“The cast is so soft and slow that it can be followed like an ash settling from a fireplace chimney. One of life’s quiet excitements is to stand somewhat apart from yourself and watch yourself softly becoming the author of something beautiful, even if it is only a floating ash.” ― Norman Maclean
The only thing better than making the perfect presentation is the confirmation from the trout that your cast was unobserved, that your presence remains undetected, and your fly is perceived as the real thing. Become the author of something beautiful this week.
Silver Creek
The morning hatch on the Creek has been very unpredictable. One day there are bugs, the next nothing. The good news…Tricos have begun to hatch. They should get rolling now that the warm days of summer are upon us and hopefully the morning fishing will improve. As always, the timing and the duration of the hatch will vary with each given day. As a general rule of thumb, the spinners will hit the water when the air temps hit 60 to 65 degrees which is around 9:30 to 10 AM with the current weather pattern. The spinner fall can last anywhere from 5 minutes to a full hour or more. Before the spinners come down, the fish will be plucking off the occasional female Trico Dun, Callibaetis spinner, PMD spinner, or Baetis spinner. The fish can be very picky during this hatch and anglers need to have a variety of patterns to match each phase. Also, long twelve to fifteen-foot leaders are a must down to 6, 6.5, or even 7X tippet. Once the hatch subsides, around 11:30 AM, most of the anglers will vacate the river; however, the fishing can remain good throughout the day for those anglers willing to attempt a variety of techniques and flies. Try blue damsels, ants, or beetles on bug free days. And nymphing will always produce a fish or two. The evening hatch is a very complex mix of insects and can be another chance to find fish on top.
The Big Wood
The flows have come down about 300 CFS over the last week, yet flows are still nearly twice the average flow for this time of year. At 800 CFS, the river is crossable in a limited number of areas and should be done with the utmost care. Wading staffs and proper traction on your soles make this more feasible. While we still have a few Green Drakes in the middle and northern portions of the river, it is very late in the hatch and while large drake like patterns may turn fish, it is time to shrink the flies down another size. Most any parachute pattern in a size 14 or 16 will bring fish while searching the soft seams. If you do not see Drakes, you will more than likely see Pink Alberts, PMDs, Gray Drakes, and Caddis. Fishing dry dropper is very effective using size 16 and 18 Zebra Midge, Rainbow Warriors, Bishop’s Dynamite, Pheasant Tail nymphs, or Perdigon style nymphs. Nymphing Euro Style with one bright and one natural nymph is also effective.
Warm Springs and Trail Creek
These to Valley gems are a treat to fish this time of year. The flows are perfect and there are good numbers of wild and stocked fish. They are the perfect rivers to use a single dry or dry dropper with a Tenkara rod.
Salmon River
Floating continues to be the best way to experience this gorgeous waterway. There are ample stoneflies, yellow sallies, and caddis making the dry fly fishing spectacular. And if the surface activity slows, a beaded dropper can be effective. The wade fishing options are also improving as the water continues to drop. Look for parking access from above Stanley on down to Clayton.
South Fork of the Boise
The South Fork is fishing well from a boat and the quality of the fish has been excellent. Bring a stout boat rod, like a Sage X in a size 5 or 6, and toss big bugs like Cicadas and Stonelfies to the bank. Flows have been steady at 1,500 CFS, great for floating, but limited wading opportunities. If the big bugs aren’t turning fish, try a dropper or stop and work the riffles over with nymphs. Swinging a streamer is also a good idea and may result in a good size Bull Trout.
Upper Lost Drainage
The upper reaches of the East, West, and North Forks are at fishable levels. Successful anglers will cover a lot of water and make their first cast count.
The Lost Below Mackay
The flows below the damn continue to drop but remain too high for all but the strongest waders. 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
Stillwater Flies: Seal Buggars | Balanced Leeches | Bouface Leech | Snowcone Chironomids | Prince Nymph | Squirmy Worms
Silver Creek: 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: Purple Haze | Elk Hair Caddis | Green Drakes | 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 867 cfs 571 cfs 1520 cfs 2000 cfs |
