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Fishing Report & Reopening of Sturtevants Main Street in Ketchum!

May 28, 2013 By Leave a Comment
Jim Santa's incredible steelhead catch! Photo by Brad Kane

Jim Santa’s incredible steelhead catch!
Photo by Brad Kane

We’re off and running as this past weekend marked the official opening of fishing on Idaho’s rivers and streams. The report from Silver Creek was quite positive with decent pmd hatches and fish rising to pmd patterns and beetles. Warm Springs fished well with stonefly nymphs and even fish taking dry patterns such as parachute adams. While the Big Wood is still fairly high it is clear and fishable, which is not often the case in late May. Brown Drakes on Silver Creek and Green Drakes on the Big Wood are right around the corner and Sturtevant’s Fly Shop is well stocked with a great variety of fly patterns. Come in and check out the new remodel and get the latest fishing news!

- Jim Santa

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The Second Law of Fly Tying

March 6, 2013 By Leave a Comment

Paddy McIlvoy Steelhead Fishing in IdahoThe Second Law of Thermodynamics states that entropy in the universe is ever increasing.  Nowhere is this truer than fly fishing.  We start with a simple equation; (fisherman + fish).  If only it ended there.  Quickly, we add more and more variables: water, wind, weather, insects, and on and on, all the way to the subtle push of an emerging mayfly just below rather than just above 1/100th of an inch of surface film.

But for most fly fishers the greatest variable of all, the one that separates us from the worm and bobber hordes, is the fly.  Beginner fly fishers start with only a few flies in their box, go-to’s they know, maybe the pattern they caught their first fish on.  Quickly that box grows and grows.  I’ve yet to meet a fly fisher who adds less flies to their repertoire as time goes on.  Most end up like me; boxes upon boxes, filled with back up plans A to ZZZ.  Entropy increases.

No fishermen are more vulnerable to this malady than fly tyers.  It’s not that the universe needs another emerging Pale Morning Dun pattern, it’s that every fly tyer has the ability to create one, and, inevitably, does. Sitting in front of the vice, I think fisherman tend to block out most of fly fishing’s complexity.  Instead, they revert to the original simple equation; (fisherman + fish), with the fly the only thing standing between the two.  The underlying urge the fly tyer feels goes something like this – “without the right fly, the new fly, my fly, there is no way on God’s green Earth I’m going to catch that fish”.  And so we put thread to hook and create anew.

A few times in my career as a fishing guide, I’ve been lucky enough to stand beside someone as they caught their first fish on a fly they tied.  It’s an electric moment, a combination of “I can’t believe that worked” and endless possibility.

More often though, it’s the other way around, my clients catching the first fish on a fly I invented.  This is the great dirty secret of fly fishing guides; we experiment more than you’d think, with the fish and fisherman as the unwitting variables, and the fly the continuously modified constant in the middle.

All guides start with something they know will work, after all, it’s a pass/fail job.  You clients catch fish or they don’t.  But that experimental urge, the “what if” gets strong, and at some point the guide quietly ties on their latest creation and experiments.  If the experiment fails, the new creation is cut right back off.  But if it works, I let my client name the new fly; my creative urge is justified, and ideas for new versions start to spin in my head.  And I go home and add one more new pattern to the universe.

By Paddy McIlvoy

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Fishing Report – September 12, 2012

September 12, 2012 By Leave a Comment

With Labor Day now behind us and a noticeable drop in the overnight temps it’s beginning to feel a bit more like fall. With the cooler overnight lows and subsequent cooler mornings the good fishing will continue to move to later morning and into early afternoon. The predominant hatches will consolidate into this window and with the fish sensing a reduction in the food supply we can look forward to some of the finest fishing of the season ahead.

We’ve been having some excellent fishing on the Big Wood in this late morning/early afternoon window. We’ve seen a mix of baetis and the larger hecuba mayflies and the fish have been rising eagerly to the bugs available. Have a good supply of basic mayfly patterns from sizes 12-20 and look for fish to be in the head end riffles and in the slick tailout sections of runs. If the surface activity is lacking, tie on a large attractor pattern, (hopper), with a zebra midge trailer and cover some water.

