Synopsis

As August comes to a close, Angling in and around the Wood River Valley continues to be very good. The morning activity at Silver Creek remains consistent and terrestrial fishing is still producing well in the afternoons. The Big Wood, Big Lost, South Fork of the Boise and the Salmon Rivers are also fishing well with good dry fly fishing throughout the day. Look for fishing on our local freestones to improve with the onset of cooler nighttime temperatures and the appearance of larger insects, such as the Red Quill. If you haven’t had an opportunity to pick up a fly rod this summer, don’t worry, autumn is one of the best times of the year to chase the wily and hungry trout.

Silver Creek

The Creek continues to offer good activity for early to rise fishermen. The Tricos (size 20) have begun to dwindle although some mornings, depending on the stretch of river you choose to fish, these petite mayflies will still have a significant presence. Make sure you also come well-equipped for the Baetis emergence (size 20-22), as this is the main morning food source for the Rainbows and Browns of Silver Creek. Callibaetis (size 16) are also becoming more numerous on this spring creek, a welcome treat for those of us who have been straining our eyes to see our minuscule Baetis and Tricos. The Callibaetis should grow in number into September making for some superb angling on both the moving and still water sections. In the afternoons once the mayfly activity calms, try throwing grasshoppers near the banks on 3X or 4X tippet or use Crow Beetles (sizes 10-16).

Big Wood River

The Big Wood is fishing well as Pink Alberts (size 16), Baetis (sizes 18-20), Yellow Craneflies (size 14) and a multitude of Caddis are the flies of choice. Try casting a Spruce Moth (Beige Elk Hair Caddis size 14) as your first selection or a Parachute Adams (sizes 16-18). The caddis will elicit the most aggressive strikes while the mayfly imitation will be another impressive producer for those who wish to fish on the surface. Afternoons see an abundance of riverside grasshopper activity and hopper imitations can bring some of the larger trout to the surface. If fishing slows in the afternoon, add a midge pupae to your grasshopper in an attempt to present a fly down deep. Black, brown and red Zebra Midges are good choices as well as Caddis Pupae (size 12-16) or mayfly nymphs (sizes 16-18).

Big Lost River

The Lost is fishing well both sub-surface and on top. Below the Mackay Dam expect to find success primarily underwater with small black or red Zebra Midges trailed behind larger mayfly nymphs. Prince Nymphs, King Princes, Copper Johns and Pheasant Tails (size 14-18) can be effective. Cranefly patterns such as the Mackay Special, if fished in a quartering-down fashion and skated across the river, will bring some of the larger Rainbows to the surface. Above the reservoir try Parachute Adams (size 16-18) as well as Tricos (size 20). Blue Winged Olives (size 16) will appear as the fall progresses, but for the moment use grasshoppers trailing mayfly nymphs, midge pupae or caddis pupae in a variety of sizes.

Upper Big Lost

The West, East and North Forks of the Big Lost continue to fish well with large cream Caddis eliciting aggressive strikes from Rainbows, Cutthroat, Cuttbows, Brook Trout and Whitefish. As another option in the morning hours try Parachute Adams (sizes 16-18). The Caddis become present in large numbers in the evening but fish will take them all day long. Tricos (size 20) and Pink Alberts (size 16) are prevalent in the mornings and sipping fish are likely to take a well-presented fly. Grasshoppers are another productive choice but I would hedge toward Caddis and Mayflies first. September 1st is about the time that trout begin to migrate downstream from the upper reaches of this river system as nighttime temperatures drop below freezing and food sources begin to wane. Fishing is still productive to the top of the system but in a few short days this will begin to change.

South Fork of the Boise

The South Fork of the Boise has recently been dropped to approximately 600 cfs. This can change daily but should remain fairly consistent for the next couple weeks. Make sure to check the Streamflow Report for real time flow reports before you head out. Pink Alberts (size 16) are the imitation of choice on this tailwater. Grasshoppers are another productive selection especially during the afternoon hours. Woolly Buggers and Streamers are always good choices as are mayfly nymphs (size 16) trailed off of foam Hoppers.

Salmon River

The Salmon continues to fish well for Rainbow and Cutthroat trout as well as for Whitefish. The high activity we saw two weeks ago has passed but fish are still eating Spruce Moths (cream Elk Hair Caddis size 12) regularly. Black Flying Ants (size 12) will bring some fish to the surface but expect to see a more significant dependence on nymphing as we head into September. Be aware that the Chinook Salmon are now spawning and floating is closed from Buckhorn to Stanley, Mormon Bend to the Yankee Fork and Torrey’s downstream toward Squaw Creek.

