Sun Valley Area Fishing Report - May 8, 2019

Opening Day is right around the corner! Are you ready? Opening Day is on May 25ththis year and of course our Opening Eve Party is on Friday, May 24th! Once again we will have our favorite emcee, Hank Patterson and our favorite band in Idaho, Hillfolk Noir! All the fly fishing industry manufactures will be here as well. Great events, games, beverages and more. See you on the 24th!

If you are getting ready for the season it is time to think about gear organized and in good order. Some things to think about as we get closer and closer to the end of May. First, be sure your fly boxes are full of the good early season patterns. Silver Creek may be the only game in town with the spring run-off on other rivers. For the Creek, be sure to have Baetis, PMD, Callibaetis, Ants, Beetles, and Brown Drakes. Come on in and check out all the new patterns here at Picabo Angler.

Anglers should check boots and waders. How are those boot laces looking? The one’s you meant to replace all of last season. How about those pin holes in your waders? Is it time for a patch or even a new pair of warm dry waders? Some waders may even be due for new straps, or a wader belt. Wader belts are very important in the early season, and a simple belt can even save your life. Wear one.

It’s time to throw out those old leaders and tippet spools as well. Are you still using your tippet form 3 seasons ago? It’s probably gone bad, as all tippet does eventually. Replace it with new stuff and lose a lot less fish this summer! 

How about your boats and float tubes? Are they clean and patched up? Need a new tube or that spare oar you keep thinking about purchasing? Are the trailer lights working for your boat? Do you have your invasive species sticker? So much for us all to do!

Finally, take a moment and think about the fun we are all going to have together this summer. Fly fishing is for everyone and anyone. Let’s all “Be Kind and Stay Kind” as we encounter one another this early season. We will be fishing close together until the run-of abates and fisheries open up. In the meantime let’s remember it’s about fun and camaraderie! 

Peace, Love, and Fly-Fishing!

SUN VALLEY AREA FISHING REPORT - APRIL 25, 2019

Fishing in the spring is not always easy, but for the creative angler it is a great time to search for new opportunities and get outside of the comfort zone. There are numerous places to fish and more each day as roads begin to dry and open, the high country begins to be accessible.

Lakes, Reservoirs, Ponds, and Canals all remain open to fish. We may need to wait on a few of these fisheries, but if you are looking for an adventure check out many of the opportunities that can be found with snowshoes, boats, bikes and your feet! There are many ways to find these spots, and Google Earth is a great place to begin your search.

If you want to stick with the norms, the Lost River remains open for fishing, although keep an eye on that gauge! If the CFS jumps well above 300 CFS, you may want to look elsewhere. Currently the color red on a nymph is going to produce fish. The Baetis hatches in the afternoon are sporadic, but certainly a possibility when the wind isn’t blowing.

Magic Reservoir should begin to turn back on as the reservoir begins to fill and stabilize a bit more than it has been. The upper narrows is a great place to fish in the spring, as well as the coves near the dam. Fishing the legal sections of the Big Wood and Camas arms of the reservoir is also a good idea if they aren’t too muddy.

Anglers are catching fish in the canal system below Magic Reservoir as well. It is a bit hard at first wrapping one’s mind around the setting as you search for fish, but once you feel one of those big Rainbows pull on your line, it will suddenly feel like a much more attractive area to fish!

No matter where you go in the coming weeks, please be safe! The flows are high, road conditions can be iffy, and the weather may not always be stable. It is a good time of year to leave your dog at home if you are near the rivers and a great time to take them fishing when you are on the still waters. Try to fish with a friend when you can and like always, tell someone where you are going! Fishing safely makes it more fun! Opening Day is May 25th this year!

Happy Fishing Everyone

Sun Valley Area Fishing Report - April 17, 2019

The fishing conditions have begun getting tougher by the day as the local reservoirs are being prepped for the spring run-off. This means a lot of mud and poor fishing for a week or two. Don’t fret though, as the reservoirs will come into shape soon and will again begin to produce nice fish and good fishing. 

In the meantime, your best options remain the Lost River, the Snake River and the Salmon River. Keep an eye on the flows for all of these. The conditions are changing daily and staying current on the flows and turbidity is a must for a good day on the water. 

The lower Lost River through Mackay is fishing well, but please keep an eye on the gauge: www.waterdata.usgs.gov. If the flows remain in the 300CFS range, you can count on decent wading and great fishing if you hit the right day. Anglers are reporting great action on red colored nymphs like always, and with the right weather there can be some decent Baetis dry fly action. If you see the gauge jump way up, then think about heading elsewhere. 

