Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Fishing Report


By BILL MASON

After nearly three years of horrid spring weather, we have FINALLY returned to normal conditions which will enable us to get on many of our rivers by mid-June rather than sometime in July. With 45% of water content still remaining in the backcountry, we're still not out of the woods regarding snow runoff but we are ahead of the game that we have experienced in the past few years. In short, we should have a banner fishing season in 2012. Although fishing will be its usual, limited conditions for Saturday's opening, the weather forecast is good resulting in a productive Memorial Day weekend for all that venture forth. Let's have a peak at what you will find.

SILVER CREEK—Took a look late last week and found it in the best shape I've seen in years, particularly for the opening. Water levels are good. Because of the unusually warm weather we've been experiencing, weed beds harboring aquatic life and offering fish protection are far ahead of schedule. Hatches that have been seen producing feeding fish include Pale Morning Duns, a pronounced amount of Midge activity and a surprising amount of Callibeatis spinners. Unable to cast a line, it appeared that Midges took precedence. But for Opening Day, imitations of all three could do the job. Parachute and Cut-Winged PMD's #16, Para Black Midge Adults #20-22 and Black Midge Larva #18 and Partridge Callibeatis Spinners #16 should be effective. I also observed significant sub-surface fish movement suggesting heavy nymph feeding. PMD Nymph #14-16, Pheasant Tail Nymphs #14-16 and Flashback Pheasant Tails #16 could be very productive. Because it's early in the season, Ant, Beatle imitations and small Wooly Buggers #12-14 should be easy marks for fish.

( Note—If the warm weather persists, the Brown Drake could be seen earlier than in past years. Not this weekend. But I certainly wouldn't be surprised to see it within a week thereafter.

BIG WOOD RIVER—Currently running at 1600 cfs and off color, it will be a few weeks before it will be ready to fish. It will all be weather related.

WARM SPRINGS/TRAIL CREEK—Although Trail Creek is marginally clear, both are still carrying an abundance of water to fish effectively.

BIG LOST—With 900 cfs still flowing into Mackay Reservoir, both the upper Lost and the East Fork are currently too high and off-color to fish. 700 cfs is flowing out of the dam and although clear, wading the river is an impossible task. With a full reservoir and ample water for irrigation, this could also be a concerning issue for most of the summer season as well. We'll see.

PENNY LAKE/LAKE CREEK/GAVER'S LAGOON (HAYSPUR)—About a month ago, I was very surprised at how many "hold-over" trout existed in Penny but regardless, all will be heavily planted for the opening making it a wonderful place to take the kids. Various baits, spinners and flies with a Fly Rod should do the trick.

SOUTH FORK OF THE BOISE—At present, at 4000 cfs it is floatable but a little too high for great fishing. This is another river system that could be high for most of the year as well.




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