Winter Fishing has Officially Begun

It's cold...in fact it's really cold.

This means it's time to change strategies.  For the most part, winter fishing in the Wood River Valley requires a willingness to nymph.  That's not to say you won't run in to a good mid-day midge hatch if the conditions are right, but generally, you're going to have your best results once you get "down and dirty."  When water temps cool way down, fish's metabolisms follow suit.  Trout become much less willing to move for a fly, but they are very opportunistic if you can put something in their face.  Some of our most proven winter nymphs are Girdle Bugs, Zebra Midges, Copper Johns, Brassies, and Prince Nymphs.  Fish these under an indicator or high sticked through your favorite slots.  Wintertime doesn't mean it's time to stop fishing; on the other hand this can be some of the best fishing of the year.  Get out there and enjoy the solitude and beautiful scenery of our valley in the winter.

 

Steelheading from up North...Slooowww

Zac, my buddy Ian, and I spent three days last week swinging through the runs of the Clearwater and Salmon rivers.  Counts are pretty poor this year, but we fished with the mantra "it only takes one."  One big, hot, angry steelhead makes the trip, so we tried not to get discouraged when we covered great looking water with nothing to show for it.

I met Ian and Zac on Monday, the 15th, after they had spent a week on the Grand Rhonde.  The Rhonde was slow, so we headed for the Clearwater.  Zac and I fished one run on Monday, and then the three of us met early Tuesday morning.  We fished two great runs with no tugs, and then the wind picked up.  It blew so hard, that casting a floating line with a two-hander, without taking a spey fly to the head seemed almost impossible.  

We packed it in on Tuesday and got ready for an early morning on Wednesday.  We fished a massive run early Wednesday morning, and Ian had a good grab to start things off.  With a little boost in confidence, we fished our way upstream, until the water started looking silty.  Heavy rain upstream had turned the Clearwater off color, so we were forced to make a new game plan.  The Clearwater was out, so we took headed South, where success was all but a sure thing.  

We drove to Riggins with high hopes.  Sometimes a change of scenery is all you need to build confidence, and when it comes to steelheading, it's all about confidence.  The weather was beautiful in Riggins.  We barely needed coats, while stepping down the runs of the Salmon.  Unfortunately high, bright sun isn't a steelheaders friend, and that combined with low fish counts left us grabless on the Salmon.  

This was one of those trips, where it felt like we were casting to nothing.  Sometimes steelheading feels hopeless, but when you have fishless day after fishless day, remember it only takes one.  Even though we got skunked, we've all steelheaded enough to know how it works, and we always manage to entertain ourselves, despite slow fishing.  We'll be back at it next week.  This Fall season won't end fishless, and when that first fish is picked up, I'll be writing to let you know.

Fishing Report 10/12/2012

In October temperatures drop, crowds subside, and the fishing remains strong.  This is the time of year where you can have the river all to yourself, while enjoying the changing leaves and rising heads.

The Big Wood is still fishing well, despite low water.  A dry dropper with a mayfly attractor and a small nymph is a good bet, but keep your eyes open for Baetis or Midges.  Watch foam lines for sipping fish.

This is one of the best times of the year on Silver Creek.  Pressure is low, and the Baetis hatches remain strong.  The hatches have been starting between 10:00 and 11:00, but don't be surprised to see some Baetis in the afternoon.  Here is a shot a Baetis caught fish from Wednesday.

The Lost has been great over the last couple of weeks.  A dry dropper with a bushy dry and a small nymph has been hard to beat, but afternoon Baetis has been by far the most fun.  Look for heads in the foam lines, and you might find some of the biggest fish in the river coming up to eat naturals.  

Follow up on the South Fork of the Boise Fish Kill

The South Fork of the Boise was recently drawn down from over 1,800 to 300 CFS in a matter of days.  I posted a little over a month ago about a study conducted by "Whitefish Ed" regarding the effects this drastic change in water levels can have on juvenile fish in the South Fork.  This year, TU, Fish and Game, and a few good samaritans teamed up to net stranded fish and put them back in to the main channel.  Despite a huge effort by all involved, an estimated 7000-8000 fish died due to the drawdown.  It seems ridiculous that the river can't be drawn down slower or kept at slightly higher base flows.  Below I've pasted a link to Ed's full report.  Give it a read, and see what you think.  There should be a an easy way to limit the casualties of fish every fall.
http://www.west-fly-fishing.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=706538#Post706538

Super Mountain Khakis deal today only!

oh, boy! Our Mountain Khakis rep just talked me into a great deal for our Trunk Show: Today only, all Mountain Khakis merchandise 20% off.............hope he helps me write the fill-in order!
Come in have lunch on us AND get a great deal on Mountain Khakis! Going on right now Lost River Outfitters

Mountain Khakis Trunk Show Friday and Saturday!

Come on in to Lost River Outfitters for our Mountain Khakis Trunk Show!
Today and tomorrow, Ron Mosher, our rep, will be here to introduce the Fall 12 line. We have tons of great merchandise, including the new Field Pant for all of you upland bird hunters.
We'll also have a nice selection of summer merchandise freshly shipped from Mountain Khakis at 25% off!
All shorts are now 40% off as well.
There will be Swag and free beer, and tomorrow, Saturday, we'll have a BBQ right outside our store.

We'll be looking for you!

                                                     Come join the fun see you there!

In case you've never been to Lost River Outfitters, we are on 371 N Main St in Ketchum, right next to the Bank of America  and across the street from the Pioneer!
Our store is fully stocked with new fall/winter merchandise including great winter footwear.
As always, we boast the best fly selection in town and our friendly and knowledgeable staff can point you in the right direction of where and when to fish and what to use.
if you need some added help, we'd love to take you out on the river and show you how it's done as well!
See you at Lost River this weekend !

Local Fishing Report 09/20/2012

Fall is officially here, and the fishing on our local rivers remains strong.  With the crowds of August gone, the Big Wood is fishing well again.  General mayfly patterns are working well on the wood.  When they won't come up to eat the big bugs, try a small Baetis or Trico fished behind your larger dry.

Silver Creek is also a good bet right now.  Trico hatches have subsided, but we've seen good numbers of Baetis and Callibaetis around 10:00 O' Clock.  Once the bugs are gone, try hoppers, ants, and beetles mid-day.

The fishing in Copper Basin has slowed down, due to low water and colder temps.  However, if you want to give it a try, there are definitely still fish to be caught.  General attractor are still the best bet in copper basin.  Fish faster and deeper water than you would earlier in the year.

The Lower Lost is fishing very well.  Fish are still willing to eat Crane Flies, and Cranes will sometimes bring the biggest fish to the surface.  If the Crane bite slows down, try a dry-dropper combo with a big dry and a small nymph.  There are also Tricos hatching, so throw a few in your box and look for heads.