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Nymph Fishing

Archive for 2011

Nymph Fishing

The fishing on the Big Wood can be very good this time of year. On days where the temperature is above freezing expect to see midges on top in select runs and good nymph fishing underneath. This time of the year it is very important to have dries, emegers, light sinking nymphs and heavier flies. The fish will feed in certain zones of the water colum and you must have the right presentation in the winter time. You should include brassies and other non bead head flies in your selection. I will still use heavy beaded flies to get the fly down but usually trail something small and lighter behind it and find fish like the smaller fly in some instances. During the winter months our fish pod up in the slower runs where the current isn’t as strong. The water can be deep or shallow and the edges are very good spot to fish. I still like overcast even snowy days for dry flies and like small patterns in size 20-24 with 6x tippet.

Lower Silver Creek is opened until the end of February. This is from Hwy 20 bridge downstream thru the Willows and Point of Rocks.

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December Report

The Big Wood River has been fishing very well on the right days. I like overcast and warmer days for good fishing. There are some fish on top feeding on midges but the nymph fishing can be very effective. Dry flies in sizes 20-24 work well and also have some light emergers that sink very gently. One of my favorites is a small brassie with no bead in red and copper colors. Fish this fly under a big adams Parachute or behind a bead head fly with a strike indicator of your choice in the deeper runs. Best time of the day is in the afternoons.

Silver Creek is now only opened from Hwy 20 bridge downstream through Picabo through the end of February. You can find a few midging fish in this section but streamer fishing with leeches, buggers, and sculpins can be the best method for this time of year.

The Big Lost below the Dam is opened year around and can always be a good option in the winter months. Pick a calm overcast day and the fishing can be very good. It’s a drive but well worth it from the Sun Valley area.

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November Video Report

Dave Faltings talks about November fishing opportunities around the Sun Valley area.

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Early November

The Big Lost below the dam has been the most consistent of all our fisheries. There are still BWO’s in sizes 18-24 and on the right day which is usually clouds you can see some very good dry fly fishing. I like Hackle Stackers and Gulpher Specials on top and a Harrop CDC emerger for those fish feeding on the emergers. Midges will be important for the rest of the winter months and a Trailing Shuck Midge in a size 20-22 will take fish on the top. I also like brassies and midge biots in smaller sizes for nymph fishing along with the usual assortment of Zebras and rainbow Warriors. The best fishing is in the afternoons in the warmest part of the day. Trail creek Summit is still open but at some point this road will be closed because of snow.

The Big Wood River is another local option. The fishing has been slow but with the leaf hatch almost done expect to see midges and BWO’s for the next couple of weeks. I also like streamers and Zebras when there are know visable hatches and feeding fish.

Silver Creek is hit and miss. The Brown trout spawn is almost over and expect some dry fly fishing through the end of November when the Creek closes for the winter. A good technique right now is a dry with a small nymph off the back a couple of feet. Many times the fish will respond to the small emerger off the back and other times the dry fly indicator will produce.

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Late October Fishing Report

The Big Wood River has started to slow down. There are still some hatches of BWO’s on certain days so carry a selection of small patterns in sizes 18-22. I also like midge patterns for this time of year and always carry the Trailing Shuck Midge in a size 20-22. I like brassies under a dry fly and find the fish most active in the mid to late afternoons. You can still throw ants and beetles and bigger dries as atrractor patterns when covering alot of water. On cloudy days streamers will take fish and some of my favorites for the Big Wood is an olive or black Wooly Bugger or Matukas in the same colors.

Silver Creek has also been spotty. The hatches include BWO’s (sz 20-24) and Mahogony’s (sz 16-18) especially on overcast days. You will need light tippets and long leaders on calm days and if the wind is just right you can get away with 5x. Best time to fish is in the afternoons and the crowds are diminished this time of year.

The Big Lost below the Mackay Dam has been the most consistent of all our fisheries. BWO’s and midge patterns on top and small nymphs underneath have been producing. I like Hackle Stackers, Gulper Specials and Trailing Shuck Midges in sizes 18-24. The dry fly fishing can be excellent this time of year and on the right day it is all you need. Brassies, Rainbow Warriors, and all small flies work when there are no hatches. The water levels are low and the water is clear so approach is a key factor in fishing these fish.

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Dave Faltings, author of Silver Creek Outfitters' fishing reports, brings you the latest information for our local waters. With current hatches, updated stream flows and tips from the pros, our fishing reports will help you become a better fisherman. Check back for weekly updates of our local waters!

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