Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Fishing Report


By BILL MASON

As it pertains to fishing, not much has changed from last week. What now continues to troubles me the most, is not where to find a place to wet a line but rather the snowpack that continues to remain, has in some cases, increase in the backcountry and its effect on our rivers in the weeks to come. Specifically and much like last year, when our great, late June-early July hatches do appear, will the water will be so high that the fish won't optimally find the bugs to feed on and will it make wading an act of self defense. This is not what I envisioned in early May. Currently, fishing will be decent but still very limited.

Silver Creek: Other than lakes and reservoirs in and around southern Idaho, it's still the best if not the only bet to place your money on. Unfortunately, your returns can be a bit sketchy because of hatch inconsistency and all over the place in terms of timing and variety. Add a little wind that puts both the hatch and fish down to the situation, rolling the dice is now all part of the game. Beatis duns found in both morning and late afternoon's is presently producing the best results and a Lt. Olive Parachute #20-22 and a Mason Beatis Nymph #18 will take fish. PMD's are also seen but have been sporadic. Regardless, a Para and Cut-Wing PMD's #16-18 should always be carried and used when appropriate. Flashback Pheasant Tails #14-16 will always find a few fish as well as adult Black Midge and Midge Pupa #20-22 patterns. As of this writing, the Brown Drake's have not yet appeared, which is now about a week late. Weather is the obvious culprit but with the temperature warming slightly this week, things could happen in a rush. From this point on, you now have to take your chances and make your best guess. Call Bob Tursian at Picabo General Store for quick updates.

Big Wood River: Not now and probably not for a few weeks.

Big Lost: Both upper and lower river still too high to fish but if anything clears itself up the quickest, it will be the East Fork. Will keep you up to date.

Warm Springs/ Trail Creek: Same conditions as the Big Wood.

Penny Lake/Lake Creek/Gaver's Lagoon: Not quite sure when they were last planted or of the F & G's planting routine. Obviously, there will be fish present but being planted fish, they get "closed-mouth" fairly quickly. Stopped by Hayspur Hatchery over the weekend but saw no fish in any of the raceways which makes me wonder. Gaver's had fish but was being fished hard.

South Fork of Boise: Now, not only at boating levels, they ramped it up to levels (2800 cfs) where a Steamship might be the craft of choice. If you like to dodge logs and trees on your float, the S. Fork is a good choice. But if fishing is your main objective, wait until river flows are cut back to about 1600 cfs.




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