Since we're now closing in on the tail end of the regular fishing season, I thought it might be interesting to look at what you can expect for the remaining month and also to take a peek back on this past summer. Generally, the season wasn't quite what I expected, but it also might be influential as to what's to come.
SYNOPSIS 2009—From a hatch point of view, "funky" is about the best word I can come up with to describe 2009. Hatches or lack thereof affected daily fishing consistency and fish size. There seemed to be adequate water conditions and minimal runoff damage. Still, the end results were a bit of a surprise. Some hatches were very good while other "reliables" were weak, inconsistent or never materialized. Because there is always a correlation between hatches and phenomenal fishing, the word phenomenal probably doesn't fit the year.
The Big Wood was sporty and fun but the big fish were in short supply, especially with surface activity. Although we did have a late season reprieve with some strong Trico and Hoppers, Beatis was up and down and the Green Drake and Red Quill were never players.
For the second year in a row, the Pale Morning Dun (a great sign) was strong on Silver Creek but the normally consistent Beatis spinners, Trico and September Callibeatis proved to be a little inconsistent to my liking on day-to-day basis. Copper Basin was truly our bright spot for this and hopefully years to come but the irrigators got us with high water most of the year on the Lower Lost, which is now finally changing.
This brings us to October. If the hatches and weather cooperates October could be banner, for the late fall is always the best time to be alive on a trout stream. Cool weather (it is projected to get colder) means afternoon fishing will be best so I would make it a point to have your desk cleared and business completed by noon.
SILVER CREEK—If there was a month tailor-made for the Creek, October fills the bill. Hatches are strong, very productive, and easy to see and fish. Here are some hatches to die for, when they're present: The fall Beatis (B. bicaudatus) or Blue Winged Olives and Slate Mahoganys or Paraleps (Paraleptophlebia debilis). A Para BWO #20 or Gray/Olive No Hackle #20 works for some of the fish actually feeding on the surface. Yet as I've pointed out in past years, the nymph stage is often preferred by nearly 70% of the fish. A Mason Beatis Nymph #18 (developed years ago for this hatch) is deadly, fished just under the surface. It also seems to work better in the main stream rather than in the floating sections. A Thorax Mahogany Dun #16 and a Slate Mahogany No Hackle #16 should suffice for the Paralep's. For the spawning Browns on Silver and Stanton Crossing area, love and lust are in the air and like anybody who likes their privacy and doesn't like interruptions in such quests, an egg fly pattern and Wooly Buggers #10-12 might just get somebody mad as hell and get the job done.
BIG WOOD RIVER—Hatches will be sparse or non-existent but fish can be taken on the surface using a Para Adams #14-16 (the fall Equinox does spur feeding). For the bigger fish, success has always been large nymphs at this time of year. A Prince #12, Green Drakes #12 and Hares Ear #10-12 do the job well. Sorry but it was one October day that was and is still the greatest client day on Wood I ever had. It came using nymphs and the story you probably wouldn't believe even if I told it.
BIG LOST—I would fully expect the Copper Basin area to continue its good ways using standard dry fly patterns in sizes 14-16 and the all-purpose Prince Nymph #12-14. But for my money and until the snow flies, I would keep on driving over to the Lower Lost. Water levels have been a bit higher than normal but that should definitely change in October when water storage begins for next year. Trico has been great but will be replaced by the Lost River's best hatch of the year, the fall Beatis (B. bicaudatus & tricaudatus). A Para Adams #18 and a Para BWO #18 does the job. The Beatis nymph stage is not nearly as effective but a Prince Nymph #10-12 and a Copper or Zebra John #12, is always golden.
WARM SPRINGS/TRAIL CREEK—Always fun this time of year with Bead Head Prince Nymphs #14.
PENNY LAKE/LAKE CREEK/GAVER'S LAGOON (Hayspur Fish Hatchery)—Always good for holdover planted fish. Everybody have a good and profitable winter.
