For the week of September 24 - 30, 2003

Fishing Report

by Bill Mason

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Now that we’re nearing the final week of September, we’re entering what I feel is the best fishing time of the entire season. Hatches can be strong. Water conditions are great and the cool nights and warm afternoons make for aggressive feeding fish. A fisherman couldn’t ask for more.

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SILVER CREEK—
Look for our two, great fall hatches of both Beatis or the Blue Winged Olives and Paralepaphlebia or the Slate Mohogany Duns. Both can be seen in the afternoons. Both can provide some dandy dry fly fishing. For the Blue Winged Olives, A Parachute BWO #20 will work nicely for those fish taking the adult flies. A great percentage of the fish prefer the nymph stage. A fly I developed in the 70’s just for this hatch, a Mason Beatis Nymph #18, fished just below the surface, is very deadly. For Paralep’s, our Thorax Slate Mohogany Dun #16 will do the job if this nice size fly is on the water.

BIG WOOD RIVER—
Hatches tend to get a bit sparser as we move into the late season. The Red Quill is being seen less and less but you still may another week out of it, just because of its size. You will also get more and more refusals out of it with each passing day. Also seen are Beatis and a Parachute Adams #16-18 a Parachute Pink Albert #16-18 seem to work just fine. In addition, a few Chocolate Duns of Serratela tabilis have been spotted and a Slate Mohogany Dun #16 works well for it. Don’t forget to fish some nymphs for they can be very deadly. Green Drake Nymph #10-12, Prince Nymphs #12-14 and Copper Johns #14-16 will always take fish and will become primary as we move into October.

BIG LOST—
It has still been tough getting the fish to eat surface flies. This should change when the Blue Winged Olives begin to appear. At present, the hatch is very sparse but we are still early. It should get better with each passing week. Parachute BWO’s #16-20 as well as a Parachute Adams #18 will get the fish to eat if your presentation is good. As usual, Prince Nymphs#12-14 and Copper Johns #14-16 are the flies of choice, fishing underneath.

WARM SPRINGS/TRAIL CREEK—
Both streams are very low and probably aren’t my first choice given the better fishing on other waters. Some holdover planters might be found if you want to make the effort.

 

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