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We have had some fantastic weather over the past week. It seems October and November decided to switch places this year. Warm afternoons and low wind has led to some great hatches and great fishing. With upcoming forecasts showing much of the same, things should continue.
Silver Creek is still seeing good hatches of Baetis in the afternoons on the right day and good numbers of fish targeting Midges in the evenings. We have been having good success on Baetis patterns, like the RS2 and Sparkle Wing RS2. When the fish are targeting Midges, try dropping a Top Secret Midge below a CDC Griffiths Gnat.
There are still plenty of fish on redds—keep an eye out for spawning fish and cleaned gravel when wading!
This is the last couple of weeks to fish the Preserve section of Silver Creek, as it closes the end of November. Kilpatrick Pond and all fishing downstream of Highway 20 stay open until the end of March.
The Big Wood River has been fishing well throughout the entire system. Searching likely water with a small Parachute Adams or Purple Haze can produce success; if the fish don’t seem willing to rise, try dropping a Midge or Baetis nymph below it. Focus on tailouts and deeper pools when searching for fish. The fish are starting to transition to “winter water” and will be feeding in places where they have to exert less energy.
The Lower Big Lost River has been very good. There are still some Baetis around in the afternoons and the nymphing has been great. Focus on keeping your approach stealthy with the low flows. Small Baetis and Midge nymphs such as the Top Secret Midge, Rainbow Warrior, and Two-Bit Hooker are great options right now.
The South Fork of the Boise River continues to be amazing. This river will continue to be one of your best options all the way through winter. Over the next week look for low-wind days to produce good hatches of Baetis. This hatch can last through November, if weather permits. Nymphing with heavy Stonefly patterns and Midges can also produce success. Try swinging a Sculpin pattern or Egg Sucking Leech if nothing else is working.
With winter getting closer, remember that Cow Creek Road isn’t maintained and the road down to the river over the dam can get very icy during the winter months; four-wheel-drive and chains are recommended!
