The Salmon Flies Have Arrived on the South Fork of the Boise

There are a few hatches that keep us on the edge of our seats every year.  The most notable of these has to be the Brown Drakes, but for many, the Salmon Flies are the cream of the crop.  We floated the South Fork last friday and there wan't a giant stonefly in sight.  Even though the Salmon Flies and Golden Stones were nowhere to be seen we found fish that were willing to eat big dries and stonefly nymphs.

On Wednesday we returned to the South Fork with high hopes that the warm weather would push the bugs upstream.  The first half of the float passed with no bugs, but we started to see some adults from Cow Creek down.  Unfortunately we experienced a biblical caddis hatch about one o'clock.  The fish weren't up on the caddis, and they didn't seem to be overly interested in big dries either.  

If the caddis subside fishing should really turn on on the South Fork.  This warm weather should keep the Salmon Flies coming off in good numbers, and there is nothing those big trout like more than a big, juicy stonefly.  We'll continue floating the SFB over the next few weeks, so if you need a report feel free to call the shop at (208) 726-1706 for a report.

Baja Wrap Up 2013

Another trip to the East Cape of Baja is in the books, and like every journey down south, it was a memorable one.  Every East Cape adventure begins as a Roosterfish quest.  Like last year there were plenty of Roosters around, but you were hard pressed to find a sardine, which made finding aggressive fish almost impossible.  Most of the roosters were eating Mullet and Ladyfish, which are tough to imitate with a fly.  A few small to medium sized fish were caught on the fly, but the one huge Rooster of the trip was enticed by about a three pound ladyfish trolled behind our 12 foot boat.

We chartered pangas for two days to do a little off shore exploration.  Usually when we hire guides our focus is on Dorado, tuna, Marlin, etc... With an inexplicable lack of dorado and tuna, we decided to focus on bottom fishing in only about 60 feet of water.  This presented the opportunity to catch tasty bottom fish on bait and flies.  We filled the boat with Snappers and Groupers, and both species were caught on flies.  I also added another first to the books with a fly-caught Amberjack.  This was about as much fun as you can have in a day, and we came home with a cooler full of fish, which was definitely a bonus. 

This was another trip where the Roosters didn't fully cooperate, but if you've spent any time fishing for Roosterfish, you know this is a fairly common occurrence.  Fortunately the East Cape is home to such a variety of fish species, that if one kind of fishing is slow you simply switch to another.  Also, if you let a little slow fishing get you down in an unbelievable setting like Southern Baja, you have much bigger problems.  Like always, the water was warm, the drinks were cold, and the people were overwhelmingly friendly.  We'll be eating Baja style fish tacos for the next few months, while dreaming about the next trip.  

Fishing Report June 4, 2013

June 4, 2013 Fishing report

Even though many of our local waterways now have year round fishing the Memorial Day opener is still the traditional beginning of our season here in south Central Idaho.  Folks did flock to the water.   We also experienced the usual late spring showers over opening weekend.  Although the weather has been unsettled with rain, snow, and hail it is not yet enough to fully relieve our drier than normal winter with moderate snowpack and runoff.  Our local drainages are just over 80% average precipitation.  The Big Wood drainage looks the most meager with Magic being drawn down dramatically this early in the season.  The water master says irrigators dependent on Magic water will be out of water by July 1.  Water storage in Magic suffered when there was a big drawdown last fall to repair a faulty valve and hydraulic hose.  There has been little runoff in the Big Wood to refill the reservoir.  The fishery below Magic will do doubt suffer as a result, which is unfortunate as it has thrived over the last four or five years.  We hope there will be a solution when shut off time comes for an additional water release to keep the fishery alive.  Keep the rains coming!!  There is some good fishing to be had early so here goes.

Silver Creek 

Silver Creek has been rising slowly which is a good thing.  It opened the season at just over 80 cfs and is 86 today with normal flows around 120 for this time of year.  Our windy conditions have not helped the dry fly fishing, but wets and streamers have produced.  Look for the large early PMD’s and baetis in late morning early afternoon to hatch on warmer days.  Caddis and PMD’s could also show in the evening hours.  Callibaetis will begin to show in the still water sections on warm days as well.  Brown Drakes are in full swing now.  Our bins are stocked with our own drake spinner patterns, emergers, and nymphs as well as the pure dun patterns.  Stop by and stock up, even witnessing this amazing hatch is worth the price of admission!

