Week of May 6, 2008
With most snowpacks in Idaho still remaining over 100%, and the cold spring that we have experienced, I anticipate that many of our favorite waters won’t be very fishable for the Memorial weekend opener. Mountain lakes will be iced, reservoirs filling, and tailwaters gushing. That means our spring creek waters will be the focus for those craving moving water.
Hike to ski or head for the Bahamas this month. Read on to find a few places to wet a fly and cast a line.
South Fork of the Boise
Closed.
Look to Anderson Reservoir for nice rainbows, bull trout and smallmouth bass along the rocky shores. Great trip in a float tube with brown or black buggers. Not crowded and beautiful scenery in the spring.
Yellowstone Park
Closed.
We still have some June openings. Sept. is looking pretty full, but could squeeze in a few more trips. We will be guiding in the Lamar Valley from Sept. 4-25. Then from West Yellowstone until Oct. 4.
Lots of snowpack in the Park as well. Anticipate better conditions and fishing this coming summer.
Mountain Lakes
Ice.
Big Wood River
Closed until May 24th. Flowing today at 811 cfs and rising. Big Wood snowpack at 104% of average.
Big Lost River
Closed until May 24th. Big Lost snowpack at 91% as of today.
Try Magic in the bays and inflow of the Big Wood with perch buggers and a full sink or type III or IV tip. Great time for some nice rainbows. They swim and pull real hard. We have some great perch patterns in the shop.
Little Wood River (Desert)
There is a possibility here. A few mayfly hatches, reportedly PMDs have brought some fish to the surface. Giant stonefly hatch could start any day and can be fun. The fish population is still questionable, but there will be some fish and they can be large browns.
Flies: buggers, orange turks, or your favorite dry stonefly size 6-10. Prince nymph, black stones, girdle bugs. Match the hatch if you find some caddis or mayflys emerging.
Silver Creek
Closed until May 24.
Flowing at 115 CFS today. Below average by about 20 cfs. Hatching PMD’s on the Preserve so the fish are being trained. They are still holding in the deeper wintering spots, but the brown drake hatch in early June will spread them out in the mid creek reaches.Carey Lake
Great time to listen to the bird symphony and bob in your tube, canoe or other water device. Strip buggers or drop a stayner ducktail or bead head prince size 8-10 under an indicator. Good time for a few bass or big bluegill.
Salmon River
Open.
Too bad the Fish and Game closed the steelhead season. The fish were in good shop, water clear, and still coming. The Pashimeroi hatchery is already 2,000 over expectations. The river is open to fish. Steelhead and Chinook smolt are readily available. Whitefish, native cutthroat, and maybe the odd bull trout can also be had with egg patterns, and streamers. Not really ready for good dry fly fishing. Expect the Salmon to blow out soon. Snowpack is 124% and there is plenty of low level snow left.
Closing Notes
We had a good steelhead season. The cold water kept the fish in great shape, but did not stop the migration. We fished holding water until the end of April. About 5% to 10% of the fish were wild, which was better than some years.
The lodge is working out well, as a gathering place, and warming hut at lunch over hot soup. Four multi day bookings are on the book for next year 2009. If you want prime dates, now is the time to think about it.If you need an update on the Park or any of central Idaho’s waters don’t hesitate to send an email. You will get an answer.
Looking forward to a great season, stop in the shop in Ketchum for the latest patterns and the best advice.
Fish far and fine,
Scott Schnebly
Lost River Outfitters