Synopsis
The August doldrums we normally see on our area waters have apparently come and gone already. This is due to last winter’s snow pack that has kept the rivers running cool and healthy. The one exception may be the Upper Lost and Copper Basin where the bite is a bit off, but still worth the trip. The rest of our area is fishing as well as one may expect for the peak months of the fly fishing season.
Silver Creek
Daily hatches and spinner falls remain strong, and like last week, the adaptive angler is going to be the successful angler. Stay in tune to the weather, the wind and the time of day and base your fishing on these conditions. Perfect days mean Tricos, Baetis and Terrestrial fishing in the morning, Callibaetis, Hoppers and Damsels in the afternoon, and Baetis again in the evening. The sloughs continue to fish really well with Callibaetis imitations and event he occasional Hopper put over an aggressive cruiser will draw a strike in this still-water environment.
Big Wood River
The Wood is fishing really well with a variety of flies. The Rusty Spinner is the fly of choice most mornings and evenings. With a variety of sizes an angler can cover just about all the rivers insects. The Rusty Spinner is a spent mayfly pattern. Most mayflies will turn a rust color after they die and the fact that they are dead keys the fish to them, as the fish want a meal they know will not fly away the moment they decide to rise up and grab it. Hoppers are a great choic’e anytime of day, especially first thing in the morning. Search a Hopper through the shallows at the crack of dawn and you will be pleasantly surprised by the where you will find the fish if they haven’t been disturbed yet that day. This means try casting into the ankle deep water you normally might think you should be standing in!
Lost River
Still no change from 500 CFS, but there is one coming, we promise! Anglers have been fishing the river successfully at this flow, but this lower section of river will really show it’s colors in the coming months. For now, wade with caution and wade where ever it is you feel most safe. Prince Nymphs and San Juan Worms fished under an indicator are effective, and also look for rising fish in the softer, glassier waters in the morning. A Hopper or Crane Fly are good choices for searching the water with big dries. Don’t forget to look good and hard at the shallow riffles above the deep buckets, for nice sized Rainbows lying up.
Upper Lost and Copper Basin
Tougher fishing is the name of the game up top these days, but only comparatively speaking. It was such a great fishery in the early season that it seems harder now, but the fact is, even now it is a great fishery. You can find plenty of privacy and good surface action as long as you stay on the move. Hoppers and general attractor patterns are all one needs in the afternoon. In the morning have a few Tricos in case you find some fish rising on the flat water stretches.
South Fork of the Boise
Still at a great flow for boaters, the SF of the B is fishing great for anglers that can place Hoppers right where they want them with one good cast while floating by prime Hopper banks! The majority of the anglers floating the river seem to be determined to only fish a nymph rig and indicator, so even if you are the last boat down the river, you still have an excellent chance for a great day of Hopper fishing as the subsurface anglers don’t or can’t concentrate on the prime bank lies of the trout down there. Keep the faith and cast your Hopper with precision!