The Snake River provides a wonderful Carp fishery this time of the season. With a quick look at Google Earth anglers can find lots of shallow water flats to hunt these fish. Fishing Carp in shallow water requires the exact same technique you would use on a Bonefish or Permit. It is a great way to warm up for a Saltwater trip or even learn how to Saltwater fish before your first trip. Hunt these fish and then try to drop Damsel Nymphs right on their nose. A few strips and hopefully you can fool these big, hard fighting fish!

Finally, the Steelhead are coming up the Salmon River and anglers are catching a few. Again, be sure to check the conditions as clarity is an important factor, if not the most important as anglers look to site and stalk these fish. Be aware the Steelhead are in the last few miles of their 900 mile journey into Idaho. They are here to spawn and the spawning beds, or Redds, are apparent from the clean swept gravels in the shallow water. Avoid fishing these areas and stepping on them. 

Don’t forget Picabo Angler is having another great party on the 24thof May! That is the night before opening day! Grab your tent, your friends and plan on another fun evening to kick off the season!

Happy Fishing Everyone!

Sun Valley Area Fishing Report - April 10, 2019

Fishing season is NOT closed on all of our area waters. The waters that are closed, that you cannot fish until Opening Day on May 25th,include Silver Creek, the Big Wood, and the South Fork of the Boise. Waters that remain open include the Lost River, the Little Wood River as well as the Salmon River for Steelhead fishing. All lakes, reservoirs, ponds and canals remain open to fish as well. 

The Lost River generally moves to the top of anglers lists in April and May, as it is open for fishing and can be very good. Lately the Lost River below the dam in Mackay has been fishing really well. Anglers are fishing nymph rigs with the color red and doing exceptional. Red Copper Johns, San Juan Worms, Red Hares Ears and even basic egg patterns will work great. 

There is also great dry fly opportunity on the Lost given the right day and conditions. Baetis (Blue Winged Olives) are bringing fish to the surface. This hatch starts on warm days after the morning chill is long gone. Fish Parachute Adams in a size 18 or your favorite Silver Creek Baetis patterns.

Please be sure to watch out for the Rainbow redds in the river and DO NOT step into these areas. These cleared gravel patches hold the future trout population on the Lost, so please be mindful. This exact same thig can be said if you look for Steelhead on the Salmon River. 

The Salmon River Steelhead are getting caught in the upper reaches slowly but surely. Expect this action to pick up as we move further into spring weather. The Steelhead are best caught swinging a fly in the waters closer to Challis. Moving closer to Stanley, the strike indicator nymph method is your best bet as the fish enter large pocket water sections. 

Don’t ignore the Lakes and Reservoirs in the spring as the ice-out conditions make for fabulous fishing from the deserts to the mountains. The inlets can be very good in the spring as fish stage to move up into feeder creeks as well as taking advantage of newly opened waters as the ice recedes. 

Finally, the Richfield Canal has nice sized fish in it. It is a matter of finding some of the deeper holes. If you can find the deep spots you can find the fish. Get out there and explore! It can be a very rewarding time of the season to fish!

Happy Fishing Everyone!

Sun Valley Area Fishing Report - April 4, 2019

No, fishing season is not over. It is never really over depending on how hardy and diverse an angler chooses to be. Yes, Silver Creek is now closed, the Big Wood is now closed, the South Fork of the Boise is now closed. Don’t worry because the Lost River remains open year round now as well as the desert stretch on the Little Wood River. There is a lot to do, anglers just need to head out and find it. 

The Lower Lost River is the best available trout fishing right now. It is a great time of the season to fish over there, but anglers need to stay aware of two things. First, stay up on the CFS. Currently the flows are just over 200. The flows are good to wade fish up until about 300 CFS. Much more than that and anglers need to really be good at wading and strong. If the flows remain below 300 the second thing to be aware of is spawning Rainbows. Be on the lookout for clean swept gravel patches. These are Redds, and it is where the trout deposit their eggs. Stay off of these spots and leave the fish alone that are sitting on top of them or near them. These are fish trying to spawn, and they don’t need a hook or a prolonged fight while they mate. They don’t have the energy reserves to this time of year to spawn and be caught. The fish spawn at different times, so you can still fish pools, and rising fish for pre or post spawn trout. If you go, expect to see Midges and Baetis. Fish the appropriate nymphs and dries for these bugs. You can also fish the color red, as the water stratus will begin to fill with random eggs being flushed down river. 

Other places to fish include, Magic Reservoir which is an excellent spring fishery from shore, float tube or boat. Carey Lake is open for Bass and Bluegill. The Snake River has a really fun skinny water Carp fishery. The Little Wood can be a good place to see the desert bloom and swing a few Streamers. Anderson Reservoir has a really fun Bass fishery near the mouth of the reservoir in the spring. Boats are helpful if you go. Beyond these spots, lakes, reservoirs, ponds and canals all remain open, so get your Google Earth out and explore Idaho!