Synopsis

Whether you are fishing our meandering valley river bottoms or the alpine lakes high above, fly fishing in central Idaho is absolutely excellent at the moment. Trout are feeding aggressively on the various mayfly and caddis floating down our local freestones and the morning activity at Silver Creek is at its annual peak. Mornings and evenings lend themselves to more active dry fly fishing but midday can be very exciting with grasshoppers and various other terrestrials. All in all, it is an excellent time to be on the river, whichever river you choose!

Silver Creek

The annual “Trico Madness” featuring our world class Trico spinner fall has been underway for about three weeks and is now reaching its peak. Expect the action to heat up around 7:30 am and continue until about 11:30 am, depending on which section you select to fish. Initially, throw Trico duns to imitate the early spinners before they drop their wings. As the morning progresses, look for a significant Baetis emergence which will become evident as the diminutive olive mayflies climb up your waders before drying their wings and flying away. PMDs will also have a presence later in the morning and can be effective patterns to use as a quick respite from the continual Trico/Baetis fly rotation. Changing flies regularly is very important when fishing the Creek this time of year as fish will identify the imitations and disregard them. Sometimes switching between dun and spinner patterns should be done every half-dozen casts. As soon as your once-effective fly begins to float over the trout pod without success, take the initiative to switch patterns and revel in the next strike which will likely come immediately on a well-presented downstream cast. Once the morning window closes, try throwing terrestrials against the banks or floating blue damselflies along weedbeds mid-stream.

Big Wood River

The Wood is fishing very well, especially in the mornings and evenings. Mayflies, such as Pink Alberts (size 16), Tricos (size 20-22) and Baetis (size 18-20) are most prevalent in the mornings but the larger Pink Alberts will be present throughout the day. Also notice the small yellow Cranefly (size 14) present in decent numbers. During the heat of the afternoon, try throwing cream or yellow-bellied foam Grasshoppers along seams or against banks. Fish are looking up for these large meals and will rise to the surface from their deep summer haunts to snag such a nutritious meal. When the hopper action is mediocre, add a mayfly nymph, caddis pupae (size 12-18) or a Zebra Midge (size 18-22) off the hopper’s hook shank one to three feet, depending on the depth of the water you are fishing.

Big Lost River

The Lost will fish well through the end of summer and improve through September. Expect to see a smattering of mayflies including Baetis (size 20), Pink Alberts (size 16-18) and increasing numbers of Tricos (size 20-22) over the next week. Flowing at approximately 300 cfs, the river below Mackay Dam is at a prime level for fly fishing. In addition to mayflies, expect to see the large Cranefly and try imitating this insect with quartering-down presentations to the opposing banks. Often, this technique can pull large ‘bows from the bottom that are not otherwise actively feeding. Large nymphs such as Prince Nymphs, Flashback Pheasant Tails and King Princes (size 12-18) are the standard selections on this little tailwater fished under a strike indicator. Combining these large patterns with the petite Zebra Midge in black, brown or red (size 20) can also lead to a productive day subsurface.

Upper Big Lost

Although the various forks of the Lost have seen a good amount of pressure this summer, fishing remains very good along the East, West and North Forks. Use large attractor patterns such as cream Elk Hair Caddis (size 12-16), PMDs (size 16), Parachute Adams, Adams Wulffs, Irresistibles (size 12-16), Black Flying Ants (size 14-18) and Grasshoppers. In late August the Flying Ant takes on a more significant roll for feeding Rainbows, Cutthroats, Cuttbows, Brook Trout and Whitefish. Don’t hesitate to start with this pattern and revisit it frequently throughout the day.

South Fork of the Boise

The South Fork of the Boise remains at 1600 cfs although we can expect the flow to be lowered as September approaches. Check the streamflow chart before heading out to this tailwater as daily changes are inevitable. Look for Pink Alberts (size 16) to lead the charge here as well as the Golden Stone (size 14) and a variety of caddis and micro caddis. Use foam Grasshoppers extensively, dropping mayfly nymphs and caddis pupae (size 14-18) from the larger terrestrials above. Streamer fishing is also an exciting option as behemoth Rainbows and Bull Trout lurk below in the deeper runs and holes as they wait for crippled minnows to float by making for aggressive strikes.

