info@picaboangler.com
(208)788.3536
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Fall is in the air! The recent change in the weather has all of us at Picabo Angler thinking about bird hunting… especially our dogs! Our shooting preserve at Picabo Angler is in great shape and we’re ready to start chasing pheasants, and waterfowl season will be here before you know it. We have a full description of our upland and waterfowl hunting operations on our website at www.picaboangler.com. Check it out.
Fishing on area waters remains excellent. The cooler temps will put fish on the move and have them feeding in earnest in preparation for fall spawning and the harsher conditions of winter. Now is the time to hunt trophy trout; big browns on Silver Creek, 20-inch cutthroat on the Upper Big Lost River, and the robust rainbows on the Big Wood River are all prime targets right now.
On Silver Creek, late-morning activity will center on small Baetis (Blue-Winged Olives). Have long, light leaders and a variety of emergers, duns and spinners on hand. The Callibaetis will start to wane with the cooler weather, but we’ll see the Mahogany Dun and October Caddis in stronger numbers. Both of these bugs prefer the cooler weather of fall, and appear during the most pleasant part of the day—late morning to mid-afternoon. Hoppers, beetles and ants will still produce on the Creek; don’t put these bugs away until we get a couple good, hard freezes.
The Big Wood will see one of our favorite hatches soon—the Western Red Quill (Hecuba). Large Parachute Adams, Parachute Hare’s Ears, H&L Variants, Ausable Wulffs and Purple Hazes (all in size 10-12) will fool plenty of fish once this bug appears. Your favorite green drake and brown drake patterns will work as well.
The entire Big Lost River system is a great option right now. If you’re fishing the upper waters, no need to get there early; hit the river at mid-afternoon and fish your favorite hopper and Western Red Quill patterns. For the Lower Lost, keep an eye out for Baetis and Tricos. The nymphing will be very good on this water throughout the fall.
Remember that now is when streamers really shine. The Coffey’s Sparkle Minnow is a great all-around streamer for our waters.
Give us a call at the shop to schedule an upland bird or waterfowl hunt. We’re looking forward to some great hunting this season.
Happy fishing, everyone!