Happy Fishing Everyone!

Sun Valley Area Fishing Report - March 20, 2019

There is about 2 weeks left of our winter fishing season. Get out there and enjoy these warm March days and some excellent fishing! The Midge hatches and the Little Black Stoneflies are abundant right now and the warmer days this week and going to bring out some major hatches. 

Silver Creek has been a fun fishery as we experience our first March with the Creek being open. The fish numbers in the lower river are outstanding right now. Midge hatches have a lot of the fish rising in the afternoon and the biggest fish will obviously take Streamers and Leeches on the swing. The next 2 weeks may be special as the Midge hatches this week should grow to enormous intensity as long as the wind stays down. Watch the forecast and if you see a nice warm day and very little wind then it’s probably a day to consider playing hooky from work, school, and life in general. There just aren’t enough free days in March! 

The Big Wood is a fly fishing paradise right now. Crystal clear waters coupled with brilliant blue sky days has the fish feeding happily as we enter the pre-spawn. The bugs are active and the fish are super active. The later in the day you fish, the more bugs you are going to see. Everything is working right now as far as technique goes. Fishing with small nymphs like Zebras or larger Girdle Bugs will take fish. The dry fly activity will start around lunch time and last well into the afternoon hours. You can Streamer fish on the Big Wood anytime right now. 

There are a limited number of days to fish our tail-waters right now. The South Fork of the Boise will be closed in a few weeks, so if you want to get your casts in down there, you better go soon! All the same flies and techniques you use on the Big Wood will work fine. The Lower Lost River is going to be limited soon too, although it remains open year around, the reservoir storage space needs to be emptied so we expect flows to start increasing beyond a point of good fishing pretty soon. 

It is a time to keep an eye on the gauges of our local rivers. You don’t want to drive 2 hours to find out a river is blown. Idaho river levels can be found on the USGS website!

Happy Fishing Everyone!

Sun Valley Area Fishing Report – March 14, 2019

February brought a dose of much needed precipitation to the valley, and snowpacks throughout our watersheds are healthy.

Silver Creek north of Highway 20, along with Kilpatrick Pond, remains open until March 31st. Streamer fishing continues to be the most productive technique and will entice some of the creek’s largest browns and rainbows. Midge activity should increase daily, offering anglers a chance for some incredible late winter dry fly fishing on Silver Creek. 

The Big Lost River below Mackay Dam will become one of the area’s better fisheries this month. Midge activity has been on the increase and will only get better as March progresses. In addition, spring Blue Wing Olives will hatch throughout the river system towards the end of the month, providing some exceptional dry fly fishing in the afternoons. Look for surface feeding fish along foam lines, current seams, and in the slower tailouts of pools. A good selection of Griffith Gnats, Trailing Shuck Midges, Tie-Down Midges, Film Critic BWOs, Parachute BWOs, Last Chance BWO Cripples, and RS-2s in sizes 18-22 will take rising rainbows on the Lost. Nymphing remains an excellent technique, and don’t be caught on the Lost without black and red Zebra Midges in sizes 16-20! Other effective patterns include San Juan Worms, Copper Johns, Rainbow Warriors, Cranefly Larva, and black Rubberlegs. Flows out of the dam are at approximately 200 CFS; with a healthy snowpack and Mackay Reservoir near capacity, flows could increase at any time. Give a call to the shop or check the USGS web sites for current flow information before you make the drive. 

Fishing on the Big Wood River remains productive. Anglers are having success nymphing, fishing midge dries, and throwing sculpin patterns for the river’s biggest fish. Look for the best midge activity to occur during the afternoons. Griffiths Gnats, Trailing Shuck Midges, Sprout Midges, and Zebra Midges should all be in your Big Wood winter fly box. 

The South Fork of the Boise continues to fish fairly well with stable flows. Flies used on the Big Lost and Big Wood are equally as effective on the South Fork. Be prepared for any weather if you make the drive. 

Please keep in mind that many rainbows begin to spawn at the end of the month, so keep an eye out for redds and let spawners do their thing!

Happy Fishing Everyone!

Sun Valley Area Fishing Report – February 19, 2019

Sun Valley Area Fishing Report – February 19, 2019

Baby it’s cold outside. Here in the Wood River Valley, high temperatures have been in the teens and single digits, and the fishing has slowed somewhat. The good news is that recent snows have pushed our snowpack over the 100% mark, with more snow in the immediate forecast. As we all know, fish need water, and high-water years on local rivers and streams equate to excellent fishing throughout the spring, summer, and fall. 

