The short, crisp days of autumn are upon us. Fishing windows begin to shorten as fall and winter battle over which season it should be right now. With these conditions, anglers can expect intermittent hatches. We certainly will continue to see big events of Baetis and Mahogany Duns, but even these events will begin to wane as we approach November.
With daytime highs getting near the 60-degree mark on the Creek, the Baetis and Mahogany Duns should hatch in the afternoon hours. No need
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to rush to the water. Come on in to the Picabo Angler for breakfast or even lunch first. Peak hours should be noon to 5:00-ish in the evening. Bring an extra sweater and enjoy the volumes of quietude that can be found on the Creek these days.
If you head to the Big Wood, plan on the same intermittent Baetis activity, and certainly plan on fishing more Nymphs and Streamers when the hatches aren’t happening. If you want to continue to throw large dries, try a massive Royal Wulff or H and L Variant. These are also great flies for dropping small Pheasant Tail Nymphs from.
This is a great time of year to get over to the South Fork of the Boise. The slightly lower elevation means slightly warmer days when the wind isn’t blowing. Fall Baetis can be very good this time of year there, and the Crane Fly madness that has been happening in the late afternoon continues to impress.
The Lost River is always a fall favorite as the hatches seem to take a back seat to a background full of snowy white peaks and breathtaking scenery. If you do look down at the water, have some Baetis dries and some nymphs like Red and Black Zebra Midges and small Pheasant Tails in a size 18 or 20. Like always, we recommend any nymph that is red in color, like a Copper John or red Hares Ear Nymph.
The Upper Lost is the sleeper river these days – not very many people give this stretch a second look once the weather cools and the water drops. If you want to check it out, think about fishing the downstream reaches and the confluences of the creeks. With fall spawning brookies in the system, the red and orange colors will be great choices in these areas if you fish a nymph. Try an orange Stimulator as a dry fly to imitate the October Caddis.
Happy fishing, everyone!