“The trouble is, you can’t properly present something you don’t believe in.” ~Thomas McGuane
Which is more important, the right fly or the proper presentation? Once you have exhausted every possibility with regards to a perfect drift, from the angle of approach, to leader build and tippet size, and the fish still refuses to take… it must be the fly. Having a fly you have faith in begets better presentations and in turn makes for a better day of fishing. Come by the shop, and we will help you fill your box with confidence flies for your next outing.
Silver Creek
Tricos and Baetis, along with a few Callibaetis Spinners, can be found on the Creek in the morning, but the better fishing is coming midday into the afternoon with great hopper and Callibaetis action. Late season Callibaetis are smaller than their early season counterparts, so you will need to have plenty of size 18 imitations in all phases of this insect’s life cycle (nymphs, emergers, duns and spinners). If you search the sloughs and slow water stretches of the upper and lower Kilpatrick’s Pond, the fly can be identified by its rhythmic bouncing just above the water as it prepares to lay eggs. Windy days can be a blessing making the fish less leader shy and Callibaetis are one of the few bugs on Silver Creek that doesn’t get easily blown away. On windy days, try a size 16 or 18 Hackle Stackers along with a Quigley Cripple or the Callibaetis Floating Nymph. When the water is still, try Harrop’s Partridge Spinner or Harrop’s Cutwing Dun in a size 18. We should also begin to see the Fall Baetis emergence and simultaneous spinner falls increase as the days get shorter and cooler, especially on cloudy days or on days when the smoke diffuses the sun. Also, we have an abundance of hoppers all along the Creek, and when the wind blows the fish will key on them. Try fishing a high floating pattern with a sunken hopper trailing off the back on the really windy days. This combo can be deadly! Keep an eye out for Mahogany Duns (size 16). Mahogany’s will begin to show up in the next few weeks in better numbers as the Callibaetis start to fade and are the last big bug on the Creek before winter sets in.
Big Wood
The Wood just continues to shine with great bug activity and very healthy trout. As we head into September it should only get better. If you go, you don’t need to go early since the best fishing is shifting to the late morning through the early evening. Tricos can be found in certain stretches of the lower and middle river along with Baetis, Micro Caddis, Rusty Spinners, and Ginger Crane Flies. Look for fish feeding on these small bugs in the slow and shallow tailouts. With the early morning glare often making it impossible to spot your fly on the water, use an Olive Gulper Special (size 18) with an orange post on these selective feeders. Remember, these fish can be spooky, and you will need to employ your best Silver Creek tactics with 6x, long leaders, and downstream drifts to be successful. Red Quills may make an appearance as the weather cools. This wide array of insects can be matched with an assortment of standard flies like Parachute Adams, Purple Haze, and Gulper Specials in size 12, 14, 16, and 18. If the bugs are not present this is the time of year when hoppers and ants can really save the day. Trailing a small size 16 or 18 DB Zebra Midge in red or black, a Frenchie, Bishop’s Dynamite, or Rainbow Warrior, or Iron Lotus can also be effective.
Upper Big Lost
The fishing on the main stem of the Upper Lost is really your best option and if you are looking to spend the day in a beautiful setting with very few anglers in sight, this is the place for you. The fishing is best from the middle of the day into the late afternoon. Don’t expect to see to many bugs and be prepared to cover a lot of ground to find fish. While these fish are opportunistic feeders and they will usually go for an attractor dry fly, but they may only give you one chance. Take along an assortment of your favorite attractor dry flies and nymphs as well as your standard parachute patterns.
The Lost Below Mackay
Flows are around 300 CFS, a very fishable level. Trico have been fair and the Fall Baetis are beginning to gain momentum. In the morning, anglers will find fish eagerly feeding on the surface on Tricos, Baetis, and Crane Flies in the back eddies and slower sections of water. In the riffle sections, fish are feeding on emergers and sunken Tricos. As the Tricos fade, the Baetis remain and should keep the fish looking up well into midday. When the morning hatch is done, the fishing can really slow down, but searching the riffles and deep water with nymphs can be productive.
The Salmon
Now that the flows have dropped, the fish tend to concentrate in the deeper buckets, perfect for wade fishing. As you travel the length of this river, there are plenty of pull offs to park your car and search this wonderful fishery. For flies, take Large Yellow and Orange Stimulators and attractors such as Turk’s Tarantula. Also, the Spruce Moth is still a major player and can provide excellent dry fly fishing.
South Fork of the Boise
The flows have dropped to wadable levels, just above 600 CFS. Expect a smattering of Flavs and Pink Alberts hatching in the early afternoon. A few Beatis are beginning to make there midday appearance as well, especially on cloudy days. Your best option is to search the water with hoppers and a trailing nymph. Also, deep nymphing with caddis larva, PTs, and zebra midge can be a good option when no bugs present. Euro Nymping the shallower riffles has been very effective on whitefish and trout.
Local Ponds
Gavers Lagoon, Penny, and Lake Creek ponds have been stocked and would make a great location for a family picnic. Come on by the shop for all your family fishing needs!
Silver Creek Flies: Tricos 22, 24 | PMDs 16 | Beatis 18 | Callibeatis 16 | Hoppers | Damsel Adults and Nymphs | Zebra Midge in black, red, or olive 16,18 | Pheasant Tails 16,18 | Baetis Nymphs
Big Wood, Big Lost, Salmon River Flies: Grasshoppers | Rusty Spinners | Spruce Moth | Elk Hair Caddis | Stimulators | Chubby Chernobyl | Parachute Adams | Pink Alberts | Rubber Legged Stones |Iron Lotus | Pheasant Tails | Bishop’s Dynamite | King Prince | Streamers
South Fork of the Boise Flies: Pink Alberts | Caddis | Hoppers | Rubber Legged Stones | Zebra Midge | Caddis Larva | Flash Back Pheasant tails | King Prince | Streamers
| Silver Creek Big Wood Upper Big Lost The Big Lost Salmon South Fork of the Boise |
96.6 cfs 185 cfs 160 cfs 303 cfs 528 cfs 639 cfs |
