SCO customer Steve Briggs (Skooter Gardiner’s Client) caught and landed this beast of a brown on Silver Creek (6/15). Took a nymph on 5x. Battle of the nerves (at least for the guide), but Steve won in the end. New member of the Two Footer (+) Club!
Robert Frost wrote, “Nature’s first green is gold.” This is certainly the case here in the Wood River Valley as we await the spectacular Green Drake Hatch on the Big Wood. The flows on the Wood have dropped significantly over the last week and should continue to drop as we head into the longest day of the year and the official start of summer. The lower than average flows on the Wood have set the stage for what should be a golden Green Drake hatch. In fact, the Green Drakes are not the only big bug slated to make an early appearance this year; Salmon Flies have already been spotted on both the South Fork of the Boise and The Salmon River. While Frost ended his poem with the warning that “Nothing gold can stay,” it seems that the fishing in the Wood River Valley is going to stay gold and green for a while longer.
Silver Creek
Fishing the Creek in June is a pleasant experience for many reasons. The days are long and the fishing can be good wether you want to fish during the early morning sunrise, the heat of the day, or the low light of the evening. You can search for sippers with small size 18 or 20 Baetis, swing streamers in front of monster browns, float ants and beetles along the reeds and banks, drift a PMD, Callibaetis, or even a Green Drake over likely trout lies. And my favorite part about June on the Creek…there are very few other anglers. If you go, you will want to have a good selection of Harrop’s Baetis in size 18 and 20, PMDs is size 16, Callibaetis Duns, Spinners and Cripples in size 14 and 16, and Green Drake Duns and Cripples in size 12. Have a good selection of ants and beetles from size 12 to 16 for when the wind puts a chop on the surface. If you stay late, have some tan and olive Caddis is size 16 and 18. You might try a Damsel nymph if you fish the Pond. So get on down to the Creek before the crowds of July and August and enjoy the variety of fishing opportunities. Don’t forget to take your bug spray; the mosquitoes are early this year too.
The Big Wood
Over the course of a week the Wood dropped to below 700 CFS and cleared making it fishable again. We have seen the last of the snow melt blowouts for the year, and while we might still see the flows spike up a bit when it gets hot, the flow’s general trend is downward. Still, the Wood is high, so fish with caution. Focus on those areas where you can access both sides of the river without having to attempt wading across, the side channels, or above town. Some Green Drakes have been spotted on the lower river and this hatch should really get going any day now. Remember, this is one of those bugs that starts on the lower to mid river and moves up river over its progression. Also, the hatch is usually a late afternoon occurrence. Be sure to have a good selection of Green Drake nymphs, cripples and drys if you happen upon it. Otherwise, fish big drys trailed by a Green Drake Nymph or other size 12 beaded nymph. Straight nymphing with either a suspender or sighter indicator and a double nymph rig will also work. Try a Rubber Leg Stone trailed by a Green Drake, Pheasant Tail, Hares Ear, or Prince Nymph.
Big Lost River Upper & Lower
Below Mackay, the flows have been as high as 700 last week, but seem to be coming down. As of today, the flows were just above 500 CFS. I would recommend keeping your eye on the Idaho River Flows page (use the link on our website) if you decide to go. The current flows are fishable for very strong waders, but it is difficult to move around the river which limits the access and you should always respect private property. If you go you will find Yellow Stones size 12 and Yellow Sallies size 16. Still, nymphing with a big bug trailed by a small will be most productive. Try a large Prince Nymph, San Juan Worm, or Rubber Legged Stone trailed by a size 16 or 18 Zebra Midge, Rainbow Warrior, or Bishop’s Dynamite. The Upper Lost will be worth exploring in about another week.
South Fork of the Boise
A few Salmon Flies have been sighted in the Canyon Stretch of this river and the fishing here will get better over the next couple weeks as this hatch makes its progressive march up stream. The flows are holding steady at 1600 CFS which is a good level for floating. If you go, have an assortment of heavy rubber legged stone fly nymphs for the riffles and some big foamy drys for working the banks. Streamers might pick up a big Bull Trout as well.
Stillwater Options
Magic, Mackay or Duck Valley are good options whether you want to float tube, pontoon, our fish from a boat. Be sure to always have a safety whistle and a life jacket. In June, I like to pull Seal buggers and Pops buggers in black or olive off of a sinking line like a type 3 or 5 or suspend a team of nymphs off an indicator like Prince nymphs, Copper Johns, or classic Chironomids with a floating line. If it stays warm, you might also consider pulling some Damsel or Callibaetis nymphs. This is also a good time to consider going to CJ Strike to chase carp or the Bruneau Sand Dunes for bass and bluegill. Whatever you decide to do, come on by the shop and we will hook you up with the best flies for your situation.
Warm Springs
Warm Springs is good option right now, and while still high, is more wadeable than the Wood. There is a good population of wild fish in this river right know and if you catch one please return it to the river. Fish and Game does stock this river around the bridges and these fish are put there for you to take. Try fishing big dries like Turk’s Tarantula, Royal Stimulators, or Parachute Hare’s Ears with a large beaded Pheasant Tail, Prince Nymph, or Green Drake nymphs. Streamers, like Black, Olive, or Brown Woolly Buggers in size 8 or 10 are also very effective this time of year. Of course, double nymph rigs with an indicator off a suspended sighter, like a Thingamabobber, will produce. Go with a big and ugly Rubber Leg Stone followed by a Green Drake Nymph, a Prince Nymph, a Rainbow Warrior, or Bishop ‘s Dynamite.
The Salmon
We are starting to run some drift boat and walk and wade trips this week. The flows are right and some Salmon flies have been seen. If you go, this is great big bug water, so take an assortment of large Stimulators and Salmon flies. These fish also love standard beaded nymphs is size 16 to 12 and large Stone Fly Nymphs.
Local Ponds
Lake Creek, Penny Lake and Gavers Lagoon have been stocked and are a great option for a family outing.
Shop our House of Harrop Fly selection!
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Silver Creek PMD’s 14,16 Baetis 18,20 Callibaetis Green Drakes Harrop’s Baetis 18,20 Callibaetis Duns Spinners 14,16 Cripples 14, 16 Tan & Olive Caddis 16,18 Damsel Nymph |
The Big Wood Green Drakes Green Drake Nymphs Cripples Big Drys Beaded Nymphs 12 Rubber Leg Stone Pheasant Tails Hares Ear Prince Nymphs |
Warm Springs Turk’s Tarantulas Royal Stimulators Parachute Hare’s Ears Pheasant Tail Prince Nymph Green Drake Nymph Streamers Woolly Buggers 8,10 Rubber Leg Stone Rainbow Warrior Bishop’s Dynamite |
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Lower & Upper Big Lost Yellow Stones 12 Yellow Sallies 16 Prince Nymphs San Juan Worm Rubber Legged Stone Zebra Midge 16, 18 Rainbow Warrior 16,18 Bishop’s Dynamite 16,18 |
Stillwater Options Seal Buggers Pops Buggers Prince Nymphs Copper Johns Chironomids Damsel Nymphs Callibaetis Nymphs |
The Salmon Large Stimulators Salmon Flies Beaded Nymphs 16 -12 Large Stone Flies |
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South Fork of the Boise Heavy Rubber Legged Stone Fly Nymphs Big Foamy Drys Streamers |
Printable version of Dave’s Prescribed Flies
[vimeo]http://vimeo.com/66374912[/vimeo]“If I fished only to capture fish, my fishing trips would have ended long ago.” – Zane Grey
photo by Skooter Gardiner
