Fishing Report 09/12/2013

We typically look forward to mid-September for some of the year's best fishing.  September welcomes slightly lower temperatures, fewer people, and plenty of bugs.  While the fishing is getting good on much of our water, the fire and heavy rain storms have thrown a wrench in our plans.  Here is a quick breakdown of all of our local water:

The Big Wood
The Big Wood has been running black for a little over a week now.  We received heavy rain right after the Beaver Creek Fire was completely contained.  This created massive mud slides which flooded the river with ash and mud.  The river is fishable up north but it isn't even close in Ketchum or Hailey.  Unfortunately we are going to lose some fish, because of this event. Fish and Game is doing a study to quantify the loss of fish on the Wood, and we'll keep you updated once we have those numbers.

The Wood Mid-Valley Running Muddy

Silver Creek
On a brighter note, Silver Creek is fishing great right now! There are still sputtering trico hatches in the morning, but the real fun starts after that.  Look for baetis hatches right after tricos taper off, and you should see callibaetis mid day.  With the Wood being unfishable the creek has seen uncharacteristic pressure for this time of year, but the fishing has stayed strong.  Terrestrials are still a good bet if you aren't seeing fish mid-day.

A Silver Creek Rainbow with a Hopper in Mouth

Copper Basin

With cooler temperatures, Copper Basin and the Upper Lost are starting to fish better again.  This fishery really slows down when hot August weather increases water temperature, but it might be time to revisit these streams.  Fish attractor patterns in deeper water for best results.  If fish won't come to the surface, try dropping a nymph off of your dry fly.  

Lower Lost

We're approaching prime time on the Lower Lost.  This is one of our favorite fall fisheries, and it's starting to get good.  The Lower Lost is still going to fish best in the morning and the evening until things cool off a little bit, but it shouldn't be long before it fishes great all day.  Fish a dry-dropper with a big dry and a small nymph, until you see bugs.  You have a good chance of seeing tricos, baetis, and even a few crane flies this time of year.  

It's time to get out there! Many of our local waters fish best in the fall, so if you've been biding your time to get on the water, the wait should be over.  Swing by the shop before you head out on the river, and we'll get you set up with everything you need.  Remember if you need a little help on the water, we offer full and 3/4 day guide trips.  We'll see you out there!

-CM