“Slow is smooth, and smooth is fast.”
– Navy SEAL Training Mantra
Observe your surroundings. Note the bugs. Watch the birds. Look for movement in the water. Plan your approach. Make each cast count. August is a time to take it slow.
Silver Creek
The early Trico action has picked up. For those who go early, you will see a complex mix of bugs: Tricos, Baetis, Callibaetis, and a few PMDs. Depending on where you are will determine the duration of the hatch. Nevertheless, to be successful, you will need to have all these bugs in their various forms. As the morning activity wanes, damsels take the stage. If the wind comes up, be prepared for some spectacular damsel action. When the wind knocks singles and mating pairs down onto the water, watch for aggressive takes near the rafts of weeds. That said, the fishing in general remains spotty on the Creek and reports have been all over the map.
Big Wood
The Wood is fishing better now that anglers can cover water and wade about. Still, wade with caution as it is a tad pushy. As we move into August, the water is getting lower and the fish are moving to find better protection from predators, as well as a good supply of oxygen and food. Also, the bugs are getting smaller, and the fish are becoming more selective. There are good numbers of small fish throughout the river. Be kind to these little jewels as they are the future of this fishery. If you keep searching, you will find some decent fish. In the mornings, there have been good hatches of Tricos, PMDs, and Pink Alberts. And during the heat of the day, grasshoppers have been clattering up and down the banks. Caddis remain very good in the evening. Fishing small parachute patterns or dry dropper rigs in the shallow riffles and seams can be effective. Also, fishing Euro style while nymphing will allow you to hook up with the quick eats of August.
Warm Springs
This Big Wood tributary is fishing well around the bridges where fish have been recently stocked. You can find wild fish if you venture off the beaten path. Use the same flies and techniques you would use on the Wood.
South Fork of the Boise
Flows remain at 1200 CFS, perfect for drift boaters. Try hoppers along with a trailing nymph while searching the banks. Pinks Alberts continue to hatch throughout the day. You will want to have this pattern in a cripple for selective fish. Also, be sure to have some crane flies to skitter across dancing water. In the evenings, caddis are still the main course. Nymphing the riffles and seams with large stonefly imitations, caddis larva, and small zebra midge is effective all day for trout and whitefish.
The Upper Lost
This area has received a lot of fishing pressure over the last month and as a result the fishing can be unpredictable. For best results, stay mobile and cover a ton of water. The East Fork is very fishable above Wildhorse and lower portions are beginning to become fishable as well. The North Fork is also very wadable. Remember, these fish are opportunistic feeders and they will often take the first presentation, but seldom give you a second chance. You will see a bug stew in the morning including caddis, small stoneflies, tricos, PMDs, and rusty spinners.
Big Lost below Mackay
The flows below the dam are high at over 800 CFS making wading nearly impossible. These high flows are going to continue until the reservoir is drained and repairs can be made on the gates.
Salmon River
With the appearance of the Spruce Moths, the dry fly fishing should continue to be productive. Now that the flows have dropped, the upper river around Stanley is very easy to walk and wade. If you like to fish from a drift boat, the lower river remains very floatable.
Local Ponds
Penny Lake, Heagle Park Pond, Lake Creek, and Gaver’s Lagoon have all been recently stocked. If you are looking for a fun spot to have a family picnic and catch a few fish, give these a go.
Silver Creek: Callibeatis | Tricos | Beatis | PMD | Damsel Nymphs/Dry | Caddis | Zebra Midge in black, red, or olive | Small Pheasant Tails
Big Wood and Warm Springs: Pink Alberts | PMD | Caddis | Crane Flies | Perdigons | Bishop’s Dynamite | Zebra Midge in black, red, or olive | Chubby Chernobyl
Salmon: Chubby Chernobyl | Golden Stones | Spruce Moths | Pat’s Rubber Legs | Bishop’s Dynamite | Prince Nymph
South Fork of the Boise: Chubby Chernobyl | Pink Alberts | Caddis | Crane Fly | Duracell | Bullet French Nymph | Perdigons | San Juan Worm | Pat’s Rubber Leg Stone
| Silver Creek | 180 cfs |
| Big Wood | 417 cfs |
| The Lost Below Mackay | 700 cfs |
| Salmon | 681 cfs |
| South Fork of the Boise | 1210 cfs |
