“Let us be grateful to the people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.”
– Marcel Proust
Let us be grateful to both the people and the places that bring us joy. For our souls to blossom, we need our boots planted in a river and our friends rooted nearby.
Silver Creek
These are the last days to fish the upper Creek. The Conservancy stretch will close at the end of November. However, the stretch from Kilpatrick Bridge down all through Point of Rocks will remain open until the end of February. Even with the cool winter-like conditions, the Creek is still producing decent baetis and midge action; yet, it is short, isolated, and late in the day. Of course, cloudy days are your best bet for fish on the surface. The rest of the time, your best action will come on nymphs and streamers.
Big Wood
The fish have settled into the winter holding water, so there is no need to waste time fishing runs that are fast and shallow. Focus instead on the slow seams, deep buckets and tail outs. For the most part, the fall baetis and caddis hatches have disappeared; however, there are still a few midges hatching late in the day. With winter coming, the fish are hungry and if you find the right spot at the right time you will find fish eager to take a fly. Keep in mind that when the water temps drop, the takes can be subtle; strike detection becomes paramount.
Upper and Lower Lost
Trail Creek Pass is still open but will close officially on November 15th. Check with us and we will let you know if you will need to go around through Carey and over to Arco to get to Mackay after the recent storm. The flows on both the upper and lower Lost are extremely low. Expect to find some baetis, but mostly midge hatching in the afternoons. For the few surface feeders, you will need long leaders down to 6 or 7X and small flies to match. Nymphing will produce the most consistent action.
South Fork of the Boise
Be sure you are prepared for winter travel if you head to the South Fork. While the road conditions are fine now, that can change rapidly. Be sure your 4X4 is equipped with studded snow tires and chains and bring along extra food, a sleeping bag, and a change of clothes. As for the fishing, the flows are steady at 295 CFS, which is ideal for walk and wade fishing. There are still baetis, as well as midge, hatching in the late afternoon. Dry fly purists will find fish up in the slow, deep stretches selectively sipping until the sun goes down. Focus your attention on the seams and slower buckets for both trout and white fish.
Silver Creek flies: Baetis | Midge | Zebra Midge | Quilldigon | Streamers
Big Wood flies: Baetis | Midge | Bullet French Nymph | Roza Perdigons | Sexy Walts | Quilldigon | Bishop’s Dynamite | DB Zebra Midge in black, red, or olive
Big Lost flies: Baetis | Midge | Sexy Walts | Bullet French Nymph | Tasmanian Devil | Roza Perdigon | Lite Brite Perdigons | Roza WW Pheasant Tail | Bishop’s Dynamite | DB Zebra Midge in black, red, or olive
South Fork of the Boise flies: Baetis | Midge | Sexy Walts | Bullet French Nymph | Lite Brite Perdigons | Pat’s Rubber Legs | Bishop’s Dynamite | DB Zebra Midge in black, red, or olive
| Silver Creek | 88.1 cfs |
| Big Wood | 155 cfs |
| The Big Lost | 65 cfs |
| Salmon River | 1050 cfs |
| South Fork of the Boise | 299 cfs |
