“It is good to have an end to journey towards; but it is the journey that matters, in the end.”
– Ursula K. Le Guin
Silver Creek
When the cool weather returns this weekend, it will concentrate the feeding and bug activity on the Creek. You will see primarily Baetis, maybe a few Mahogany duns, October caddis, and midge hatching. The surface activity will occur in a short window from mid to late afternoon. The hatch can be robust or sparse depending on the day, but if there are bugs about, the fish will feed aggressively. If the wind picks up, shorten your leader, use stouter tippet, and try terrestrials. Nymphing can be effective as well.
Important Access Information: Kilpatrick Bridge and access to the Preserve from the east side has been closed for construction. Construction on the bridge, as well as dredging the Pond, is scheduled to run through January 4th. During this time there will be several different closures in place—float tube access, recreational floating, waterfowl hunting, parking, and hiking. For questions about the bridge replacement, contact Blaine County at (208) 788-5500 or blainecountyid.gov. Direct questions about the dredging project to the Silver Creek Alliance at director@silvercreekalliance.org or (208 ) 720-4525. For questions about access to the Silver Creek Preserve, please contact (208) 788-7910.
The Big Wood
The hatch activity has been most active midday until the sun leaves the water and consists mostly of Baetis. If you find feeding fish, try a long leader paired with a small, high vis Baetis pattern. If there are no risers, try covering the water with a dry dropper rig. A caddis or Red Quill matched with a small perdigon is a good combo. Euro style nymphing is also effective.
Big Lost below Mackay
The flows should drop as irrigation demands decrease. Lower water will concentrate the fish around the buckets. There’s a solid midday hatch of Baetis, along with a few lingering Tricos and the fishing has been decent.
Upper Big Lost
The water is low and cold. If you go, start in the afternoon and be sure to cover plenty of water. Look for the deep, green runs and make every cast count as the trout are spooky. You will find the same fall hatches here as you do on the Wood. Small black ants have also been effective.
Salmon River
The air temps are downright cold in the morning, but once the day warms, the Salmon is a wonderful fall fishery. The hatches are thin, so nymphing will yield the best results. Find a good pullout above or below Stanley and have a go.
South Fork of the Boise
With flows at 300 CFS you can leave your boat behind, wading is the way to go. In the afternoon, keep an eye out for Baetis, Pinks, midge, caddis, crane flies, and flavs. Nymphing is the most effective way to keep your rod bent; however, persistent dry fly anglers are finding good action.
Local Ponds
Recommended Flies
Silver Creek: Mahogany Duns | Baetis 20-24 | Callibaetis 16,18 | Terrestrials | Zebra Midge in black, red, or olive | Small Pheasant Tails | Streamers
Big Lost: Crane Flies | Baetis 18, 20 | Midge 20-24 | Red Quills | Streamers
Big Wood: Baetis | Caddis | Red Quills | Chubby Chernobyls | Rubber Legged Stones | Streamers
Salmon: Caddis | Hoppers | Chubby Chernobyl | Rubber Legged Stones | King Prince | Streamers
Southfork of the Boise: Pink Alberts | Baetis | Flavs | Midge | Rubber Legged Stones | King Prince | Streamers
| Silver Creek | 76.3 cfs |
| Big Wood | 126 cfs |
| Big Lost Below Mackay | 249 cfs |
| South Fork of the Boise | 309 cfs |
| Salmon | 464 cfs |
