Sun Valley Fly Fishing Report

The fish are adjusting to our new weather patterns, as are the anglers! Cooler mornings and evenings, coupled with perfect daytime highs are making for some more outstanding fishing. The higher elevations are seeing a slowdown in the catch rates, but locally, we couldn’t ask for better angling. Things should be nice and quiet on the water in the coming weeks, as school has started and the hunters are all out hunting!

Silver Creek continues its magnificent run of Hopper fishing. It could be the best season we’ve ever had on Hoppers and we don’t see any reason this should stop before the first big frosts of the season. Some of the fall bugs are also starting to make their appearance. Most notable the very early arrival of the Mahogany Dun. The Fall Baetis are showing in the mornings and evenings as well. The Brown Trout are in full blown pre-spawn mode, so Streamer Fishing, Mouse Fishing and Hopper Fishing should all produce nice sized fish in the coming weeks.

The Big Wood just finished a busy stretch of days with angler numbers, but that should all be in the past for the rest of the season. Expect the Western Red Quill to take over the Hopper bite in the coming week or two, and be ready for blanket hatches of Fall Baetis. Keep fishing Hoppers and Droppers until you see the fish actively taking the fall hatches off the surface.

The Upper Lost River is the only water that is not fishing very well. We hope after the fish adjust to the cold water caused by low nighttime temps at elevation and the fall insects come out in force, we will get a little spike in the fishing here before winter sets in.

The Lower Lost is fishing very well. Crane Flies and Hopper – Dropper set ups are catching fish. Some areas a double nymph rig under a strike indicator is the way to go. Fish small flies deep if you are going to nymph. The color red is a key, and should be on at least one of your nymphs if your favorite nymphs aren’t working. Small Black Zebra Nymphs are also a great option.

The South Fork of the Boise continues to fish well with Pink Alberts and Hoppers. Although angler numbers peaked the past few weeks, we should see a drop off in people as more hunting takes place and kids get back to school!

Happy Fishing Everyone!

Upland Hunting is Upon Us!

Greetings Upland Hunters

Please join us for the final two weeks of August with your pups in training!

With temperatures still too hot for hard working adult dogs to hunt long distances we are going to reserve the time from August 15th to September 1st for hunters wishing to introduce their new gun dogs to birds.

Join us every weekday morning and some weekends from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. as we head into the field with Chukar to practice a variety of hunting scenarios. Work of pointing, flushing, retrieving or just let your pup find a few birds! We are happy to put them out for you one bird at a time to ensure your puppy’s success.

This “clinic” is open to mature dogs that will be in the field for the first time this season or those that need a tune up. This will also be great for puppies that are hot off the press! This is a perfect time to socialize your new dogs, let them hear a few shots and get comfortable out in the field.

Picabo Angler Outfitter and Guides John Huber and Ross Copperman will be training their own puppies ranging from 1 to 2 years old and you will be able to train alongside of them.

Each dog owner will receive 6 Chukar to do as they wish with. We will plant them all at once, or one at a time. The cost is $200 per session. We will be on the Picabo Angler Shooting Preserve with adult Chukars. Reservations are required - Call John Huber at 208.788.3536 to make your reservations.

This is a very low pressure, relaxed atmosphere, where our goal is to introduce puppies to birds in the cool morning hours and where fun is more important than perfection.

We look forward to seeing you in the field!

John Huber

john@picaboangler.com

208.788.3536