Even with the latest cold snap, anglers fishing during the right conditions have had success on both Silver Creek and the Big Wood River. Streamer fishing on Silver Creek has produced some outstanding fish this winter. This is “quality over quantity” fishing; winter streamer fishing on the creek provides anglers with one of the best opportunities to catch a trophy brown. On colder days, fish streamers slow and methodically, covering key water thoroughly. As temperatures increase, streamers should be fished more aggressively. The old adage of “dark day, dark fly and bright day, bright fly” is a good rule of thumb to follow when streamer fishing, but don’t be afraid to experiment as well. Remember, the portions of Silver Creek north of Highway 20 remain open through the end of March, so expect fishing to get even better.

Fishing on the Big Wood is primarily a nymphing game right now. All your favorite nymphs will take fish - Copper Johns, Hare’s Ears, Pheasant Tails, Rainbow Warriors, Brassies, Zebra Midges, Princes, and Girdle Bugs are all excellent choices. A double nymph rig with a large point fly followed by a small dropper is your best bet. Concentrate your efforts on typical winter holding water – slow, deep pools and shallow runs with little current. Takes can be extremely subtle at this time of year, so pay attention! Midge dry fly opportunities will increase as we enter into March. 

Winter flows on the South Fork of the Boise remain stable at around 300 CFS. Nymphing will continue to be the most productive technique on the South Fork; don’t fish the river without a good selection of beefy Rubber Legs, cranefly larva, and small zebra midges in sizes 16 through 20. The road into the South Fork canyon can be a little dicey during the winter, so check current conditions and be prepared when making the drive.

Happy Fishing Everyone!
 

Sun Valley Fishing Report

A fantastic amount of winter weather has set the fishing on fire in the Sun Valley / Picabo area! With more of this cloudy wintery weather ahead of us we can expect another round of great midge hatches, and more of the big fish out and about looking to eat under the dark skies. 

Silver Creek has been fishing pretty well. The fishing varies from pretty good to off the charts depending on what day you fish and how “bitey” the fish are. The one thing you can count on is the big fish are out under the dark sky and under the cover of the turbid water. When this happens anglers have their best chance of the season to lay into a very big Brown Trout and even some good sized Rainbows. Streamer fishing is the name of the game on the Creek in the winter, so come armed, or stop by the fly shop and we’ll get you the right patterns. If you are interested in fishing private water inquire when you are in the store. We have a modest rod fee on some great winter water.

The Big Wood seems to always fish well when we see big winter storms. The fish and insects in this river react to low pressure systems with abandon. Big hatches get the fish up and eating, even during the duration of the heaviest snow falls. The wintery weather also has the fish so fired up it is a great time to fish Nymphs like Zebras and Girdle Bugs, as well as Streamers like olive colored Buggers. If you get a chance, pop into Lost River Outfitters and ask for Filo-Beto. This olive Streamer will get the job done on the Wood River! 

If you haven’t been to the lower Lost River this winter, think about making a trip between storms and staying for a few days in Mackay. This can be a great little respite for local anglers looking to get out of town for a few days, and it’s a great option for visitors looking for a slightly different experience than the Big Wood. The South Fork of the Boise, is another option, but we do try to avoid the canyon when winter weather sets in. It is not uncommon to drive all the way to the hill above the dam, only to find it closed from top to bottom. Get out and have fun in this weather, but please be safe doing it!

Happy Fishing Everyone!

Sun Valley Fishing Report

SUN VALLEY / PICABO AREA FISHING REPORT — JANUARY 31, 2019

Silver Creek

February is a great month for winter fishing in the Sun Valley / Picabo area. The Midge hatches are still present, the Steamer fishing is still fantastic and the weather is making winter travel easy for now! Take advantage of the conditions and get out on the water. Low pressure should come in this weekend, and with a little snow fall, the fishing should be off the charts good!

Silver Creek is fishing great with Streamers. Duck hunting season has ended and the Creek is really quiet again. It seems the closer you fish to Picabo, the better the fishing. The more turbid the water is and the more cloud cover we have, the better the fishing as well. Picabo Angler does have some rarely fished private water available for a small rod fee if you are feeling extra adventurous. The weekend with the cloud cover should be really good. Remember to fish bright colors on bright days and darker colors on darker days. Be sure to stop by the shop if you come down to fish, our own Christian Reid is tying up some incredible bugs to fish. He can get you fresh patterns and point you toward some great fishing.

The Big Wood should fish well this week as we move into February. It’s time to start looking out for the Little Black Stoneflies as well. You can see these bigger winter / spring bugs running around on the snowy banks on the warmest days. If you see them try imitating them with Price Nymphs or Zug Bugs. Swinging these nymphs close to the bank will produce strikes, as these aquatic insects crawl from the center of the river to the banks to reproduce. If you only see Midges this week, stick with Brassies, Zebra Nymphs and Tie Down Midges. If you see neither insect then try Streamer fishing!

