Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Fishing Report


By BILL MASON

Labor Day weekend is here! Where did the summer go? But it could be one of the better holidays for fishing and angling opportunities. Water levels are mostly low making fly hatches significant and feeding fish a very pleasant by-product. A fisherman couldn’t ask for much more. With the weather outlook good, let’s take a spin around the area.

SILVER CREEK—Things can be a little spotty on a day-to-day basis for hatches and thus working fish. One day, hatch activity is minimal. The next day things are out of sight. Go figure! Beatis spinners are still very strong in the morning, followed by a spotty Trico. Fly patterns needed are Mason Quill Beatis Spinners #22 Dave’s CDC Trico Spinner #22 and a Cut-Wing Trico Spinner #22. I even saw the small PMD (E. inermis) on the water and a Parachute PMD #20 took fish. I’m still on the lookout for afternoon Callibeatis duns in the floating sections. It’s still a bit early, but this will be our next big player. Thorax or Parachute Partridge Dun #18 should take fish if Callibeatis begins emerging.

BIG WOOD RIVER—With low water and solid hatch activity, fishing on the Wood has been terrific. If you can’t catch fish now, I suggest you get some help or take up another sport. Late morning into the afternoon, Beatis and the Western March Brown (R. hageni) are seen and the fish are definitely on them. Para Adams #16-18, Little Red Quills #16-18, Tan Gulper Specials #16-18 will take fish, with the smaller size being the most productive by far. The larger sizes create noticeable refusals. As mentioned last week when seeing a few Red Quills (T. hecuba), I decided to test whether the fish are looking for the big bug. None were actually seen, but the fish, particularly the larger ones, were certainly on the alert. Caught two fish 17” and 18” using my Mason Red Quill #12 but a Mason Red Quill Cripple #10-12 and a Para Hares Ear should do the trick as well. Don’t get discouraged if only minimal activity occurs. It’s still early. Hopefully the real fun will be coming.

WARM SPRINGS/TRAIL CREEK—Both very low making for some tough fishing. If you can get away from traffic, you can find good fishing for generally smaller fish using standard fly patterns and nymphs in sizes 16-18.

BIG LOST DRAINAGE—Because of probable planting the upper river, good reports of fishing success have materialized, particularly on the main Lost stem itself. With another dose of fish coming this weekend, this part of the Lost should be great. With heavy Trico spinners falling in the morning, the fishing on the lower river below the reservoir has been sensational. If you are willing to get up early to make the trip over the hill, the hatch will be found heavy in the eddies and slack water areas, most Trico Spinner patterns #20 and a Para Adams #20 does the job. Prince Nymphs #10-12, Copper John’s #12 and Crane Fly pattern are also effective when Trico subsides.

PENNY LAKE/LAKE CREEK/GAVER’S LAGOON (HAYSPUR)—All will be heavily planted with fish for Labor Day weekend and the fish and fishing should be very active. Bait and Flies will be effective.

SOUTH FORK OF THE BOISE—I’m surprised water is still flowing at summertime levels. Normally, cutting back for next year’s storage has started by now. Right now, this isn’t the case. It’s flowing at 1800, so floating the river is your best method for success. Hoppers and Pink Albert’s patterns are best bets.




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