Salmon River

The Salmon is currently on fire. Caddis are everywhere and are even falling from the riverside shrubbery into the water where waiting Rainbows, Cutthroat, Cuttbows, Bull Trout, Squawfish and Whitefish are sipping them up aggressively. Try throwing cream Elk Hair Caddis (size 14-16) as your “go-to” pattern. Orange-bodied Stimulators (size 10-14) are also good options for ravenous Cutthroats. Dropping large Prince Nymphs, King Princes, Flashbacks and Copper Johns (size 12-16) will also produce excellent numbers of strikes. Be aware that some sections of the river have been closed to floating due to the oncoming Chinook Salmon spawning period and that upper sections of the river above Clayton have become shallow making for difficult, rocky floats. This is no obstacle to superb fly fishing though, as the walk-and-wade fishing is excellent!

Synopsis

As we enter the middle of August, local fisheries are producing very well. Silver Creek is in the midst of the annual “Trico Madness” activity and our regional freestones are offering excellent mayfly, caddis and grasshopper opportunities. The recent inclement weather and thunderstorms have slightly colored the waters in our area, but this is a temporary problem as the rivers clear themselves quite quickly. Up north, the Salmon River is flowing at a low level making it very wadeable with trout concentrated in smaller areas. Expect the action on the rivers to slow in the heat of the day while mornings and evenings offer very good insect activity on all of our local waters.

Silver Creek

The Creek is beginning to peak in the mornings as the petite Tricos enjoy their proliferation. This spinner fall is a wonder to behold as thousands, perhaps millions, of insects swarm the river before mating, dropping their eggs and finally coming to rest on the water’s surface. Baetis are concurrently emerging providing an additional set of patterns to fool the wily Brown and Rainbow Trout. Use Trico duns early in the spinner fall and then move toward Trico spinners as the bugs begin to hit the surface. Switching back and forth between Baetis and Trico patterns can help to keep fish off guard and on the end of your line. PMDs will join the frenzy half way through the morning’s activity. Try throwing a few PMDs (size 16) then finish off the morning returning to the miniature Trico spinners. Midday can be rather quiet on the Creek, but Blue Damselflies, grasshoppers, beetles and ants can still bring fish to the surface.

Big Wood River

The Wood is fishing better than usual as a result of the extended runoff we experienced earlier this summer. Baetis (size 20) are prevalent during the morning and early afternoon as are the larger Pink Alberts (size 16). Expect to see good Trico activity on the Big Wood during the morning’s hours. Try working the slow water backeddies and bubble lines with Trico duns (size 20). In the evening, expect to see a variety of caddis on the Wood. Brown elk hair caddis (size 16) will match this hatch as well as larger cream caddis (size 14).

August is Grasshopper season on the Big Wood and fish have been aggressively taking any number of hopper patterns in a variety of sizes. Try foam hoppers on seams and against banks in order to pull up the larger rainbows from their deep cool haunts.

Big Lost River

The Big Lost is flowing at a wadeable 432 cfs, allowing anglers to fish below the dam. Large nymphs such as the King Prince, Prince nymph and Flashback Pheasant Tail (size 12-16) in addition to Zebra Midges (sizes 16-20) will be effective. Craneflies are also a good option on the Lost and are especially good choices during the middle of the day. Cast these “mosquito eaters” at a quartering down angle and skate them back across the surface. Large rainbows will often throw caution to the wind and violently attack these gangly insect.

Upper Big Lost

The North, East and West Forks of the Big Lost continue to fish well. Any number of attractor patterns will raise fish including Parachute Adams, Adams Irresistible, Black Flying Ants, Caddis, Royal Trudes, Coachmen and Wulffs in sizes 12-16. These tributaries offer an array of trout species including Rainbow, Brook, West Slope Cutthroat, Finespot Cutthroat, Cuttbows and Whitefish. This alpine area is the perfect destination for anglers of any experience level or for first time fly fishermen just beginning the wonderful journey of learning to catch fish on the fly.

South Fork of the Boise

The South Fork of the Boise continues to fish well with Pink Alberts (size 16) making for some very good mayfly fishing in addition to Golden Stoneflies (size 14). When fish are not rising to the surface, any number of mayfly and stonefly nymphs fished sub-surface should elicit strikes. Streamer fishing can also be productive on this cold tailwater fishery. Make sure to check the streamflow charts before driving to this river as the flow will soon be lowered and can happen any day without warning.

Salmon River

The Salmon is flowing at a perfect level for both drift boat fishing and walk and wade angling. The West Slope Cutthroat, Rainbows, Cuttbows, Brook Trout, Bull Trout, Squawfish and Whitefish are rising to a variety of patterns including beige and brown elk hair caddis (size 14-16), stimulators (size 14-16), Grey Drakes (size 12), Large Golden Stones (size 8-10) and any number of mayfly nymphs or caddis pupae dropped off the large dry flies.