The Lost and the South Fork of the Boise are open and anglers have been sparse on both rivers. The reports are minimal. Watch the weather if you go this weekend. Driving conditions may not be optimal. If you do make it to either river we are using all the same winter patterns that we use on the Big Wood and Silver Creek. The Streamer fishing may not be on par, but the dry fly fishing and the Nymphing should be excellent! No matter where you fish this week, take a friend and be sure to tell someone where you’re going!

Happy Fishing Everyone!

Sun Valley Fishing Report

SUN VALLEY / PICABO AREA FISHING REPORT — January 22, 2019

There are so many opportunities and places to fish in the winter near Sun Valley and Picabo it is surprising so few people take advantage of it. For those that do add fly fishing to their winter sport repertoire, they have learned the joy of the winter quietude. They have also learned just how good winter fishing can be! The week ahead looks like a good one as sunshine and warmer days combine into a great fishing experience.

Silver Creek has a nice tint to the water on the lowest stretches. This is exactly what anglers want to see when the winter Streamer season kicks in. The fishing near Picabo Bridge has been consistent for anglers fishing from the bank. Point of Rocks is also fishing well, although a little more wading is required. The duck hunting season ends this Friday in Idaho, which will leave the Creek abandoned for the most part. Quiet days are about to become much quieter! If you head to Picabo to fish Streamers, use a heavy 2X tippet set up, please keep your catch in the water and not exposed to the cold air, and most importantly be safe – The water is cold!!!

The Big Wood continues to produce great Midge activity in the afternoons. The warmer the day, the sooner the surface action will start. With the temps this week, lunch to dinner time will be your best bet. Getting out earlier is fine, just be prepared to Nymph or Streamer fish if you must fish the colder part of the day. In any case you should catch fish, and if you find one, you should find 12 in the same spot! Trout love to group together in the winter. Find a few of these winter holes and you can be in the fish all day long.

The South Fork of the Boise and the lower Lost River are fishing well for those willing to make the trek. Midges still rule the day on both of these rivers with great opportunities to cast nymphs like Girdle Bugs and Red Copper Johns. This would be a good week as far as weather goes to make the journey. No big storms are on the way and nighttime temps should firm up any muddy roads. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t check for changes before you go! The South Fork of the Boise is not where you want to be when it rains in the winter! Have fun and be safe!

Happy Fishing Everyone!

Silver Creek New Regulations

The Sun Valley / Picabo Fly Fishing crowd has been given an early Christmas present this year. From now into the foreseeable future, sections of Silver Creek will be open for fishing through March! The Creek has traditionally closed at the end of February from Highway 20 downstream. This section is now open to Catch and Release fishing for an additional month. March traditionally has days with massive Midge hatches that we’ve never been able to fish over. Now we can! Couple this with outstanding winter Streamer fishing and it quickly becomes clear how great a gift this is! If you would like more information or would like to reserve a guide for the month of March, let us know ASAP, we expect this month to book up quickly!

Guide Trips make great Christmas gifts if you’re in need of a last minute present for the aspiring angler in your family!

Sun Valley Fishing Report

SUN VALLEY / PICABO AREA FISHING REPORT — DECEMBER 15, 2018

Winter on Silver Creek

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With the spirit of the Holidays upon us, now would be a great time to stop for a moment and think of all the ways we could give back to the rivers, lakes and fish we all love so much. On a local level that starts with the most basic things, from how we deal with one another, to how we take care of our resources.

To find a beginning let’s look at access points and what takes place there. We rig our rods, make a plan, and maybe fuel up on water and snacks. Many access points on our local streams are found in neighborhoods or close to local businesses or on beautiful country lanes. One thing they all have in common is “access.” To keep these access points from ever being contentious places with those who live near them, it is up to us, the angler to keep them clean and better than we found them. This means picking up after ourselves, and if need be, picking up after others. Without question this simple act also needs to extend up and down the river corridors as well.

Access points also offer us an opportunity to encounter our fellow anglers, who are also out looking to have fun. This is a moment for us to practice kindness and a spirit of shared experiences! When we encounter our fellow angler, the number one thing we can do is engage them. Ask a few basic questions, like have they fished much in the area? Is there somewhere particular they were wanting to fish? Then we can act graciously. We can acquiesce and fish elsewhere. We can go about our plan, and kindly make clear what we planned to do. We can share a fly or a tip about the hatches, or maybe we can be the benefactor of someone else’s kindness and good nature!

Finally, we can use the access points for just that! Access!!! We can appreciate all the public access in the state of Idaho and vow to always fight to protect these areas from fences or those who would try to turn everyone’s Idaho into their own private place. Our public lands and supporting laws are part of what makes Idaho great!

So, this winter, take a moment, breathe the fresh air, feel the cool on your cheeks, and then ask yourself, “How can I make a fellow angler happy today, while I pursue my happiness!”

