Fly Fishing Forecast June 24th – July 1st

“For me, sport is actually a chance for us to have other human beings push us to excel.” ~ Mr. Keating from Dead Poet Society

Fly Fishing Forecast June 24th to July 1st.

Bosnia was very good to Fly Fishing Team USA! We came away with team silver and an individual bronze medal. Spain took the gold and the home country, Bosnia, the bronze out of the 28, five man teams from around the world. To put this in perspective, in the 30 years that Team USA has been attending World Championships, we have never had a team finish on the podium. It turns out, Bosnian Grayling, a notoriously difficult fish to catch, love a well presented dry fly. Thank you Silver Creek! We are truly blessed in the Wood River Valley to have such an amazing variety of fishing opportunities. If you can learn how to fish our home waters, you can fish anywhere in the world, and excel!

SILVER CREEK
The Creek is beginning to fall into its typical summer pattern. While a few Tricos can be spotted most mornings, this bug really begins to pick up steam midway into July. Still, the morning fishing is best followed by a lull and then picks up again in the late afternoon into the evening. In the morning you can expect to see Baetis, PMDs, and some Callibaetis Spinners. Sporadically the Callibaetis might hatch in the early afternoon on the pond. Damsel flies, beetles, and ants are also a good fly to try during the heat of the day. In the evenings, you can expect a very complex array of insects including all the aforementioned bugs with a lot of caddis as well.

THE BIG WOOD
At 558 CFS the Wood is on the verge of getting very good. The flows are dropping quickly and the water is clear. The Green Drake nymphs are active and some duns and spinners have already been spotted up and down the system. We should see a good hatch develop over the next couple of weeks. There is decent fishing in the side channels and the easily accessed water in and around the public access areas; however, wading is extremely difficult right now. Please exercise caution when stepping into the water. Always have a wading belt and wading boots equipped with studs. For flies this time of year, go big! Try large stimulators (10 and 12) in orange and yellow or your favorite large Parachute Adams pattern. Nymphing with Green Drakes and Stone Fly patterns will also be effective. No need to go light with tippet this time of year and a 5 or 6 weight rod would be best for landing these fish in heavy current.

SOUTH FORK OF THE BOISE
The Stoneflies are on the lower reaches and beginning to move up river. The flows are up a little to 1,730 CFS which is ideal for drift boats and rubber rafts. This is a good time to start throwing big Stonefly patterns as well as Cicadas to the banks with structure and cover. If dries are slow, try fishing the riffles and runs with Rubber Legged Stones and other traditional stonefly patterns, as well as San Juan Worms, Caddis Larva, beaded PTs and Zebra Midge.

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.

SALMON RIVER
At around 1,000 CFS this river is perfect right now. If your idea of a good time is drifting down a river, casting large Stonefly imitations to the bank, then give us a call and we take care of you. Also, Fish and Game has opened the Chinook season on the Salmon and this river provides a unique opportunity to catch this magnificent fish.

BIG LOST BELOW MACKAY
The flows have dropped to 469 CFS. This is still a bit too high to fish right now. We should see flows continue to drop in July.

UPPER LOST- COPPER BASIN
This area follows the same pattern as the Wood, and should be fishable towards the end of the month.

WATER FLOWS – JUNE 24TH