“There is no poetry where there are no mistakes.”
– Joy Harjo
The poetry emerges when the angler embraces the mess. Mistakes are merely opportunities to learn.
Silver Creek
The Trico hatch has been a mystery this season; very spotty and brief. But the morning fishing has been good. Expect the brief morning spinner fall to be accompanied by Baetis and PMDs. Fly-wise, have a variety of patterns to match the variety of bugs. Dry fly opportunities are there for keen anglers. Once the morning feed subsides, try Damsels or Callibaetis spinners on the few remaining surface feeders. Nymphing before and after the hatch activity is decent. If the wind blows, shorten your leader and try your favorite terrestrial (beetles, ants, or hoppers).
Big Wood
Last weeks thunderstorms helped keep the valley and the river a tad cooler; however; water temps on the lower Wood are still getting very high. Nevertheless, the fishing has been good for smaller fish with some persistent anglers finding decent fish. The best angling is found a short walk up or down from an access. In the late morning there are plenty of Tricos, micro caddis, Baetis, Rusty Spinners, and small crane flies to keep fish active. During the afternoons, the bugs disappear, but the fish can still be found with hoppers, ants, and nymphs. When searching for fish during the slow periods, try a small nymph in size 16 or 18 off the bend of a high floating parachute or hopper and search all the likely holding water. The takes are fast, so be sure to manage your slack.
South Fork of the Boise
Not much has changed on this fantastic tailwater. The flows are at around 1200 CFS; perfect for floating, and there are some wade fishing opportunities along the road, though limited. Expect caddis, Pink Alberts, Flavs, and crane flies to be hatching throughout the day. Hoppers are also taking fish.
The Lost Below Mackay
The flows dropped a little each day last week and they are currently about 450 CFS. This is still a tad high, but doable for very confident waders in spots. If you go, you will find decent Tricos and a smattering of PMDs hatching throughout the morning and dwindling in the afternoon. Craneflies are also skittering about and can draw a vicious strike.
Upper Big Lost
This stretch continues to fish well despite the heavy angler pressure. To be successful, keep moving around to find fish that have not been bothered the day before. While the big fish are opportunistic feeders and will usually give an attractor dry fly a try, they will only give you one look. For flies, take along an assortment of your favorite attractor dry flies and nymphs as well as your standard parachute patterns and small nymphs.
The Salmon
The flows are still good for floating on the lower river especially for those with rubber rafts; however, if you want to wade fish, there are plenty of pull offs to park your car and search this wonderful fishery up and down the river from Stanley to Clayton. Expect to find sporadic Spruce Moths and hoppers clicking throughout the day.
Local Ponds
Lake Creek, Penny Lake, or Gaver’s Lagoon have all been stocked and will receive regular stockings throughout the summer season.
Silver Creek: Tricos | PMDs | Beatis | Callibeatis | Damsels | Crane Flies | Zebra Midge in black, red, or olive | Small Pheasant Tails
Big Wood: Caddis | PMDs | Tricos | Chubby Chernobyl | Rubber Legged Stones | Perdigones | King Prince | Streamers
Big Lost: Tricos | PMDs | Yellow Sallies | Stimulators | Chubby Chernobyl | Rubber Legged Stones | King Prince | Streamers
Salmon River: Spruce Moth | Chubby Chernobyl | Rubber Legged Stones | King Prince | Streamers
South Fork of the Boise: Chubby Chernobyl | Rubber Legged Stones | Zebra Midge | Caddis Larva | Flashback Pheasant Tails | Streamers
| Silver Creek | 95 cfs |
| Big Wood | 192 cfs |
| The Lost Below Mackay | 441 cfs |
| Salmon | 726 cfs |
| South Fork of the Boise | 1210 cfs |
