Sun Valley Area Fly Fishing ForecastJuly 29-Aug 5

“When we first begin fighting for a dream, we have no experience and make mistakes. The secret of life, though, is to fall seven times and to get up eight times.”

– Paulo Coelho

The trout don’t care if you botch your presentation — if you fail, learn and adjust your next shot. What angling teaches, maybe better than most pursuits, is that the falling isn’t separate from the getting good — it is the getting good.

Silver Creek

The Trico hatch has been hit or miss depending on the day. But the morning fishing has still been good in the Preserve and Pond. Keep in mind that the water temps on the lower river are elevated and best to focus your attention in the upper river. You can expect the morning Trico spinner fall to be accompanied with Baetis and a few Callibaetis and PMDs. If you do go, go early as the hatch typically begins when the air temps hit 60 degrees, which has been between 7 and 8 AM. Also, it is best to have a variety of patterns to match the moment, the location, and the trout’s ever-changing moods. While difficult, frustrating, and humbling, anglers will have fun targeting rising fish with long light leaders. Once the morning hatch subsides, try a damsel fly or Callibaetis spinner on the few remaining surface feeders. Nymphing before and after the hatch activity is productive. If the wind blows, shorten your leader and try a terrestrial (beetles, ants, or hoppers).

The Big Wood

Fishing the Wood remains good. The river is easy to move about and perfect for wet wading. Water temps on the lower Wood are high in the afternoon, but you can find cooler water if you move North. In the late morning, you might see Tricos, micro caddis, Baetis, spruce moths, and small crane flies. During the hot afternoons, the bugs disappear, but the fish can still be found with hoppers, ants, and nymphs. When searching the water, try a small nymph in size 16 or 18 off the bend of a high-floating parachute and search the likely water. The takes are fast, so be sure to manage your line.

Big Lost below Mackay

The flows are down near 400 CFS. This is still a tad high, but doable for confident waders. If you go, you will find Tricos and PMDs hatching throughout the morning and disappearing in the afternoon. A few Crane Flies are also skittering about and can draw a fast take.

Upper Big Lost

The North Fork is clearing and the main stem is in good shape. The East Fork is getting the bulk of the pressure, but there is a lot of water to spread out on. As always, to be successful, keep moving around to find fish that have not been bothered the day before. The larger trout are opportunistic feeders and will usually only give you one look. For flies, take an assortment of large and small attractor dry flies and nymphs.

Salmon River

While dropping fast after last week’s blow-out, the flows are still good for floating on the lower reaches, especially for those with rubber. However, wade fishers will find plenty of pullouts to park and search up and down the river from Stanley to Clayton. Expect to find some Spruce Moths and hoppers clicking throughout the day as well as a few caddis and mayflies.

South Fork of the Boise

The flows remain at 1570 CFS; perfect for floating with some wade fishing opportunities. You will find caddis, Pink Alberts, Flavs, and crane flies hatching throughout the day. Hoppers, with small droppers, are also taking fish.

Local Ponds

Lake Creek, Penny Lake, and Gaver’s Lagoon have been stocked and will receive regular stockings throughout the summer season.

Silver Creek	107 cfs
Big Wood	242 cfs
Big Lost Below Mackay	457 cfs
South Fork of the Boise	1570 cfs
Salmon	816 cfs

Sun Valley Area Fly Fishing Forecast
July 29-Aug 5