Sun Valley Area Fishing Report - January 12, 2015
The snow continues to fall this winter, and with every flake anglers can begin to imagine bigger spring flows, flushing currents and rivers full to their banks! The springs in Silver Creek need a thorough recharge. The South Fork of the Boise needs a sustained flow in the 5000 CFS range to flush debris to help fish and anglers alike. The Big Wood could certainly use a good scrubbing and if the snow will keep coming that could certainly happen!
Cross your fingers and let’s think good thoughts about full reservoirs, side channels flooded with fish, and streamside vegetation that grows tall and shades it all in. In the meantime all these snow events mean low pressure, and that means Epic winter fishing!
Silver Creek is the place to be as the day time temperatures stay fairly comfortable. On a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being a lot of fishing pressure and 1 being no fishing pressure. The Creek is at a -2 right now. The ice is gone, the color is perfectly tinted, the flows are decent and no one is fishing this world famous spring creek. It is easy to take this little river and this time of year for granted, but my guess is if Idaho Fish and Game were charging a winter access to Silver Creek East and West, like the spring creeks in Montana, there would be anglers fishing all the most temperate days of the week at the very least.
Silver Creek is open to Catch and Release Fishing downstream from the HWY 20 Bridge through Picabo. The season closes at the end of February. All an angler needs is a 9 foot 2X Fluorocarbon Leader and maybe a half dozen Streamers. Bank fishing in waders is the norm, with a little bit of getting in and out of the water to release fish, or hit the farthest banks with a cast. Fly choice can be simple with bead-head and cone-head flies being plenty of weight. No need to add any to your leader. Our favorites include Sparkle Minnows, Buggers in Black and Olive, Zonkers and Double Bunny Flies. Don’t hesitate to fish your own Streamer patterns as well. The bait fish in Silver Creek that you are imitating and diverse and abundant. Chances are if your fly swims well, they’ll chase it!
Don’t forget your 2015 fishing license. We have a licenses available here in Picabo if you need one, and of course breakfast and lunch for before and after your day on the water.
Happy Fishing Everyone!