It's becoming quite clear that from a hatch point of view, things are going to be a bit topsy-turvy this year. Hatches that should not be here have arrived early in some unlikely places. Predicting insect activity is going to be somewhat dicey. The real question is how will it affect the rest of the season? Is everything going to be moved forward by two weeks? It could get interesting. Let's see what's going on.
SILVER CREEK—Totally missed this one last week because Trico unexpectedly arrived. Fully two to three weeks early, it has been a fishable hatch to some fishermen, depending upon your location. Some anglers got an hour-and-a-half out of it, some 20 minutes and some never saw it. This week, it should be a different story. The hatch should be consistent, found everywhere and full-blown. Our Dave's Trico Spinner #22 and Hi-Viz Trico #22 should do the job. Following Trico, the Beatis spinners and a Mason Quill Beatis Spinner #22 are deadly. Although the hatch is still inconsistent, some anglers have run into a few PMDs. Our Cutwing PMD #18 will get the fish to eat. Callibeatis has produced some nice fishing in the floating sections. A Thorax Speckled Dun #16 and a Partridge Spinner #16 should produce some "takes".
BIG WOOD RIVER—Excellent fishing throughout the day and into the evening. Standard patterns like Para Adams #16, Yellow Para Adams #14-16, Stimulators #12, Pink Albert's #16 and Purple Haze #14-16 all seem to move fish. Although the activity is abundant, most of the fish taken on the surface tend to be smallish in size. To move the better fish, you'll need to go underneath using Copper Johns #16 or Flashback Pheasant Tails #14-16, in a number of dropper type configurations. Evenings have been almost too easy with Caddis and a Parachute Caddis #16, Partridge Caddis #16-18 and Brown Caddis Pupa Emerger's #14-16 doing quite nicely.
BIG LOST—Water still running high below the reservoir but there are still a few yellow Stoneflys and PMDs around to make surface fishing adequate. These hatches should be over with shortly. So if you are going, I'd so in the next few days. Yellow Stimulators #12 and Parachute PMDs #16-18 should work nicely. Other than Cranefly's at midday, most of the fishing is underneath using big Prince Nymphs and Copper Johns #10-12. Copper Basin reports have been mixed but I did hear from a couple of anglers who had some good days on the East Fork. They caught a variety of fish including some very nice sized Cutthroats using Parachute Adams #14 and Stimulators #12.
WARM SPRINGS/TRAIL CREEK—Although the fish are running on the smallish size, both are providing good activity. Small Humpy's#16-18, Royal Wulffs #18, Elk Hair Caddis #16, Parachute Adams #16 and Bead Head Prince Nymphs are all working.
PENNY LAKE/LAKE CREEK—Both are planted weekly and have an abundant amount of fish in them. Great for the kids. Bait and flies will both take fish.
