Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Fishing Report by Bill Mason


By BILL MASON

With opening week of fishing season in the books, cooler temperatures brought forth both fishing success and more variety than was expected. Yet from this point forward, with more than 40% of snow pack remaining in the backcountry, the weather will determine our expectations. If the temps are cool as expected, rivers with their high water levels should become fishable. Conversely, hot weather will swell the water making for tough conditions. I'm still optimistic that fishing will be in decent shape by June 20. We'll see. Currently, fishing has been better than normal and should continue this week with a few more layers of clothing advised.

SILVER CREEK—Everybody seemed happy with what they found. It was a bit windy at times, but hatches were strong enough to produce feeding fish. It didn't take over-complication to get them to "take." Large PMDs, although not heavy, were found and a Parachute PMD #16 readily took fish. Probably overriding fishing Midge activity, Beatis Emergers #20 and Beatis Cripples #20 were also effective. Not heavy players, Callibeatis or Speckled Spinners #16 should be in your fly box. Since mid-June can be an inconsistent time for hatch reliance, Ant and Beatle patterns can be sneaky good. PMD Nymphs and Flashback Pheasant Tails #14-16 will always find a few fish. As noted, the Brown Drakes appeared over the weekend and should continue if the cooler weather doesn't put a dent in things (evening spinners are never happy with cold rainy weather). Without listing fly patterns, local fly shops should have more than enough Dun, Emerger, Nymph and Spinner patterns #10 for success. It's all about the weather.

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BIG WOOD RIVER—Because the cool weather dropped and cleared the river, the opening week produced some very nice fishing in selected pockets, side channels and runs using big Griddle Bugs and Golden Stone Nymph #8, Prince Nymphs #10 and for some, Jigs #10-12. More surprising, solid dry fly fishing produced some very nice fish and were found using Parachute Adams #12. At present, it is flowing above 2000 cfs and off color but the cool weather could open it once again. The water will be high, cold and you need to be careful out there.

WARM SPRINGS/TRAIL CREEK—As the "Wood" goes, so goes its two main tributaries. Recently, they too dropped but they're now back up. Unlike the parent stream, they didn't fish well, according to reports. It will a few weeks for this to change.

BIG LOST—With 1800 cfs still flowing into the reservoir, the upper river is still too high to fish. With over 1000 cfs flowing out of the dam, it will be clear but I for one am not going to attempt to wade it.

PENNY LAKE/LAKE CREEK/GAVER'S LAGOON (HAYSPUR)—Stocked with fish on a weekly basis, all are good places to find fish when everything else is out of shape. You'll find success with various baits, lures and flies.

SOUTH FORK OF THE BOISE—At 1700 cfs and more water yet to fill Anderson Ranch, water levels are surprisingly low for this time of year. Regardless, the levels are still more conducive to floating then wading. No quality reports at present but side channels in the upper end could be productive. I'll keep you up date.

SOUTH FORK OF THE SNAKE—They are also storing water in Palisades Reservoir, for 10,000 cfs is well below normal for this time of year. This could be a real sleeper but call ahead for updates before heading out.




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