One would be hard pressed to find a more beautiful setting for trout fishing then what is out there right now. The trees are in full autumn color, the weather is nice enough, and there is still good fishing to be had. Looking ahead we should have mostly sunny weather with an occasional quick moving cloud front coming through. Temperatures should be around 60 degrees. This means more of the same on all our area waters; good fishing, short windows for rising fish, and few anglers taking advantage of it all.
Silver Creek
A few Baetis, a few Mahogany Duns, a few Callibaetis and some Terrestrials all add up to a little more surface fishing before the seasons over. Try to fish in the warmth of the afternoon. Bring your best flies and your best presentations. The fish are hungry, but having seen it all this summer, they are no ones fool. Long casts, long leaders, and precise, delicate presentations are a must. If you can get it done on the Creek now, you can get it done anytime of year down there. Patience between presentations is the biggest key. Hurried anglers will only put down the few risers available with over eager intent. Try to stay calm and practice catching fish with fewer casts. A true sign of a great angler.
Big Wood River
The Wood is so beautiful right now, it is hard to concentrate on the fishing. Bright days and fall colors mix just right to distract the angler from the remaining hatches of Baetis and Midges. A few Red Quills and October Caddis are still at it north of town and big flies are never out of the question until the first real cold snap of the season. If you get a day with no rising fish, just nymph with a couple of Pheasant Tails.
Lost River
The Lost is trickling out from under the dam with a bare minimum flow. Some Baetis activity is available and some quite water nymphing is also a good way to produce hook ups. If you nymph, use long leaders tapered to 5X and even 6X in some instances. Smaller, detailed nymphs are your best bet. When in doubt a San Juan Worm trailer fly is going to get a few fish to bite. Enjoy the quiet and the cottonwood scenery of the fall on the Big Lost.
Upper Lost River and Copper Basin
The Upper Lost is fishing great with a very, very small number of locals taking advantage of deserted stretches of water. I can think of no better place to pitch a tent this time of year and enjoy big, hard fighting fish in water levels that are easy to wade. Attractor patterns, hoppers and small nymphs will all take fish. Concentrate on the center of the pools and riffles.
Little Wood River
No real reports in from the Little Wood. Expect low flows, easy fishing for smaller fish and plan on using basic attractor patterns. Nymphs and streamers are also a good way to find the slightly larger fish as well.
South Fork of the Boise
As usual, a good day here, a bad day there…What difference does it make when you can have miles of quality fishing virtually to yourself in this remote desert canyon. Baetis is the name of the game when the fish are rising. Long cast with light tippets and accurate presentations will aid in catching the biggest rising fish.
WATER CONDITIONS
Basin Precip. Averages
Salmon – 91%
Big Wood – 69%
Little Wood – 67%
Big Lost – 80%
Henry’s Fork – 112%
