For the week of July 2 - 8, 2003

Fishing Report

by Bill Mason

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As predicted, river levels have actually gone up after the cool weather we experienced 10 days ago making for some tougher wading situations. Even with the higher water, all river systems are clear and very fishable. Our July hatches have been right on schedule so we should see some great fishing over the Fourth. Let’s have a look see:

 

SILVER CREEK
The Conservancy continues to have the best fishing simply because the hatches seem a little more reliable. For some strange reason, everything around the Preserve has been slow. Hatchwise, not too much has changed. The Pale Morning Dun and Callibeatis are seen in enough quantity to produce some decent surface activity if the wind doesn’t blow. PMD Parachutes #18, Thorax Specked Duns #16 as well as a variety of nymphs, striped in the pond area, will take fish. A few Green Drakes have also been seen in the upper reaches and a Green Drake #10 pattern will take the occasional big fish even if it is fished blind. Overall, the fishing is still not great, but then again, it’s never spectacular until Trico arrives.

 

BIG WOOD RIVER
High but the fishing is great. You are not going to fish it everywhere but where the water eddies and slows, you will find fish. July hatches are now full blown, creating some great surface activity. Green Drakes, Western Quills, Golden Stones are the main hatches that one must be concerned about. Regular and Hairwing Green Drakes #10-12, Parachute Adams and Hares Ear #12-14, Yellow and Orange Stimulators #8- 12, are just a few of the important patterns you should be carrying. There is even some Caddis in the evening. If one is so inclined, nymph fishing is also very good using Prince Nymphs #10-12, Green Drake Nymphs #10 and Golden Stones #8 but with the surface activity as good as it is, why bother. This is a great time to fish the Wood but you still need to be careful!

 

COPPER BASIN
Spotty. Hatches mirror the Wood but with greater intensity. It should get better.

 

BIG LOST
At 600 cfs, it still carrying too much water to be fished or waded effectively. Hang on, because things will get better.

 

WARM SPRINGS/TRAIL CREEK
Have been planted and should receive another dose this week, but for right now, the fishing has been only mediocre. Para Adams #14, Stimulators#14, and Prince Nymphs #12, should take fish.

 

PENNY LAKE/LAKE CREEK
Will be planted this week so fishing should be very good using both bait and flies.

 

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