Fishing continues in the higher elevations this week as we ready for another hot one! Anglers looking to keep fishing and to keep the fish healthy have been and should continue to explore the higher-elevation rivers and lakes. The cooler headwaters will be pulling fish and anglers upstream in search of ideal conditions. Moving up in the systems means a change in bugs. Think about attractor patterns and a lot more Caddis action than we are used to seeing down here in the valleys.
Silver Creek continues to be closed from Silver Creek Preserve through the Kilpatrick Pond area. This means anglers wanting to fish the Trico spinner falls in the morning should look at the Silver Creek West areas. Fish stout tippets and rods to play the fish in quickly. DO NOT remove them from the water! Release them with a Ketchum Release tool subsurface and save the pictures for another time. This may be the first time that many of us in fishing circles are cringing when we see photos of fish out of the water. Keep these memories in your mind so that we have fish to take pics of next season.
The Big Wood is about moving upriver. There is a lot of water between Galena Summit and Ketchum. Get up there and explore it! Fish small Hoppers and Elk-Hair Caddis. Stay on the move and cover water. It is a good time to also reset your thought process and understand that there is joy in small brook trout and beaver ponds. There is joy in walking into the bowl with the high mountain lake where the fish never see anyone. There is joy in observing the river, catching a few, and heading home as soon as it gets too hot. Find your fishing joy in new places this week.
The Lost River is still fishing OK both above and below Mackay Reservoir. It is busy up there, so please be kind and share your space. Small Hoppers, small Stimulators, PMDs, Parachute Adams and Ant patterns are all great bets. Again, get over there while we have cool mornings and wrap it up as the heat comes into play.
Lastly, as things continue to heat up, please put on your hiking shoes and make trekking into the mountains part of this year’s fishing routine. We will all be better for it in the future.
Happy fishing, everyone!
