The nights are getting cooler, which means fall is getting close; this will bring along with it all the great fishing fall usually provides. Some fantastic hatches happen in the fall and arguably some of the year’s best fishing takes place. We look forward to the Mahogany Duns on Silver Creek and the Red Quill on the Big Wood, and we look forward to quiet waters and aggressive fish. With all of this, along with the changing of the leaves and the beautiful fall weather, it’s no wonder why this is our favorite time of year!
Silver Creek is fishing well. The mornings have been seeing good numbers of Tricos and Baetis; the fish tend to get picky on one or the other so if they aren’t eating your Trico, try a small Baetis instead. The afternoon hopper fishing has been outstanding with some wind, and the Callibaetis have been good on the calmer days.
The Lower Lost River remains high at over 600 CFS, but hopefully we will have lower flows that coincide with fall fishing. Tricos and Baetis can be outstanding on the Lower Lost in late summer/early fall.
The Upper Lost River has been fishing awesome! The fish are spread out and happily taking small attractor or hopper patterns. With lower light conditions don’t be afraid to throw a streamer; these fish will happily eat a larger meal.
The Big Wood River is also a great option. The crowds should start to thin a little as we move closer to fall, and this should bring on one of our favorite hatches of the year—the Red Quill (Hecuba).
The Salmon River continues to be an excellent fishery with Spruce Moths, hoppers, and small attractors all producing plenty of fish. A dropper nymph will catch fish that are hesitant to rise. With dropping flows and cooler weather coming, now is the time to do a last float or two on the Salmon.
Happy fishing, everyone!