Synopsis

Traditionally, August fishing on Silver Creek becomes extremely active in the mornings with the onset of “Trico Madness”. This famous conflagration of tricorithodes spinners, in conjunction with other small mayflies, demands that anglers cast flies of the most diminutive proportions. However, it will be very much the opposite on our local freestones and tailwaters as we see a proliferation of larger insects, namely Grasshoppers. Thrown during the heat of the day, these terrestrials have been known to produce some violent strikes from the river. Regardless of location, the next few weeks of fly fishing will be very exciting!

Silver Creek

Any accomplished fisherman, who has not fished the Creek yet, should be waking early over the next three weeks as the Trico spinnerfall, one of Silver Creek’s true entomological signature spinner falls, is a wonder to behold. Although a little stingy lately, the Trico action has begun to heat up. Right now, the best window is between 8:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m., depending on what section of the Creek you are fishing. At its peak, fishing will be superb from about 7:45 a.m. until 11:30 a.m.. Try dun patterns early in the fall cycle (sizes 20-22) and as the spinner fall progresses, move toward Trico spinners (size 20-22). You will notice, if you look at your legs, that Baetis emergers will also make a strong showing by crawling up your waders while the action is hot. Try rotating between Trico and Baetis patterns during this emergence in order to keep fish guessing and off-guard. Later in the morning, stay vigilant for PMDs which can promote more aggressive strikes as they sail downstream, offsetting themselves from the more petite Tricos and Baetis. After the madness subsides, try beetles and grasshoppers as well as Blue Damselflies in all sizes. Many savvy fishermen enjoy the frenetic action of August mornings at the Creek and then drive to the Big Wood for afternoon freestone hopper fishing.

Big Wood River

The Wood has been fishing well this summer despite a slow start to the season. Although the days of prolific Green Drake hatches are behind us, fishermen are having good success with Parachute Adams (size 16), Purple Hazes (size 16), Pink Alberts (size 16), PMDs (size 16-18) and Beige or Brown Elk Hair Caddis (size 12-16). These patterns can be productive throughout the day but especially in the mornings and the evenings. During the heat of the day, fish are tending to sulk in deeper pools, hang out near fast/slow water seams, or oxygenate themselves in fast riffles. When the hot summer sun beats down midday, try throwing grasshoppers in all of these locations. Although the majority of grasshoppers are not yet fully grown, use larger hopper patterns to bring wary fish to the surface. A distinctive “PLOP” when the imitation hits the water can trigger a trout’s carnivorous tendencies and convince even some of the largest fish to come to the surface. If this technique does raise any Rainbows, drop a nymph off the hopper’s hook shank and try the well-proven “Hopper/Dropper” method.

Big Lost River

The flow below the Mackay dam has been dropped to approximately 480 cfs making it possible to wade, but only for those experienced anglers with strong legs. If you venture into this stretch, use large nymphs and strike indicators or Craneflies fished in a quartering-down fashion. Also try large nymphs such as Prince Nymphs, King Princes and Flashback Pheasant Tails in size 12-16. Also, Zebra Midges in size 18-22 can be effective. San Juan Worms are also a good sub-surface option (size 12) while skating Craneflies (size 10) is another exciting pattern to use. PMDs and Parachute Adams in size 12-16 are also good producers.

East, West, and North Forks of the Big Lost

These high altitude tributaries of the Big Lost are fishing extremely well right now. Caddis (size 12-16), Gray Drakes (size 10-12), Brown Quills (size 14), PMDs (size 16), Yellow Sallies (size 14-16), Parachute Adams (size 12-16) and Grasshoppers are all bringing fish to the surface. During slower periods, try dropping a small brown mayfly nymph or caddis pupae from your dry fly.

South Fork of the Boise

The South Fork of the Boise is fishing well with Pink Alberts (size 16), Golden Stones (size 12-14) and the occasional Salmonfly (size 6-8) still bringing fish to the surface. Caddis can also be effective right now (sizes 12-16) in either beige or gray. When the activity subsides, try Woolly Buggers and streamers down deep. Bull Trout and Rainbows are susceptible to these fishy patterns and when they take they can darn near rip the rod right out of your hands.

Salmon River

The Salmon is fishing best during the cooler morning and evening hours with Beige Caddis (size 14-16) being the star of the show. Black Flying Ants also have significant presence in the mornings but can be fished all day. Grasshoppers are also good options as well as Yellow Sallies (size 14), PMDs (size 16) and other terrestrials like Cicadas and Crow Beetles in sizes 10-12. Hopper/dropper set ups are effective for hooking trout and whitefish, as is the lesser used Large Golden Stonefly/dropper configuration with Prince Nymphs or Pheasant Tails in size 12-16 hanging below.