The hatches on Silver Creek will also follow this pattern of moving into this window of warmer weather in the later morning. Although a bit earlier than on the Big Wood, there’s certainly no need to be there at the crack of dawn. There will be a mix of mayflies on the creek as-well, mainly baetis and callibaetis, and we should be seeing the mahogany duns soon. Hoppers will be the go-to in the heat of the afternoon, especially if it gets breezy.

This is also the time of year when the irrigation is cut back and the flows in tailwater fisheries are reduced making these fisheries much friendlier. Take a trip to the South Fork of the Boise, Lower Big Lost or Lower Big Wood for some good fall action. Check the flows before you go at http://waterdata.usgs.gov/id/nwis/rt

As always, we’re happy to share our latest reports and suggest some bugs so stop by either of our convenient locations in Ketchum and Hailey and enjoy some great late summer fishing!

Fishing report by Jim Santa

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Fishing Report – August 27, 2012

August 27, 2012 By Leave a Comment

While we continue to deal some smoky days here in the Wood River Valley fishing is one activity that is certainly not affected, the fish have no idea it’s smoky. In fact, the hazy skies may actually enhance fishing. The smoke has been variable, so we’ll have clear skies off and on as the winds change. As heavy exertion is not suggested when the smoke rolls in fishing is an excellent alternative, and fishing is good.

Time of day is likely to be the most important factor right now. With the water being at it’s lowest and warmest of the season it will pay to start fairly early. On the Big Wood I would suggest being on the water by about 9:00 a.m. and things will slow down substantially after the noon hour. In this morning window we are seeing a good number of small mayflies, namely Tricos. While fishing size 20 trico patterns on the Big Wood presents quite a challenge, there are some easier ways to approach it. A large indicator fly with a small zebra midge trailer will fish well, and small dries such as parachute adams in sizes 16 and 18 will work just fine. Look to the shallower riffle water to be holding a lot of the fish now as it provides good oxygen and cover. The heat of the day will be challenging, but hoppers may attract some attention, run a zebra midge as a trailer for best success. The action in the evening has been decent. While there have not been any really strong hatches, the fish are active and feeding. Pick your favorite mayfly or caddis pattern for the evening and cover as much water as you can.

Silver Creek is in a bit of transition right now. We’re seeing the remnants of a rather inconsistent trico hatch this season. There are some callibaetis in the ponds and a mix of baetis can happen any time of day. Hopper and damsel fishing in the afternoon has been nearly as good as anything. With the weather pattern changing a bit and the nights cooling down we’ll begin to see more consistency. We’ll start to see stronger hatches of baetis mid morning and the mahogany duns should be right around the corner.

As we often reference to our customers, the best time of season to fish is after Labor Day. It’s hard to believe it’s already here, but it is a great time of season and we’ll look forward to a lot of great fishing ahead. Stay tuned and enjoy the weekend!

- Fishing Report by Jim Santa

 

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Fishing Report – July 30, 2012

July 30, 2012 By Leave a Comment

As it is prime time for fly fishing all over the west, following is a brief synopsis of not only the local streams, but a few other streams within striking distance. As always, we’re happy to share our latest reports, just stop by and inquire.

First, hoppers are beginning to attract attention on all waters and we all love to fish hoppers. The Big Wood is no exception, so when we’re not seeing hatch activity a hopper with or without a dropper nymph is a good way to do some prospecting. For droppers, zebra midges have been quite productive. We are seeing a mixed mayfly hatch late morning into early afternoon, primarily pink albert’s, and in the late evening the caddis hatch has been strong.

On Silver Creek the focal point has been the early morning trico hatch. The trico hatch is typically strong enough to trump any of the other mayflies that may be present. Later morning gives way to hoppers and the damsel flies are starting to produce as-well. In the evening there will likely be a mix of pmd’s and baetis for mayflies as-well-as some of the prairie caddis.