Sun Valley Fishing Report

SUN VALLEY / PICABO AREA FISHING REPORT — December 4, 2018

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John Huber & a winter rainbow. Silver Creek

Identifying winter water is the biggest key to catching a lot of trout when the snow is on the ground. In the winter the fish tend to gather up and winter over in certain sections of river that offer them a few advantages to getting past the long cold months. You can save yourself some prospecting time by keying in on the places where fish want to be.

Food source is certainly a driving factor for these fish when it’s cold. The winter months really only provide the fish with one insect to eat. That is the Midge. Although this insect can be found all year, it becomes prevalent in the winter and the main food source for trout, outside of eating other fish. Midge water normally consists of slow moving water. It may be a smooth surface, a riffled surface or even a foam filled back-eddy. These are places where fish can easily sip Midges from the surface. Often times, finding these areas is as simple as looking at the snowy banks and looking for the bug peppering the bankside snow. If you see this, watch the nearby water closely for rising fish! This normally happens between the hours of 11:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.

Water depth is also a key component to finding winter holding water. Try to find areas that are from thigh to waist deep water. Avoid the thinnest water at the head of the pools, unless the Midge activity is off the charts. Than you may find fish moving into skinny water. Mostly though, watch the middle of the pools. Avoid going super deep, unless there are no bugs and its super cold outside. Runs that have boulders and other structures are often great places to watch for rising fish.

Slow water is among the most important attributes to finding winter fish. Fishing can be broken down into the simplest math. Fish will not spend more calories to take in food than they are expending. This means a fish will not sit in fast water when there is no available food source, or not enough food to make up the calorie exchange. Finding water where a fish can fin easily in the current or lack thereof is huge. The fish need water slow enough to see the tiniest Midge, but fast enough to keep their gills pumping oxygen. A good rule, if the water is difficult to wade or cross, it is too fast!

Happy Winter Fishing Everyone!

Sun Valley Fishing Report

SUN VALLEY / PICABO AREA FISHING REPORT — NOVEMBER 28, 2018

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A winter day on Silver Creek.

Fly Fishing with a backdrop of snow and blue sky overhead is one of life’s simple joys. We are blessed here in the Sun Valley / Picabo area with some of the world’s best winter fishing. With the snow on the banks anglers can easily find areas that haven’t been fished simply by walking until the tracks end. If you haven’t built up a winter fly box, take a few minutes here at the shop or a few evenings behind the vise and tie up a few!

Here is a list of essential winter flies that will cover your fishing on all our area waters. If you are going to fish dry flies for the Midge hatches there are only a few we use. The Griffith’s Gnat is the main stay as it is easy to see against the winter glare in the rivers surface. We always combine the Gnat with a Trailing Shuck Midge pattern, normally about 18 inches apart.

If you are going to fish large nymph patterns try a Prince Nymph, Hares Ear, Zug Bug or Girdle Bug. You can fish these in tandem or with one of the micro nymphs listed below. Fishing any of these with a beadhead will help get you to the bottom where the fish are and in most cases this is enough weight to forgo having to use any external lead on your line.

In regards to Micro Nymphs, here are a few favorites of ours. The most common fly is the Zebra Nymph or Zebra Midge. These can be fished in a variety of colors. Black and red are the most effective, but a brown, purple or olive color are also commonly fished in the winter. Brassies are also a great choice in the winter. Fish these in copper or red colors. They make great flies to fish in tandem with Zebra Nymphs, because the copper wire helps the fly sink fast, pulling other small flies down with it. Again, about 18 inches is the norm when fishing tandem flies. Subsurface flies can be fished closer together, at about 12 inches if desired.

Finally, have a few Streamers with you and fish them according to the light. Fish bright flies like a Coffey’s Sparkle Minnow on bright days and fish darker flies like olive Buggers and Zonkers when the clouds roll in.

Have fun on the water this week. It should be a quiet one on the river with very few pre-Christmas anglers out there!

Happy Fishing Everyone!

Sun Valley Fishing Report

SUN VALLEY / PICABO AREA FISHING REPORT — NOVEMBER 16, 2018

Cold nights that are turning into brilliant blue sky days seem to be the norm right now. By the time we reach the warmest parts of the afternoon fish are still rising to Baetis and Midge activity. We can expect this to keep up until we get more inclement weather. In the meantime enjoy the extended fall season!

Silver Creek is fishing well. The Browns are off of their Redds and are looking to put weight back on before the dark winter months. There are still some small Baetis hatches happening after the noon hour. This activity peaks by 2:00 p.m. and then tapers off slowly. Fish are also being caught with Streamers and it really doesn’t matter what time of the day you fish these. Fish bright colors on bright days and dark colors on cloudy days.

