Sun Valley Fly Fishing
Sun Valley Area Fishing Report, February 23, 2017
Excellent fishing conditions are upon us this week. Temperatures hovering around the freezing mark, and partly cloudy days should put us back in a rhythm. The last round of weather was very unsettled and it was apparent in the fishing. The action has not been fast or furious, but the fish that are eating well seem to be in the larger size range.
A trickle of pre-spawning Rainbows are beginning to make their way into the Stanton Crossing reach of the Big Wood. There are even a few early redds in some of the gravel channels. Give this area another week or two and it should be very good fishing. The biggest challenge now is the parking. Currently, Stanton Crossing camping area is it for the whole area. If you go, be willing to walk!
We only have a week left to fish on Silver Creek before it closes for the spring spawning season. The last two weeks of fishing on the Creek are often the best Streamer fishing days of the year. Concentrate on the Point of Rocks and Picabo Bridge areas as the fish will move into this stretch looking for slightly warmer water temperatures.
Anglers that are eager to get out and fish their favorite freestone rivers like the Big Wood better get out there now. There are about 6 weeks left of this style of fishing at these flows. When the rivers reopen at the end of May we can expect them to be high and unfishable until the first week or two of July. The run-off this year should be a spectacle as we approach nearly 200% snow pack.
With this said, June is going to be a Silver Creek month, so if you’ve been shy about fishing this spring creek, it’s time to come out of your shell! Silver Creek can be a forgiving fishery the first few weeks of the season. This is a great time for those looking to learn the Creek. Anglers can get a head start by studying the June hatches and gearing up for a spring creek fishery. This means fishing soft rods and long leaders. Now is the time to start practicing! It would also be a good time to get a lay of the land. Scout the Creek from top to bottom while it is closed and quiet. When opening day comes, you’ll know exactly where you want to be!
Happy Fishing Everyone!