Sun Valley Fly Fishing Report or The Importance of Kindness on the Water.

The winter fishing season is all but behind us at this point. Looking back at 2016 and the first part of 2017, we can say with certainty that we had a really good season. Looking forward we can look at the snow pack and we can feel very confident we are about to have an epic season.

We will renew the season on May 27th this year, and with that we begin to renew another facet of fly fishing. That is the facet of kindness and a spirit of helping each other in the Silver Creek Valley. Gone are the days of the uppity angler staring at everyone that walks past. That angler has been replaced by one that says “Hello” and “Good Morning!” and “How’s your day going?”

In Picabo we want to celebrate fly fishing and we want to share fly fishing. We don’t want to fill the river with guides and tell you to buy the flies we tied. We have guides that will go out of their way to help other anglers they think may need a hand, our guides will make room for other anglers and will always ask anglers at access points which direction they intend to fish.

In the fly shop at Picabo Angler, we want our guests to feel at home. We want them to ask all the questions they want without any question being too small or too silly. We know we all had a starting point and we want to honor those that are just getting their feet wet! We want you to learn in a place of calm and a place of peace.

If you are fish obsessed to a point where you cannot manage your manners, or seem to think there is ownership of a river or run, we encourage you to fish the high country! You can have all the space and fish you want. If you want to come to Silver Creek and challenge yourself and find out how good you are at dry fly fishing, by all means please do, but never at the expense of someone else’s good time.

We can all take away a lot from fly fishing, and it doesn’t all have to be about the fish and fishing. When you get home, we hope you will tell your loved ones a story about how you helped someone catch their first fish on Silver Creek, or maybe the story about the person that helped you catch yours!

Happy Fishing Everyone!

Silver Creek, Idaho - Like You've Never Seen Before! (click photo to scroll images)

Picabo "Drake" Water

"S-Turns"

The Creek has been rising and taking over the valley. The waterfowl are loving it and the fish must be seeing a lot of food!

Sun Valley Area Fishing Report - April 13, 2016

There is a lot of wonderful spring weather headed our direction this week! There is a limited amount of fishing to be had, but what is out there is a real treat. The Big Lost River is the only river system that remains open to fishing. It is a long drive to get over there, but the fact that the Baetis hatches are prolific and the big fish are up eating them coupled with the fact you can stop at Picabo Angler for breakfast, flies, licenses, beer, gas and a brown bag lunch make it all worthwhile!

If you head over to the Lost, be ready to see a few more anglers than normal, especially on the weekend. It is one of the only open places to fish, outside of Steelhead on the Salmon or Carp on the Snake. If you go, just be polite, ask your fellow angler where they are headed and then fish accordingly. There is plenty of fishable water on the Lost, but it is a narrow river channel. Be polite and respectful and help your fellow angler have a great time. It will add to your experience as well.

If you go, have plenty of Baetis flies in your box. Gulper Specials, Transitional Duns and Parachute patterns will all do the trick. Plan on fishing with 6X tippets and preferably a soft rod, to protect those light tippets. There is also a chance to see Midge hatches too, so don’t put that fly box away for the winter quite yet. If you have to fish subsurface, be sure to bring plenty of Zebra Nymphs for the Midge imitation and plenty of Pheasant Tail Nymphs to replicate the Baetis.

The Salmon River has been blown out lately, and although there is some fishing to be had upstream of Valley Creek, most of the fish in that area are in full blown spawning mode right now. Keep in mind these fish swam through many, many dams and swan 900 miles UPSTREAM to spawn. Keep this in mind when you see fish paired up or in their Redds, and leave them alone.

Elsewhere, we have some great reservoir fishing on Magic and the Little Wood. Try fishing from the banks or a float tube if you need a quick fix. Carp fishing on the Snake is always fun when the weather turns nice and be sure to keep your eyes on low lying lakes as the ice begins to come off!

Happy Fishing Everyone!

Sun Valley Area Fishing Report - September 7, 2015

Fall is upon us. The leaves are changing, chainsaws are heard in the timber, elk are bugling, gardens are being harvested and autumn hatches are here!

On the Big Wood the Western Red Quill is out and about, driving the fish crazy! This BIG mayfly is a mouthful for a fish and a great way for fish to fatten up before winter. Couple this with the enormity of Fall Baetis hatches and it’s apparent that this is a good month to be a trout in Idaho! Expect to see both of these insects during bankers hours and with quite a bit of overlap as well. Trico on warm mornings is still a possibility and Hoppers are going to continue to take fish until they are long gone.

Expect a lot of the same thing in the Upper Lost, with a lean toward Ants and Hoppers. Although the Upper is fishing well, the water is low enough, be prepared to cover a lot of ground! The fish are holding in the deep water and under the slick foam lines. Look for this water type and you will find fish.

The Lower Lost continues to fish well when flows are reasonable. It looks as though they may stay at fishable levels for the duration, but keep an eye on the CFS. If it remains below 350 CFS, you are in business and the trip is worth it. Skating Crane Flies is the most fun way to angle, with Trico and Baetis also bringing fish to the surface. If nothing is happening, fish with red colored nymphs and Zebra Midges.

Silver Creek remains excellent, although with shorter fishing windows. Expect the morning activity to start late, sometime around 10:00 a.m. and even later on cold mornings. The afternoons are becoming more and more productive and the early evening has been really good. If you fish the Creek, have Baetis, Callibaetis, Hoppers, Ants, and Mahogany Duns. Expect to see the Mahogany Dun any day now, as the cooler weather should bring this bug to the forefront.

The South Fork of the Boise remains around 600CFS, making some wading possible, and some boating possible. Hoppers are the way to go if you head down there, with a residual Pink Albert on a hot day and Ants a great fly in the slowest water!

Hunters can expect to see a few northern Doves making their way into the valley and the Grouse hunting remains solid. Be safe and enjoy the hunt!

Happy Fishing and Hunting Everyone!

Word Association and Q & A with Picabo Anglers Friends and Family