“To put your hands in a river is to feel the chords that bind the earth together.”
– Barry Lopez
When you wade a river for a season, it begins to shape your imagination. You become connected to its vicissitudes and your heart ripples to its iron strings. The water’s rhythm gets into your core, so that even off the river, some part of you is still keeping time with an invisible current.
Silver Creek
Fishing on the Creek has been decent, especially for those fishing early. The Trico hatch in the preserve has been weak; hopefully it improves this week. Reports of Tricos in the RR are better. On a typical late July day, the morning begins with a few Callibaetis spinners and a smattering of Trico Duns on the water. As the morning progresses, hopefully Baetis spinners make an appearance followed by a Trico spinner fall. Sometimes a few PMDs are in the mix. The duration of the morning hatch activity depends on the day, but typically lasts from sun up til 10:30 AM. Once the morning activity subsides, Blue Damsels as well as Callibaetis Duns and Spinners may appear. Of course, beetles, hoppers, and ants can be good midday with a wind chop. Please be mindful of elevated water temps, especially in the lower Creek.
The Big Wood
The Wood continues to drop, making it easy to move about the river. The best fishing is in the early morning into midday. The hatches remain strong during the most pleasant time of day, but once the heat settles in the valley the bugs disappear. It seems like the bigger fish become scarce this time of year, but persistent anglers will find a few. You can expect to see a mix of mayflies, micro caddis, and craneflies. While most of the bugs this time of year are small; however, hoppers are starting to turn fish. The river around Bellevue is low and water temps are high; best to head North for afternoon fishing.
Big Lost below Mackay
The flows continue to be high (450 CFS), which makes access limited. If you decide to give it a go, you will find decent Baetis, PMDs, and Tricos hatching throughout the morning and dwindling in the afternoon. Craneflies are also skittering about and can draw a vicious strike.
Upper Big Lost
The North Fork turned muddy last week and this Wednesday’s storm may cause it to blow out again. Assuming the river stays clear, the fishing can be good. The East Fork has received the brunt of the pressure. It is a good idea to move to the lower river below Wildhorse or even the main stem below the North Fork. As always, the anglers who are most successful cover a lot of ground.
Salmon River
Flows are dropping fast, but floating the lower river is still doable. There are decent walk-and-wade opportunities all along the river from above Stanley all the way down to Clayton. There are still a smattering of mayflies and caddis. Spruce moths are just around the corner and hoppers are clicking about in the afternoon.
South Fork of the Boise
Flows remain at 1500 CFS. Drifting is still your best option with a few spots to wade along the roadside. Pink Alberts and hatching in the afternoon and, in the evening, the caddis are thick.
Local Ponds
Lake Creek, Penny Lake, and Gaver’s Lagoon have been stocked and will receive regular stockings throughout the summer season.
Silver Creek: Baetis 20-24 | PMDs size 14 | Callibaetis 16,14 | Tricos | Damsels | Terrestrials | Zebra Midge in black, red, or olive | Small Pheasant Tails | Streamers
Big Lost: PMDs size 16 | Yellow Sallies | Crane Flies | Golden Stones | Baetis 18,20 | Midge 20-24 | Streamers
Big Wood: PMDs | Caddis | Golden Stones | Chubby Chernobyl | Rubber Legged Stones | King Prince | Streamers
Salmon: Caddis | Spruce Moths | Hoppers | Chubby Chernobyl | Rubber Legged Stones | King Prince | Streamers
Southfork of the Boise: Pink Alberts | Baetis | PMDs | Midge | Rubber Legged Stones | King Prince | Streamers
| Silver Creek | 107 cfs |
| Big Wood | 242 cfs |
| Big Lost Below Mackay | 457 cfs |
| South Fork of the Boise | 1570 cfs |
| Salmon | 816 cfs |
