Most area fishing is closed this week. The exceptions are the Little Wood and Big Lost rivers and area reservoirs, which stay open all year. These are wonderful fisheries and with the right weather conditions anglers can find Midge and Baetis hatches with fish working dry flies. If there are no hatches, nymphing with a micro pattern will produce fish. The color red is a go-to whether it’s a Copper John or Zebra Nymph.
Magic Reservoir is the Valley’s most overlooked fabled water. The reservoir grows a lot of big fish and they are not that hard to catch. Spring evenings here can present incredible dry-fly opportunities and many an angler has been turned into a reservoir dog by this body of water. Fish the reservoir anywhere from the bank, any time of the day, by casting streamers on a dry line with a long leader, or an intermediate sinking line with a short leader. Move around and try to locate hot spots. Anglers will also nymph the banks, either stripping large nymph patterns or fishing midge patterns under strike indicators when the fish are near the surface. Bass and perch are in the mix, too, and can make for an incredible bite some days. These fish are also great table fair and wonderful in a smoker. Be aware in the Big Wood arm of Magic that you are fishing below the signage indicating where the reservoir and Big Wood River meet. The Rock Creek area is now closed and considered part of the Big Wood River. This is normally a stillwater section, but the Big Wood canyon above the reservoir falls under Big Wood regulations and is closed until Opening Day, May 28. To be safe, just stay below the signage and be sure you are in stillwater. There is bank access all around the reservoir with plenty of places to go. Google Earth is a great tool to use when exploring this area. There are dirt roads all around the reservoir making it easy to find your own little spot for the day.
Fish Creek Reservoir can be a mud bog in the spring, but the fish in here grow stout. There are some decent brook trout in here as well. The catch rate can be slower than nearby reservoirs. Fish near the inlets and the points and be willing to do some walking. Be careful driving if any of the reservoir is exposed. What looks dry may not be! Fish streamers and nymphs from the banks.
Happy fishing, everyone!