The Big Wood just continues to impress as we enter into the early part of winter. Midge and Baetis hatches are still occurring when the wind is down. The Baetis hatches are matched well with a Gulper Special. The Midge hatch imitation is the Tie-Down Midge. Fish a Griffiths Gnat against the glare and then fish a dry-dropper with the Tie-Down Midge behind it. Keep your eye on the Gnat, as it will be easier to see. If anything rises within a foot of the fly, then set the hook! Most of the time you’ll find yourself tied to a fish at the other end. If the fish aren’t rising in the Wood, then try olive colored Buggers or Hares Ear Nymphs and Brassies fished under a strike indicator.

The lower Lost River is on par with the Big Wood these days, providing excellent fishing through the warmest hours of the day. Fish are still keyed on the color red from the washed down Kokanee dying as well as their eggs flowing though the water stratus up and down the river. The closer to the Dam you fish the more you will find this “red” effect.

The South Fork of the Boise is still a great place to go “Cast and Blast” as the Chukar population is solid this year. The Baetis hatches are getting shorter with the days, but the South Fork is still an excellent place to go for slightly warmer temperatures. The Midge and Baetis dry fly activity is wind dependent, but is the wind is down, there should be some decent, if not difficult dry fly opportunities!

Happy Fishing Everyone!

Sun Valley Fishing Report

Sun Valley / Picabo Area Fishing Report — November 9, 2018

Despite winter being on our doorstep the fishing remains pretty good. A few hours of dry fly activity are still the norm when the wind is down and the temps are slightly up in the afternoon. Anglers can find fishing all day long using Nymphs and Streamers, but time your dry fly fix for the hours between lunch and dinner.

Silver Creek is as beautiful as ever with fall coming to a close. The Baetis hatches are still there and a few hours a day are the norm if weather conditions permit. Fishing brightly colored Baetis in a size 22 – 24 is your best bet. The Browns are slowly coming off of spawn, and those that are completely finished will be voracious. Streamer fishing the Creek in low light is going to be productive. If you do catch a post spawn Brown Trout, try to land it quick and release it gently as their reserves are pretty well used up when they finish spawning.

The Big Wood continues to show what makes it such an awesome fishery as angler numbers drop and the fish continue to eat and try to pack on the calories before winter. They feel the chill in the water and know food is getting scarce. Some of the harder to catch fish are becoming easier by the day. Streamer fishing and Nymphing will get you the most opportunities. Try olive colored Sculpin patterns when Streamer fishing and try Copper Johns and Hares Ears when you are Nymphing.

The lower Lost River, despite a lot more anglers on the water, is still fishing very well. Bright colored Rainbows are taking Micro-Nymphs and bigger nymphs fished on the gravel bar shelves found throughout the river. Try to fish these buckets with just enough weight to quickly take your fly into these drop off zones the fish love so much.

Baetis on the South Fork of the Boise continues, but these fish are smarter by the day. Tough dry fly fishing is the norm right now, although rewarding, the fish will make you work for a strike. If you are struggling with the Baetis hatches, try some deeper pools with bigger flies like Zug Bugs, Girdle Bugs and Copper Johns. Don’t forget the “cast and blast” opportunities for you Chukar hunters out there.

Lastly, and like we said last week…stay prepared for winter conditions when you fish from this point forward through the winter. A fun day is a safe day!

Happy Fishing Everyone!

John Huber showing off his reel on a cool Silver Creek day.

Sun Valley Fly Fishing Report

Sun Valley / Picabo Area Fishing Report - November 1, 2018

Here comes the cold! A significant change in our weather patterns means temperatures should be dropping about 10 degrees less than what we’ve been experiencing. This could mean the beginning of the end of the dry fly season in the Sun Valley area. The heat of the day could produce some small dry fly windows, especially if it is calm out. Think late afternoons if you want to try to fish the surface.

Silver Creek has a few more hatches left. The Fall Baetis here can sometimes last until Thanksgiving, but that fishing window could shrink down to an hour or two of decent rises. The Brown Trout will be coming off the spawn soon. This means a lot of big hungry trout are going to be out hunting and looking to pack on the calories before winter sets in. This means Streamer fishing and especially on cloudy days and low light periods. The Creek can be a spectacular place in the late fall, just watch the weather and try to find some nice fair days to go fish.

The Big Wood will still fish surprising well with some large attractors in the fall. Consider large Royal Wulffs, H and L Variants and even some Orange or Royal Stimulators. The Midge activity in the early evening is also a nice precursor and warm up for this winter’s Midge hatches! If nothing seems to be working get out an Olive Bugger and fish a lot of water. You will find some nice fish with the proper Streamer techniques. Now, if all else fails, fish a Prince Nymph / Red Copper John tandem under a strike indicator!

