Sun Valley Area Fly Fishing Forecast
October 1 – 8

Photo By: Alex Long

The river is not the problem. Anglers trapped by rigid habits can’t even see that they are metaphorically submerged. Sometimes you need a mentor to help you stand.

Silver Creek

The inclement weather forecasted this week bodes well for fall hatches on the Creek. Baetis and Mahogany duns will be the mainstay. The hatch is often intense and brief during the most pleasant time of day, which can be any time between 10 am and 2 pm. You might also spot a few skittering October Caddis. The cooler weather will certainly get the big browns moving. Pre-spawn browns can be aggressive and may chase a streamer. Of course, some will be active on redds now that the temperatures have dropped and should be left alone. The water temps have dropped significantly as well, so if you plan on tubing in the pond or S-curves, be sure to layer up.

The Big Wood

The fishing has improved on the Wood with the cooler temps. Once the day warms, a Baetis hatch should trigger some enthusiastic feeding on both nymphs and dries. With the low, clear water conditions, be extra stealthy when approaching runs as the fish will be spread out from the shallow tailouts to the shallow riffles around the better holding water. When the Baetis aren’t hatching, fish will still take a well-drifted caddis, small hopper, ant, or Hecuba pattern in the riffles, runs, and seams. A small Zebra midge (in black, red, or olive) or Baetis nymph as a dropper can also be effective. Various techniques can yield success when fish aren’t rising. This is the perfect time to sharpen your streamer or Euro nymphing skills.

Big Lost below Mackay

The water is still off color and flows remain around 168 CFS. You can expect to see bugs (mostly Baetis) on the water and in the air in the early afternoon as the day warms. Even with the off color water, you will find fish eating dries in the shallow seams and riffles. A dry dropper rig is always a good approach.

Upper Big Lost

This is a good destination for an afternoon fish on a pleasant fall day. There’s no need to go too early; the water is low and frigid. Once it warms, focus on the main stem and bounce between the deeper runs. Terrestrials will turn fish, but may only draw refusals. Size down and make your first presentation count.

Salmon

Great fishing can be found above and below Stanley. Here is your game plan: wait for it to warm up and then find a good pull-out along the river . Focus on the runs with spots with varied depth and structure. Choose your preferred technique as the fish will be willing to take dries, nymphs, or streamers. You can mix it up to stay in the fish once one approach wanes in productivity. You will find plenty of stocked and wild trout, along with white fish, to keep you busy.

South Fork of the Boise

The flows are steady at 300 CFS, perfect for wade anglers. As always, keep an eye out for Pinks, Flavs, and Baetis during the warmer parts of the day. You might also spot small cream-colored crane flies. The evening caddis hatch remains decent, so it’s worth fishing after the sun leaves the water.

Local Ponds

Lake Creek, Penny Lake, or Gaver’s Lagoon are only fair as most of the stocked fish have been harvested.

Silver Creek: October Caddies 14,12 | Mahogany Duns 16 | Baetis 20-24 | Callibaetis 16,18 | Terrestrials | Damsels | Zebra Midge in black, red, or olive | Small Pheasant Tails | Streamers

Big wood: Caddies 16,18 | Baetis 20,22 | Red Quills (Hecuba) 12 | Hoppers | Perdigones | King Prince | Streamers

Big Lost: Baetis 18,20 | Red Quills (Hecuba) 12 | Crane Flies | Stimulators | Chubby Chernobyl | Rubber Legged Stones | King Prince | Streamers

Salmon: Hoppers | Red Quills (Hecuba) 12 | Caddis 16,18 | Chubby Chernobyl | Rubber Legged Stones | King Prince | Streamers 

South Fork of the Boise: Pink Alberts 16 | Hoppers | Rubber Legged Stones | Zebra Midge | Caddis Larva | Flashback Pheasant Tails | Streamers