Although fishing has remained quite steady and productive, we're coming into the week where historically, everything always seems a bit blaze'. Old hatches have slipped or are slipping away. Even though we're full of anticipation, the new hatches that carry us into the early fall always seem slow to get started. Let's take a peek at where, when and why of our fishing as August slips away.
SILVER CREEK—Fishing has been good but as I predicted last week, hatches are changing and you should adjust accordingly. In general, hatches begin shifting to late morning into the afternoon. Trico has been strong but will be found falling later in the morning. Its duration will become shorter with each passing day. The PMDs (as predicted) have disappeared and surprisingly, the Little Beatis spinner has not been the player I had hoped. Regardless, a Dave's Trico #22 and a Mason Quill Beatis Spinner #22 should both be carried. Although it tends to be a little inconsistent from year to year and a bit of a crap shoot, the smaller PMD (E. inermis that mutates in size) might be seen and a PMD Parachute #20 should do just fine. By the weekend and also in the afternoon, I would also begin seriously looking for Callibeatis duns in earnest emerging in the pond floating sections. A Thorax Speckled Dun #18, Crippled Callibeatis #18 and a Callibeatis Nymph #18 can all be effective. This hatch is much stronger going into September but can be beauty early on. You will need a float tube because it is not seen in the main flowing parts of the stream.
BIG WOOD RIVER—Has been fishing nicely with a little bit of this and that going on. But there's nothing I can pinpoint that would be significant. Trico is seen in quieter flats in the lower river below Hailey. Although the fish tend to run smaller in size, a Para Adams #18-20 is very effective in the morning. A few Beatis and Cream Duns (very few) are also seen and a Para PMD #16 and a Para Adams #16 seem to work nicely for fish up to 14 inches. Better fish are found using tandem Bead Head Pheasant Tails #14 with a tiny split shot to get it down. It's still early, which makes me hesitate to mention the Red Quill (T. hecuba), although I'm still optimistic. But because I have seen it occasionally at this time of year (by the weekend and next week), it's time to start thinking about the Red Quill. Certainly a Red Quill or a Green Drake Nymph #10-12 from this point forward should be very effective. I'd also carry a Mason Red Quill Dun #12 and Cripple #10-12 just in case. Stranger things have happened but this has been a strange year.
BIG LOST—Not much has changed on both the upper and lower river. The East Fork is producing with a variety of fish being caught using basic, standard patterns such as Para Adams #14-16 and Gulper Specials #14. Prince Nymphs #14 are also effective. The water levels on the lower river have remained constant which makes it not ideal but fishable. Copper John #10-12 and Prince Nymphs #8-10, weighted, will be the most effective patterns and method and a Mackay Special skated on the surface could produce some dynamite surface activity. It's still a tad higher then I would like making Trico somewhat of a marginal player. Also, watch your wading.
WARM SPRINGS/TRAIL CREEK—Both streams are getting low but fishing well for small fish with the occasional 14-inch to 15-inch fish (very few) showing up when very least expect it (you have to get off the beaten path). Royal Wulff #16-18, Humpies (trimmed) #16-18 and Wrights Royal #16 is about all you need for success. A little Prince Nymph will also work but why bother.
PENNY LAKE/LAKE CREEK/GAVER'S LAGOON (Fish Hatchery)—Always supplemented with fish and all are fishing very well. Both bait and flies are working depending upon your method of choice.