Big Wood

We had trips out over the weekend on the Big Wood, amazing for this time of year.  The upper Wood is flowing at 847 cfs today and is clear.  Side channels, eddies and the slower big pools are fishing well with rubber legged stonefly patterns.  Weighted double nymph rigs as copper johns, and green drake nymphs are also effective.  Although the Wood usually peaks with runoff in mid-June, we may have already seen the peak at just over 1200 cfs.  It will take some 80 degree days in order for the last snow to come down in a rush. 

Lower Wood

Below Magic is flowing at 694 cfs today.  Not big for normal flows.  There has been little fishing pressure.  It may be the only time to fish it as there will be little water later.  Be careful in the float tube.  Our favorite black rubber legged nymph with a prince point fly is a good starting kit early in the season on the Canyon stretch.   Black zebra midges also good point fly choices.  I would not expect much rising or dry fly activity in the Canyon.

Big Lost

The upper Big Lost is pretty clear, but running fast and cold at 729 cfs today.  I would probably wait for it to come down before attempting to fish it as well as the East Fork.  If you feel the need to fish the upper Lost  head for the steppes in the headwaters in Copper Basin where the small waters could give you some fishing in some beautiful country. 

Lower Lost

The lower Lost below Mackay reservoir is worth the trip.  It is a bit big at 494 cfs today, but can be crossed in some places and is fishing with nymphs right now.  The rainbows are not too picky either.  A girdle bug with a small prince nymph worked for me on my guide trip on the opener.  A copper john and caddis pupae was my second choice.  The bigger fish were harder to find as they seem to be hunkered in the deeper faster runs, but there were plenty of eager 12-16 inch fat feisty rainbows.  Expect some pmds, caddis, yellow sallies, and giant stones to begin emerging as June progresses. 

South Fork of the Boise

With flows at 1640 today it is best floated.  Reports are that it is fished well with weighted nymphs in size 14-16  or rubber legged girdle bugs.  Look for the giant stones to begin emerging in the next couple of weeks, as well as the tan bodied brachycentrus caddis. 

Magic Reservoir/Anderson Reservoir

You don’t need a boat.  Bass fishing from shore on both still waters has been pretty epic.  If you want to bob around, a float tube will help you cover more water.  Magic has also been fishing pretty well for big rainbows, but the bass fishing this spring has been pretty spectacular with 14-18 inchers whacking a red/brown blood leach on a sinking tip.

Yellowstone Park

The Madison, Firehole, and Gibbon are some of the best fishing waters in the Rocky Mountains in the early season.  Hatches are advanced due to the warm geyser waters.  PMD’s, Baetis, and Caddis hatch most days and evenings on the Firehole.  The stonefly emergence is not far behind.   The Madison is a couple hundred cfs below normal and perfect flow, fluctuating between 550 and 650 cfs.  We have two parties in the Park beginning June 11.  If you have not fished the Park you owe it to yourself.   We still have some open dates in September in the Lamar Valley in the Park if you are interested.  We fish the Yellowstone River, the Lamar River, Slough Creek, Trout Lake and Soda Butte Creek in the fall.  By late September we like the Madison and the Gibbon for the run up browns and rainbows.  Let us know if you would like a Park trip.  They are three to five day excursions.   Lodging is in cabins, lunches on us, dinners out, showers at the end of the day, and it is closer than Alaska or Argentina.

Shop notes:

Zac has returned from rooster fishing and joined us for some Brown Drake action on the creek along with Frank and Sagen..  Cody, Chase, Rachael, and Rob return June 9^th from Mexico.  We will be looking forward to some stories and photos.

The new Patgonia Waders are in stock including the zip model.  The Patagonia aluminum bar boot is ready for wading the slick or big rocky waters.  Winston’s BIIIX rods are still on top of our list. 

The fly bins are full and the tying room has some new Whiting hackles.

We are booking the summer kid’s camps now and our guides are ready if you want assistance.  Stop by for a some new Trout Hunter tippet or to swap a story or photo.

Susanne and I will be returning from Mark Harbaugh's Goat Mountain Ranch where we attended the Annual Patagonia Dealer Camp. It's always fun to brainstorm with Yvonn Chouinard, Bill Klyne, Bart Bonime, Mark Harbaugh the powers-that-be at Patagonia. It was also good to catch up with April Vokey and the ladies form the design team and the numbers crunchers of Patagonia. The Spring 14 line looks amazing, and we can hardly wait to show you all the new Women's fishing line starting next January. 

