Over the last week fishing has remained strong. Our serious fall hatches should now start in earnest so the fishing should get even better. Let's take a look at what you should see in the next two weeks.
SILVER CREEK—Lack of hatches slowed the Creek a week ago. Now that the fall Beatis has arrived, fishing should pick up dramatically. If there is a time of year that the Creek has easy fishing, it is now. Blue Winged Olives emerge in the afternoon and the fish get on them quickly. A Parachute BWO #20 works well if you find fish taking the duns. As I've indicated in the past, however, many of the fish prefer the nymph stage with the fly fished just under the surface, almost like a dry fly. My Mason Beatis Nymph #18 was tied specifically for this hatch. It is deadly. It is also wise to carry Thorax Slate Mahogany Duns #16 because this is also the time of year that Paraleps begin to appear. If they're on the water, all the fish shift to this bug.
BIG WOOD RIVER—Even with the weekend rain, the Wood has remained clear and fishable. We were moving some fish on the Red Quill a week ago but for the most part, hecuba never really materialized like I had hoped. You may still find a few on the lower Wood but I think the hatch is gone for this year. All of the fishing is in the afternoon and a small Beatis is the main hatch. Fortunately, we don't have to match its size and can get away with fishing either a Para Hares Ear #16-18 or Para Adams #16-18. Copper Johns #12-14, Bead Head Pheasant Tails #12-14 and Bead Head Prince Nymphs #14 are taking fish underneath. Beatis should last for a couple of weeks.
BIG LOST—The water is quite low and because of the Reservoir churning up mud, the river itself is off-color. Despite this, fishing has been quite good. The fall Beatis is coming off in the afternoon and a Parachute BWO #18 takes fish. In addition, fishing Prince Nymphs#10-12, Copper Johns #12 and even some Wooly Buggers will always be a recipe for success especially when the water is low. The Blue Winged Olives should last throughout the month of October.
TRAIL CREEK/WARM SPRINGS—Both are very, very low and would be marginal in terms of fishing success.
