For the week of July 30 - August 5, 2003

Fishing Report

by Bill Mason

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Although the hot weather has had and it sounds as though it will continue to have some effect on angling success, fishing for the most part is still very good. Most all river systems are in good shape so I see no reason that it will not continue. Let’s have a look see.

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SILVER CREEK—
The Trico hatch has been very strong and along with good fish numbers, it makes the "Creek" a good place to fish right now.

Because we are in a rebuilding situation, fish size is smaller then normal but there are more then enough big fish around to make things interesting. Along with Trico there are PMDs and Beatis spinners making it necessary to carry fly patterns for all. A Dave’s Trico Spinner #22 is deadly for the little Black and Whites and Gray/Yellow No Hackles and Cut Winged PMD’s #18 works for the PMD spinners. Our Quill Beatis Spinner works if Beatis shows up. Have fun for it’s a great time to be on the Creek.

BIG WOOD RIVER—
The Wood has also been fishing well but you still have to know where to go and present your fly properly if you are going to have success. It’s not a "chuck and chance it" situation.

Morning have been very good and we have actually seen some rising fish to throw too using conventional patterns but a bit smaller then we were using last week. Yellow and regular Parachute Adams #16 still is the fly of choice along with Para Hares Ear #14-16. If you are looking for something to do in the evening, the Caddis activity is thick. A Brown Caddis Larva and Pupa #14 works subsurface and a Partridge Caddis #14-16, which is easy to see, works on top.

COPPER BASIN—
It just really depends on where you fish. Some areas can be quite good while other areas can be quite DEAD. Small Rainbows, Brook Trout and Cutthroat Trout are being found and a Parachute Hares Ear #12-16 will take fish. Even if the fishing is slow, the Basin is still a wonderful place to wet a line.

BIG LOST—
Water levels are slowly dropping on a daily basis but there still is enough water in the stream to make getting around difficult. Most of all fishing success will come from dredging the bottom using Regular and Bead Head Prince Nymph #10-12, Copper Jon’s, Bead Head Soft Hackles #12, Green Caddis Larva #14 and Crane Fly Larva #10. Crane flies are starting to appear so it’s not a bad idea to carry a few adult patterns for those fish looking for this brute of a fly.

WARM SPRINGS/TRAIL CREEK—
Both are fishing but neither are much to get excited about. Where fish are found, a Para Adams #14-16 is about as good as anything to take fish on the surface and a Prince Nymph #14 will work when fished underneath.

PENNY LAKE/LAKE CREEK—
Working well for planted fish. Flies and bait can both be used with good results

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