Week of November 1, 2008
Silver Creek
The water gauge reads 47 cfs. It should be 130 cfs by now. There are still some tricos as it has been warm yet. Mahogany duns, and baetis on cloudy days. The browns are in the spawning mode, so egg flys may produce some rainbows and the odd brown on the gravel reaches. Hoppers and beetles will still produce until there is a hard freeze.
Salmon River
The Salmon River at Riggins is flowing at 3,950 cfs today. It is good flow for floating or casting a fly. The steelhead run over Bonneville is 349,482 fish as of today. It is above the 5 year average. The run into Idaho over Lower Granite is moving quickly with 109,188 steelhead counted. That number is 36,000 fish above the 2007 count, and 33,000 fish over the 5 year average to date. They are moving fast. They should be at Salmon and North Fork by mid October. Right now I would head to Riggins or the Clearwater if you have several days to chase the sea runs.
We have some new Buelah Spey rods at the shop that are not $800 and are great casting tools. If you need a quick lesson we can set you up with Hunter or Zac, and you will be snap-Ting and Double Speying in an hour and ready for the big water.
Yellowstone Park
The Lamar Valley was great in Sept. and will continue until the snow level drops and the water temperatures with it. Susanne just returned today for another 5 day trip. See opening comments. The running rainbows were in the Madison on our way back from the Lamar Valley. Some would rise to the afternoon Baetis hatches and Hopper patterns. Most were caught on size 8 princes. We did get a few browns but they were just starting the run from Hebgen Lake.
Big Wood River
Closed March 15
Big Lost River
The Lower Big Lost is flowing at 195 cfs today up from 160 cfs two days ago. With sunny conditions expect to nymph with small pheasant tails and zebra midges. In the meadow reaches hopper fishing will still work. Cloudy conditions will precipitate the fall baetis hatches. Look for rising fish on the edges of the runs and in the eddy waterss.
The upper Big Lost is flowing at 79 cfs at Chilly. It is very low and clear. There should be some fall baetis hatches by the weekend with the weather change. Attractors and small weighted nymphs will work on the cutts and bows. Fish a long leader as they will be shy this time of year.
Copper Basin will fish similar to the upper Lost.
Little Wood River (Desert)
Possibly a good time to visit the dessert. The browns that are there should be gathering in the gravel areas to spawn.
Closing Notes
Fall trouting or a steelhead trip will take you mind off the stock market. May as well do something you enjoy.
Fish far and fine,
Scott Schnebly
Lost River Outfitters