With heavy snow loads remaining in the mountains, the lingering situation of “not many changes” will be the case for weeks to come. The good news is that if the weather stays this way, we might avoid any serious flooding issues. Only time will tell. Although it’s still limited, fishing will be good with improving hatch consistency. Let’s see what we can expect for this week and the Fourth of July weekend.
SILVER CREEK—Still the only game in town. Hatches are improving each week and fishing has been quite good depending on the time of day and where you hit the stream. The Brown Drake, although quite late, came in a massive rush last week. You might pick off a few fish with a Brown Drake imitation but for the most part, it’s over for the year. Pale Morning Duns have been much stronger particularly in the evenings, with scattered activity throughout the day and a PMD Parachute #16-18, PMD Emergers #18 and a Crippled PMD #16-18 doing the job nicely. Mornings will see both Beatis Duns and Spinners on the water. A Beatis Parachute #20-24 and a Mason Quill Beatis Spinner #22 will take working fish. Black Ants #16-18 and Black Beatles #14-16 can also be successful. Caddis is seen in the evenings and a Olive Partridge Caddis #14-18 can do some damage. Until Trico arrives later in the month, this time of year can be spotty with some tough fishing (Dog Days). Unfortunately we don’t have many other choices. We just have to grin and bear it, be patient and persistent but regardless, there is some good angling fun to be had.
BIG WOOD RIVER—Unfishable and unsafe to be around and with the amount of snowpack and water content remaining in the mountains, your guess is as good as mine as to when it will fish.
WARM SPRINGS/TRAIL CREEK—Not fishable. If you look up towards Trail Creek Summit, you can see the dilemma we’re still facing. It is this stream that creates our biggest problem in getting the Big Wood to clear.
BIG LOST—With nearly 1800 cfs flowing into the reservoir and 1,400 cfs being released below, both the upper river (Copper Basin) and the lower river are unfishable. Other than some wonderful scenery, I wouldn’t waste the gas.
PENNY LAKE/LAKE CREEK/GAVER’S LAGOON—All have good quantities of planted fish. Since all of our rivers are unsafe to be around, these are perfect spots to enjoy some angling with kids. Flys, various baits and Spinners should catch all the fish you would want. Don’t be wasteful.
SOUTH FORK OF THE BOISE—At 2,000 cfs, a flow much lower than normal for this time of year, it’s not ideal for wading. But it certainly is workable in both side channels and the edges of the stream. No real report on Salmon Flys but I certainly would start looking for them. Be careful wading its waters. Caddis is also important.