Over Trail Creek Summit in the Lost River drainage which includes the North Fork, East Fork, Wild Horse Creek, and the main stem of the Big Lost, reasonably good fishing is being reported. There’s a lot of water in this area and it generally pays to be on the move and cover as much as you can. Hoppers, stimulators, and a variety of basic mayfly patterns, with zebra midges and lightning bugs for nymphs will do fine.

The flows on the Lower Lost below Mackay reservoir have now been dropped to around 450 cfs. While considered a fishable level, this is still sporty wading. Double nymph rigs with zebra midges, stimulators to match stoneflies and craneflies, hoppers, and baetis patterns would be a few suggestions.

The South Fork of the Boise is now flowing at 1800 cfs making a boat more or less mandatory and even then it’s moving right along. Large high floating patterns like foam hoppers, stimulators, and cicadas worked along the banks will produce while floating. There’s a nice pink albert hatch happening in the mid afternoon, park the boat and work some of the side channels and seams when you see these mayflies start up. The evening caddis action can be strong in the slicks and seams as-well.

There’s a lot of good options out there right now so get out and do some fishing and stop by either of our locations in Ketchum and Hailey for the most up to date report.

Fishing Report provided by Jim Santa

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Fishing Report – July 23, 2012

July 23, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Its prime time for fishing in the Wood River Valley and the fishing is good. All of our waters are in great shape. The mornings and evenings are cool and comfortable and wet wading in the afternoon on our local streams is a refreshing option.

On the Big Wood we are seeing a mix of medium size mayflies, mostly pinks and pmd’s,  a good number of yellow sally stoneflies, and some of the larger golden stones. Feeding activity will begin sometime after 9 a.m. as it warms up and the bugs begin to hatch. In the heat of the late afternoon things will quiet down a bit only to pick up in the later evening as it cools off after 7 p.m. For fly selections on the Big Wood I’d have size 16 pmd and pink parachute patterns, yellow and tan stimulators from size 10-14, and elk hair and  x-caddis patterns in 14-18 for evening. Look for hoppers to start fishing well on the Big Wood and a trailing nymph behind that hopper or a double nymph rig may entice the bigger fish reluctant to come to the surface. For nymphs we like larger prince or stonefly patterns, size 8-12, with zebra midge, lightning bugs and copper john’s as trailing patterns in sizes 16-20. These same fly patterns and tactics will be apply for Warm Springs, Trail Creek and over the hill on the Big Lost and Copper Basin streams.

Let’s head down to Silver Creek. It’s the time of season when we see a plethora of bugs on the creek. The awaited trico hatch has begun and should be the go-to in the early mornings. Baetis and pmd mayflies can be present at anytime, and we’ll likely see some callibaetis activity in the ponds and sloughs. Note that the fish will tend to key on the bugs present in the highest numbers, not necessarily the largest. If your presentations are being ignored, look carefully at the water to note which bugs you’re seeing. Going smaller is typically your first/best alternative, but also consider tippet size, 6 and 7X will be the norm and fluorocarbon tippet will help reduce visibility. With all this mayfly activity it would be wise to have an ample selection of the aforementioned bugs in a variety of stages, but remember presentation is the key. Presentation will always trump bug selection! As the mayfly activity quiets down in the late morning and the breeze comes up it’s time to up your tippet strength and try some prospecting with hoppers, beetles and damsel flies.  Hoppers in particular are starting to produce on the creek and there’s nothing better than the aggressive strike a large meal like this can produce.

We’re always happy to share some “good, free advice” so stop by both of our convenient locations in Ketchum and Hailey for the latest report, to refresh your fly box, or book a trip with one of our friendly and knowledgeable guides. Also check out our free casting clinic every Tuesday evening at 6:00 p.m. Atkinson’s park in Ketchum.

