From: 05/11/2016
To: 05/11/2016
Type of Water: Freshwater
Species: Steelhead, Rainbow trout, Brown trout, Brook trout, Cutthroat, Bull trout, Whitefish
Silver Creek Outfitters Fly Fishing Forecast May 11-25
"Fish come and go, but it is the memory of the afternoons on the stream that endure." ~ E. Donnall Thomas
Only a few weeks until the season opener for the Creek, the Wood, and the South Fork on May 28th. It seems that the closer the opener gets the more tantalizing it becomes. We all pine for the river in our own way during the off season. Some tie flies or organize gear. Some even head for other destinations. One particular angler, Neil Damy, composed a song. He captured the essence of the Wood, when the light hits the cottonwoods at that certain angle, perfectly. Check it out (https://vimeo.com/164614675). This will make the time waiting for the rivers to open more tolerable and the memories of afternoons on the stream more pr View more...Silver Creek Outfitters Fly Fishing Forecast May 11-25
"Fish come and go, but it is the memory of the afternoons on the stream that endure." ~ E. Donnall Thomas
Only a few weeks until the season opener for the Creek, the Wood, and the South Fork on May 28th. It seems that the closer the opener gets the more tantalizing it becomes. We all pine for the river in our own way during the off season. Some tie flies or organize gear. Some even head for other destinations. One particular angler, Neil Damy, composed a song. He captured the essence of the Wood, when the light hits the cottonwoods at that certain angle, perfectly. Check it out (https://vimeo.com/164614675). This will make the time waiting for the rivers to open more tolerable and the memories of afternoons on the stream more pronounced. Thank you Neil!
The Salmon
The steelhead season is over, and the river down from Valley and Basin Creek is high and off color. Once the river starts to drop and clear in June, we will start floating the river for some fantastic big, attractor dry fly action. This should be on your bucket list for the summer. In the meanwhile, the stretch of river above the hatchery, while high, can stay relatively clear this time of year and has decent numbers of whitefish and a few trout. Try deep nymphing with rubber legged stones or streamers. It might be worth the trip to fish for a few hours and check out the remodeled bakery in Stanley.
The Big Lost Below Mackay
Flows have jumped to 500 CFS. Mackay Reservoir is nearly full and there is still plenty of snow left to come down yet. Expect flows to go up even more and stay high through June and July. Once the flows drop below 350 CFS in August, this river will be ready to fish again.
Upper Big Lost
Trail Creek Pass is officially open. The rivers are high, but with the cooler temperatures of late, you may be able to find a place to wet a line. Still, we are several weeks away from this area being suitable for a full day of fishing. However, the wild flowers are spectacular for a picnic.
The Little Wood
Now that much of the low altitude snow has come down, the lower Little Wood in the Taylor "Bear Tracks" Williams State Recreation Area should remain clear and fishable. This is essentially lower Silver Creek as the Little Wood is pulled off for irrigation and dry at the confluence. This area has quite a few small trout with the occasional "lunker." You might try pulling a streamer along the banks and cover a lot of water. If you find a deep bucket, beaded nymphs may produce a few trout.
Stillwaters
If the wind stops blowing, reservoir fishing is a good option this time of year. Magic is easy to fish from a float-tube or the bank around Myrtle Point for trout, bass, and perch. I have been hearing favorable reports from the Duck Valley Indian Reservation as well. This fishery is managed by the Shoshone-Paiute Tribes and has three different reservoirs to pick from: Mountain View, Lake Billy Shaw, and Sheep Creek. For a small fee, you can fish all three and camping facilities are available as well. As for techniques in both locations, try pulling a team of small leech patterns in black, brown or olive on an intermediate or type 3 sinking line. Often spring trout are feeding on Daphnia, aka fresh water plankton, and a leech is a welcome meal. I also like to use Sheep Creek Specials in Duck Valley, or perch colored patterns at Magic. Also, suspending a series of nymphs at the right depth can also be effective at both locations. Come on by the shop and we can set you up.
The Big Wood/ South Fork of the Boise/ Silver Creek
The Big Wood, Sliver Creek, and the South Fork of the Boise are closed for the season, but will reopen on the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend (5/28).
