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A sometimes-wet and sometimes-sunny week is starting to give way to a slow crawl toward summer. We can expect plenty more runoff this week, making our spring creeks and tailwaters the place to fish. The hatches are coming on slowly, with a few intermittent moments of chaos sprinkled in there.
Silver Creek has been fishing really well since the opener last weekend. The P.M.D. hatches are the best we’ve seen in years and remind us of what we are used to seeing on these waters. The hatches have been best after the noon hour when the daytime temps get past the 60-degree mark. A variety of P.M.D. patterns will work. Try Hackle Stackers, standard Thorax Duns, and the Cripple and Emerger patterns. Keep in mind that when you see fish eating these Pale Morning Duns, it’s a good time to cast an Ant pattern to a rising fish. Give it a try!
The Baetis hatches, or Blue-Winged Olives, are prolific as well. Even the Midges after the rainstorms are bringing fish to the surface. Look for these bugs before and after the storms, and certainly when it is overcast. You can still fish basic patterns right now, like small Parachutes, or whatever your favorite Dun pattern is. If you need a selection of life stages of any of the Silver Creek bugs, stop on in to Picabo Angler next time you’re down Picabo way.
Ants and Beetles are always in the mix on Silver Creek and the early season is one of the best times to use them. If nothing is happening on the Creek, try a really big Stink Bug pattern or Chernobyl Ant. You’ll be surprised at how you can fish these much like a Hopper pattern with virtually the same results.
No brown drakes as of the writing of this report, but DO stay tuned into our website, Facebook and Instagram pages for updates on this hatch. It could be days away or even further out. A few really warm days would help get them going.
The South Fork of the Boise is another fishery worth your time right now. It is at drift-boat levels, with very little wading opportunity. If you fish it, a Girdle Bug or your favorite Stonefly and Salmon Fly nymphs fished deep will pick up some nice fish.
Stay patient—the big hatches are coming!
Happy fishing, everyone!