fbpx Skip to main content

“The trouble is, you can’t properly present something you don’t believe in.”

– Thomas McGuane

Put a box of August “confidence” flies together. Keep it simple. Something light, something dark. Something natural, something flashy. Be sure to down size. And remember, while fly choice matters, presentation makes the day.

Silver Creek
Last week’s funky weather made the Tricos unpredictable. Some days were prolific and prolonged thanks to the cloud cover, others brief thanks to the wind. Fortunately, there are more cloudy, calm days in the forecast. If you go, Tricos are not the only bugs during the morning frenzy. There are plenty of Baetis, Callibaetis, and a few PMDs. Be sure to have a variety of patterns to match all these bugs. Some days, Baetis will outnumber Tricos and a light colored spinner covers both. As the Trico spinner fall starts to wane, look for Callibaetis spinners or an occasional PMD. Individual fish will often switch to this larger insect. When the morning feed subsides, try Damsels or nymphs. If the wind blows, shorten your leader and try your favorite terrestrial. Hoppers are going to be good this year. Remember, while fishing in the Preserve, you are required to sign in. This can be done via your phone with the QR code posted at all access points or by texting “Visitor” to (833) 593-0682.

Big Wood
The Wood is at a very wadable level allowing more access to roving anglers. While there are fewer large fish, there are good numbers of smaller trout. The fishing remains good in the morning and evening with plenty of micro caddis, Baetis, Rusty Spinners, PMDs, Pink Alberts, Tricos, and small crane flies. During the warm afternoons, the bugs can disappear, but fish will move to hoppers, ants, and nymphs. When searching for fish during the slow periods, try a small nymph off the bend of a high floating parachute pattern or a hopper and search the shallow, aerated riffles for trout.

The Upper Lost
This river system follows a similar pattern to the Wood. Flows are dropping making the main stem of the Lost more accessible and the fishing is good early and late. The reports from this area have been positive, but some anglers are finding success while others are being frustrated. To be successful, just keep moving around to find the fish.

The Lost Below Mackay
The flows continue to come down. As of this report they are at about 280 CFS. The Trico hatch has begun on the lower river and there are still some PMDS, Caddis, and Beatis hatching at the same time. The fishing has not been easy, but tactical anglers can find big fish.

Salmon
Floating this spectacular river continues to be a great option, but flows are dropping rapidly and the fish tend to concentrate around the obvious buckets. There are plenty of pull offs to park your car and search as well. Expect to see plenty of caddis and spruce moths fluttering about. Attractor patterns are still taking fish as well.

South Fork of the Boise
Flows remain at 1200 CFS. Drifting is still your best option with a few spots to wade along the roadside. Expect Pink Alberts. Cicadas and Mormon Crickets are a good option as well. In the evening, caddis are abundant.

Local Ponds
Lake Creek Pond, Penny Lake, and Gaver’s Lagoon have been stocked and will receive regular stockings throughout the summer season.

Big Wood: Chubby Chernobyl | Juicy Stone | Duracell | Bullet French Nymph | Rain Drop Jigs | Maktima UV Jig | San Juan Worm | Pat’s Rubber Legs | Bishop’s Dynamite |  Zebra Midge in black, red, or olive

Silver Creek: Tricos | Callibaetis | PMDs | Baetis | Damsels | Crane Flies | Green Drakes | Bullet French Nymph | DB Zebra Midge in black, red, or olive | Pine Squirrel Leech

Salmon: Chubby Chernobyl | Juicy Stone | Duracell | Bullet French Nymph | Rain Drop Jigs | Maktima UV Jig | Pat’s Rubber Legs | Bishop’s Dynamite

Big Lost Flies: Chubby Chernobyl | Juicy Stone | Duracell | Bullet French Nymph | Rain Drop Jigs | Maktima UV Jig | San Juan Worm | Pat’s Rubber Legs | Bishop’s Dynamite |  Zebra Midge in black, red, or olive

South Fork of the Boise: Chubby Chernobyl | Juicy Stone | Deep Cleaner | Duracell | Bullet French Nymph | Rain Drop Jigs | Maktima UV Jig | San Juan Worm | Pat’s Rubber Legs

 

 

 

Silver Creek 98 cfs
Big Wood 201 cfs
The Lost Below Mackay 347 cfs
Salmon 615 cfs
South Fork of the Boise 1200 cfs