Wet weather and rising rivers, March 31,2012

 

Good Morning Everyone!
Well, we asked for more precip and we got it, but down in the valleys it has all fallen in the form of rain! Enough already! We need some colder temperatures to bring our rivers back down and to ensure a good steelhead season! 
Right now, the SWE, the gauge of how much water is in the snow pack, has actually declined. A lot of the snotel sites are below the snow level so this reading does not really tell the tale of the incredible amounts of snow we have received in the past 3 weeks. The SnowWaterEquivalent is down to 94% now, but don't let that fool you! A lot of snow is lurking up in the high country waiting for the Spring melt. We have received another 12" of snow on Baldy in the past 48 hrs.
The precip gauge much more accurately shows what's been happening! In to he Big Wood Basin, we are now up to 114%, and it's still coming down!
All this rain has wreaked havoc on our rivers! The last day of fishing on the Wood might very well be a wash,but get out there and take a peek! If it's not off-color, you can have some great midge action, midges love this kind of weather! Temps should start dropping below the freezing level, turning rain to snow.

The Salmon River below Yankee Fork is big and getting bigger as well.


 What this means is fishing below Yankee Fork will be tricky at best. I'm sure Scott can make it work in the upper water, he knows that river like the back of his hand, but if you were planning on heading up there today, I would postpone till it cools down a bit!
If you don't know the upper water very well, it will be tough to catch a fish up there right now.
The good news is, this will get the fish moving bringing more fish up above the Yankee Fork and making it easier to catch a steelhead when the weather cools down again. Here is a link to  view the forecast:
forecast discussion NWS Pocatello
 Remember, if you'd like some help catching a steelie, we still have openings for guide trips and even to stay at our beautiful Stanley Steelhead Lodge!
Stay dry out there,and see you on the river!

Fishing Report 3/30/2012

Spring is upon us!  While spring in Idaho is the nastiest, muddiest, wish I was in Mexico-est time of year, it takes us one season closer to summer, and spring fishing opportunities are still abound.  Here in Ketchum, spring means steelhead, and the reports have been great. There are plenty of fish pushing upstream, and we've heard good catch rates throughout the upper river.  The Big Wood has been fishing well, but remember it closes on Sunday.  You have two more days to see if those fish will eat one more girdle bug.  I spent Wednesday on the Big Lost, and the reports were true: lots of fish and good mid-day Baetis.  The Lost will remain open through the spring, but be very conscientious of spawners and redds.  We saw plenty of fish sitting in shallow tailouts, and the water is very low.  If you can't break away to somewhere tropical for a month or so this spring, swing by the shop.  We'll talk about warmer weather and somewhere to go fishing.

  

Flood alert for the Wood below Magic, March 30,2012

MAGIC RESERVOIR SPILLING OVER THE SPILLWAY IN 2006  WHEN THE SAME WEATHER HAPPENED AS WE ARE EXPERIENCING RIGHT NOW   FLOOD ALERT FOR THE LOWER WOOD BELOW MAGIC!   FLOODING POSSIBLE ALONG THE BIG WOOD RIVER BELOW MAGIC RESERVOIR... .EXCESSIVE RAINFALL COMBINED WITH SNOW MELT HAS PUSHED THE LEVEL ON THE MAGIC RESERVOIR TO NEAR FULL. AS A RESULT...MORE WATER IS EXPECTED TO BE RELEASED FROM THE MAGIC DAM OVER THE WEEKEND. THIS MAY RESULT IN FLOODING ALONG THE BIG WOOD RIVER BELOW THE DAM. ...FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT FROM SATURDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH MONDAY AFTERNOON... THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN POCATELLO HAS ISSUED A * FLOOD WATCH FOR A PORTION OF CENTRAL IDAHO...INCLUDING THE FOLLOWING AREA...ALONG THE BIG WOOD RIVER BELOW THE MAGIC RESERVOIR. * FROM SATURDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH MONDAY AFTERNOON * INCREASED WATER RELEASE FROM THE MAGIC DAM EXPECTED THIS WEEKEND.

Instructions:

A FLOOD WATCH MEANS THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR FLOODING BASED ON CURRENT FORECASTS. YOU SHOULD MONITOR LATER FORECASTS AND BE ALERT FOR POSSIBLE FLOOD WARNINGS. THOSE LIVING IN AREAS PRONE TO FLOODING SHOULD BE PREPARED TO TAKE ACTION SHOULD FLOODING DEVELOP.

March 29th, 2012
Good Morning, Everyone!
As I am sitting here completing my morning coffee ritual of checking what e-mail needs to be tended to and trying to think of a blog to write since I had promised to do so last night, I came across a blog link posted by Craig Langer. Craig owns a company called The Flybook. We have recently partnered with this company to make it easier for folks to book trips online and and also to enable us to do the same.
Well, Craig and Chris Hall, our new contact point at The Flybook, are not as lucky as we are to live right here in the Wood River Valley always within a stone's throw of a trout or steelhead stream, within walking or short driving distance of mountain biking or hiking trails, or in close proximity to whatever skiing or boarding adventure strikes our fancy.
Both of them are avid outdoors and fishermen itching to get out there. Maybe if I keep being the pain I have for them from a business stand point, they'll have to come straighten me out in person and come to Sun Valley!
Well, they may not get to cast a fly every day, ski, bike, or hike, but they do a fantastic job of living all this vicariously. And they have come across another dam project that just makes no sense at all. Since this has to do with the Skykomish River, and since this is my personal favorite Spring Steelhead fly( the red one pictured above), I started reading the blog about it and had to share it with all of you!
Here is the link to the blog...........stop this dam(n) project before it's too late
Off to ski the new snow from yesterday and soon to be chief cook and bottle washer and also a guide at our Stanley Steelhead Lodge . Hey, if you need some help catching a steelie, we still have openings!
See you out there!

