Hans Vieser

Hello Everyone! Hans here with the Sturtevants weekly fishing report. July 1st has marked the clear line between early season and full blown summer time fishing in the Big Wood Valley. A healthy hatch of Green Drakes have kicked off the dry fly season on the Big Wood and the Silver Creek morning action is picking up in a big way. Free casting clinics are being held at Atkinson’s Park every Monday night at 6pm as well as Sturtevants free Bugs and Brews entomology classes taught by our resident bug nerd and lead guide Carl Evenson. For beginners of all ages we are offering a Learn to Fish and Youth Fly Fishing Kids Camp. So give us a call or stop by the shop for up to date info and friendly free advice. The Big Wood Hungry fish are eating Green Drakes recklessly- this is what we have been waiting for. The Drakes are spread throughout the river but the bulk of the hatch is still on the lower half of around Hailey. Each day the epicenter of this event moves upstream a mile or so. As the bigger bugs move on up they are replaced by their smaller cousins, the Flav. Standard Green Drake patterns in smaller sizes fish well for these. Hit this hatch between late morning and mid afternoon on a hot and sunny day and prepare for some of the best fishing that the Big Wood has to offer. Golden Stones, Pink Alberts, Little Yellow Sallies, Caddis, and assorted Mayflies make up the rest of the bugs around. Flows are still a bit high, but manageable, so be careful wading and crossing. A Simms collapsible wading staff is a great tool for this time of year. Nymph a tandem Green Drake or Rubberleg Stone followed by a Lightning Bug or Pink/Tan San Juan Worm into the deep pockets and runs to hit the fish that are not looking up. Warm Springs This is a great option for wet wading and dry fly fishing. Green Drakes, Yellow Sallies, Caddis, and assorted small mayflies are buzzing around in great numbers throughout the day. Stocked fish are dumped in around the bridges which makes for a good place to start. Exploring out by Frenchman’s Bend hot springs makes for an excellent afternoon session. Trail Creek With lowering flows and recent stocking Trail Creek is a great quick outing to wet some line. Try a Cicada or small Hopper with a Pheasant Tail dropper. The far upper stretches are still a ways off from peak season. Most action will be close to the bridge at Boundary Creek where the stocking truck delivers it’s load. Silver Creek The Creek is coming into prime summer season with the recent string of hot weather. Late morning hatches are picking up in intensity. Beatis, PMD’s, and Callibaetis will feed pods of rising fish. Keep an eye out for tricos showing up in the morning mix, the hot and sunny forecast could bring this hatch to the table early. In the evening a PMD spinnerfall, early evening Beatis, and Caddis keep fish looking up. Dont be afraid to throw terrestrials and damsel flies when the morning hatch subsides. Beetles, Ants, and even small hoppers with a dropper can draw strikes when things die down. In the newly renovated Kilpatrick Pond nymphing the deep dredged channels deep with weighted PMDs, Pheasant Tails, and Damsel Fly nymphs can pull fish out from hiding. Pack fins if you are floating the Lower Kilpatrick Pond. The Big Lost Flows below the dam are dropping a bit but, high water still makes access and wading very difficult if not impossible in many places. Soon Tricos will make their way onto the water and make for a well worthy drive. The Copper Basin is in prime season with flows coming down and water temperatures warming up. Green Drakes, Golden Stones, Caddis, Yellow Sallies, and assorted Mayflies are buzzing around. A large and bushy Stimulator with a Zebra Midge dropper will make for a good prospecting setup. Fishing pressure pushes these fish around so if you don’t find fish- move on. Other Waters Snake River Carp The forecast is calling for Carpin’ weather- the hotter the better. Flats near Hagerman will come alive in 90+ degree heat. Look for mudding and tailing fish in the reeds, shallow bays, and near seams where the springs creeks meet the Snake. Dead drifting large Prince Nymphs, San Juan Worms, and Cranefly Larve below rapids can fool these picky fish. Little Wood Above the reservoir wading is easy and the fishing is consistent. Attractor patterns and the ol’ trusty Parachute Adams will bring fish to the surface. Fish the inlet to the reservoir with small streamers and Woolly Buggers for consistent action. Alpine Lakes Inlet streams flowing into the bigger Sawtooth lakes like Redfish, Stanley, and Alturas have been giving up nice fish. Look for these fish holding right off the drop offs. Sink tip lines and flashy steamers can produce some unexpected surprises. All but the highest lakes are iced out and fishing hot! Pine Moths, small Parachute Adams, and white Woolly Buggers are standard tackle in the high lakes.