Week of July 5, 2009
The weather has settled some, but our rivers are still chock a block full. Thunder storms over the mountains are keeping flows in our freestone streams heavy.
South Fork of the Boise
The South Fork has had giant stoneflies and some cicadas. Afternoon and evening caddis hatches are just beginning. Flows are manageable, but not very wadeable. Float pressure has been heavy, so if you are headed that direction, you may want to pick a week day.
Yellowstone Park
The Yellowstone River opens July 15. High water flows are still happening on the Lamar and Slough Creek. It should not be long before those streams come in. Giant stones and green drakes will be the flies of choice through mid July. We still have some openings available for our September trips. If you are interested let us know at 208-726-1706 and we will put it together for you.
Mountain Lakes
Ice out is just happening in the high country. Make sure to take some weighted nymphs as it will take a while before good terrestial and aquatic activity begins on the high lakes.
Big Wood River
The Big Wood is still flowing at about 1,000 cfs. It is clear and dry fly fishable, but not very wadeable. Green drakes are hatching, as well as some caddis and golden stoneflies. It is still somewhat easier to catch fish on nymphs. Green drake, girdle bugs, stonefly nymphs have been good choices. Last week the daily fluctuation was nearly 200 cfs per day. That should change this week with cooling temperatures and most of the high level snowpack melted.
Big Lost River
The upper Lost is similar to the Big Wood, running in the !,000 cfs range. The upper Lost river does not have the side channels that the Big Wood does, so I don’t recommend it yet. Copper Basin, Summit Creek, and the North Fork are clear enough for nymphing and some dry fly action in the softer water and along the edges of the deeper banks. Green drakes, caddis and golden stones are hatching. Once again with the heavy flows, nymphing with green drake nymphs, and hare’s ear will produce a bit better than dry flies, unless you run into a good hatch.
The lower Lost is flowing over 1,000 cfs and is really too big to work effectively. It may be a while for this to get into shape.
Little Wood River (Desert)
The Little Wood has been fishing pretty well this year. If you are headed that direction right now, do it early in the morning, before the water warms too much for the fish to feed. Large attractor flies with a prince or similar nymph dropper will work well. Work the heads of the pools where the waters break into the pools and there is more oxygen for the trout. Look for good hopper fishing by late August and Sept. on the Little Wood. There are a bunch of baby hoppers beginning to show.
Silver Creek
Silver Creek has been hatching PMD’s with some spinner falls in the morning hours. Look for tricos to begin this week. Some have already been spotted. Callibaetis in the afternoon and baetis spinner falls. The people hatch has diminished some this year, so you don’t have to rush down and wait on your favorite bend. You should be able to find open water most days.
Salmon River
The Salmon are just beginning to show on the upper river. No great reports yet, but it should not take long. The upper river is big, but clear.
Closing Notes
We have been very busy this week. On Tuesday we moved our shop. We are still located on Main Street in Ketchum, but two blocks north of the old shop. We are in the Images of Nature space, north and next to Bank of America, across from the Pioneer. The new store looks great and is fresh and organized. We look forward to seeing you there.
Fish far and fine,
Scott Schnebly
Lost River Outfitters