Depending on the time of day you choose to test the waters, productivity can be very good. Miss the time of day and you will be looking at some mighty flat, seemingly vacant water. It comes as a bit of a surprise that we still continue to have limited waters to wade and cast a fly. Because there was little of runoff left to come down, I surely thought we would see significant change in water levels and color (Trail Creek continues its off-color mode) over the past weekend. Well, slap me in the face because I was wrong. By the slow, snail's pace timetable of dropping water levels, I'm not overly optimistic for Fourth of July weekend. Let's keep our fingers crossed and hope that we have finally rung out the sponge and I am wrong.
SILVER CREEK—Our most consistent producer with most of the best activity shifting into the evening hours. The Pale Morning Dun hatch is quite heavy and reminds me of days of old. Nowadays, people might think I dreamed up the tales of the evening PMD hatches we experienced during the 1970s and 1980s. A PMD Parachute #18 and a Cut-Wing PMD Para #18 do the job quite nicely. Also in the evening, the Little Brown Caddis (Brachycentrus) is very abundant and is actually hitting the water on its return flights. A Partridge Caddis #16-18 and a trimmed up Henrysville Caddis #16, fish dead drift or skated, will produce some hefty strikes. Throughout the day the Little Beatis spinner is seen but is still sporadic. A Mason Quill Spinner #22 and a Lt. Olive Parachute #22 will work if your timing is right. Callibeatis continues to be "missing in action." Regardless, a Thorax Speckled Dun #16 and a Partridge Spinner #16 should always be carried. Look for the best of Callibeatis in both the slough and Sullivan's. Being a swimming nymph, they like it there.
BIG WOOD RIVER—Water remains high and slightly off-color with Trail Creek contributing most of the sooty color conditions. Even if the water level drops and clarity improves, we will still have heavy volume. This will make wading and fishing not the most fun adventures you've ever enjoyed. North of Ketchum might be better choice but be careful up there as well. As I've mentioned in past reports, the most troubling aspect of all this is that the Green Drake (D. doddsi) will show up and the fish will never find them. Ditto for the Western Quill Gordon (E. longimanus). If you're going to make the attempt, try to find the best results in the side channels and braids, if you can get to them. Mason Green Drakes #10-12 and some Tan and Olive Para Hares Ear #10-12 will take fish if you can find them and if the hatch is there. Big Yellow Stimis #8-12 (Yellow and Golden Stoneflys) could also be effective. Nymphing might be tough, tough, tough. Be careful out there.
BIG LOST—Although I've seen these conditions in distant years, it's still hard to believe that the upper river is still running high. So it's probably not worth the flat tires getting there. At 1300 cfs on the lower river, well, forget it.
WARM SPRINGS/TRAIL CREEK—Warm Springs is clear but high—not the best of conditions. Regardless, a few fish might be taken using Bead Head and Regular Prince Nymphs #12, Copper Johns #12, Parachute Adams #12-14 and Stimulator #12. Trail Creek will fall quickly when snowmelt is finished but I think we are still a week out for good results.
PENNY LAKE/LAKE CREEK/GAVER'S LAGOON (Hasper Hatchery)—Brad Dredge and his boys from the Hayspur Hatchery will be out in force for the 4th of July and these small impoundments will be ground zero for their deposited inventory of planted trout. Great for kids and SAFE, so have at'um.
