“The cost of a thing is the amount of what I will call life which is required to be exchanged for it, immediately or in the long run.”
– Henry David Thoreau
Take inventory of those things that steal your attention. Eliminate them. Your time, immediately and in the long run, is better spent beside a river.
Silver Creek
There is still a short window of decent dry fly fishing with Tricos and Baetis spinners during the most pleasant time of day. On cloudy, cooler days, Baetis in size 22 and 24 can be fantastic. Callibaetis are coming on strong in the afternoon for those who stick around and the duns will keep right on hatching even on windy days. If the wind gets really heavy, try a hopper, ant, or beetle. The fish tend to lose their inhibitions with a wind chop on the surface and anglers should capitalize on this opportunity. Mahogany duns and October caddis will make an appearance in the next few weeks as well. Nymphing or streamer fishing is also effective throughout the day.
Big Wood
The water is low and clear so approach the river with stealth or you may scare the fish before you have a chance. Also, don’t overlook the shallow riffles above deeper runs, as the fish are feeding with gusto as the seasons change. With the cool morning temperatures, Red Quill should start to be a factor as well. You may also see some Baetis, Tricos, flying ants, caddis, and small crane flies depending on your location.
South Fork of the Boise
The flows are down to 600 CFS. At this level, wading is better than floating, so leave the boat behind. Bug wise, you will see a few Flavs and Pink Alberts hatching midday through the early afternoon. Beatis are beginning to make their midday appearance as well, especially on cloudy days. Caddis are also still present in the late afternoons and make for a good searching pattern if few bugs are present.
The Lost Below Mackay
The flows are up a tad to 400 CFS. There are still Tricos mixed with Baetis hatching as the day warms up, and giant crane flies will turn fish. In the afternoon the bug activity slows and nymphing can keep you in fish with small Baetis or midge patterns.
Upper Big Lost
With the cool mornings and shorter days, the fishing is best from the middle of the day into the late afternoon, so there is no need to get an early start. The hatches are sporadic but you will see a few Tricos, Baetis, and some small caddis during the afternoon. Spruce moths are also still effective. The cool weather may trigger the Hecuba hatch, the last big mayfly of the season, so add this fly to your repertoire.
The Salmon
The Wapiti fire is encroaching on Stanley. Before you go fishing in this area be sure you have the latest updates.
Local Ponds
Lake Creek, Penny Lake, or Gaver’s Lagoon have all been stocked.
Silver Creek: Tricos | Beatis | Callibeatis | Mahogany Duns | Crane Flies | Zebra Midge in black, red, or olive | Small Pheasant Tails | October Caddis | Hoppers
Big Wood: Caddis | Red Quills | Tricos | Hoppers | Rubber Legged Stones | Perdigones | King Prince | Streamers
Big Lost: Tricos | PMDs | Craneflies | 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: Zebra Midge | Caddis Larva | Flashback Pheasant Tails | Streamers | Pink Alberts | Baetis
| Silver Creek | 76.3 cfs |
| Big Wood | 127 cfs |
| The Lost Below Mackay | 400 cfs |
| Salmon | 742 cfs |
| South Fork of the Boise | 608 cfs |
