Fishing Report

Silver Creek The weather has been somewhat of a mixed bag. During the last days of July, we saw some light rain showers which cleared skies and cooled temps. The Creek is fishing well in the mornings with Trico Spinner falls. There are a few PMD’s, Baetis and Callibaetis mixed in. The Blue Damsels are out as well and trout have keyed in on these bugs. Evenings are producing a few Caddis right on dark. Hopper fishing is looking good with a robust population.

Big Wood River The river is flowing at 200 cfs in Hailey. We have seen a few Tricos in the mornings and great Caddis hatches in the evenings. Hopper fishing has picked up.

Big Lost drainage The lower river is flowing at 470 cfs. Tricos are out and there’s a few PMDs as well. There are many Craneflies buzzing around as well. Wading is a bit difficult but fishing is good. The upper river is fishing fairly well but the early/mid season hatches are finished. Evening Caddis activity is strong. Wading is easy now.

Mackay Reservoir The reservoir has dropped 16 feet since its peak of 66 feet in mid June. Its now at 50 feet. Fishing remains good. Look for the Kokanee Salmon to start their spawning run by the 3rd or 4th week of August.

Silver Creek Now that the warm summer temps have arrived, fishing has been best early mornings thru mid day and again late evenings. We are seeing a few Callibaetis hatches and the Blue Damsels are starting to increase in numbers and becoming a real player. Hoppers are starting to show along with other terrestrials such as Ants & Beetles. See photo of a stunner Brown trout caught along a shadowy bank early morning while I was guiding David on a size 12 Black Beetle.

Big Wood River The river has dropped considerably and is now flowing at 625 CFS in Hailey. With the warm weather look for water temps to increase which should kick off the first major hatches of the summer. Those hatches are Green Drakes, Western Quills, Little Yellow Stones and Golden Stone Flies. Once these hatches get going, this allows for some of the best fishing of the entire summer/fall.

Big Lost River The Lower Lost River below the reservoir is flowing at 540 CFS. The Nymph fishing is stellar! Like the Big Wood, the first major hatches are about to begin. Look for PMD’s and Little Yellow Stones. The River above the reservoir has dropped and is now at a level that anglers can wade carefully. Keep an eye out for the Green Drakes to start hatching in the near future.

Mackay Reservoir The reservoir is full and at 66 feet. With the snowpack runoff done, the inflow is dropping and the reservoir is slowly dropping. Fishing is great!

Silver Creek The general Idaho fishing season opens May 25th, Memorial Day weekend. So far this May, temps have generally been cool. We have had some snow above 8000 feet and rain on the valley floors. Because of the coolish temps, the winters snowpack has been releasing very slowly. The wildflowers are just beginning to bloom at the lower elevations and the hills are as green as it gets. Beautiful to say the least with clear blue skies and snow-capped peaks. The daytime highs have been anywhere from the mid to high 40’s and up to 60. Once Silver Creek opens this coming weekend, there should be a few hatches to chase with rising trout. Look for Callibaetis, Blue Wing Olives and Midge. The Brown Drake hatch will probably show sometime the first week of June depending on temps.

Big Wood River The river is fairly high, 1000 cfs and fluctuating in color depending on temps. We looked it over today and it has a slight greenish color with fairly good clarity. This is because of the coolish temps and slow snowpack melt. As soon as it warms up into daytime temps of the high 60’s and into the 70’s, look for the river to rise more and turn a brownish or chocolate color. There is still a fair amount of snow to melt at the highest elevations. I would predict that the snowpack runoff will end by mid to late June and the river clarity will be spot on. Once water temps rise, the first Mayfly and Stonefly hatches begin and this produces some of the best dry fly fishing for the entire season.

Big Lost River The river above Mackay reservoir is flowing at approximately 590 cfs and is slightly dirty as it enters the reservoir. The river below the Reservoir is flowing at 425 cfs and has great clarity. I guided the lower Lost River yesterday and we caught some nice Rainbows nymphing. I saw a few Mayfly’s hatching in the afternoon, but it was a light hatch. The fishing on the Lower Lost River has been fairly good all spring but you need to take caution as to where you wade at levels above 300 cfs.

Mackay Reservoir Thankfully the dam release gates have been repaired and it has fill back up this winter/spring. It is fairly full. Fishing has been good with streamers. Hopefully the reservoir will gain more height with snowpack runoff. This should happen soon with warmer temps.

Silver Creek Spring has seemed to arrived here in Southern Idaho. Temps are starting to reach into the mid to high 40″s. It could get into the low 50’s by next week. Fishing will remain open until the last day in March then with the general summer season, reopens Memorial Day weekend. Get out and enjoy the last bit of the winter season. There has been some great midge fishing! Streamer fishing is also productive.

Big Wood River The river has the same open dates as Silver Creek mentioned above. It closes and the end of March and reopens Memorial Day weekend. Nymph, Midge and Streamer fishing techniques are all working. The river is low and its easy to find and sight fish to trout on sunny days.

Big Lost River The Lost River is flowing at 90 cfs. Its fishing much the same as the Big Wood. This river is open year round with no closures. Get out and enjoy!

Silver Creek January brought a mix of temperatures. We witnessed a few sub zero nights but, many more warmer, in the mid to low 40’s days. Of course the multitude of warm afternoons brought the best fishing. Its looking like February could bring the same. Much of Southern Idaho’s snow-pack in currently at 70%. We could use some more snow and I believe we will get it especially at the higher elevations if it stays warm. Best fishing is Midge activity with rising fish.

Big Wood River The river has fished well throughout January and will continue to do so in February. The water levels are at 180cfs in Hailey. Most trout are hooked nymphing and streamer fishing although we have seen some Midge activity with rising fish here and there.

Big Lost River The river below the reservoir is flowing at 70 cfs. Wading is easy and there has been some dry fly fishing imitating Midge hatches. Other than that, nymphing is bringing the best results. Mackay Reservoir is slowly filling back up after repairs and is slightly past halfway to being full at 41 ft.