With the exception of a couple of days with some off-colored water from the Warm Springs mudslide, fishing has remained very good. I don't see much of a change in the weeks to come. Unfortunately, we did get a glance at what we might expect next spring in terms of runoff in the burned-out area of Warm Springs and I must confess that it does concern me a bit. It is double-edged sword in that we need the snow pack but we don't need the runoff that accompanies it.
SILVER CREEK—Callibeatis has been very strong in the floating sections and a Thorax Speckled Dun #18 does the job. We should get another 10 days out of this hatch before it disappears. You might want to carry this fly in a #20 because the actual fly gets smaller at the end of its emergence. We might begin to see our fall Blue Winged Olive at any time, although it's a bit early. But all of our hatch schedules have come earlier than normal. Therefore, you might want to carry a few Parachute BWO #20. Because many fish prefer the nymph stage of this hatch, take along a Mason Beatis Nymph #18 as well. The nymph fished just under the surface is very deadly. I also think it is way early for the Slate Mahogany Duns but this year, I wouldn't bet the farm on anything.
BIG WOOD RIVER—Has also been fishing beautifully. Finding the really big fish has been tough, but the fish are plentiful and eager to take the fly. Despite the fact that the actual bug of the Red Quill has been disappointingly slim this year, we have fishing both the Red Quill and Red Quill Cripple #10-12 with great success. Para Adams and Para Hares Ear #16-18 have moved fish. Copper Johns work underneath.
BIG LOST—Typical low water situation below the reservoir. Just when the water level is perfect for wading and fishing, the pool behind the dam gets so low that when the wind picks up it churns up the mud on the shoreline and turns the river below very off-color. There is fishing but it is not ideal. Prince Nymphs and Copper Johns #12 will take fish and I would also carry some Parachute Blue Winged Olives #18 if the actual fly shows itself. No report on the Copper Basin area but should be fishing reasonably well using standard patterns.
TRAIL CREEK/WARM SPRINGS—Warm Springs has been off color because of the mudslide and Trail Creek is very, very low. Need I say more?
PENNY LAKE/LAKE CREEK/WARM SPRINGS—Because of the fire and no access, planting stopped before Labor Day. I have no clue what's in them. You are on your own here.
