Wednesday, August 27, 2014

FISHING REPORT


By BILL MASON

Labor Day weekend has arrived and I wonder where summer has gone. To say this fishing season has been interesting would be an understatement. Fishing has been very good in selected waters. But because things are a-changing, predicting what will happen in the next couple weeks is problematic to say least. Hatches will be changing. Unless we get some clear water to fish on some of our important waters, all will be irrelevant. Let’s jump in and take you through the middle of September. Have a great Labor Day weekend and wonderful fishing in the next couple of weeks.

SILVER CREEK—Although it’s being fished hard because of unsavory conditions on the Wood, fishing has been strong. As some of the best hatches of the year begin to appear, it could be even better. Trico is pretty much gone and the summer Beatis is dwindling but from this point forward, the emergence of Callibeatis duns (not spinners) midday will be our main target. This comes with a few concerns since they are found primarily in the floating/pond sections of the Creek. Because of the massive restoration these areas have received, the kinds of hatches we’ll get may be somewhat tenuous. Much stronger as we move into September, the emerging Callibeatis duns are also smaller in size than normally seen. Partridge Thorax Callibeatis #18-20, Parachute Callibeatis #18-20 and a Crippled Callibeatis #18 should get the job done. Callibeatis Nymphs #16 can be effective as well, if needed. Hopper fishing is a strong option. This should carry you through until the fall Beatis and Paralepts show in late September.

BIG WOOD RIVER—The Wood is anybody’s guess. I’ve stopped predicting when and if it will clear up to fish. North of Ketchum, water clarity is much better but fishing success has been sketchy. My greatest concern is that Red Quill (T. hecuba), which in my opinion is the best hatch the Wood offers, does appear but goes through untouched due to muddy waters. In a perfect world, Mason Red Quill #10-12, Mason Red Quill Cripple #10-12, Parachute Hare’s Ear #10-12 and Green Drake Nymph #10 can all be very effective. The hatch does appear north of Ketchum by mid-September, and that could be our salvation. Let’s keep our fingers crossed.

BIG LOST RIVER DRAINAGE—The upper rivers (North/East Forks) have been marginal. Yet it could be a real sneaker if there are plans to do some fish planting in these sections over Labor Day weekend.  The lower river around Mackay is beginning to slow because the Tricos are dwindling. But because the river is remarkably flowing at winter flow rates (103 cfs), decent surface fishing can be found. Use Para Adams #16 and Cranefly imitations. Things won’t change until the fall Beatis arrive in late September into October. Prince Nymphs #10-14 and Copper Johns #12-14 are solid bets.

WARM SPRINGS/TRAIL CREEK—Warm Springs is still a “no-go”. Trail Creek is very low and has been fished hard because of adverse conditions elsewhere. Fish are getting scarce and spooky but can still be found using Para Adams #16 and Small Prince Nymphs #14-16.

PENNY LAKE/LAKE CREEK/GAVER’S LAGOON (HAYSPUR)—Will probably be heavily supplemented with fish for the holiday weekend. Therefore, fishing should be excellent using both flies and various baits.

SOUTH FORK OF THE BOISE—Still flowing at 2400 cfs making fishing conditions marginal at best. Even if and when the water levels drop to fishable winter conditions, I can’t help but wonder what we’ll find. It’s my guess it will take the rest of the year for the South Fork to begin recovering to the South Fork we know and love.




About Comments

Comments with content that seeks to incite or inflame may be removed.

Comments that are in ALL CAPS may be removed.

Comments that are off-topic or that include profanity or personal attacks, libelous or other inappropriate material may be removed from the site. Entries that are unsigned or contain signatures by someone other than the actual author may be removed. We will take steps to block users who violate any of our posting standards, terms of use or any other policies governing this site. Use of this system denotes full acceptance of these conditions. Please review the full rules governing commentaries and discussions. You are fully responsible for the content that you post.

The comments below are from the readers of mtexpress.com and in no way represent the views of Express Publishing, Inc.

You may flag individual comments. You may also report an inappropriate or offensive comment by clicking here.

Flagging Comments: Flagging a comment tells a site administrator that a comment is inappropriate. You can find the flag option by pointing the mouse over the comment and clicking the 'Flag' link.

Flagging a comment is only counted once per person, and you won't need to do it multiple times.

Proper Flagging Guidelines: Every site has a different commenting policy - be sure to review the policy for this site before flagging comments. In general these types of comments should be flagged:

  • Spam
  • Ones violating this site's commenting policy
  • Clearly unrelated
  • Personal attacks on others
Comments should not be flagged for:
  • Disagreeing with the content
  • Being in a dispute with the commenter

Popular Comment Threads



 Local Weather 
Search archives:


Copyright © 2024 Express Publishing Inc.   Terms of Use   Privacy Policy
All Rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission of Express Publishing Inc. is prohibited. 

The Idaho Mountain Express is distributed free to residents and guests throughout the Sun Valley, Idaho resort area community. Subscribers to the Idaho Mountain Express will read these stories and others in this week's issue.