Fishing Report

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.

Silver Creek Happy new year! With all the mild weather we have experienced through December, fishing has been reasonable and fun! Best results have come with streamers although we have found some rising fish in select locations. Since there’s little snow on the ground, walking to and from the stream is easy.

Big Wood River Flows are fairly low at 160 cfs which make for easy wading. Fishing is similar to the Creek. Best results are coming in the warmest part of the day, late afternoons.

Big Lost River Flows are low at 65cfs. Water clarity has improved form work on the dam. The fishing is much the same as the Wood River. We have seen few BWO’s hatching as well as midge. Nymph fishing is bringing the best results. Now the the dam has been fixed, the reservoir is slowly filling up again.

Silver Creek

As of October 9th, the weather has been sunny. Now we are receiving some unsettled cloudy/rainy weather. Temperatures are not that cold, so fishing remains comfortable. There have been some afternoon hatches of Callibaetis along with the smaller BWO’s and a spattering of Mahogany Duns. Brown Trout are spawning. Fishing has been great!

Big Wood River

The Wood River is flowing at 274 cfs. I haven’t seen this much water in the Wood River in October since I can remember and is a testament to the past winter and wet spring with occasional summer rainfall. Now that its cloudy, the BWO’s are hatching and it’s possible to find trout rising in select locations. The dry fly fishing is fun!

The Big Lost River

The upper Lost River above Mackay Reservoir is flowing at 165 cfs. Water clarity is good and fishing is great with BWO hatches. Below the reservoir water clarity remains grayish due to the draining of the reservoir and sediment traveling downstream. It’s possible to fish, but you really need to know where the trout are lying in order to have success. They have begun repairing the outflow gates on the dam.

Silver Creek Fishing has changed slightly with the beginning of autumn and cooler weather with rain. Look for Callibaetis hatches to increase on some stretches of the Creek. If we are lucky, the Mahogany Duns could start anytime. Both these hatches are usually a late morning affair depending on temps. Hoppers are out in mass. We have also seen a few flying ants.

Big Wood River The river has dropped to 390 cfs after the rains and is much easier wading now. There are good late evening Caddis hatches as well as morning Tricos. Hoppers and nymphing are bringing the best results.

Big Lost River The river upstream of the reservoir is prime and many large trout can be sight fished to. The river below the reservoir is flowing at 540. The large Craneflies are still buzzing around and there are morning Trico Spinners. Evening Caddis hatches are still good.

Mackay Reservoir The reservoir is getting down to 24 ft. The irrigation district is draining it to make repairs on the dam release gates this autumn. Fishing remains good but boat ramps have become difficult to use.