Fly Fishing Forecast
May 31 – June 7

Ready to make a new ending? Then our Fly Fishing 101 Class is just the thing for you! Whether you need to start from the beginning or just need a refresher before getting back out on the water, this popular three-hour class covers the basics including fly tackle, knots, trout behavior, reading water, aquatic insects, fly selection, and fly casting. If interested, you can register online or call the shop. Classes begin Saturday, June 3 and continue through the summer every Saturday through August 26.

Silver Creek
Another opening weekend is behind us! With all our freestones and tailwaters still experiencing dangerously high flows, Silver Creek remains your best option. Typically, the Brown Drake hatch occurs on the lower Creek in the first or second week of June. However, with the current cool, wet weather pattern, expect this hatch to be a tad late. But once a stable, warm weather pattern sets in, game on! In the meanwhile, if you fish the Preserve or Pond during the day, you might see a few PMDs, some Baetis, and Callibaetis. These hatches are typically in the afternoon. While waiting for some bugs to hatch, mix it up with flies and techniques. Terrestrials, ants or beetles, can work well. Nymphing or pulling streamers is also productive. Remember, the Nature Conservancy Visitor Center is open and signing in is required. You can also sign in via your phone with a QR code posted at all access points.

Big Wood
While the cooler weather pattern is bringing the flows down, fishing is still out of the question. Hopefully, we will be able to poke around the side channels in a week or two. How soon we will be able to comfortably wade around the Wood will depend on what kind of weather we have in June.

South Fork of the Boise
The flows are extremely high for boaters and wade fishermen, but coming down. It is best to wait until flows drop to below 3,000 CFS. Flows around 1,500 are optimal for safe floating.

Big Lost
The Lost below Mackay and the headwaters are extremely high. Hopefully by the end of June, we will be able to access some of the upper reaches of this fishery. As of the writing of this report, Trail Creek Pass is still closed. Stay tuned.

Salmon River
This area is also experiencing high water as well. Hopefully, by late June or early July, we will see floatable, fishable flows.

Local Ponds
Penny Lake has been stocked and will receive regular stockings throughout the summer season. Gaver’s Lagoon should also receive a fresh load of fish any day now. Lake Creek will be stocked once runoff subsides.

Stillwater
Magic, Little Wood, and Mackay reservoirs can fish well for freshly stocked as well as resident trout. You can fish from shore or a float tube with ease, just be aware that strong winds and thunderstorms can make boating unsafe. Another great Stillwater option is the Duck Valley Indian Reservation south of Mountain Home. If you have a day or two, this is definitely worth the trip, especially as our local waters run high and muddy. 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.

Stillwater: Balance Leeches | Sheep Creek Special | Woolly Buggers | Seal Buggers | Chironomids | Damsel Nymphs | Prince Nymphs

Silver Creek: PMDs | Baetis | Callibeatis | Damsel Nymphs | Zebra Midge in black, red, or olive | Pheasant Tails | Streamers