Grab a jacket and waders when you head out to the water this week. The warm summer mornings of wet wading seem to be over, as we experience a drop in overnight temperatures. Cooler air paired with scattered evening thunderstorms has allowed water temps and flows to remain steady within our local fisheries. With the onset of chillier mornings, we are seeing bug action later in the morning than normal.
Silver Creek: Fishing access on Silver Creek Preserve continues to be open, with time restrictions remaining in place, allowing access between 9 a.m. and sunset. Don’t forget to check in when fishing on the Preserve. When the air warms up and the wind stays down, expect a Trico spinner fall sometime between 9 a.m. and noon with a scattering of Baetis. In the afternoons and early evenings, look for Damselflies and Baetis on the water when the wind is down; if the wind is ramping up, you can expect fish to be looking for terrestrials, including Hoppers, Ants and Beetles. If you are fishing the Hopper, think pink! Pink Morrish Hoppers and Club Sandwiches are getting it done! Always remember when fishing a Hopper—if you fish lighter than a 2X tippet, you are going to be decorating fish with flies for no reason. We will say it here again… Silver Creek anglers are more leader shy than Silver Creek fish. There is no such thing as a leader-shy fish on Silver Creek when they want to eat a Hopper.
Big Wood: The Big Wood River continues to fish well, but the low, clear water is requiring more stealth in your approach as you enter the water. Fishing downstream with longer leaders will allow for more opportunities. Mornings are generating Trico and Baetis action. Hopper/dropper setups in the afternoons are productive, with Caddis flies and Rusty Spinners fishing well into the low light of the evenings.
Lost River: Flows in the Upper Lost River remain low, but fishing continues to be productive. Terrestrial patterns, Hoppers and Ants, as well as caddis, are best bets from late morning on. BWO and PMD nymphs can also be effective for sight fishing with the low, clear water conditions or as a dropper to a large terrestrial. Walking a reasonable distance to cover more water will always produce more takes this time of year.
Finally, with the cooler days coming, be sure you have the Western Red Quill in your fly box for the Wood and Lost Rivers.
Happy fishing, everyone!