Idaho Salmon Recognized in Men's Journal

The Idaho Rivers United meeting was a good reminder of the constant battle that we face, to try to restore populations of steelhead and salmon to historic numbers.  Two weeks ago, Men's Journal published an article that discussed this issue and the ultimate solution: dam removal.  The piece is informative, and it is sure to generate awareness about the issue at hand.  The fact that an article of this nature was printed in such a major publication is a victory to say the least.  For a little more information and a bit of inspiration check out the video below.  The link to article is also listed below.  

http://vimeo.com/23557850

http://www.mensjournal.com/save-the-salmon

Lots of Trout Fishing Opportunities Left, But Watch for Spawners

Although the focus around the valley has shifted to steelhead season, trout fishing remains great on the Big Wood and the Big Lost.  Warmer temps have brought some bugs out and awaken the fish.  The Big Wood will close in a week, to give resident rainbows a chance to spawn, but many fish are on the spawn already.  If you see fish holding in shallow tail-outs, leave them alone, and let them do their thing.  The Lower Lost remains open year round, so be especially careful as spring continues.  Also, keep your eyes open when wading through tail-outs, to be sure you don't step on redds.  Cody and I were on the Wood yesterday, and I managed to photograph a big rainbow digging out a redd.  It was a pretty special thing to watch.  We also caught a few good fish in deeper pools.  Enjoy these beautiful spring days on the river, and be cognizant of spawning fish.  Here are a few pictures from yesterday.

       

Moving into the steelhead lodge on Monday!

Good Morning, Everyone!

This Monday is the day we open the Stanley Steelhead Lodge for yet another Spring Steelhead Season, and it should be another good one! Fish numbers look promising and so far this year it looks like we might even have some Spring weather.
We will operate the lodge from March 26th through the end of April and still have opening for both lodging and steelhead guiding. We reserve the lodge for guide clients, except when someone calls with short notice and we have space available. Other services are rod rentals, and we will have supplies like flies, leaders, and a few other supplies on hand to purchase. You should call ahead for any of these items and also to book us for trips or lodging. Scott's cell 208-720.3813, Susanne's cell 208.720.1994, please leave us a message. Best time to call is before 9:00AM or after 8:00 PM, but we usually come in for lunch and check messages around 2:00PM. You can also call the shop in Ketchum 208.726.1706, and they will get a message to us!
The Stanley Steelhead Lodge is located in Lower Stanley at the Beckwith's Lodge, downstream from the little town of Lower Stanley. We'll have our Lost River Outfitters sign on the building.
Come join us for a night in this cozy cabin with astounding views, great home-cooked meals, and some fun Spring steelhead fishing!
Please check out the slide show below for some fun pictures by clicking on the link! Also, if you care about our Salmon River Salmon and Steelhead, please watch the short little video by clicking on the Salmon River Salmon link!
Salmon River Salmon and Steelhead
Stanley Steelhead Lodge
See you on the River!

Another Day in Paradise

Yesterday I made my first trip up North since February, and it turned out to be a fantastic day.  After attending the Idaho Rivers United breakfast, Scott Harder and I got out of town at about 9:30.  When we showed up, it was windy and cold, but over the course of the day the wind died down and the sun came out.  With the incredible scenery of the Salmon River, it turned in to a truly beautiful day.

After getting blanked on our first few spots, we took a walk and found a good looking run.  Scott gave me honors, and on about my third cast my indicator plummeted, and it was on.  This fish was unusually bright for this stage in the game, and she took three hard runs before I could get my hand around her tail.

Now that the skunk was off the rods Scott stepped in and started working through the run.  He hooked a hot fish that decided to release itself after a nice tail walk right in front of us.  After that fish popped loose, I stepped back in, and it wasn't long before I was hooked up again.  

We went fishless in the next few spots, but of last stop of the day was a good one.  Scott and I took turns casting in to the same slot of water and missing fish after fish.  We managed to land a couple, but the principal activity in that particular hole was laughter, due to the terrible ratio of fish hooked to fish landed.   

After a great day, we were welcomed back in to Stanley with one of the best views on the planet.  The clouds had opened up to reveal a panorama of jagged, snow covered mountains...not a bad way to end the day.  

  

MOUNTAIN KHAKIS DAY AT LRO, MARCH 24TH!

 

News Flash!  Mountain Khakis is declaring Saturday, March 24, 2012 as national MK DAY!  All MK retailers are eligible and encouraged to participate.  For that one day only, your customers will receive $10 OFF all MK items (in stock items only) – new, carryover, men’s, women’s, accessories – it’s ALL $10 OFF!  The best part of the promotion?  A portion of proceeds will benefit MK Fund™ partner, the Conservation Alliance!  Let’s partner in doing well by doing good…

SO COME ON INTO LOST RIVER OUTFITTERS TO GET A GREAT DEAL AND TO DO SOME GOOD!

Next event: Patagonia Footwear Advocates Program June 15-July1...stay tuned!