Fishing Forecast

"Do you know why the Indian rain dances always worked? Because the Indians would keep dancing until it rained." – Sherman Alexie Despite a strong December and early January, the snow water equivalent around the region is between 60 and 80% of normal. While precipitation in April and May might help matters, it is very likely that we will be…

"Spring is the time of plans and projects." – Leo Tolstoy Spring plans and projects should involve fishing in some form or fashion. Everything else can wait until the rivers swell with runoff or close for the season. Silver Creek This is the last chance to fish the Creek before it closes like the Wood and the South Fork. Tubing…

"To catch a river unguarded is less a matter of where to look than of when, and so while other fishermen have secret places, I have a secret time." – Ted Leeson, The Habit of Rivers Can you keep a secret? The best time to fish is March. Silver Creek The lower Creek from Kilpatrick Bridge down through Point of…

"The river is everywhere." – Herman Hesse, Siddhartha What will become the river this spring, summer, and fall now blankets the mountains. And despite the extended dry period, the snowpack remains just above 100% of average in the Big Wood, Big Lost, and Little Wood drainages. Still, much of what the river will be depends on March, April, and May.…

"A fly delicately done and with a subtle marriage of colors can possess value apart from its ability to take trout." – Darrel Martin First, a fly must capture the imagination of the angler. Then, when tied to the end of a gossamer leader and delicately delivered, a fly’s true value is realized. A fly's magic is in its ability…

"February is the border between winter and spring." – Terri Guillemets January is the August of winter: long, stagnant, dry. That makes February like September. Fishing is always better during the border months. Silver Creek Once the inversion breaks it would be worth a look at the Creek. The stretch below Kilpatrick Bridge remains open until the end of March.…

"I dance with a fly rod in my hands for health and happiness." – Joan Salvato Wulff A new year and another chance to dance for health and happiness with a fly rod in hand. But before you dance, don’t forget to fill your flask, patch your waders, put on a few extra layers, and renew your license. And be…

"Hope is the thing with feathers/ That perches in the soul/ And sings the tune without the words/ And never stops at all." – Emily Dickinson Emily is right and our fly bins are full of hope. We look forward to fishing with friends old and new in the year to come! Silver Creek The Nature Conservancy is closed but…

"Close your eyes. Hear the silent snow. Listen to your soul speak." – Adrienne Posey Open your senses. Take in the Big Wood adorned in white. Witness the miracle of each delicate snowflake compound, miracle upon miracle. Watch and listen. Feel the moment a drifting flake merges with the river. Silver Creek The upper Creek is now closed until the…

"December's wintery breath is already clouding the pond, frosting the pane, obscuring summer's memory..." – John Geddes December is holding it’s wintery breath just long enough to extend the wonderful afternoon fishing opportunities in the Valley. Get out before highs in the low 50’s are just a memory. Silver Creek The upper Creek is now closed for the season. However,…