Overall, Silver Creek has been fishing well. The Nature Conservancy, Double R Ranch, The Willows, and Point of Rocks have all been productive. As a rule, the Trico hatch has diminished, although the hatch can be prevalent at times. Small Baetis are present in the mornings, and Callibaetis have been strong on select afternoons. The Callibaetis are on the smaller size; use size 16 and 18 patterns. We anticipate the appearance of the Mahogany Dun soon. This hatch is one of our favorites; the bugs don’t mind the wind, and the fish will key in on the Mahogany even when just a few naturals are present. Keep an eye out for October caddis and flying ants, and don’t put away your hoppers until October.
The Big Wood River continues to fish well. Again, hoppers are one of the go-to bugs right now, and the hopper-dropper method is really producing fish. Use a small (size 16–20) Zebra Midge, Rainbow Warrior, or Copper John as your dropper, and target active fish at the heads of riffles and runs. Rumors of a few Western Red Quill (Hecuba) have been swirling; this hatch should start in earnest very soon. Your favorite Green Drake patterns are an effective imitation of this bug, as are H & L Variants, Parachute Hare’s Ears, Parachute Adams, and Purple Haze in sizes 10–14.
The Upper Big Lost River system is productive during the afternoons; mornings are a bit cool in the high country and fish become more active as the water temperature rises. Look for fish in deeper pockets, along dark undercut banks, and along quiet current seams. Cover lots of water and fish tour favorite terrestrial patterns. The Western Red Quill will be found on the Upper Big Lost system as well as the Big Wood, so come prepared.
The Lower Big Lost River is still flowing strong at 370 CFS, which is still a tad high for safe, effective wading. We will see more moderate flows as the fall progresses, and the fishing should be quite good.
The Salmon River continues to fish well, using the same flies and methods that produce on the Big Wood and Upper Lost. Now is the time to take a last float or two down the Salmon before we see consistent, cooler weather.
Don’t be afraid to get out your streamer box on all our waters right now.
Happy fishing, everyone!