“I would love to live like a river flows, carried by the surprise of its own unfolding.”
– John O’Donohue
More than just the place one goes to fish, the river teaches the joy of uncertainty. As the season unfolds, it is best to be carried by the surprise.
The Big Wood
The flows have increased to between 1,600 and 1,700 CFS and are now dropping with the cooler weather. At the moment, the flows are too high for a day of fishing. While you might be able to find a side channel or a back eddy to flip a fly, it would be best to wait until the river drops. The river should be in great shape in a few weeks, just in time for the Green Drake hatch.
South Fork of the Boise
The flows have bumped up to just above 1830 CFS. This is still floatable for experts, but limits access for wade fishermen. The fishing has been fair with large stonefly patterns and streamers. Be on the watch for the Salmon fly hatch on the lower reaches of the river.
Silver Creek
The Brown Drakes started the last week of May. Thanks to the warm, consistent weather pattern the Drakes came earlier than usual, and with the cool down at the start of June 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. 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 a few large PMDs, Callibaetis, and Baetis. If the surface activity appears limited, searching with a large beetle or ant will bring fish up, especially if the wind chop is on the water. In the evening, caddis and smaller PMDs may make an appearance as well as good numbers of crane flies.
The Lost Below Mackay
The flows are too high for safe wading at over 600 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 difficult to impossible.
Salmon
Flows are up to over 4000 CFS. Once the river drops to around 2,500 CFS it will be ready to go.
Stillwater
Mackay, Little Wood, and Magic reservoir are all fishing well. You can fish from the bank, a tube, or a boat. Multiple methods work this time of year from pulling leeches or suspending buzzers. If floating, be aware that the afternoon winds are particularly strong this time of year so please exercise common sense.
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. 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.
Silver Creek: Midge | Baetis | Zebra Midge in black, red, or olive | Small Pheasant Tails | Streamers | PMDs | Brown Drakes
Big Lost: Caddis | Midge | Rubber Legged Stones | King Prince | Streamers | Golden Stoneflies | PMDs
Salmon: Chubby Chernobyl | Rubber Legged Stones | King Prince | Streamers
South Fork of the Boise: Baetis | PMDs | King Prince | Streamers | Midge | Rubber Legged Stones | Salmon Flies | Caddis
Stillwater: Balance Leeches | Sheep Creek Special | Woolly Buggers | Seal Buggers | Chironomids | Damsel Nymphs | Prince Nymphs
| Silver Creek | 105 cfs |
| Big Wood | 1270 cfs |
| The Lost Below Mackay | 569 cfs |
| Salmon | 3630 cfs |
| South Fork of the Boise | 2200 cfs |
