For the week of August 20 - 26, 2003

Fishing Report

by Bill Mason

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Actually, not much has changed in the fishing over the past week. In general, fishing has been decent on our major water systems and a bit spotty on the others. It also requires good angling technique to take fish on a regular basis. Said another way, it’s tougher then I would like to see it but then again, that’s typical for the month of August.

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Silver Creek:
Trico is still present but the duration and the quantity of the hatch is starting to be short-lived. Fish size is still smaller then normal with a few good trout being found but fish catching production has been good. Beatis spinners are also present and as the week goes on, could be the most dominant of the hatch activity. A Dave’s Trico Spinner #22 and a Quill Beatis Spinner #22 should work for either of the hatches that might appear. Random Hopper and Damselfly action will also take a few fish. In addition, now that Trico is becoming a non-player, it’s about that time of year for Callibeatis Duns to begin appearing in the floating sections above and below Kilpatrick bridge in the afternoon--that is if the wind doesn’t blow. A Thorax Callibeatis Dun #18 should do the job.

Big Wood:
The Big Wood has been fishing quite nicely, thank you, and the cooler weather should help it even more. Trico and Beatis are being found but in general, a variety of patterns are doing the job as long as they are small in size. Regular and Yellow Parachute Adams, Rusty Spinners, Humpy’s, Royal Wulff’s and Para Blue Winged Olives in sizes 18-20’s will take fish on a consistent basis. Dave’s Hopper’s and a Para Hopper #12-14 are also moving some big fish throughout the day. Flashback Pheasant Tails #14-16 work underneath and a dropper combination can work quite well.

Big Lost:
Fish are rising to Trico in the morning but to say fishing is easy would be a misstatement. The water is low and slightly off-color and, as a result, getting the fly to the fish is double tough. Small Parachute Adams #20-22, because you can see it, works as well as anything. Nymph fishing, normally fairly consistent, has also been quite slow as well.

Copper Basin:
Although you can always find some small Brookies, for the most part, fishing has been quite spotty. That said, it’s still a nice place to spend a day casting a fly.

Warm Springs/Trail Creek:
As the planting goes, so goes the fishing. Trail Creek has been seen the best activity and a Parachute Adams #16 and a Humpy #16-18 take fish on a regular basis.

 

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