Everyone is going fishing today, but we have to head home to guide. Susanne has to write the women's fishing line order today to help Patagonia get an idea of where that may go and to make sure we will have it all in stock next Spring.

Get out there and enjoy the Spring!

Tight loops and lines,

Scott Schnebly

Opening Day is Upon Us

The Wood River Valley boasts as good of year round fishing as just about anywhere you'll go.  Even during the coldest months of the year, the fishing can be fantastic here in town.  If there is one month where your options become a little limited and cabin fever starts to set in, that would be May.  However, come Saturday it's back on! This Saturday, the 25th, the Big Wood, Silver Creek, and the South Fork of the Boise open back up.  What's your best bet for opening day? Lets look at our options.

The Big Wood

The Big Wood is running at 816 CFS in Hailey, which is high.  The Wood is on the drop, but it probably won't fish well for another couple of weeks.  If you want to give it a try anyway, fish heavy stonefly nymphs, Green Drake nymphs, and streamers.  As long as the water isn't muddy, you should be able to pick up a fish here and there.  

Silver Creek

Silver Creek is a fantastic early season fishery.  These fish haven't seen flies in a few months, which will be apparent when they eat a fly on a presentation that will provoke laughter in August.  Opening day in the preserve is always a party, and the fishing can be really good.  If the weather holds up, look for PMDs mid morning.  If the bugs don't show up, try stripping wooly buggers and other streamers.  This can be very productive early season.  This time of year the point of rocks and willows accesses can fish well too, so if the preserve gets a little crowded do some exploring downstream.  

South Fork of the Boise

The South Fork is running at 1610 below Anderson Dam.  This is a great level to float, but wading can be a little tricky.  Fish large stonefly nymphs under an indicator for best results.  Salmon flies should be showing up in a few weeks so check under rocks for those huge bugs.  It's also worth throwing streamers at the bank while you float.  

BROWN DRAKE ALERT

With the mild spring we've had this year, it should be another early Drake year.  I guessed June, 2nd which means they'll probably go off sometime in July. Swing by the shop at we'll keep you updated on the progress of these big brown bugs. 

Fishing the Big Hole River

Last week a few of us loaded up two drift boats and headed over to Melrose, Montana for a couple days of floating and fishing. Our river of choice was Big Hole.  Low water conditions caused a little bit of rock bar bouncing, but there was enough water to get a couple of boats stuffed with guys, gear, and dogs down the river.

We did two floats: one from Melrose down and the other down to Melrose.  The fishing wasn't hot, but we consistently picked up fish on nymphs and streamers.      A few fish were fooled into eating Skwallas, but the majority of the action occurred subsurface.

The Big Hole is a beautiful river, and it has the feel of a fishery with huge numbers of fish.  Once the river comes up, the fish should start hanging out under the enticing cut banks a little more, and things should heat up.  While we weren't awed by the fishing on this trip, the potential of this river definitely warrants a trip back.

Big Wood Wrap Up Video

We have reached our Spring lull.  The Big Wood and Silver Creek are closed and Steelhead season is over.  Of course there is still good fishing to be done around here, but it takes a little more work.  Because of the mild winter conditions that we enjoyed this year, the fishing was fantastic.  We saw tons of people coming off of the mountain to enjoy some cold weather fishing.  I spent a couple of days on the water this winter with a video camera.  I put together a short edit, to highlight trout fishing in icy conditions. Click on the link below to watch the video.  Enjoy! 

https://vimeo.com/62315756 

Steelhead Season Chugging Along in Stanley

This year Spring came early in Stanley, which made for high water levels and tricky fishing.  Plenty of fish have still been coming to hand, but these fish are requiring longer hours and serious persistence.  The Salmon is now dropping to a much more fishable level.  The flows are good right now, but if it stays on the drop, conditions will be low and clear in no time.

To me steelheading in Stanley is great for one reason; it gives anglers the opportunity to catch their first (or first few) steelhead on the fly.  Anyone who has chased these fish with a fly rod knows how tough it can be.  Sometimes you can spend days covering water, all the while wondering if a single fish has seen your bug.  Stanley is unique, because these fish tend to hold in "troutier" spots, which gives an angler a better chance of effectively presenting a fly in front of an active fish.  

Last week Zac helped a young man named Alex tie into his first steelhead on the fly.  Alex fished hard all day, and finally at the last spot of the day, he landed a beautiful native hen.  There is no better feeling than watching a kid's eyes light up as he grips his first fly caught fish.