“The great charm of fly-fishing is that we are always learning.”
– Theodore Gordon
The beauty of fly fishing is how simple it really is, and yet it can provide a lifetime of fun and learning. If you are ready for an introduction to the basics or just need a refresher before getting back out on the water, we are offering a Fly Fishing 101 class every Saturday through August. This popular three-hour class covers the basics including fly tackle, knots, trout behavior, reading water, aquatic insects, fly selection, and fly casting. The cost is $125 per person.
Silver Creek
The Creek is seeing a lot of angler pressure this spring due to the extremely high water around the region. With the added pressure and the up and down weather, the fishing has been challenging. Bugwise, you can expect PMDs, Callibaetis, and a few Baetis hatching during the middle of the day. Nymphing, streamers, or terrestrials make for a good searching option when not much else is going on. Also, the Brown Drake hatch is expected to continue this week, although they may be close to done by the end of the week. Remember, this is mostly an evening phenomenon with a simultaneous emergence and spinner fall. This means there will be good numbers of anglers lining the Creek down in the Willows and Point of Rocks area waiting for the hatch to begin. If you decide to join in fun, be kind to your fellow anglers and respect private property. In the Preserve, you are expected to sign in when using the Nature Conservancy. 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 up and off color. It may come down a bit with the cooler weather in the forecast; however, fishing at the moment is not recommended and wading is out of the question.
The Upper Lost
Just like the Wood, the upper portions of the Lost are high and off color. In another week or two we should be able to poke around the upper reaches of the East and West Fork.
Salmon
The Salmon should be ready for float trips about the last week of June into the first part of July. In the meanwhile, the Yankee Fork Dredge Ponds, Kids Fishing Pond, Cape Horn Lake, Stanley Lake, and Alturas Lake have all been stocked.
The Lost Below Mackay
The flows are up to around 1000 CFS. It will be best to wait for flows to come down to around 350 CFS before fishing here.
South Fork of the Boise
Anderson Reservoir is at 81% of capacity and filling fast. How long the flows below will remain at 300 CFS is unknown, but this is a good option for some early season wade fishing. The fishing is decent, but the large stone flies have not yet taken flight.
Local Ponds
If you are itching to cast a fly while the water is too high, try Lake Creek, Penny Lake, or Gaver’s Lagoon. All the ponds have been stocked and will receive regular stockings throughout the summer season.
Stillwater
With the rivers raging, lakes are a great option. Mackay, Magic, and (a tad farther down the road) Duck Valley can all be fished either from the bank, a boat, or a float tube. If you do decide to tube or boat, always carry a whistle and a PFD. As for fishing, try pulling a team of small leech patterns in black, brown, or olive on an intermediate or type 3 or 5 sinking line. Also, suspending a series of nymphs or chironomids at the right depth can be effective.
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: Callibaetis | Poxyback Callibaetis | Baetis | Green Drakes | Brown Drakes | Bullet French Nymph | DB Zebra Midge in black, red, or olive | Pine Squirrel Leech
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
Stillwater Flies: Balance Leeches | Sheep Creek Special | Woolly Buggers | Seal Buggers | Chironomids | Damsel Nymphs | Prince Nymphs
| Silver Creek | 115 cfs |
| Big Wood | 1740 cfs |
| The Lost Below Mackay | 977 cfs |
| Salmon | 5,370 cfs |
| South Fork of the Boise | 308 cfs |
