting good caddis activity.

Daytime Drakes

Thursday, 11 June, 2009 12:22 Written by Dave Faltings

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Synopsis

The Drakes are popping on Silver Creek and the Big Wood River is dropping and clearing fast. According to recent forecasts, the weather will likely stay cool and overcast through the weekend, helping to drop river levels and ignite periodic daytime hatches.

Big Wood River

The Big Wood has been dropping and clearing rapidly over the past five days. Adventurous anglers can start to fish the braids and side channels with large nymphs and dries, but should use caution when wading. If the Big Wood continues to drop and clear at this pace, we should be in for some great Green Drake fishing this year.

Silver Creek

Due to the abnormal weather we are experiencing, The Creek’s hatches have been unpredictable lately. Brown Drakes have finally made an appearance but not at their typical time of day. We normally see Brown Drake activity in the evening, but over the past week we’ve witnessed some great daytime Drake spinner falls, mainly in the Willows and Point of Rocks. These spinner falls usually coincide with calm overcast conditions so they should continue as long as the weather holds up. Daytime anglers will also encounter PMD (size 16) hatches as well as small (size 22) Beatis hatches and spinner falls. The sloughs and ponds have had occasional Callibaetis hatches that will continue to pick up as we head into summer.

Big Lost River

Unfortunately, the Big Lost is still too high to fish.

Upper Big Lost / Copper Basin

Like the Big Wood, the Upper Big Lost is dropping and clearing quickly. The Copper Basin is fishable in spots and should continue to improve as the week progresses. Large dry flies (Stimulators, Adams, Turks, etc…) and streamers should produce fish in the slower, fishable stretches.

South Fork of the Boise

The river has dropped about 1000cfs over the past three days to 2500cfs. This is still a little too high for good wade fishing but is good for drift boats. Fishing Cicada patterns along the banks can be effective as well as nymphing. The caddis hatches have started and will continue to increase in frequency as we head further into June.

Archive for June, 2009

Sunny Days

Synopsis

Big Wood River

Silver Creek

Big Lost River

Upper Big Lost / Copper Basin

South Fork of the Boise

Blame it on the Rain

Synopsis

Big Wood River

Silver Creek

Big Lost River

Upper Big Lost / Copper Basin

South Fork of the Boise

Daytime Drakes

Synopsis

Big Wood River

Silver Creek

Big Lost River

Upper Big Lost / Copper Basin

South Fork of the Boise

Fishing Report Archives

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