Fly Fishing Forecast
July 21 – 28

With drought comes conjecture. How low will the water go as rivers in the Valley approach or surpass historic base flows? Will the snow come this winter and offer a respite for next season? We know not. We still have an unknown distance to go. However, what we do know is how to fish responsibly. We know that water temps in the 50s and low 60s are optimal for fish and once water temps hit 67 degrees to take the rest of the day off. Also by pinching barbs, landing fish quickly, wetting our hands, and keeping the fish in the water we can reduce stress on the trout.

Silver Creek
Access to the Silver Creek Preserve remains closed to fishing until temperatures and dissolved oxygen levels improve. Along with water temperature, dissolved oxygen (DO) is a key factor in the health of Silver Creek’s trout. During the daytime, DO is introduced into the water mostly by aquatic plants photosynthesizing. At night, those same plants will respirate; consuming oxygen and releasing carbon dioxide into the water. On the Creek, although water temperatures may seem ideal early in the morning, this period has some of the lowest DO concentrations. This is just as stressful on the fish as the 70 degree water temperatures which have been occurring later in the day. It is very difficult to predict how long this closure will be in place. In order for the Creek to reopen, we will need a cooler weather pattern for a period of time which will lead towards less stressful conditions for the trout.

Big Wood
The Big Wood is currently flowing around 140 cubic feet per second at Hailey. It received an influx of cool water after this week’s rainfall. Still, the water is low and clear and the fishing requires long, delicate casts and stealth to be successful. There have been good bugs in the morning with a mixed bag of pale morning duns, blue winged olives, golden stones, crane flies, caddis, and tricos. The fishing is good early until about noon. Please stop fishing once the temps hit 67 degrees and always keep the fish wet.

Lower Lost
The flows below Mackay have been up and down lately. At the moment they have dropped to about 236 CFS. It seems imminent that the reservoir will be depleted. At this point the flows will drop dramatically; however, the out flow should match the inflow. At the moment, the water is off color and the hatches have been sporadic. Tricos are starting to show as well as some Baetis. In general, the water temps are very high and the fishing window is short. The best fishing is in the early morning when the temps are in the low 60s. By the early afternoon, the temps can reach into the high 60s or low 70s.

Upper Lost River
While this area has some of the cooler water temps throughout the day, the water is extremely low and it has been receiving a lot of fishing pressure. To be successful you will need to cover a lot of ground and seek water types that most angler’s overlook.

The Salmon
The Salmon is lower and warmer than average, but floating is still possible on the lower reaches. There is still good fishing in the morning and decent hatches of caddis, spruce moths, and stoneflies.

Southfork of the Boise
Flows are back up to around 1400 CFS. Drifting is your best option with a few spots to wade along the roadside. With the Salomon flies wrapping up you will see some Pink Alberts during the day and a prolific caddis hatch in the evening.

Local Ponds
The local ponds have been stocked and are ready for a family picnic and some fishing.

Big Wood: Alt RKR PMD | Stimulators | EZ Caddis | Bullet French Nymph | Roza Perdigons | Sexy Walts | Quilldigon | Bishop’s Dynamite | DB Zebra Midge in black, red, or olive

Big Lost: Golden Stones | Apple Green PMD | Baetis Sparkle Duns Harrop | Sexy Walts | Bullet French Nymph | Tasmanian Devil | Roza Perdigon | Lite Brite Perdigons | Roza WW Pheasant Tail | Bishop’s Dynamite | DB Zebra Midge in black, red, or olive

Salmon: Chubby Chernobyl | EZ Caddis | Spruce Moth | Tasmanian Devil | Roza WW Pheasant Tail | Bishop’s Dynamite | Lite Brite Perdigons | Pat’s Rubber Legs

South Fork of the Boise: Chubby Chernobyl | Caddis | Sexy Walts | Bullet French Nymph | Lite Brite Perdigons | Pat’s Rubber Legs | Bishop’s Dynamite | DB Zebra Midge in black, red, or olive