Sun Valley Area Fishing Report, Sept 16th

There hasn’t been a dull moment for anglers and hunters this fall as the conditions left behind by the local fires has essentially ended seasons in certain hunting units and fishing on certain rivers. The Big Wood River, the South Fork of the Boise and many smaller streams have filled with ash and will remain unfishable for the time being. It’s a hard pill to swallow right now, but one thing we can count on is the resiliency of Mother Nature. The rivers, the fish, the elk, the grouse and the trees will all come back. Based on history they will come back even stronger than when we lost them. So be patient, be flexible and be ready for new opportunities.

Silver Creek remains the stalwart fishery we’ve come to expect. Baetis and Callibaetis are the main bugs on the Creek right now, with a trickle of Mahogany Duns beginning to show up on the cooler afternoons. The Hopper fishing remains strong and the wind the past few days has made it even better. Many anglers are reporting that Ant patterns are the best fly in their box right now. Expect the Mahogany action to pick up as we receive our first true fall weather.

The Lost River, both upper and lower also remain strong fisheries. The hatches are mainly Baetis and some Caddis on the upper Lost. Hoppers both above and below the dam are working well. The place to think about exploring right now, especially as things cool is the Big Wood below Magic Reservoir. The canyon water has been shut off and the fishery is under salvage, but there are still some big fish in those pools.

Upland hunting remains fantastic for both Doves and Grouse. The numbers of both remain strong. Expect the Dove numbers to diminish this week, but the Grouse hunting should stay strong right up until our first snow falls.

Sage Grouse, Hungarian Partridge, Chukar and Quail all open on September 21st. If you hunt Sage Grouse, don’t forget you will need a special Permit and the season is only a week long with a one bird a day limit, so if you want to hunt this species, plan well and set your hunt in advance. Last note on upland hunting: The snake activity is strong this year. The drought has brought prey and predator to nearby water sources, so please be aware! It will snow soon enough, so be safe with your dogs in the meantime.

Happy Fishing and Hunting Everyone!  

Grouse Hunting Near Sun Valley, Idaho

Grouse Hunting Near Sun Valley Idaho

A favorite time of year for many men, women and upland dogs in Idaho is upon us - Grouse Season! It’s time to shake out last year’s feathers from that old upland vest, maybe take a quick trip to the gun range for a tune up, and give your pup one last pep talk about what a good bird dog he or she is! Then it’s off to the field with guns and noses held high.

If you are new to hunting Grouse near Picabo, Sun Valley, Wood River Valley or Stanley here are a couple of quick tips to help get you get in the game. The most important things to keep in mind are hillsides, water and berries.

Grouse love to be near a clean, fresh water source. This can be a little creek, a big river or the smallest spring on a mountain side. Be sure that Grouse are always connected to a particular source of water. This is amplified during the hot month of September when we do most of our Grouse hunting and is especially true on a drought year like we are having this season. When water is scarce and the heat is up, be sure those Grouse are within several hundred yards of a water source.

Winston the English Setter pointing a Blue Grouse near Sun Valley, Idaho

Berry fields are another big piece of the formula. Snow Berries, Choke Cherries, and Currants are a favorite for Grouse and a major food source, along with insects like Grasshoppers and some seeds, aspen leaves and pine needles. These later foods are ingested as the ripe Berries begin to vanish from the woods. During drought years, berry fields can be harder to find rich with fruit, but look in shady groves on hillsides and on the edges of Aspen groves. 

Now, just find a hillside, avalanche shoot or stream bank that has water, and berries and is in a quiet place, and let your dog hunt! It is good to move quietly and watch your dog intently. Working up a steep hillside you should see your dog begin to track in a straighter and straighter line as they close in on their quarry. Like most covey birds, don’t panic if you can’t get a shot off on the first flush you see, chances are there will be more.

Blue Grouse and Ruffed Grouse are the most common Forest Grouse in the Sun Valley area and as we head toward the desert and farm country at the foothills of the mountains and forest one will encounter Sage Grouse and Sharptail Grouse. These birds are true Grouse, but live a very different life. Check back as we approach fall for more info on hunting these wonderful species as well!