Sun Valley Area Fly Fishing Forecast
June 5-12

Certainly, each cast is an occasion for hope (Buchan), but it is also an opportunity to learn. Did I throw a tailing loop? Why did my leader hook left? Why did the fish spook? Hope resides in the fact that the next cast is better than the last. Do you want to be a better fly caster? Free fly fishing casting clinics will run Tuesday through Saturday starting June 18th at the Sun Valley Resort from 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm.

Silver Creek
No Brown Drakes, yet. But with the stable weather pattern predicted, we should see them by the weekend. For those not focusing on Drakes, the fishing has been solid on the Creek since the opener with good numbers of small rainbows and browns coming to the net as well as a few of larger fish. At the moment, you can expect to find a mix of Baetis and PMDs, mainly midday into the afternoon. The bug activity can be sporadic this time of year; however, if you are there at the right time, it can be spectacular. Nevertheless, be prepared to try a variety of techniques to take fish.  For example, fishing with small nymphs dead drift or swimming Callibaetis or Damsel nymphs can be effective. Or, try blind fishing beetles or ants along the banks. Streamers will also turn some fish.

Big Wood
The flows have increased to around 1,400 CFS, and the water is still too high for a day of fishing. You might be able to find a side channel or a back eddy to flip a fly, but be careful around the freshly eroded banks and don’t even think of wading or floating.

South Fork of the Boise
The flows have bumped up to just above 2000 CFS. This is still floatable for experts, but limits access for wade fishermen. The fishing has been fair with large stonefly patterns and streamers. Be on the watch for the Salmon fly hatch on the lower reaches of the river. With Mormon crickets already scurrying about, the fish may already eat large foam patterns.

The Lost Below Mackay
The flows are too high for safe wading at 550 CFS. In general, at 350 CFS strong waders can make their way around the river; however, at 500 CFS and above fishing access is limited and wading difficult to impossible.

Upper Big Lost
The water is very high, especially on the main stem of the Upper Lost. The flows follow a very similar pattern to the Wood, so as temperatures rise we will see these flows increase as well. This is a beautiful place for a family picnic, however, and you might even be able to find a place to wet a line. Try a streamer or a large, heavy nymph.

The Salmon
The river has been fishable, but with warmer temps in the forecast, the river will go off color as flows increase.The Salmon fly hatch is still a couple weeks out, but some caddis have been bringing fish to the surface.

Stillwater
Magic, Mackay, and the Little Wood Reservoir are good options this time of year and can be fished either from the bank, a float tube, or a boat. Of course, always be leery of heavy afternoon winds if you choose to boat or tube. Pulling or suspending leech patterns has been good and chironomids are making an appearance.  Another option, and a bit farther down the road, is the Duck Valley Indian Reservation. This fishery is managed by the Shoshone-Paiute Tribes and has three different reservoirs to pick from: Mountain View, Lake Billy Shaw, and Sheep Creek. For a small fee, you can fish all three and camping facilities are available for an additional fee.