Fly Fishing Forecast
June 5 – 12

“Last night I took my two children to watch Live the Stream-The Story of Joe Humphrey, where they got to see the many facets of my 90-year-old mentor: husband, father, friend, conservationist, coach, teacher, athlete, competitor, and mentor. I wanted them to observe what a purposeful life looks like, and this film hits the message out of the park.” ~ George Daniel

There are those that make us want to be better anglers; their knowledge of and their passion for fly fishing is inspirational. And, hopefully, in the process of passing on their love for the sport, a future mentor is born. Our sport depends on it. Thursday, June 20th you will have the chance to meet fly fishing icon and mentor Joe Humphreys. Joe, along with the cast and crew of the documentary film Live The Stream, will be on hand at the Sun Valley Opera House. A meet and greet will begin at 6pm followed by the film at 7pm. Tickets are $30. See you there! 

Get Tickets Here

Silver Creek

This is the week that the Brown Drakes should take to the nighttime sky, but with cooler weather coming in this weekend it may stall and then start up again the following week. In the meanwhile, the fishing has been good on the Preserve and the Pond during the most pleasant times of day with large PMDs, Callibaetis, and a smattering of Baetis. While the bug activity is typically sporadic this time of year, the warm weather over the last few days has made for decent hatches. Even if the surface activity appears limited, searching with a large beetle will bring fish up. In the evening, caddis and smaller PMDs may make an appearance as well as good numbers of crane flies.

The Big Wood  

The Wood is above 3000 CFS now that the weather has turned warmer. There is still a good amount of snow on the peaks above 9,000 feet yet to come down. One may be able to find a side channel to wet a line, but wade fishing is out of the question for a few more weeks. Hopefully, the Wood will come into prime shape just in time for the Green Drake hatch the first weeks of July.

South Fork of the Boise

The flows on the South Fork of the Boise have bumped up to 3,200 CFS. Fishing the side channels with heavy nymphs and streamers is the best option and drift boat fishing should only be done by expert oarsmen. We are still a few weeks away from seeing the Salmon Fly hatch.

The Lost Below Mackay

The flows are up near 900 CFS and may go even higher. The Upper Lost is flowing near 2000 CFS and the reservoir is filling fast. In late July or August, the flows may return to fishable levels under 350 CFS.

Stillwater Options

Both Magic and the Little Wood reservoirs can be fished from shore or from a float tube; however, please be aware of the spring winds that can make boating/ tubing unsafe. For those looking to get out of town, a great option is the Duck Valley Indian Reservation. Duck Valley 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 as well for an additional fee. If you go, please be aware that this is open range country and often the cows are in the middle of the road. 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. Sheep Creek Specials always seem to work in Duck Valley. Also, suspending a series of nymphs or chironomids at the right depth can also be effective.

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

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

Silver Creek: 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