Wednesday, June 23, 2004

Fishing Report

by Bill Mason

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In most places, fishing is in prime shape. Hatches are early and quite strong. For the next week or so, one should have some great success. Let’s cast about and see what’s happening.

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SILVER CREEK—For this time of year, fishing is not half bad. Remember, until we get into July when the creek really takes off, hatches and angling success can be all over the place. Fish quantities remain good and you can at least find some kind of surface activity throughout the day. The Pale Morning Duns (E.inermis) continue to get stronger and both a PMD Parachute, Cut-Wing’s and a PMD Cripple #18, will take fish. Little Beatis spinners (B.hagena) are also being seen and although it is not heavy, you need to be prepared with a Mason Quill Spinner #22, just in case. Callibeatis in the ponds, especially the spinners, are also getting heavy in the afternoon and a Partridge Spinner #16 will get their attention. Don’t forget to carry some Callibeatis Nymphs #16. Midgeing is so being found and a Britchell Black Midge Pupa #18-20 is deadly.

BIG WOOD RIVER—Continues to be in top form. Water levels are good and hatches are abundant and strong. Hatchwise, Green Drakes (D. doddsi), The Western Quill (E.longimanus), Small Yellow Stone (Isoperla) are all being seen and fish are working to them. Green Drake Duns, Hairwing Duns and Green Drake Cripples #10-12 work to imitate the big Olive’s and Para As #12-14 work nicely for the Western Quill. For the Little Yellow Stone, a Yellow Stimulator #14 will always move fish. Also very effective are Yellow Para Adams #14-16, Parachute Hares Ear #12-16 and Olive Para Adams #14-16. Have fun out there for it will get tougher.

BIG LOST—Water levels are about the same but we are now into some the best dry fly fishing the Lost has to offer for the entire season. The Little Yellow stoneflies are out and strong. Yellow Stimies #12 does the job. Mixed in is a decent hatch of Pale Morning Duns.Yellow Par Adams and Para PMD’s #18 work well. Also little Flashback Pheasant Tail Nymphs #18 can be even deadlier. Prince Nymphs and Regular, Wine and Zebra Copper John’s #14-18 is always a killer.

WARM SPRINGS/TRAIL CREEK— Both are fishing well with Warm Springs getting the nod. The Western Quill is seen in the afternoon and a Para Adams #14 does the job. Olive Stimulators and Partridge Caddis #16, and Prince Nymphs will move fish. Ditto for Trail Creek but not as much activity.

PENNY LAKE/LAKE CREEK—Should be just about ready to be heavily planted and should be great for using bait, spinners and flies.

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