The Lower Lost River is still a great place to be in the Fall. Manageable flows and hungry fish mean anglers are finding good success. Nymphing is the norm and a variety of Midge patterns and small Baetis patterns will do the trick!

O.K. it is time to pay closer attention to the weather before you travel to fish. We would suggest taking time this week and putting together a winter fishing / travel kit. Fill an bag with a dry change of warm clothes. Pack some food and water and throw a good sleeping bag in the truck as well. Freak storms, muddy or snowy roads and short daylight hours means we all need to take precautions as we enter the winter fishing season. Be safe and have fun!

Happy Fishing Everyone!

Sun Valley Fly Fishing Report

Sun Valley / Picabo Area Fishing Report - October 24, 2018

A fall mix of weather is upon us. Sun, rain and clouds are all in the forecast, but daytime temperatures should remain comfortable. Cloudy days are certainly going to influence the hatches, but still no need to wake up and get to the water early. Best fishing times should remain between lunch and dinner.

Silver Creek hatch activity remains strong in the middle and later half of the day. The Baetis is the dominant hatch, and this activity could increase with the cloud cover this week. The Mahogany Dun is also still out and about, although in fewer numbers. Expect to see this hatch along with the Baetis late in the day. Don’t hesitate to check out the downstream access points like Silver Creek East to see the best hatches of this insect. Lastly, the October Caddis is still hatching. Anglers can pick up a few fish with this fly during the day by treating it like a Grasshopper. The actual occurrence of the bug should take place closer to the evening hours.

The Big Wood is still fishing very well. We haven’t had a season this good on the Big Wood since our first big forest fires a decade ago. Great hatches, lots of fish and sizable fish have all been in the mix. Now, with angler numbers down for the season, its’s a great time to be out there! Fish Baetis wets and dry and be prepared for some Streamer fishing or Nymph Fishing when the fish aren’t rising. Olive Streamers fish while moving at a decent pace will take plenty of fish. Copper John’s in Red and Copper under a strike indicator will also produce fish.

The Lower Lost remains a great place to fish this fall. Decent Baetis hatches and lots of fish distribution are making for happy anglers. Nymphing is the norm and fishing tandem nymphs will produce good catch rates. Try large nymphs as the lead fly, like a Prince Nymph or Copper John. Drop a small micro-nymph behind these, like a Zebra Nymph or your favorite Tungsten Beaded pattern.  Move slowly up the river and even fish the shallow riffles. Move slow enough and you should be able to site nymph a few fish if the sun is out!

The South Fork of the Boise continues to pump out cookie cutter days of fabulous Baetis hatches. This is a great place to cast and blast as well! Chukar hunt all morning and catch the hatch after lunch!

Happy Fishing Everyone!

Sun Valley Fly Fishing Report

Sun Valley / Picabo Area Fishing Report October 17th, 2018

The fish are still taking advantage of these sunny fall days, and hopefully anglers are as well! More sun is in the forecast and conditions should remain stable and the fishing should remain great as the day warms. No need to get to the water early. In fact start later and finish later. The hatches in the late afternoon are the best of the day.

Silver Creek is still seeing decent amounts of Fall Baetis, Mahogany Duns and October Caddis. The rise normally starts around 1:00 p.m. and will last until sunset. The last few hours of light anglers should see all the listed bugs in one stage of life or another. A lot of Brown Trout are spawning right now, so please avoid their spawning areas and let them do their thing. If none of the above is working for you, it is not too late to cast terrestrials like Ants, Hoppers and Beetles. You will be surprised how late in the season trout will take a Hopper fly!

The Big Wood is still a lovely place to fish right now. Fall Baetis in the late afternoon, along with Midges toward sunset are bringing fish up. No need to be on the water before lunch time, but if you start early plan on Nymphing and Streamer fishing. Prince Nymphs are a great choice in the fall as well as Copper Johns and Zebra Midges. A San Juan Worm is also a great choice. You may find Brown Trout Redds (spawning beds) in the Wood. If you do, try fishing red colored nymphs behind them to pick up the fish locking in on random trout eggs floating down river.

The lower Lost River remains one of the better fisheries right now. The fish are well distributed and ready to eat. Fishing Micro-Nymph combos under a strike indicator is your best bet. Think Black and Red colors. Copper Johns, Zebra Midges, San Juan Worms, Chamois Flies, and Lightning Bugs are great choices. This is also another place where you may see Redds, although here it would be Kokanee washed through the dam. If you see these bright red fish spawning, try fishing the nearby riffles with red colored nymphs, egg patterns or even flesh flies as the fish die and decay after spawning.

Lastly, The South Fork of the Boise is still seeing Fall Baetis hatches. Try to fish between lunch and dinner and weekdays if possible!

Happy Fishing Everyone!