Fishing has vastly improved almost everywhere but still has lingering effects of high water. Said another way, there is a lot of good fishing available but not everything is in prime shape yet. Water levels continue to slowly drop but they're still bouncing up and down. Regardless, all things are good—when I can and have been "wet-wading" most of our streams. Let's see what's in store for this week.
SILVER CREEK—Things are simple and quite redundant on the Creek. Although it took some time to get its engines cranked up, the hot weather finally stirred Trico into its maddening self. A Dave's Trico Spinner #22 or a Cut-Wing Trico Spinner #22 does the job nicely. The Little Beatis spinner (D. hageni) follows Trico and a Mason Quill Beatis Spinner #22, tied specifically years ago for this hatch, is deadly. PMD spinners (E. dorthea inermis) have yet to be much of a player. Be prepared, however, with a Cut-Wing Parachute PMD #16-18 in your fly box. Blue Damselflys and Callibeatis spinners will be found in the afternoon, especially in the pond area. Good imitations of each can bust some good fish. Late evenings will find some PMD duns emerging and a Para PMD #18 will do the job.
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BIG WOOD RIVER—Fishing has been productive. But because it's still bouncing up and down a bit and carrying a tad more water than I would like, things are a little short of prime on the Wood but improving daily. Noticeable hatches have been sparse and except for a few Cream Duns (E. deceptivus) found in the afternoon, standard patterns such PMD Parachutes #14, Para Adams #12-14 and Yellow Stimulators #12-14 took most of my fish, albeit smaller in size. Because the prime, deeper water is still moving at a good clip, fish aren't picking up much in the way of surface imitations. As a result, going underneath with Prince Nymphs #10-12, Green Drake Nymphs #10 and a Copper John #12 produced better size fish. It certainly helped to have a little bit of weight added to get the fly down. This is also the time when Caddis becomes a player in the evenings. A Partridge Caddis or Hemingway Caddis #14-18 (you can see them in low light) works well but fishing the pupa stage is always the abundant and effective way to take fish. Olive and Tan Soft Hackles #14-16 can be deadly. Look for activity in shallower margins of the stream.
WARM SPRINGS/TRAIL CREEK—Both are low and fishing nicely. Royal Wulff #14-16, Yellow Stimys #14 and Para Adams are working well. Fish are rather small but lots of fun to catch.
BIG LOST—Water levels on the East Fork dropped significantly last week and reports have been solid. Like the Wood, nothing significant is seen hatching. Standard patterns similar to what you will fish on the Wood will do the job. The lower river is very fishable but is still "cooking" which makes getting around or crossing the stream a challenge. Nymphing is still your best bet for success. A Prince Nymph #8-12 and Copper Johns #12, weighted, are standard fare. Craneflys are also present and a Daddy-Long-Legs #8 or Mackay Special #8-10 can produce some bone jarring strikes.
PENNY LAKE/LAKE CREEK—Planted on a regular basis. Bait and flies are effective.
SOUTH FORK OF THE BOISE—Still at mid-summer levels which means floating the river is necessary for the best fishing. Pink Alberts (E. albertea) are out as well as Caddis in the late afternoon and evening and if you decide to wade, be careful.
