Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Fishing Report by Bill Mason


Daily thunderstorms and torrential downpours have kept most of our rivers somewhat marginal and difficult to fish. At any rate some good success has been reported if you know where you're going and what you're doing. Fortunately, although the temperatures are to get a little cooler, it looks as though we are going to see both a change and a reprieve from the rain, which will certainly help. That said, I can't help be concerned that the present overall weather pattern which generally last in four month cycles, will be with us throughout the summer. Let's hope that my gut feelings are dead wrong and what we have been experiencing is simply an anomaly.

SILVER CREEK—Fishing has been quite good. More importantly, it has been consistent. Most of the best fishing is in the evening hours with good hatches of Pale Morning Duns and the Little Dark Caddis predominating. This will be the case until Trico begins showing mid-month in the morning. Parachute PMDs #18 Partridge Caddis #16-18 are taking fish. Little Beatis Spinners are seen sporadically throughout the day but this hatch like Trico, will greatly improve by late July and into August. A Mason Quill Beatis Spinner #22 and a Lt. Olive Parachute #22 will move some fish.

BIG WOOD RIVER—At 1,000 cfs, the river is still abnormally high. But the water is certainly clear and fishing has been more productive than conditions dictate. With the lack of rain, the Wood could drop dramatically and the fishing has the potential to be over the top this week. It could explode but you still need to be careful wading. Although you still have to pick your spots to both wade and fish, the good news is most of the fish are looking upwards making dry fly fishing the method of choice. A few Green Drakes have been seen. But the G.D. nymphs found under the rocks indicate the bulk of the hatch is yet to come. This week could be a banner time to be on the water in the early afternoon. A Mason Green Drake #10 and Parachute Olive or Regular Hares Ear #10 will get the fishes' attention and are deadly. Also seen is the large Early Amber Caddis (Hesperophylax sp.). It isn't overly abundant, but its large size gets the attention of the fish. A Yellow and Olive Stimulator #8 will produce some great results. Not yet seen are Golden Stones, the small Yellow Stone or the Western Quill (E.longimanus). But they all should be on schedule. Smaller Yellow Stimis #12 should always be carried.

BIG LOST—The upper river is a tough one to call but I'm going to stick my neck out. The water in the East Fork will be high but should also be clear and fishable. For those not familiar, the hatches on the East Fork for the first couple weeks in July can be a smorgasbord of insects that exceed those seen on the Big Wood—in quantity, abundance and variety. In great supply will be Green Drakes, Western Quills, Cream Duns (E. deceptive), substantial hatches of Golden Stones, small Yellow Stones (Isoperla) and various Caddis. The only question is how many fish will be there to take advantage. It ain't like days of old. Para Adams #12-14, Para Hares Ear #12-16, Para PMDs #14-16 and Yellow Stimis #8-12 should all take fish. A Prince Nymph #10-14 is also very effective. The lower river is still too high to wade effectively.

WARM SPRINGS/TRAIL CREEK—Vastly improved (if it doesn't rain) and clear enough to fish. Similar hatches that are used the Big Wood (except the Green Drake). A Para Adams #12-16, Stimulators #12-14 and a Prince Nymph #12-16 should find a few fish. Not sure if either has yet been planted with fish.

PENNY LAKE/LAKE CREEK/GAVER'S LAGOON (Fish Hatchery)—Always there and will always have fish in them and a great place to take the kids, especially with high water on many of our streams. Flies and bait both effective.

SOUTH FORK OF THE BOISE—Reports are scattered but some Salmon Flys have been seen in the lower reaches (below Cow Creek). Should grow in intensity as the hatch moves up stream. River is high and very difficult to wade and thus requires a boat and drift fishing to be effective.




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