Fishing is pretty darn good on nearly all of our river systems. You just have to decide what type of fishing you want and where. As some hatches begin to fade away and new hatches begin to appear, it should only get better. As I've said throughout the season, fall fishing could be spectacular because of the higher-than-normal water levels through much of the summer. Let's see what we've got going right now.
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· SILVER CREEK—Trico is definitely fading away. The hatch is now very short in its duration or doesn't appear at all. Regardless, at least for the next week, it's wise to carry a few Dave's Trico Spinners #22 and Hi-Viz Trico #22, just in case. Beatis spinners are prevalent and should continue into early September. My Mason Quill Beatis Spinner #22 has proven to be like candy to the fish. Although it peaks in September, Callibeatis duns in the pond area will get stronger and stronger in the afternoon with each passing day. The fly mutates to a smaller size, so Thorax Callibeatis #18, Crippled Callibeatis #18 and a Callibeatis Nymph #18 will take fish. By mid-September, fly size could be down to a #20.
· BIG WOOD RIVER—It's fishing very well. We are now beginning to see the larger size fish coming to the fly. Unfortunately, fly size to take the fish needs to be much smaller then I would have anticipated, particularly this year.
Fly patterns can vary but for success, they must be in the #18-20 size range. Presently, we're using Parachute Hares Ear, Para Adams and Parachute Yellow Adams, all in size 20s. Also effective are small Flashback Pheasant Tails #16-18 fished singularly with weight, tandem, or as a dropper from a big dry fly. Hoppers are working but not quite as well as I would wish.
· BIG LOST—The East Fork is a bit sparse but it's still producing some fish. Parachute Adams #16, Parachute Hoppers #10-12 and Stimulators #14 are moving fish. Just a friendly reminder—you are allowed to keep only two Cutthroat and they must be over 16 inches. The Lost below the reservoir is still high running over 500 cfs making the fishing pretty tough. The good news is that when the water levels do come down, the fishing should be electric. The only question now is when.
· WARM SPRINGS/TRAIL CREEK—The fishing has been good but not great. Most of the fish are small and can be taken on Para Adams #16, Elk Hair Caddis #14, Royal Wulffs #16-18 a Bead Head Prince Nymph #14.
· PENNY LAKE/LAKE CREEK—Still the places of choice to take kids to catch a fish. Bait and flies are both effective.
