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“Why would I think about missing a shot that I haven’t taken yet?”
 – Michael Jordan

The trout rhythmically feeds in the froth of bugs tight to the bank. Not every dun, but every fourth or fifth. The cast needs to be down and across with a reach. No time to mend. No need to false cast. Find the rhythm of the rise and take your shot. Anglers, like athletes, perform better when in the zone. There is no room for self-doubt. Always fish with confidence and humility.

Silver Creek
The Creek in June can be fickle. But with the weather pattern stabilizing, we should see more consistency in the hatches. We are still a couple weeks away from the morning frenzy of the Trico hatch. In the meanwhile, you will find PMDs, Callibaetis, and Baetis hatching in the afternoon and some days are better than others. You may find some Green Drakes on the upper Preserve, and damsels starting in the slow water stretches. When no bugs are about, nymphing, streamers, or terrestrials are a good option. Remember, when fishing the Preserve, the visitor center remains closed. Look for posted information at each access allowing you to sign in via your phone with a QR code or by texting “Visitor” to (833) 593-0682.

The Big Wood
This is the place to be if you are looking for Green Drakes. The hatch stalled during the cold snap but warmer weather is in the forecast and the hatch should jump start again around mid-valley. Remember, this hatch typically starts south and progressively moves north over a two-week period. Trout abandon caution when feeding on Green Drakes in stark contrast to how they will feed on the smaller bugs of mid and late summer. Still, the trout can be extremely selective, especially later in the hatch cycle. Always have the complete array of Green Drake patterns at your disposal: heavy nymphs, light nymphs, emergers, cripples, duns, and spinners. You will also find PMDs, stoneflies, and caddis in the mix. The timing of the hatch will depend on the weather. On warm days expect to see bugs in the early afternoon. If you don’t see any surface activity, Drake nymphs fished Euro style or dangling off an indicator are your best bet.

Warm Springs
This is a perfect small stream with easy wading. You will find the same bugs here that you find on the Wood. There are stocked fish around the bridges and campgrounds and plenty of wild fish in between.

The Big Lost Upper
The Upper Lost is ready to explore, especially the North and East Fork above Wildhorse. The main stem is still a bit too high. As always, find water that has not been pressured and stay mobile.

The Big Lost Lower
The Lower Lost is down to 350 CFS. This is wadable but pushy. Nymphing will be excellent all day with the possibility of decent surface activity in the afternoon. You will find a good mix of bugs including yellow sallies, caddis, baetis, PMDS, golden stones, and crane flies.

The Salmon
The flows are excellent for a day of floating and Salmon flies, Golden Stones, Yellow Sallies, and Caddis are fluttering about the river in the afternoon. Typically, you will find trout near the banks and around structure feeding opportunistically.

Southfork of the Boise
At 1200 CFS, the South Fork is perfect for floating with limited wading opportunities. Salmon flies have been spotted on the lower river and Mormon crickets are around. While drifting, focus your attention on the banks with large foam flies and droppers or fish the riffles with nymph rigs. The evening caddis hatch remains productive as well.

Local Ponds
Gaver’s Lagoon, Penny, and Lake Creek ponds have been stocked and make a great location for a family picnic.

Stillwater Options
If you are looking for a quiet alternative, try one of our local reservoirs. Magic, Mackay, and the Little Wood reservoirs can be fished either from shore or from a float tube; however, please be aware that strong afternoon winds can make boating/ tubing unsafe. As for techniques in all these reservoirs, 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 at the right depth can also be effective.

Big Wood & Warm Springs: Green Drakes | 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

Big Lost: Green Drakes | Crane Flies | Chubby Chernobyl | PMDs | Yellow Sallies | 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

Salmon: Chubby Chernobyl | Duracell Jig 12-18 | Jake’s Perdigon 14-18 | Tungsten Nemec Stone | Pat’s Rubber Legs | Stone Daddy 8 | Bishop’s Dynamite | King Prince

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 | Damsels | 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

Stillwater Flies: Seal Buggars | Balanced Leeches | Bouface Leech | Snowcone Chironomids | Egg Patterns | Prince Nymph | Squirmy Worms

 

Silver Creek
Big Wood
The Big Lost
South Fork of the Boise
Salmon River
112 cfs
473 cfs
343 cfs
1210 cfs
3370 cfs