The recent heat wave has shifted fish, bug, and angler activity to the coolest parts of the day—the hours around sunrise and sunset. Right now, it pays to be on the water early and late.
The Trico is happening on Silver Creek. Be sure to have dun and spinner Trico imitations, long leaders of 12 feet or more (6X), and a solid downstream presentation when fishing this hatch. Baetis (BWOs) have been mixed in with Tricos, so be prepared to switch up bugs at a moment’s notice.
The Callibaetis have continued to show during the late morning and early afternoons as well. Once the morning dry-fly activity wanes, fish hopper imitations, beetles, ants, and adult damsels. During the hottest part of the day, give the fish a break and enjoy a cold beverage or an afternoon siesta. Late evenings on the Creek can be special; expect a mix of bugs including Baetis, Callibaetis, PMDs, and Caddis.
The Big Wood River also fishes well early and late. In the mornings, small attractor dries fished at the heads of riffles is very effective. Your favorite small dropper nymph will take those fish not willing to eat on the surface. There are a few Yellow Sallies, Tricos, and Pink Alberts (pinkish-cream PMDs) around, so keep an eye out for the naturals. Hoppers and Hopper/Droppers will produce throughout the day. In the evening, the fish will be focused on caddis and the fishing can be fantastic during the last few hours of daylight.
The waters of Copper Basin are a great option right now. Conditions are ideal for wet wading and covering the Upper Big Lost and East Fork in search of large cutthroat. Hoppers, Stimulators, Chubby Chernobyls, and Fat Alberts are all great bugs to throw, as are smaller bugs such as Gray Drakes, PMDs, Yellow Sallies, and Caddis. Cover water and make sure your fly hits all the juiciest water!
Floating the Salmon River is another solid bet. The same flies listed above for Copper Basin, along with some small BWOs, will put you consistently on the river’s Westslope cutts and rainbows. Dry/Dropper rigs work very well when fish are not looking up.
The South Fork Boise River is still flowing at 1210 CFS, so floating the river is a great option now. Look for Pink Alberts, Caddis, and Hoppers throughout the river system, and like the Big Wood, fish the shallow, fast riffles.
In August, we see flying ants on the Big Wood, Silver Creek, and Upper Big Lost, so don’t fish those waters without a few quality imitations.
Happy fishing, everyone!