Fishing report provided by Jim Santa

 

 

 

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Fishing Report – July 16, 2012

July 17, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Welcome to prime summertime fishing in the Wood River Valley. We’ve had ample bug activity, our fisheries are healthy, and fish are on the bite. If this isn’t incentive enough, call for a tee time and go play some golf. Seriously, here are some details on the local action.

Let’s head down to Silver Creek first. It’s the time of season when we see a plethora of bugs on the creek. It’s been really nice to fish the larger variety of bugs on the creek, the pmd, and this has often been the go to. The pmd tilt wing dun in a size 18 has been a shop favorite but lots of pmd patterns have worked.  Note that the fish will tend to key on the bug present in the highest quantities, not necessarily the largest. This has often been baetis even when the pmd’s are available. The fish often key on the emerger stage of this bug and you’ll notice the activity in the surface film. Callibaetis mayflies have been one of the keys in the ponds and in the slower water and we should be seeing an increase in the trico activity soon. That’s a lot of mayfly activity, so have a variety of patterns and stages to choose from. Besides the mayflies it’s time to begin to fish damsels, both nymphs and dries. Large (size 10 and 12) deer hair (Crowe) beetles are always a favorite and I wouldn’t be too surprised to see hoppers start to produce.  The best mayfly activity has been in the early mornings between 8 and 11 a.m. and the evenings from about 7 p.m. until dark have been productive. Try the hoppers, beetles and damsels late morning into afternoon when the wind comes up and the mayfly activity slows.

On the Big Wood the green drakes have all but disappeared but in their place we’ll see pmd and pink albertae mayflies. As it warms up after 9 a.m. we’ll see these bugs appear and it will quiet down in the heat of the day during the late afternoon. In addition we’ll see both golden stones and yellow sallies. The evening action has also started to pick up and we’ll see the return of some of the mayflies and stones after 7 p.m. and during the last hour of light into dusk the caddis action is heating up. So for fly selections on the Big Wood I’d have size 16 pmd’s and pinks, yellow and tan stimulators from size 10-14 and some caddis patterns for evening. Look for hoppers to start fishing on the Wood pretty soon now too and one may also consider larger nymphs and going deeper for some of the bigger fish that are becoming more reluctant to come to the surface now. These same tactics will work for Trail Creek and Warm Springs.

We’re always happy to share some good “free” advice so stop by either of our convenient locations in Ketchum and Hailey for the latest updates.

- Fishing Report provided by Jim Santa

 

 

 

 

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Fishing Report – July 9, 2012

July 9, 2012 By Leave a Comment

The first suggestion I have for this week is to find some time to get out fishing on the local streams, we’re experiencing some great action and it just doesn’t get a whole lot better! The water levels on the freestone streams continue to drop and getting around is getting a bit easier. At the same time the bug activity continues to increase and the fish actively feeding.

On the Big Wood the most exciting hatch of the season, the Green Drake, is in full swing. This hatch has been going for awhile in the south and mid-valley and we should see this activity moving north and continuing for the next few days before it dissipates. The fly choices for this hatch are of course a variety of green drake patterns in sizes 10 and 12, and general mayfly attractor patterns such as parachute adams and purple haze. In addition to the drakes we’re seeing some smaller mayflies, pmd’s and pinks but the focus has been on the bigger bugs. There have also been a variety of stoneflies from the very large golden stone to the smaller yellow sallies. Yellow stimulators in sizes 10-14 will fish well for these stoneflies hatches. The best fishing has been late morning into mid afternoon right now; this will change as we move into mid-summer.

Speaking of early, this is the time to be on Silver Creek. With the warm weather we’re having and the creek’s south valley proximity the hatches are starting pretty early now. The trico hatch has now begun and although tiny, the trout just love these little mayflies. You should begin to see these bugs in good numbers starting sometime around 8 a.m. give or take an hour. You will likely see some pmd and baetis but the trico should be the primary hatch in the morning. The pmd should be the key for the late evening with caddis likely being a player in the late evening as-well. Stay through the sunset as it’s not only a spectacular event on the creek in itself, it will also be the prime evening fishing hour.

