As the first days of June unfold, anglers across south-central Idaho see the fly-fishing season come alive, though not without some complexity. With spring runoff still making its presence felt, the condition of local rivers varies widely. Here’s a breakdown of what’s fishing well, what to expect on the water, and where to focus your efforts as the season ramps up.
The Big Wood, Little Wood and upper Big Lost rivers are currently in the midst of runoff.
Flows are high and off-color, making fishing difficult and, at times, dangerous. These rivers should be fishable and in great shape in a couple of weeks. At this time, the Big Wood River in Hailey is flowing at approximately 1100 CFS.
The lower Lost River is running extremely high at 700 CFS, so fishing there will not be an option until flows drop later in the summer.
One of the highlights of early June is the anticipated brown drake hatch on Silver Creek. The first sighting of these mayflies came on May 28 and this hatch typically lasts 7–10 days. These large mayflies bring trout to the surface in a frenzy, particularly during the evening hours. For anglers, it’s an electrifying time to be on the water but timing and presentation are key.
On Silver Creek, fishing BWOs (#18 #20) in the morning and PMDs (#16 #18) in the afternoon have been reliable. Also keep an eye out for large callibaetis (#14 #16), especially in the slower stretches of the Creek. These mayflies emerge throughout the day and can lead to some fantastic sight-fishing opportunities.
Don’t overlook the small terrestrials, either. Ants and beetles are starting to make appearances, and when mayfly activity is sparse, they can be a great alternative. Leeches are highly effective right now, particularly when drifted slowly through deeper pools and soft seams. Trout looking for a high-protein meal aren’t willing to pass them up.
The Salmon River downstream of Stanley is still too high; expect the river to be in shape by the end of the month.
The South Fork Boise River below Anderson Reservoir is at 2200 CFS, so it is only suitable for float fishing. Anglers have been having marginal success with the fluctuations in flows, but the river will see salmonflies by the end of June.
Happy fishing everyone!
