Photo: Hillary Maybery
“Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.”
– Berthold Auerbach
For anglers, the river’s symphony washes from the soul the dust of everyday life — the swell and hush of the current, the riffle’s rush of white noise, the promise of a trout’s rise as the encore.
Silver Creek
The Trico hatch has been a mystery thus far; some reports are epic and others not so much. It depends on the day and the location. But the morning fishing has been good, so get out early and enjoy the feast. The morning begins with female Trico duns on the water, followed by a spinner fall. This may be followed by Baetis, Callibaetis, and PMDs. Fly-wise, have a variety of patterns to match the variety of bugs and the desires of the trout you have in front of you. Once the morning feed subsides, try Damsels or Callibaetis spinners on the few remaining surface feeders. Nymphing before and after the hatch activity is decent. If the wind blows, shorten your leader and try your favorite terrestrial (beetles, ants, or hoppers).
The Big Wood
Last week’s dry cold front helped keep the river a tad cooler; however, water temps on the lower Wood are still getting very high in the afternoon. The fishing has been good in the morning while the water is cool, but when the day heats up, the fish and the bugs take a break. For bugs, there are plenty of Tricos, micro caddis, Baetis, Rusty Spinners, and small crane flies to keep fish active. When searching for fish, try a small nymph in size 16 or 18 off the bend of a high-floating parachute or hopper and cover all the likely holding water. The takes are fast, so be sure to manage your slack.
Big Lost below Mackay
The flows are down near 400 CFS. This is still a tad high, but doable for confident waders. If you go, you will find Tricos and PMDs hatching throughout the morning and disappearing in the afternoon. A few Crane Flies are also skittering about and can draw a fast take.
Upper Big Lost
This area continues to fish well despite the heavy angler pressure. To be successful, keep moving around to find fish that have not been bothered the day before. The big fish are opportunistic feeders and will usually give an attractor dry fly a try; however, they will only give you one look. For flies, take along an assortment of your favorite attractor dry flies and nymphs as well as your standard parachute patterns and small nymphs.
Salmon River
The flows are good for floating on the lower river, especially for those with rubber rafts; however, if you want to wade fish, there are plenty of pull-offs to park your car and search up and down the river from Stanley to Clayton. Expect to find sporadic Spruce Moths and a few small mayflies in the morning, as well as hoppers clicking throughout the day.
South Fork of the Boise
The flows remain at 1570 CFS; perfect for floating with some wade fishing opportunities. You will find caddis, Pink Alberts, Flavs, and crane flies hatching throughout the day. Hoppers, with small droppers, are also taking fish.
Local Ponds
Lake Creek, Penny Lake, and Gaver’s Lagoon have been stocked and will receive regular stockings throughout the summer season.
Silver Creek: Baetis 20-24 | PMDs size 14 | Callibaetis 16,14 | Tricos | Damsels | Terrestrials | Zebra Midge in black, red, or olive | Small Pheasant Tails | Streamers
Big Lost: PMDs size 16 | Yellow Sallies | Crane Flies | Golden Stones | Baetis 18,20 | Midge 20-24 | Streamers
Big Wood: PMDs | Caddis | Golden Stones | Chubby Chernobyl | Rubber Legged Stones | King Prince | Streamers
Salmon: Caddis | Spruce Moths | Hoppers | Chubby Chernobyl | Rubber Legged Stones | King Prince | Streamers
Southfork of the Boise: Pink Alberts | Baetis | PMDs | Midge | Rubber Legged Stones | King Prince | Streamers
| Silver Creek | 98 cfs |
| Big Wood | 166 cfs |
| Big Lost Below Mackay | 394 cfs |
| South Fork of the Boise | 1580 cfs |
| Salmon | 556 cfs |
