Fly Fishing Forecast
August 8 – August 15

“Most fishermen use the double haul to throw their casting mistakes further.” ~Lefty Kreh

As we enter the second week of August, there are a lot of great fishing opportunities to look forward to on the Wood, Silver Creek, Big Lost, and the other fisheries in the Valley and beyond. Keep in mind, with the smaller bugs and lower water, the fishing this time of year can tests your skills. You might consider attending one of our free casting on the Sun Valley Inn Lawn (Between the Inn and the Tennis Center) held every Tuesday through Saturday (until September 1st) between 5:30 – 6:30pm. This is a great way hone your skills or simply learn to cast for the first time. Please also keep in mind that as the water drops and warms up that we treat the fish with respect by returning them quickly to the water.

Silver Creek

The morning action on the Creek is still good, but the Trico and Baetis action is getting less predictable already with some mornings being better than others. Fortunately, the hopper, damsel, and beetle fishing continues to be good as the afternoon winds put a nice chop in the water and the Callibaetis continue to hatch despite the wind. To be successful during the Trico action in August, you will need to use smaller patterns like the size 24 Harrop’s Henwing Trico Spinner on fine tippet down to 6.5 or 7X. Sometimes fishing the Harrop’s Callibaetis Spinner or Baetis Sparkle Dun right through the Trico hatch can be most productive.

Big Wood 

The Wood continues to fish quite well, but as August wears on and the flows continue to drop, expect the fishing to become more technical. To find continued success on the Wood, anglers will need to hone their casting, presentation, as well as hook setting skills.  Tricos have begun to hatch on the lower and middle river and the fish can be found rising selectively to this diminutive insect from mid-morning into the afternoon. Micro Caddis, Western Quills, small crane flies, PMDs, and Baetis are also present during the morning and into the afternoon. Small dries like Parachute Adams or Purple Haze fished in the margins and shallow riffles will take fish when none are rising. Also, hoppers are turning fish when nothing else will. Still, nymphing remains the most productive with small Zebra Midge, Beaded Pheasant Tails, Rainbow Warriors, and Bishop’s Dynamite. A dry dropper rig is effective, but European Nymphing  with multiple nymphs on a long leader is the most productive.

Upper Big Lost

The Upper Lost is getting lower and you will need to cover a lot of water to find the quality Fine Spot Cutthroat, Rainbows, and Cut-bows that inhabit this fishery.  Try to find water that has not been pressured the day before to find the best results. Attractor dries, like yellow and orange Stimulators or Royal Humpies will turn fish; however, it is best to have some smaller dries, like Parachute PMDs and Purple Haze in size 16 and 18 to fool the pressured fish.

The Lost Below Mackay

Below Mackay, the flows are about 350 CFS and should hold steady. PMDs are still on the upper river and down low, Tricos are just getting started; take your assortment of Silver Creek PMDs and Trico patterns  if you find rising fish.  Of course, nymphing the riffles and runs with small tail-waters patterns is most productive.

The Salmon

Fishing on the upper and lower Salmon should begin to get more active as both hoppers and Spruce Moth begins to hit the water. The water is low, but floating is still a possibility in the lower stretches and walk and wade fishing is fantastic in the upper reaches. Olive and tan Caddis work well as Spruce Moth patterns, but also have an assortment of parachute patterns in grey, tan and purple in size 14 and 12. These fish are love standard beaded nymphs like pheasant tails, prince nymphs, stone fly nymphs, and hare’s ear nymphs, especially the whitefish, in size 16 to 10.

South Fork of the Boise

Look for the flows to drop slowly sometime between now and the first of September, but still the flows are best for drift boaters. The day time fishing will continue to be spotty with a smattering of Pink Alberts and Caddis with the best fishing occurring in the evening with a phenomenal Caddis emergence.

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!

Warm Springs

Flows on Warm Springs are low, but fishing can be fun if you like a challenging small stream. Fish and Game does stock this river for put and take purposes, but please return all the wild you fish you catch. In August, the creek gets really low  and requires stealth, fine tippets and small flies to catch these wily trout. During the day try dr dropper rigs with Stimulators and small beaded droppers. The best fishing is right before dark with caddis, Pale Evening Duns, or Rusty Spinners.

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, Warm Springs, Big Lost, Salmon River Flies: Purple Haze | 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