“It is motion that gives the fish his first warning of danger.” ― Lee Wulff
While wading the Creek, move like a heron. When casting, let your fly and line alight the water as soft as a cottonwood seed. And on the Wood, don’t rush to the river’s edge without watching the margins. Don’t stand in the very water that holds your quarry. In short, don’t give the fish a reason not to eat your fly before you have even made a cast. The most successful anglers this July will employ an economy of motion.
Silver Creek
The Creek is up to its usual unpredictable behavior as we await the more consistent early morning Trico hatch. With the cooler than average spring and early summer, we can expect a late and slow start to the Tricos. Still, be prepared to see them in the air the second half of July. At the moment, the late morning hatch consists of Baetis, PMDs, and Callibaetis, or you may find none of the above. If some bugs are on the water, and fish are feeding, observe the trout behavior to give you clues as to which insect they are feeding on. A Baetis sipper is subtler than an aggressive damsel eating fish, for example. The right fly, well presented, will often be taken when the hatches are light. Also, during low hatch activity, you can always manufacture fish with nymphs or terrestrials such as beetles and ants. Damsels and Callibaetis are also present during the heat of the day in the Pond and Slough areas.
The Big Wood
While the river may look really good, please wade with caution; the water is always deeper and stronger than it appears. The flows are twice what they normally are for this time of year. The Green Drakes continue to hatch on the Wood and are still being reported south in Bellevue to north of Ketchum. This late in the hatch, you should always have a good selection of Green Drake dries in multiple sizes from 12 to 14 as well as nymphs and cripples. When these bugs are around in abundance, the fish focus on them and nothing else. If you are not seeing any Drakes, the fish are still taking big attractor patterns. You might also use smaller parachute patterns in size 14 and 16. With new water opening as the flows drop, there will be plenty of fish willing to eat big dries over the next week. Nymphing has also been very productive. It is a good idea to fish a big and small nymph in tandem below an indicator, a large dry, or Euro Style.
Warm Springs and Trail Creek
While still on the high side, these two tributaries are starting to get very fishable. If you are looking for a place to wet a line for a couple hours, this is a nice alternative to the high water on the Wood. You will find some stocked fish near the bridges and wild trout throughout. Use the same flies in your box that you would use on the Big Wood.
Salmon River
This river is prime for floating; however, it is still very high for walk and wade fishing below Valley Creek. If your idea of a good time is drifting down a river, casting large Stone fly imitations to the bank, then give us a call and we will take care of you.
South Fork of the Boise
This is the week that we should see the Salmon Fly hatch really take off. The flows are still high, so it is best experienced from a drift boat. There will be plenty of caddis in the evenings as well.
Upper Lost Drainage
The upper reaches of the East, West, and North Forks are beginning to get to fishable levels. However, it is still difficult to make a full day of fishing for groups of anglers.
The Lost Below Mackay
The flows below the damn seem to be dropping but remain too high for safe wading. Hopefully, in late July or August, the flows will return to fishable levels under 350 CFS.
Local Ponds
It is time to take the family to Lake Creek, Penny Lake, or Gaver’s Lagoon. All the ponds have been stocked and will receive regular stockings throughout the summer season. Whatever style of fishing you want to do, we are your headquarters. So drop on by before you take your family fishing and we will make sure you have the right gear to be successful.
South Fork of the Boise: Chubby Chernobyl | Iron Lotus | SRS Bullet French Nymph | Duracell Jig 12-18 | Jake’s Perdigon 14-18 | Tungsten Nemec Stone | Pat’s Rubber Legs | Stone Daddy 8 | Bishop’s Dynamite | DB Zebra Midge in black, red, or olive | King Prince
Silver Creek: Green Drakes | PMD | Callibaetis | Baetis | Griffiths Gnats | Parachute Midge | Iron Lotus | SRS Bullet French Nymph | Jake’s Perdigon 14-18 | DB Zebra Midge in black, red, or olive
Big Lost, Big Wood and Tributaries: Golden Stone | Pats Rubber Legs | Green Drake Nymphs | Buggers | Chubby Chernobyl’s | SRS Bullet French Nymph | Jake’s Perdigon | King Prince Nymph | Squirmy Worms
| Silver Creek Big Wood The Big Lost South Fork of the Boise Salmon River |
153 cfs 1060 cfs 669 cfs 1500 cfs 2490 cfs |