Fishing on all of our local waters is absolutely great right now so get on it. Give us a call or stop by both of our locations in Ketchum and Hailey for the latest buzz.

- Fishing Report provided by Jim Santa

 

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Fishing Report – June 29, 2012

June 29, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Silver Creek

© Morgan Buckert

As we enter the month of July we find good fishing to be right on schedule. We typically look at July 1st as a marker for reasonable water levels on our local freestone streams and 2012 is no exception. The Big Wood and it’s tributaries as-well-as the streams in the Big Lost drainage are all starting to look very good and fishing is beginning to pick up. These streams will still be on the high for the next couple of weeks, but consistently dropping and clearing.

More specifically on the Big Wood, the green drake hatch is underway. We’ve been hoping the water levels would drop enough to be able to fish this hatch and it’s looking pretty good. These bugs should be around for a couple of weeks and with the water continuing to drop we should experience some really good fishing. In addition to the drakes we’ve been seeing a good number of golden stoneflies. So pack a bunch of green drake patterns and some large yellow and tan stimulators. Consider adding some smaller nymph trailers to these big dries to up your odds. Have some pmd patterns in your box as we are seeing these mayflies as-well. Be careful wading as the clarity of the water can be deceiving, it’s fast and powerful.

The Big Lost drainage will fish similarly to the Big Wood and the same patterns will suffice. Your nymph trailers may be more important in this region right now as the water is a bit slower to warm up, and hatches are usually a bit later than on the Big Wood.

Silver Creek has been fishing very well, some of the best we’ve seen in the past few seasons. The primary hatch has been the pmd with a mix of baetis. Beetles can always be a great choice during lulls in the hatch activity and damsels both nymphs and dries can also produce. With the weather heating up I’d suggest getting to the creek pretty to catch the morning hatch.

Over on the South Fork of the Boise some of the giant Salmon flies have been spotted in the lower stretches. Look for these to move upstream over the next couple of weeks.

In summary, the fishing is good and only going to get better during the month of July as the water continues to drop. The game is on so get out and catch some of the great action!!

- Fishing Report provided by Jim Santa

 

 

 

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Fishing Report – June 18, 2012

June 19, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Fishing Report 6.18.12

A week ago I would have said we’d have more fishable conditions on the Big Wood, but with a few warm days we continue to see a fair bit of run-off and what I’d call marginal fishing water. While the water clarity north of town is decent, it’s still pretty high. Nymph fishing can be reasonably good if you’re willing to explore to find some slower water to fish. Look for the Big Wood to start clearing and dropping in the next week and keep your eyes out for the green drakes very soon.

The fishing on Silver Creek would receive a rating of good. There have been pretty consistent hatches of pale morning duns and we’ve also seen some green drakes in the upper portions of the preserve. As for your fly selection I may suggest a variety of pmd patterns to include emergers, duns and spinners as the fish can tend to key in not only on a particular mayfly, but can be selective to particular stages of the bug. These can also vary from size 14-18 and if you experience refusals, switch to smaller flies, different stages, and/or smaller diameter tippet. Generally for size 16 and smaller flies on the creek 5x tippet will be the maximum and 6x more the norm, the smaller the fly, the lighter the tippet. So get stocked up on pmd’s, throw in a few green drakes, and head to the creek for your best dry fly opportunities.

Getting a bit further from our backyard, the Big Lost drainage is in similar shape to the Big Wood drainage. These streams are still on the high side and they also take a bit longer to warm up, give this area a couple weeks. The flow on the Lower Lost is over 500 c.f.s. which is a pretty tough level as-well. The South Fork of the Boise tailwater is now at average summer flow. There’s not a lot of bug activity yet, but some fish are being taken on large attractors and nymphs, it’s always a great float regardless.

In summary, our best fishing currently is to be found on Silver Creek but look for these other streams to come into good fishing shape very soon.

Fishing Report provided by Jim Santa

 

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