Certainly, a mentor or a guide can help; however, the best way to learn is by doing the thing.

Silver Creek

The Brown Drakes started last week as predicted. Thanks to the warmer-than-average weather pattern, the Drakes came earlier than usual, and with the current up-and-down weather pattern, the hatch will become less predictable. Be prepared for hatching bugs or even a spinner fall at any time while fishing this week in the lower stretches of the Creek. You can also expect the Drake hatch to peter out over the next week or so. Those not seeking Drakes will find the fishing has been good during the most pleasant times of day with PMDs, Callibaetis, and Baetis. If the surface activity is lacking, searching with a large beetle or ant, especially if the wind chop is on the water, can be productive. In the evening, caddis and smaller PMDs may make an appearance as well as crane flies.

The Big Wood

Last year at this time, flows were between 1,600 and 1,700 CFS and climbing. At the moment, flows are dropping and are under 1,000 CFS. When the warm weather returns, flows may stabilize and then will continue to slowly drop. Still, it is too high for a full day of fishing. You can, however, find a side channel or a back eddy to flip a fly. Best not to attempt to wade at this level. The river will be in great shape in a couple of weeks, just in time for the Green Drake hatch.

South Fork of the Boise

Flows have been up and down, but are currently at 1810 CFS. This is a good flow for driftboaters, but wade fishing is limited. The fishing is typically slow until the Salmon fly hatch in mid to late June. Still you will find caddis already hatching in the evening and the nymphing with large stones should be decent. Remember, many fish will still be activity spawning in the side channels.

Big Lost below Mackay

The flows are too high for safe wading at over 660 CFS. In general, at 350 CFS, strong waders can make their way around the river; however, at 500 CFS and above, fishing access is limited and wading is difficult to impossible.

Upper Big Lost

The water is very high, especially on the main stem. The flows follow a very similar pattern to the Wood, so as temperatures rise again the flows may increase a tad and then begin to drop as we head towards summer flows. This is a beautiful place for a family picnic, however, and you might even be able to find a place to cast a fly. Try a large dry, streamer, or heavy nymph.

Salmon River

The river is floatable at 2400 CFS. It is fishing fair with heavy nymph and streamers. The dry fly fishing will improve once the stone flies start hatching.

Stillwater

Our local reservoirs should remain fishable for a couple more weeks as long as water temps stay in the 60s. Check out Mackay, the Little Wood, or Magic if you are looking for a solitary fishing experience. Pick a day when the winds are at a minimum and try suspending chironomids or pulling leeches on a sinking line.

Silver Creek: Brown Drakes | Baetis 20-24 | PMDs size 14 | Callibaetis 16,14 | Terrestrials | Zebra Midge in black, red, or olive | Small Pheasant Tails | Streamers

Big Lost: PMDs | Stoneflies | Baetis 18,20 | Midge 20-24 | Streamers

Big Wood: Chubby Chernobyl | Rubber Legged Stones | King Prince | Streamers

Salmon: Chubby Chernobyl | Rubber Legged Stones | King Prince | Streamers

Southfork of the Boise: Baetis | PMDs | Midge | Rubber Legged Stones | King Prince | Streamers

Stillwater: Balance Leeches | Sheep Creek Special | Woolly Buggers | Seal Buggers | Chironomids | Damsel Nymphs | Prince Nymphs

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